Last year's show. Photo courtesy of the BMM. VauxALL, the celebration of all Vauxhall, Opel and Bedford models, is calling all owners and enthusiasts to bring their vehicle to the British Motor Museum on Sunday 17 May. Sponsored by Howden Classic Insurance Services, VauxALL is in its fourth successive year and is widely respected as one of the leading Vauxhall events in the UK. This headline May event is recognised by many as the start of the show season for the Vauxhall, O

A pupil from Thomas Jolyffe Primary and one of the birthday butterflies. Photo credit the school. Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm marked the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough on Friday 8 May with a memorable celebration bringing together local schoolchildren, visitors and staff to honour one of the world’s most treasured naturalists and broadcasters. Pupils from Thomas Jolyffe Primary School and Stratford-upon-Avon Primary School joined the special event, releasing

Rebecca Mileham. Photo courtesy of Alison Manning. The opening night of this year's Springboard Festival at the Criterion Theatre in Earlsdon did not disappoint. As Artistic director, Anne-marie Greene said in her opening welcome, this is the 4th year of the festival which consists of a week-long celebration of creative arts, featuring a variety of music, poetry, theatre, literary discussion, community groups and even visual art. The festival brings together amateur and profe

Sara Pascoe. Photo courtesy of the artist. Festival on the Close, Rugby, from: 20 – 25 June 2026. Preview Rugby, the much-loved Festival on The Close returns to Rugby this year with an exciting programme packed with headline performances, unforgettable music, comedy, and live theatre. As the festival approaches its ten-year anniversary, organisers promise a spectacular celebration of live performance for audiences of all ages, and all in support of Rugby’s Bradby Club, the lo

David Bradley at Rugby Theatre. Photo courtesy of the artist. Featuring a Harry Potter star, an Edinburgh Fringe comedy show, gripping drama and more, a week-long arts festival is back at Rugby Theatre from 2-10 May. Rugby Theatre’s Fringe Week will see a variety of acts appearing at the historic town centre venue, with tickets starting at just £10. The festival kicks off with Michael Mansfield KC, one of Britain’s most influential barristers, who represented victims and fam

Meet Shaun the Sheep! Photo courtesy of the BMM. Gaydon Land Rover Show 2 & 3 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire. Shaun the Sheep and Lara Croft Land Rovers join adventure winners and unique historic vehicles at one of the UK’s largest and most exciting shows for the iconic British vehicles. There's also the chance to win a VIP day out at the museum for your family. Adventure in motorsport and films takes the spotlight at the hugely popular Gaydon Land R

Butterfly Owner Clive Farrell (centre) with David Bellamy (L) and Sir David Attenborough (R). Photo courtesy of the Stratford Butterfly Farm. Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is delighted to announce a very special celebration on Friday 8 May, marking the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, one of the world’s most treasured naturalists. Sir David Attenborough, who has previously visited the Butterfly Farm, has long been an inspiration to the team and to millions aroun

Nia Gwynne as Titania. Photo by Chris Clarke. Titania – A new one-woman show by D R Hood. Performed by Nia Gwynne at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 24 – 25 April. Other dates and venues: 8 May: The Tolmen Centre, Constantine, Cornwall; 25 June: The Lyric Theatre, Bridport, Dorset. Running time: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes (no interval). Review by Ann Evans ‘Run towards things that scare you, so I am running full pelt. Why wouldn’t you want to play the

There’s lots going on behind the scenes at the newly refurbished Criterion Theatre, Earlsdon, as preparations get underway for their fourth incarnation of the Springboard Festival. Running from Saturday 9 May to Saturday 16 May the Springboard Festival will be showcasing a wide variety of local artistic talent with writers, poets, performers, musicians, both amateur and professional entertaining audiences over the week. Amongst the great line-up of nightly entertainment wi

Portrait Print and Best in Show: Angles and Extensions by Ester Riordan. Fittingly, a new trophy awarded for the judge’s choice of Best in Show at Leamington Spa Photographic Society’s end-of-season competition has been won by an arts-related image. It is presented in memory of long-standing LSPS member Keith Roberts, who was the LSPS membership secretary for many years and was also chairman of the Leamington Spa Arts Society. The Best in Show trophy, chosen by judge John Hai

Charlie Hamblett (L) and Anton Lesser (R) Photo credit James Northcote. Red Sky at Sunrise: Laurie Lee in Words and Music at Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7FD, Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 7.30pm. Actors Anton Lesser, Charlie Hamblett with Orchestra of the Swan. Director Judy Reaves. Music Director David Le Page. Writer Deirdre Shields. Producer Hambletts. Preview Author, Laurie Lee’s extraordinary story - from Cider with Rosie to the Spanish Civil Wa

Max Cooper. Photo by the artist. Max Cooper 3D/AV Live, Feeling is Structure Album Tour. At Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre on Friday 15 May 2026. New Album out 8 May 2026. Preview Acclaimed electronic artist and multidisciplinary composer Max Cooper will be bringing his 3DAV live album show to some of the most prestigious venues throughout the UK on the back of his London sold out Royal Albert Hall performance - including Coventry's Warwick Arts Centre (15 May 2026) Re

Sam Evans of the Shakespeare Distillery. Photo by the company. Gin and rum lovers are in for a treat as the popular Stratford Gin & Rum Festival returns in 2026 with an exciting new riverside home at the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon, on 19 July from 12 to 5pm. Taking place beside the River Avon, the festival will bring together a hand-picked line-up of craft gin and rum distilleries, offering visitors the chance to sample, discover and purchase a wide variety of premium

Gorgeous dogs enjoying the attention. Photos by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. As life gets back to normal for all the canine competitors and their owners and handlers who were involved in Crufts, Elementary WhatsOn looks back on our visit to this world famous dog show held over the four-day period of 5-8 March at the Birmingham NEC. We’ve put together a roundup of dogs and events that caught our eye, including some gorgeous dogs who may not have achieved Best in Show, but were

The Blue Morpho Butterfly. Photo courtesy of The Butterfly Farm. Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm is proud to support its sister conservation and breeding project, ‘Fallen Stones Butterfly Farm’ in Belize this Easter. During the holidays from 28 March – 12 April, visitors can experience the breathtaking beauty of hundreds of Blue Morpho butterflies, which have been sourced directly from the project. Known for their iridescent, shimmering wings, the Blue Morpho is one of t

Educating Rita by Willy Russell presented by YPI+ in the Dorothea Mitchell Hall, Claverdon CV35 8HF. Directed by Pete Davis. Performances on Friday 27 March at 7pm. Saturday 28 March at 7pm and Sunday 29 March – 2pm. Preview Audiences in Warwickshire will soon have the chance to enjoy a much-loved British theatre classic as YPI+ present Educating Rita at the Dorothea Mitchell Hall in Claverdon. The production runs for three performances only: Written by Willy Russell, Ed

Ampleforth Abbey. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. It’s always good to discover new places, so if you’re travelling to York, you might want to take a trip to Ampleforth Abbey, situated in the foothills of the North York Moors National Park, just 19 miles from York. Ampleforth Abbey is set within 1,200 acres of peaceful countryside, with stunning views of the Yorkshire countryside. It’s a perfect place for those who enjoy being outdoors and there are routes and nature tra

A previous Rustival. Photo courtesy of the BMM. Rustival returns for its fourth event at the British Motor Museum on Saturday 18 April. Known by many as the ‘UK’s friendliest car show’, this family friendly event is a celebration of all vehicles, from car, commercial, bus and bike, and their enthusiasts! From clapped out to Concours - if it’s got wheels, it is welcome at Rustival! The show, which is hosted by YouTubers Ian and Carly from HubNut, Matt from Furious Driving a

The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher, at the Belgrade Theatre from 13 to 18 April. Preview and interviews with the leading actors. Producers Jack Maple, Thomas Hopkins, SAMS Entertainment and Carl Moellenberg are delighted to bring the sell-out 2025 tour to further venues in 2026 including York Theatre Royal, and visits Aylesbury, Aberdeen, Guildford, Windsor, Dublin, Poole, Eastbourne, Colchester, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and

Food by Wyrd World. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. The Miniatura Show takes place in Hall 3, Stoneleigh National Agricultural Exhibition Centre (NAEC) on 14-15 March 2026. Doors open from 10am-4pm. Preview The hobby of miniatures has never been bigger! With TV programmes such as the BBC’s The Marvellous Miniature Workshop, presented by Sara Cox, and The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge presented by Sandi Toksvig in 2022, there’s lots of interest in dolls house miniatu

War of the Worlds by H.G.Wells. The classic novel retold by Imitating the Dog, supported by Lancaster Arts & Cast Doncaster. At The Belgrade Theatre from Wednesday 18 - Saturday 21 March 2026. Preview and interview with Andrew Quick of Imitating the Dog. “Life is real again, and the useless and cumbersome and mischievous have to die.” - H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds Four performers enter the stage with cameras and construct an epic road movie before our eyes. It’s a stor