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Explore: Djembe Drumming (Families)

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Led by Mandinka Roots 

Mandinka’s skilled percussionist brings an authentic djembe drum for every member of the group. Build on basic sequences and traditional songs in a huge drum circle!

This event is part of Quest Family Fest 2025. Join us to navigate your way through 2 weeks of creative adventures.

60 mins

£4.50 per workshop | 4 workshops £16 per person

The Explore Pass offers access to 4 different workshops for £16 per person – saving £2 (Explore! Festival Pass can be used by named participant only)

Things you need to know!

Booking
• Explore workshops are always really popular so we recommend booking in advance as it’s unlikely tickets will be available on the day
• Workshops for specific age ranges are designed for children to attend on their own
• Family Workshops are designed for children and grown ups to get creative together – you’ll need a ticket for every participant attending
• If you can no longer make your workshop, please let our Box Office team know so that the space can be freed up for another participant!

On the Day
• We expect the carpark to be busy so please allow at least 15-20 mins to park / walk to Norden Farm / find your workshop
• Workshops take place across the building – everything will be well sign posted. Use posters to find out where you should be and check the location on your tickets
• We recommend flat shoes and dressing for mess at our workshops
• Our team of friendly Young Leader volunteers will be on hand to help (look out for their lanyards)

Food and Drink
• The Café Bar is open from 9am and serves food from 9am – 3pm. Why not start the day with breakfast?
• Snacks and soft drinks can be bought throughout the day. Newspapers and WiFi are available to keep adults entertained!

Children’s Grab Bags:
• Pre-order a children’s packed lunch when you buy your Explore! Day tickets. These will be ready for you to collect throughout the day from the Café Bar
•Packed lunch costs £6 and includes:
•Tortilla wrap with a choice of: Tuna Mayo, Ham, Cheese, Vegan cheese
•Carrot and Cucumber sticks, Yoghurt, 150ml Fruit Juice, Pom Bears

Have fun and Explore!

Disclaimer: Please note that a photographer will be present at some Explore Workshops. Images will be used for Norden Farm marketing purposes, including, but not limited to: use in printed material such as brochures, on the website and social media, and in local publications. If you do not wish your child to be photographed, please advise our Box Office team on the day (Friday 18 April).

other events you may be interested in

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Crafternoons - Tuesdays

Led by Creative Eye

Norden Farm's Crafternoons are relaxed crafting sessions for older people.

Get crafty with a range of activities, or bring along your own projects to work on with support from tutor Kayleigh Robinson.

You can learn new skills, meet new people and try something new, a cup of tea is included with the ticket price. Come either Tuesday or Wednesday and join in that week's craft. If you are unable to attend in person you can log on from home to chat and join in the session.

Spring Season
Tues 11 Mar - Felt Keyring / Brooch
Tues 18 Mar - Woven Basket
Tues 25 Mar - Wool Hoop Art
Tues 1 Apr - Book Folded Sheep
Tues 8 Apr - Fabric Flower
Tues 15 Apr - Cube Bunny
Tues 22 Apr - Embossed Foil Decorations
Tues 29 Apr - Iris Paper Folding

Summer
Tues 6 May - Stencilled Hoop Art
Tues 13 May - Cupcake Case Flowers
Tues 20 May - No Session
Tues 27 May - Abstract Square Art
Tues 3 Jun - Glass Magnets
Tues 10 Jun - Mini Decoupage Sign
Tues 17 Jun - Quilling
Tues 24 Jun - Yarn Wrapped Vases / Jars
Tues 1 Jul - Dotty Tote Bags
Tues 8 Jul - Dried Flower Art
Tues 15 Jul - Wood Slice Nail Art
Tues 22 Jul - No Session
Tues 29 Jul - Bird Seed Ornaments
Tues 5 Aug - Yarn Canvas Art
Tues 12 Aug - Air Dry Clay Candle Holder

Social Arts Crafternoons is a partially funded project run by Norden Farm with support from The Berkshire Community Foundation.

Local transport can be provided as part of the ticket price for those attending on a Wednesday.

If you need transport to Norden Farm for the Wednesday sessions please contact Jess Thompson at jess.thompson@nordenfarm.org / 01628 682563 to talk through your requirements.

Suitable for ages 60+ years.

2pm - 3pm
£6.50 per session, including a cup of tea

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Norden Farm Choir

Led by Seann Wilkinson

A non-audition community choir open to all. Working on everything from Madonna to Les Mis, from gospel to pop - this is an opportunity to meet people, learn some harmonies and sing your hearts out. No experience required. Enthusiasm absolutely necessary!

Spring
Tues 14 Jan - Tues 1 Apr (exc 18 Feb)
7.30pm – 9pm

£11 per session | £110 per 11 week term

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Hard Truths (12A)

Dir: Mike Leigh 2024 | 97 mins

Life’s a constant struggle for Pansy. Racked with physical and mental pain, her dealings with the world are channelled through anger and confrontation: she argues with her family, her dentist, her doctor, the girl at the supermarket checkout…

Curtley, her husband, has been at a loss as to how to deal with her for a long time while Moses, her son, lives in his own world, hardly says a word and spends his days aimlessly wandering the streets of the city. Only her loving sister Chantelle understands her and is able to help her.

From acclaimed filmmaker Mike Leigh and starring BAFTA award-winner Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin.

Nominated for Outstanding British Film and Best Leading Actress at this year’s BAFTAs.

‘Marianne Jean-Baptiste is Oscar-worthy in Mike Leigh's captivating new film’ ★★★★★ BBC Culture

£10.50 | £9.50 conc

Neon Members - Free membership for ages 16 - 25
£5 (offer applied in basket once logged in). Find out more about Neon Membership here.

Three Films Ticket Offer
£9 | £8 conc tickets when you book for three films at the same time. Offer excludes event cinema screenings. Offer applied in basket.

Open Captioned Screening
The screening on Wed 12 Mar 2pm is an Open Captioned Screening. These screenings provide a transcription of the audio from a film. Captions are displayed at the bottom of the cinema screen along with the dialogue from the film.

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Beginners/Gentle Yoga

Led by Julie Potter

This class is particularly suited to beginners, those returning to yoga having had a break, those with specific injuries or conditions or even those that consider themselves to be of a certain age that might need a less challenging approach. We will cover general breathing practises, the basic and gentler postures, together with general information and possible discussion around movement and the potential difficulties we might come up against.

The aim will be to relax and enjoy.

The yoga I teach is an evolution of nearly 30 years of practice and study, with a broad experience of many styles and teachers. In recent years I have been moving away from ‘external’ evaluation of the postures and moving towards an internal sense of the postures, moving away from the more used traditional approach of systemised yoga to a more experiential and felt approach, influenced by teachers who have been inspired by the teachings of Vanda Scaravelli.

Please bring a blanket, a Yoga / Pilates mat, and wear loose comfortable clothing

Spring
Wed 19 Feb - 19 Mar (5 weeks)
Wed 26 Mar - 30 Apr (5 weeks)

Please note that Susan Bett will be covering the session on Wed 16 Apr.

11am - 12.15pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course

This class will take place both in person and online via Zoom.

You will find the link to access the session in your booking confirmation email.

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Norden Farm Youth Theatre (Junior)

Led by Emma Duncan

In each session children take part in a series of drama games and activities that develop their confidence as well as teaching them drama skills. These include focus, communication, developing a character and voice projection.

As the weeks go on the group will each have a part with some lines to learn in a small-scale show. They will rehearse as a team and share what they have learnt during the last session, more details to follow on this after half term.

Suitable for school years 2 - 6.

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Timothy, age 7

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
5pm - 6pm
£126

Junior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'The youth theatre is a nice place and I’ve only been here a short time and I Love it!' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'It is cool and welcoming' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the most professional classes I’ve enrolled in' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best drama clubs, everyone is so friendly and we do amazing games' Junior Youth Theatre Student

'We have absolutely loved the drama classes, we have seen a tremendous improvement with our daughter's confidence, she enjoys the sessions as there is a mixture of techniques and games and has made friends along the way! Emma is great at adapting the lessons and I have only seen improvements, we Look forward to the end of summer show combined with the senior class!!! Love Norden Farm as the venue!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

'This is my daughter’s first experience of a drama club - and it has been such a positive, confidence-boosting, creative experience for her. I particularly love that there is no pressure on the children - there is plenty of time and practice to get ready for the end of season Sharing Session, and the level of performance is just enough to stretch them, without making them worry. It’s pure joy and excitement! You can see how far the group has progressed from term to term - they are becoming a very confident and capable group of Thespians!' Junior Youth Theatre Parent

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Norden Farm Youth Theatre (Senior)

Led by Emma Duncan

Each term we will be focusing on developing the participants confidence and well-being through a series of drama games and activities.

This term the Senior Youth Theatre group are focusing on developing drama skills. They’ll learn a deeper understanding of performance and managing their nerves as well as some more specialised techniques including comedy and physical theatre.

Suitable for school years 7 - 12.

'Drama has upped my confidence remarkably and I’m getting better every time, it’s my favourite club and I look forward to it each week' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best dramas clubs ever, we can express ourselves' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'The instructor is very supportive and everyone is very respectful' Youth Theatre Seniors Student

'Norden Farm is my favourite after school club, it always keeps me moving and relaxed. It is a great place to go for drama and within a short time, I have become far more confident and expressive' Youth Theatre Student

'We have sent both of our children to Youth Theatre at Norden Farm and have seen dramatic improvements in there ability, confidence, social awareness and expressiveness generally and specifically. The environment is safe and developmental in a broad and exciting sense' Alex - parent

Spring
Wed 15 Jan - 2 Apr (12 weeks)
6.05pm - 7.30pm
£156

Senior Youth Theatre Booking Form

'Drama has upped my confidence remarkably and I’m getting better every time, it’s my favourite club and I look forward to it each week' Senior Youth Theatre Student

'The youth theatre is one of the best dramas clubs ever, we can express ourselves' Senior Youth Theatre Student

'The instructor is very supportive and everyone is very respectful' Senior Youth Theatre Student

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Carter Sampson

Join the self-crowned ‘Queen of Oklahoma’ Carter Sampson with her full band for a hotbed of good music.

Born and raised in the central state, Sampson writes relatable and honest songs about family, love, life and historical characters. She’s released six albums With her seventh expected out in January 2025. Her last album, Gold, spent many months on the Americana Music Charts.

Carter won first place in the Chris Austin Songwriting contest at Merlefest, NC, and has performed at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest and the Lincoln Center in NYC as a top finalist in their respective songwriting contests.

The line up includes: Carter Sampson (guitar, vocals), Joe Coombs (electric and acoustic guitars), Jamie Dawson (drums) and Scott Warman (electric and stand-up bass).

‘Sampson sings from the heart. Nothing is sugar coated. She's as real as her red dirt roots or the red cowboy boots that she proudly wears’ Country Standard Time

‘Heartfelt, sincere, and honest. There’s an inherent happiness that populates a Carter Sampson record and it’s something I’ve truly come to look forward to with each album she’s released’ Americana Highways

Studio
£16


Carter's website

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Insta cartersampson
Fb Carter Sampson
Tiktok cartersampson


Carter will be supported by Joe Martin. Described in his own words as a modern day troubadour, Joe is now a seasoned singer songwriter having toured extensively around the UK and Nashville, playing some of Music City’s most renowned venues. His sound is deeply rooted in the classic American style, with a focus on storytelling and lyric.
  
'Superb melodies accompanied by a fantastic voice and outstanding lyrics.' Fatea Magazine 

Joe's website

X JoeMartinMusic
Insta Joe Martin
Fb JoeMartinMusic

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Showstopper Tots

Led by Mairi Cowieson

Showstopper Tots Musical Theatre themed music and movement classes for ages 2 - 5yrs. Younger siblings are welcome. Under 6 months free.

Join us for our Mary Poppins themed term. What is in Mary Poppins magic bag? It's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Come with us over the roof tops as we Step in Time.

A class like no other! Little ones, dance, sing and enjoy a drama adventure, ending each class with our unique story show, in our mini theatre.

Building confidence, musicality, coordination, concentration, all through the wonderful world of Musical Theatre. Led by a professional West End performer and director.

Building confidence, musicality, coordination, concentration, all through the wonderful world of Musical Theatre.

Led by a professional West End performer and director.

A story song is added to each week to enhance their engagement and concentration skills. It's also fun for the parents/carers who attend with their little ones.

Spring

Course 2:
Thur 27 Feb - 3 Apr (6 weeks)

£48 for 6 week course (1 adult and 1 child)

£9 drop-in per session (1 adult and 1 child).
£5.40 drop-in per sibling per session

Age guidance: 2-5 years

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