Norden Farm's Pinocchio Chill Out space is a wonderful place to relax and play this festive season.

We are working with artist Amelia Pimlott, The Autism Group, Achieving for Children, Care for Calais and local schools; Wessex Primary School, Furze Platt and Cookham Dean Primary School, to create a magical Gallery space at Norden Farm which will bring the story of Pinocchio to life with shadow puppets and animations.  

The exhibition will be open to visit throughout the Christmas holidays, this is a wonderful opportunity to see our local young people's artwork and to explore shadow puppets and animations in this innovative immersive exhibition.

Open Tuesdays - Saturdays

Tues 26 Nov - Sat 28 Dec

Entry is Free

•  10:00 -22:00 FREE

Visit the incredible world of Stuff and Nonsense as they bring Pinocchio to our stage for Christmas 2024.

This is the unique story of ‘when dad was made of wood’...

One cold night Pinocchio, Geppetto and Sonny go on a journey in search of a place to live. Little do they know the house they’re staying in is a playground for their imaginations...

Join the trio as they embark on adventures to the land of play, inside a whale and much more!
Will Pinocchio ever turn back into a real boy?

Stuff and Nonsense are leaders in family theatre. Their adaptation of Pinocchio combines classic elements of the story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – with their hallmark hilarity, skilled puppetry, original music, fantastic staging, outstanding performers and extraordinary physical tricks.

'The show was extremely clever and I was very impressed by the fantastic use of staging, which is definitely one of the key elements, along with the lively music, that kept my little boy transfixed throughout' coastalmum.co.uk

Invest in your children’s imaginations: join us in the theatre and take playfulness home with you!

Age guidance
Suitable for all the family - age guidance 3 - 10 years.

Relaxed Performances
The performances on Saturday 30 November at 11am and Friday 27 December at 11am are Relaxed. Ideal for families with babies or toddlers and children with SEND. Everyone is welcome to join us for this friendly format.

Signed Performance
The performance on Saturday 21 December at 2pm will be signed.

Run time
Pinocchio is 60 minutes long without an interval.

Tickets
£16 | £14 Under 16s
£56 Family and Friends (4 people)

Tickets for children under 18 months
For this show, tickets/seats are not required for children under 18 months who are happy to sit on laps.

Pre-School Term Time Ticket Offer
Book one Standard and one Under 5 ticket for term time performances of Pinocchio for the special price of £25. Valid on Tuesday - Friday performances until Fri 20 Dec. Offer applied in basket once logged into your account.

Creative Team
Directed by Niki McCretton
Music by Dom Coyote
With additional music by Tim Dalling

Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company's website

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•  10:30 from £1250

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

Autumn
Wed 11 Sept - 9 Oct (5 weeks)
Wed 16 Oct - 13 Nov (5 weeks)
Wed 20 Nov - 18 Dec (5 weeks)

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

•  11:00 from £12

Led by Sue Bridge

These sessions are suitable for those with some prior experience of drawing and painting (either previous study or art course participation).

As with the preceding course 'Transform your Sketchpad' these 3 hour studio sessions will be wide ranging both in terms of media and subject matter. Over the duration of the course you will gain experience in a range of media, acrylic/watercolour, pen and ink and collage. Some sessions will be one off activities other topics may spread over a couple of weeks.

Students to provide their own materials.

Autumn
Wed 23 Oct - 11 Dec (8 weeks)

£200 per 8 week course

Age guidance: 18+ years

•  11:00

Led by Funky Monkeys

Have you ever wondered what your baby is thinking or feeling? Would it help if they could communicate those thoughts and feelings to you?

Sign & Rhyme teaches parents/carers and their little ones, simple sign language that enables them to communicate before speech takes over. Just like waving and clapping, your baby can learn to tell you when they’re hungry, in pain or just that they’ve seen a dog! This is empowering to them and hugely rewarding for you! In most cases babies who sign learn to talk sooner than their non-signing peers.

Signs are used in class, like actions, to accompany songs and nursery rhymes and with an array of props, puppets, instruments and the use of disco lights, bubbles and parachutes to enhance the sensory experience and make learning more fun.

There's also:
* Free on-site parking
* Café (open all day)
* Baby changing facilities

Mums, Dads, Grandparents, Carers all welcome with their babies under 18 months

Autumn
Wed 11 Sept - 18 Dec, exc 30 Oct
1.45pm - 2.30pm

£8.50 for 1 Adult and 1 Child | £4 Siblings (9 months +)
£45 for 6 sessions a term (this offer doesn't include the sibling ticket)

•  13:45 from £4

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.

Autumn Season
Wed 9 Oct Leaf Imprint Trinket Dish
Wed 16 Oct Charcoal Drawing
Wed 23 Oct Wooden Pumpkin
Wed 30 Oct Paper Pumpkin Quilling
No Session Tues 5 Nov and Wed 6 Nov
Wed 13 Nov Hoop Weaving
Wed 20 Nov Glass Painting
Wed 27 Nov Block Printed Cards and Tags
Wed 4 Dec Scrap Fabric Baubles
Wed 11 Dec Christmas Stocking
Wed 18 Dec Wire Christmas Tree

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
£5 per session, including a cup of tea

•  14:00 from £5

Led by Clare Marshall

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese Martial Art, whose benefits are supported by modern research. These benefits include improvement in balance, posture, memory, sleep and focus. It also reduces high blood pressure, anxiety and stress. Breathing and gentle movements flow into each other, harmonizing the mind and body.

As a physiotherapist, Clare chose to become an accredited instructor with The Tai Chi for Health Institute, which was founded by a medical doctor, Dr Lam. Their programmes are beneficial for those with or without specific medical conditions, reduce the risk of injury and can be done seated and in standing at your own level of comfort.

The classes are fun, relaxed and suitable to all.

Wear lose comfortable clothing and trainer type footwear.

Autumn
Wed 11 Sept - 9 Oct (5 weeks)
Wed 16 Oct - 13 Nov (5 weeks)
Wed 20 Nov - 18 Dec (5 weeks)

3 - 4pm
£12 per session | £50 per 5 week course

•  15:00 from £12

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

Autumn - Improvisation Term
Wed 11 Sept - 18 Dec, exc 30 Oct (14 weeks)
5pm - 6pm
£145

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

•  17:00

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

Autumn - Improvisation Term
Wed 11 Sept - 18 Dec, exc 30 Oct (14 weeks)
6.05pm - 7.30pm
£180

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

•  18:05

Julian Vickers and Dan Bovey make a welcome return. From Baroque to Jazz and with some Spanish flamenco, the Vickers-Bovey Duo’s programme will be a feast for all lovers of the guitar.

'They play with outstanding exquisiteness and unanimity' The Sunday Times

£20 | £15 for Maidenhead Music Society members | Under 18s free

See the full programme details via the link below.

Maidenhead Music Society website

•  19:45 from £20