The 'Rose' is one of the trip boats operated by and belonging to the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. She is 55ft long and 10' 6" wide and seats up to fifty passengers with four crew. She is equipped for all-weather and all-season cruising being centrally heated. On board there is a bar providing hot and cold drinks and snacks. Public trips of two hours duration are run each weekend from April to October with extra trips on Wednesdays during the summer. All the captains and crew are volunteers and new crewmembers are always welcome.

She was launched in 1980 with the express purpose of helping to raise funds for the Trust in their efforts to restore the closed canal to full navigation. For ten years she ambled gently along this stretch of the canal until 1990 when the canal was officially reopened by Her Majesty the Queen who performed the opening ceremony by descending part of the Caen Hill flight at Devizes on board The Rose. She is, therefore, a 'Royal Barge'! On board there is a photograph of Her Majesty standing at the front window descending the locks and looking very happy.

Tel 01488 683389 for bookings

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Bridge

Hungerford Bridge Club. Meets every Wed in The Royal British Legion. Starting time is prompt at 7.00pm for duplicate bridge.

www.hungerfordbridgeclub.co.uk

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Crofton Beam Engines

Crofton Pumping Station
Crofton, Marlborough Wilts SN8 3DW -,
01672870300 www.croftonbeamengines.org

Situated 6 miles from Hungerford and Marlborough, this Grade 1 listed building houses two magnificent Cornish beam engines, one of which, the 1812 Boulton and Watt, is the oldest working beam engine in the world still in its original engine house and capable of actually doing the job for which it was installed.

Crofton Pumping Station was built in 1807 to provide water to the summit of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The first engine installed in the building in 1809 was a 36 inch bore Boulton and Watt which had a wooden beam. In 1812, the 42 inch bore Boulton and Watt engine was installed beside it. In 1846, the 36 inch Boulton and Watt was replaced by a Sims Combined Cylinders Engine constructed by Harvey of Hayle.

Both the 1812 Boulton and Watt, and the 1846 Harvey engine (in its final form) are steamed on seven weekends through the summer months from a coal fired Lancashire boiler. When the Pumping Station is in steam, it actually carries out the job for which it was built, the electrically powered pumps that now normally do the job being switched off.

Although not part of the original station, there are a number of interesting small stationary steam engines in the boiler house, which are also run when the station is in steam.

The visitors have access to all parts of the station, and when it is in steam, can experience close up the sounds and smell of these wonderful relics of our past.

Refreshments and souvenirs are available in the shop, there is plenty of room in the grounds for sitting and enjoying the splendid views, and there is a car park opposite the gates. See our web site www.croftonbeamengines.org, or 'phone, or follow the brown 'Beam Engines' signs to find us.

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Herongate Leisure

Situated on Charnham Park , Herongate Leisure is the newest and most complete leisure club in the district. It offers a wide range of sporting facilities using the latest equipment and set in luxurious surroundings.

The fully equipped gymnasium has the latest in cardiovascular training stations and a full range of resistance equipment. The adjacent fitness studio is home to a variety of different exercise classes while the two squash courts have a unique moveable centre wall for doubles squash or larger aerobic sessions. The outdoor tennis court is floodlit. The swimming pool area incorporates a steam room and sauna and the spa pool confirms the relaxation theme. Aqua aerobics sessions are also very popular. The golf simulator allows you to play any one of 30 international courses as well as being able to improve your game on the virtual practice ground. Paul Simpson, the PGA professional from West Berks Golf Club can also provide lessons using the specialist integrated teaching cameras.

The club also offers a range of treatments from a number of independent professional therapists. These currently include aromatherapy, reflexology, Indian head, sports massage, facials and other beauty treatments. One treatment room is dedicated to the solarium.

The upstairs bar and lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a post workout drink, have a game of snooker or pool, follow a sporting event on Sky TV or just take in the views to the west from the balcony.

Herongate Leisure is a high quality and comprehensive adult only, non-smoking sports club. As well as providing full details of the club’s facilities and operational information, the web site allows members to book courts and facilities over the internet.

A variety of Membership Packages are currently available.

For further details or a tour of the club, please contact Richard Curtis the General Manager. Email: richard.curtis@herongateleisure.com

Website: www.herongateleisure.com Telephone: 01488 682000

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Theatre for Everyone

The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company

The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company provides theatre for all ages.

Its main production is the long-established annual " Town Show" which takes the form of a well-known musical. "Brigadoon (cast below)","The Likes of Us", "Carousel", "The King and I",“Blitz!” and "Hello Dolly" are the most recent productions . The show is performed each year during February and is open to anyone resident in Hungerford and the surrounding area. There is no audition to get into the chorus but if you wish to take one of the singing or speaking roles then an audition is required.

For example, the Town Show in 2012 was "Brigadoon” performed at the John O` Gaunt Community Technical College between Feb 15th and 18th 2012.

The company also has a group called Hungerford Young Performers for those aged 6 to 8 years. A production is presented each year just before Easter.

The adult group - The Players, stage plays when cast and venues are available.

Hungerford Children's Theatre (Aged 8 to 13 years) aim to stage a production every July.

Hungerford Youth Theatre (aged 14 to 21 years) also rehearse a production for perforamance in July.

The Company's box office is at Crown Needlework, 115, High Street, Hungerford - Telephone (01488) 684011 (Credit cards accepted).

The Community Theatre Company have teams of people who get involved in the creative process but do not want to appear on-stage. If you wish to design or make costumes, scenery, properties, lighting, sound, programmes and publicity then you can take part in these activities by getting in touch with secretary@hungerfordtheatrecompany.co.uk or visit our website at www.hungerfordtheatrecompany.co.uk