The weekend starts here...

Let's hope the rain stops this weekend so you can join all the fun that will be going on in the area. Here are a few examples:

Saturday

Gangsters on the run from federal agents are a new addition to a skirmishing extravaganza in Cliveden this weekend.
Battlefield displays at Blasts from the Past, on Saturday and Sunday, will also include Greek warriors, Vikings, and 18th century Redcoats fighting amongst themselves.
And World War II, Civil War and Vietnam scenes will be brought back to life. Details on 01628 605069.

Paddlers will be competing in the Cookham Regatta on Saturday. 
Thousands of participants and spectators are expected to flood the grounds of Marsh Meadow in Cookham for the races which start at 10am. 
The Bisham Riverside Band will keep villagers entertained throughout the day which is expected to finish after the races end at about 5pm. Food and drink will be available. 
Admission is £5 for adults and £1 for children under 16.

A new ride that got fans giddy at the Reading Festival will be rolling into Maidenhead.
The £400,000 gut-churning Accelerator will be at Traylens Funfair in Blackamoor Lane until Sunday. The fair runs weekends until Sunday, September 14.

Author Eleanor Curtis is due to sign copies of her book about St George’s Chapel at Waterstones, Peascod Street, Windsor from 11.30am, on Saturday.

After dancing their way through France, Maidenhead’s morris dancers will be performing on their home turf at the weekend.
Dance troupe Taeppa’s Tump have just returned from a four-day trip to Burgundy where they were guests at the English Tea Party festival held in Viry.
On Saturday they will set out at 11am with Windsor morris and Adderbury morris dancers from the Windsor and Eton Bridge, making their way to Windsor Royal Station and Peascod Street. The dancers have chosen to support Rosie’s Rainbow Fund this year and recently presented £200 to the charity which helps sick children.

The historic Cox Green Horticultural and Craft Show will take place for the 100th time this Saturday.
This year’s centenary event will be held at the Cox Green Community Centre and features a range of classes including best fruit, vegetables, flowers, photography, cakes, artwork and other handy-work sections as well as dedicated classes for children.
Winners will scoop a prize for their efforts, which are to be presented my Maidenhead MP Theresa May. Proceedings will start at 2pm at the centre in Highfield Lane.

Old Windsor Horticultural Society show will be at the Memorial Hall, Straight Road, Old Windsor, and opens at 2pm on Saturday.

In Datchet a Fundraising Cheeky Monkeys tea party for National Childbirth Trust at Datchet Village Hall, Green Lane, from 3pm.

The Dorney Horticultural Show in Dorney Village Hall, Oak Stubbs Lane, Dorney will open at 2pm.

International martial arts champion Roger Gracie and Jeremy Bailey, star of TV show Cage Rage, are set to attend the opening of revamped facilities at the Streetwize Self Defence club at Gallery Health Club in Vale Road on Saturday, between 2pm and 3pm.
New attractions at the club include a fight cage, which will allow participants to engage in bouts at the newlyformed club. Further details are available at www.thegalleryhealthclub.co.uk

Bourne End Horticultural Society Village Show will go ahead on Saturday from noon to 4pm. There will be classes of flowers, fruit, domestic and crafts.
There will also be children’s and photography entries. Entry is 60p for adults; children and pensioners are 40p. Details from Penny and Albert Hogg on 01628 532982.

Sunday:
 
Garden lovers can experience exotic views in Cookham Dean on Sunday.
Owners of Maracay, in Dean Lane, Cookham Dean will be opening up the doors of their large garden to the public to raise money for the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. The couple say that one of the best features of their garden is the Mediterranean section. Cream teas and snacks will be provided. Admission is £3.50 for adults and children under the age of 16 are free.

A yoga class will be held at the next event of the Hindu Society of Maidenhead.
The society will meet at St Piran’s School in Gringer Hill, Maidenhead, on Sunday. Prayers will start at 10.30am and are due to finish at 11.15am. Yoga precedes lunch which is at 12.15pm.

Why not go along to Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor Road, on Sunday? BBC antiques expert Thomas Plant from Flog It can value your heirlooms, while parents and children are invited to wear fancy dress to match the theme. There will also be face-painting, fancy dress and live events. Fundraising is for the Alexander Devine Cancer Trust. It starts 11am and runs until 4pm.
Details at www.adcct.com

The Maidenhead Advertiser's Wedding Fair will be in all its glory at Fawley Court, Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames. Wedding services and suppliers will be exhibiting. The event is free and will run from 11am-5pm. Details: Amy Vickers on 01628 678210.

A charity walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation will be held at Windsor Great Park.
Routes include 4.5miles, 10 miles, or 15-miles, with the starting point at Virginia Water (GU25 4BE).
Registration is from 9am or online in advance. For more details, call 0808 100 2109 or see www bhf.org.uk

To find more events in the coming weeks, click here for our online events listings.