Arlington Arts Centre is turning 20!
Over the coming months we will be announcing a few things to help celebrate 20 years of discovery, experience and memories at Arlington Arts Centre.
Thank you to everyone who entered our Creative Writing Competition, we are delighted with the amount of entries we received and is has been fascinating reading them all and the different takes on the theme of Past, Present and Future.
Keep an eye on our Facebook Page as we will posting some of the best moments that have happened at Arlington Arts Centre over the years.
The first of these memories is from our grand opening with KT Tunstall and Meridian News.
Win A Free Ticket
AAC could not have made it to our 20th anniversary without the help and support of all of you so to celebrate our anniversary we are giving you a chance to win a free ticket to a show in 2027.
All you have to do is tell us your favourite memory of Arlington Arts Centre.
For full terms and conditions and to enter visit the Competition Page.
Wall of Memories
We have collated all of the best moments and memories over the years and created a Wall of Memories for you to look back on during your next visit to Arlington Arts Centre.
Along with the brochures and photography on the wall, there is also the favourite memories of former Artistic Director Tony and current General Manager Dean. You can read these memories below.
Former Artistic Director, Tony Trigwell-Jones
“Arlington Arts has come a long way in twenty years and I feel privileged to have played my part in its development. There were, in those early days many landmark events that we were lucky enough to host: Supergrass, Seasick Steve, Jim Jones Revue, Cara Dillon, PP Arnold and countless others – too many to mention. Plus of course there were brilliant artists with no discernible uk fan base, that established a local following over time – for example Davina and the Vagabonds, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Patti Plinko and her Boy and similar, who reached hundreds of people from West Berkshire and beyond.
If I were to be pushed for proudest moments, these will probably come in smaller packages. I was always delighted to work with Open Studios, local, national and occasionally internationally renowned artists to host successful exhibitions of visual art. I also adored events with smaller creative artists and performers such as Ridiculusmus, Temper Theatre, Nordic Giants, and the inimitable Bob Log III.
However, the thing that makes me proudest of all is that the project we started at Mary Hare twenty years ago has continued to go from strength to strength and I wish the current team every success as they move into a third decade of great live music and much more!”
General Manager, Dean Kingston
“When I think of my favourite moments in my nine years here, two, come to mind. From an arts perspective, one weekend in October 2019 was spectacular with PP Arnold, Kris Barras Band and Turin Brakes providing back-to-back-to-back sold-out nights with top class music from three different genres.
However, the coolest thing to ever happen in this building was when Mary Hare students got to communicate with astronauts in the International Space Station. You can read all about it via the Newbury Today news report on the side to your right but what an incredible moment that’s a reminder of why this school building and arts centre is here.
Looking back on the phenomenal performances, memories and achievements Arlington Arts Centre has seen over the last two decades has motivated the team to make the next twenty years even better!
We hope you enjoy looking through the memories as much as we did.”