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.

Grand Opening With KT Tunstall

The first of these memories is from our grand opening with KT Tunstall and Meridian News.

Seasick Steve

Our second memory to celebrate 20 years of Arlington Arts Centre is from March 2007, when MOJO award-winning and BRIT award nominee Seasick Steve performed at Arlington Arts Centre during his breakthrough year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2007/03/12/seasick_steve_feature.shtml

International Space Station

Our look into the past to celebrate 20 years of Arlington Arts Centre is from 2021, when a group of Mary Hare students spoke from to astronauts aboard the International Space Station from the Arlington Arts Centre stage 😮👨‍🚀🛰

Take A Look

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.”

FOH Coordinator, Peter Jex

I first visited Arlington Arts back in the late 2000s to see Supergrass and immediately fell in love with the venue; clean welcoming and, despite the trouser moving volume, a fantastic sound system. Over 15 years on and not much has changed except the volume is now controlled, thank goodness. 

At that time, I had a very narrow view on the music I liked. It had to be Rock and loud. Which was great as Tony was booking that genre of music I quickly became a regular seeing acts like Wilko Johnson, Otway and Barrett, Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band. 

One thing I particularly remember from this period was at the end of a prolonged sound check with Wild Willy Barret. Our tech manager cried “You’ve got to be joking!!” when Willy told her that she had forgotten to sound check his Wheelie bin.

With staff changes came a greater variety in shows and gigs and I joined the team as a volunteer steward, and I was introduced to a much-varied array of music, theatre and dance. I remember being very impressed by a version of The Magic Flute, fortunately the company produced a programme in English to explain the story. 

I also rekindled a liking for Folk rock and Punk folk with the likes of Mad Dog McRea, Ferocious Dog and Skerryvore. I made a fantastic new circle of friends from both the customers and staff, regularly seeing them at other gigs outside Arlington Arts.

I was incredibly excited when the venue announced that they had booked Big Country for a gig on in 2018 – I think I was the first to book my tickets.  

Sadly, in July 2018 my wife was diagnosed with Leukaemia and hospitalised the staff at Arlington were fantastic and offering me support and putting my tickets on hold and then exchanging two seats for 1 standing. My wife died 2 hours before the gig started. 

I didn’t make the gig, surprisingly, but throughout the night I had numerous phone calls from staff and customers offering support and love. 

After this I went into a very dark hole, with live music being my only light and my most frequented venue was Arlington. Everyone there looked after me offering me a quiet space if I needed and taking time to talk to me and laugh at my awful jokes. I cannot remember who or what I saw in those months, but what I will never forget is the warmth, compassion and friendship shown to me in that dark time by everyone whom I still refer to as my Arlington Family. 

In July 2023 I jumped at the chance to join the core team at Arlington in a period of great chance here with myself, Helen and Darren all starting at roughly the same time and Dean being made captain of a very changed ship. We have all worked hard to get to where we are today and I am proud to say that I was part of that transition team.  

We are able to bring to our customers a wide range of shows from Ballet to Rock Music to Comedy to Theatre with age ranging from 2 years through to 102 years . Our conference facilities offering meeting rooms during the day, St John first aid courses, and art and craft workshops in the evening. 

I have decided to take retirement from the end of January to spend more time with my new wife, but I will still be seen at Arlington watching shows and stewarding where possible.