What's on this week
A guide to all the events happening in West Berkshire and beyond this week
Thursday December 8
to January 2 Peter Pan, The Anvil, Basingstoke. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
to January 7 A Christmas Carol, Creation Theatre Company, Oxford. (01865) 766266 www.creationtheatre.co.uk
Newbury District Ornithological Club, AGM, St Mary's Church Hall, Greenham, followed by Poland, a talk about the 2010 club visit, by Jim Burnett,7.30pm. New members and visitors always welcome. 01488 668482.
Newbury Yacht Club's Laying Up Supper/Christmas Dinner at The Furze Bush, Ball Hill. 01635 200768
The Newbury Society, United Reform Church Hall, Cromwell Place, 7.45pm. Neil Carter will be talking about the Parkway Development. Members £1, non-members £2.50, to include tea or coffee and biscuits. Graham Smith 01635 580356 www.newbury-society.org
Christmas Fayre, The Willows Primary School, 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Come and do some Christmas shopping, sample some exotic food and get in the Christmas mood. Crafts for the kids to do, music from the choir and Father Christmas. This event is raising money for The Willows PTFA. Sue Turner 01635 49925
Dementia Cafe, The Chequers Hotel, 2pm to 4pm. Lift your spirits and make new friends; come for afternoon tea, usually with an activity or speaker and an informal chat with support workers. This event is raising money for the Alzheimer's Society. Kim Westall 01635 500869
Newbury and Thatcham Hard of Hearing Club, Fair Close Day Centre, 7pm to 9pm. Philip Davies 01635 36830
to December 11 York Nativity Play, St Mary the Virgin church, Aldermaston, times vary. Tickets are free but there will be a collection. Tickets MUST be booked in advance. For free tickets, please send a S.A.E to: A&V Hall, The Gables, Church Road, Aldermaston, RG7 4LR or email aldermastonnativity@hotmail.co.uk.
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet in the Public Car Park in Ludgershall, grid ref SU263509, 9.30am. A circular walk through Ludgershall Castle to Collingbourne Wood and New Zealand, returning via Upper Chute, Honeybottom and Crawlboys Farm. Pub lunch possible. 9.5 miles Leader: Joan L C 01672 861359 or 07709582477
St John's Infant School Choir sings carols in The Market Place, 10am to 11.30am. Come along and enjoy 60 children from St John's Infant school getting into the Christmas spirit whilst they sing carols outside the Town Hall.
Friday December 9
Victorian Extravaganza in Hungerford from 5pm. The Scottish Pipe Band, the Hungerford Town Band and the Phoenix Band, not forgetting the music of the Victorian Organs, bring the evening to life, plus Punch and Judy shows, Stilt Walkers, Clowns, Jugglers and a visit from Father Christmas. Add the smells of roasting chestnuts you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. The shops will be open with their staff in Victorian dress, some giving out mulled wine and mince pies. Many local charities will be there with a variety of stalls. At 7.30pm the Grand Parade comes up the High Street.
and 10 Christmas Carols and Owls, an evening of carols at The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, 7pm. Traditional and modern festive songs sung by the Sing For Fun singers, plus a special owl flying demonstration and bird holding session. £15, includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince-pie. www.hawk-conservancy.org
Newbury District Field Club, Town Hall, 2.30pm. Talk by Malcolm Langford on Stone Age Thatcham.
to 31 Beauty and the Beast, The Haymarket, Basingstoke. 01256 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Wreath making at the Vyne, near Basingstoke. Using greenery from The Vyne's own gardens, this workshop presents a step by step guide to creating a beautiful wreath or swag, alongside the log fire in the cosy Brewhouse tea room. 10am to 2pm and 1 to 5pm, £35. Book on 01256 883858. Ticket price includes tea/coffee and a light lunch.
Spurcroft Christmas Fayre, Spurcroft Primary School, Thatcham, 3pm to 7pm. There will be tombolas, craft stalls, raffles, and more! Come and meet Santa and new this year the Spurcroft Cafe! This event is raising money for Friends of Spurcroft (formerly PTA). Kirstin Robb 01635 871887
Saturday December 10
Instant Wit, New Greenham Arts, 8pm. Bristol's own improvised comedy company – are delighted to be appearing at New Greenham Arts for the very first time. £10 01635 522733
to January 8 Cinderella, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Starring Keith Chegwin as Buttons. wyverntheatre.org.uk 01793 524481
No Way Out, The Snooty Fox, 9.30pm 00.30am. No Way Out may be the hottest Rock Band in the south. The guys will have the place on its feet with a mix of iconic guitar fuelled tracks from the 70's to today's future classics. Dave 07900954466
Dancing Elves, Town Centre, Newbury, 10am to 4pm. Alfie and co dance their way into everyone's hearts. They perform their Christmas elf dance with some serious elf-centric moves; whilst all around shoppers and passers-by find the temptation too irresistible and succumb to the Christmas spirit by joining in and throwing some shapes! Smiles and good moves all round, from elf moon walking to waltzing to break dancing and beyond.
Father Christmas, Kennet Centre, 10am to 5pm. Ho Ho Ho! Father Christmas is coming to Newbury. Come along to the Kennet Shopping centre and visit Father Christmas in his grotto, don't forget to bring your Christmas lists and maybe if you've been very good he'll give you a Christmas present! Free for children up to 10.
and 17 Lantern Making, Newbury Library, 10am to 3pm. Take part in free lantern making workshops at Newbury library for the procession on Sunday December 18. No skills or materials needed. Please allow around two hours to make a lantern. If a school, group or company would like its own lantern-making workshop please call Sarah on 01635 582666 ext 206.
and 11, Cholsey & Wallingford Railway, Santa Steam Specials. We celebrate the festive season in a family friendly way. Santa and Mrs Claus ride on our fully decorated Steam hauled trains distributing gifts to children up to age 8 years. A free mince pie and a hot drink for the adults in the station café after the ride. Look out for the Christmas characters along the line. See Peckett “Sir Gomer" 0-6-0 Saddle Tank Steam engine hauling our 1950's coaches. No booking needed just come along. Trains depart from Wallingford starting at 11.05am and hourly until 4.05pm; trains depart Cholsey starting at 11.35am and then hourly until 4.35 pm. Find out more at www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com or contact us on cwrail@yahoo.co.uk or 01491 835 067.
Hamstead Marshall & Enborne Community Christmas Market, Organic Research Centre at Elm Farm, Hamstead Marshall, 10am to 2pm. There will be organic wine tasting, handmade chocolates, turkeys from Christmas Farm, preserves, eggs, bread, honey and yummy food. Also there will be Christmas trees freshly cut from Buttermere, beautiful ceramics, woodturned gifts, and so much more. Come and Christmas shop in a wonderful renovated barn next door to the Dogs Trust. 01488 658168
Sunday December 11
Daneshill Chamber Choir, Stone Gallery, The Vyne, near Basingstoke, 5pm to 7pm. An evening of haunting, traditional carols. Adults £5 / children £3. Booking essential 01256 883858
Newbury District Ornithological Club, a morning visit to the Cotswold Water Park north of Swindon. Meet at 10am in the Gateway Centre car park on Spine Road off the A419. All welcome, more details 01488 668482
Christmas Market, Compton Swan, 10am to 1pm. Come along, join in the fun and support the local Air Ambulance. Over 25 stalls with everything from food to gifts, carol singing and attractions for children.
This event is raising money for Berkshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Air Ambulance Trust. David Dawe 01635 579400
Fundraising for 1st Thatcham Scout Group, Sainsbury's Store, 10am to 4pm. 1st Thatcham Scout Group is fundraising by packing bags at Sainsbury's, to raise £5000 for essential maintenance that its HQ so desperately needs. Ian Lyford 01635 264512
Carols and Choral music, Market Place, Newbury. Snow will rain down on a celebration of all things Christmassy, in an evening of carols and choral music to warm the cockles of even the biggest Scrooge. Gather round the Christmas tree and enjoy the snow-filled scene of the market place looking and sounding its prettiest. An evening not to be missed.
Recycled Arts workshop, Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre, 11am to 3.30pm. Stalwart recycling enthusiast Jill Nicholas visits on a regular basis to transform unlikely looking rubbish into works of art, and will teach simple techniques for making the most of unwanted items. Join Jill to make beautiful Christmas decorations from all things shiny and glittery, ribbons, paints, glue, tissue paper and lots more! Drop-in event £1.
Star Wars warriors, Kennet Shopping Centre, 11am to 5pm. Let the Force be with you at the Kennet Shopping Centre! Come along and see sci-fi characters from Star Wars - shake hands with a Storm Trooper, say hello to C3PO and hide from Darth Vader!
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet in Station Road, Great Shefford, grid ref SU386752, 10am. A leisurely walk via Trindledown Farm, Maidencourt and the Lambourn Valley Way. Bring a drink and a snack. 3.5 miles. Leader: Fred C 07769816429
West Berkshire Ramblers, park at the lay-by provided by The Gerald Palmer Trust for visitors to Park Wood and Down Wood in the hamlet of Eling, grid ref SU523752, 10am. A walk via Hampstead Norreys, Ashampstead, Yattendon and Frilsham. Bring a picnic lunch. 8 miles. Leader: Chris R 01635 865311 or 07979804637
Monday December 12
Zumba, Clere School, Burghclere, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Join in the fun every Monday during term time and get fit. £5 per drop in session or £40 for 10 weeks. 01635 278129 community.office@clere.hants.sch.uk
LET'S SING, Kennet School, Thatcham, 7.30pm. New community choir. All welcome. 01635 813355 or letssing@hotmail.co.uk for more information.
Tuesday December 13
West Berkshire Ramblers, from the A4, at the staggered cross roads, one mile east of Hungerford, turn south to Denford Mill. The free public car park is on the left, just over the canal bridge, grid ref SU351681, 10am. The route of the walk is to Little Hidden farm and Leverton. 6.5 miles. Leader: Roy Ba 01635 40720
Wednesday December 14
Christmas Party Day at Newbury Racecourse, first race 12.20pm. 01635 40015 or www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Sing, stretch and socialise, Burghfield Common Methodist Church Hall, 1.30pm to 3.15pm. Light-hearted singing, lots of laughter, optional gentle exercise and afternoon tea!
Organised by the Alzheimer's Society. Kim Westall 01635 500869
Carol Concert, Aldermaston Parish Hall, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Get in the festive spirit and celebrate Christmas at Aldermaston carol concert. This carol concert is an annual event for all comers. There will be sausage rolls, mince pies, mulled wine & juices available during the interval. £1, free for children under 11.
Greenham Common Bird Walk, meet Control Tower car park at Greenham Common,10am to noon. Calling all bird watchers, young and old! Autumn and winter are special times to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the many migrant birds that flock to the West Berkshire countryside. Join bird expert Graeme Stewart for a walk at Greenham Common. Graeme will show you the wide range of birds at Greenham Common and tell you how to identify them. Bring along your binoculars and wear comfortable shoes to enjoy the walk. £2 per person, no need to book.
