RAMBLINGS - WALLINGFORD & DIDCOT - OX10/11 - NOVEMBER 2008
G’dy my little
Possums! Here I sit in my underpants as the sun comes up out of the
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Rightyho! As
we Aussies say, back to earth and the realisation that I’ll be coming home to
a dark November. And what better way to brighten things up on the 8th than fireworks. 1155 is a newly registered charity set
up to serve
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And talking about
Christmas, ‘Cards For Good Causes’ and their volunteers have been busy setting
up the charity Christmas card shops, so, once again, we will be able to support
a good cause with the money we spend on our Christmas cards – in fact, the charities
will get back at least 79p in £1.
The shops sell cards from over 30 different charities as well as advent
calendars, Christmas wrappings and small gifts.
So look out for the red triangular Santa sign at St Mary-Le More, in
Wallingford Market Place. It is
open Monday – Saturday,
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The Oxford Santa
Run returns AT 9.30 on Sunday 7th December in the city centre. It’s to raise
the coppers for
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Watlington Hospital
Charitable Trust Christmas Fair 2008 takes place at Benson Parish Hall on Friday
21st from 9.30 -3.30. Stalls will be selling children’s gifts, clothes,
stationery, jewellery, lifestyle gifts, faux flowers, cashmere, china, pottery and
festive decorations to name but a phew! Coffee and lunch also being served.
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REME Museum of
Technology in Arborfield is holding a ‘Blitz Day’ between 11 and 3.30 on Sunday
23rd. Join the ‘On Parade 1940’s re-enactment group for a practical demonstration
of a bomb disposal, see a Wartime model display, a 1940’s fashion parade, a
Home Front display of WW2 textiles and demonstration dancing including the Jitterbug.
Tickets: Adult £4 Child £3 Family £12
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‘Ladies Pampering
Evening’, East Hagbourne Village Hall on the 7th between 7 and 10.30. A number
of therapists are offering a variety of 15 minute ‘Taster Beauty Treatment’
priced at a fiver each. There’ll also be stalls selling make up, cards, gifts
and jewellery. Tickets at £5 each to include a drink and nibbles from
Jill Garlick on 01235 817 377 or from the Hagbourne Community Shop.
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Oxford Touring
Theatre Company will be at
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And another one!
No wonder educational standards are falling. Long Wittenham Primary School is
holding a Christmas Fair on the 29th from 2 to 5pm. (Note I’ve corrected
your spelling) Santa’s Grotto, books, jewellery, cards, raffle, children’s games,
refreshments and much more. Entry
50 pennies, groats or whatever per adult.
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The Bix 6 returns
during Advent with a wide range of arts and crafts items. Bix 6? Any connexion
to ‘The Magnificent Seven?’ They’ll be at
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Wallingford Flower
Club is holding an open meeting on Wednesday the 12th at the Corn Exchange.
National Demonstrator Ken Wilcox will be extending ‘Christmas Greetings’ to
you all with one his outstanding displays. Tickets at £7.50 from Marian
Callan on 01491 837 118.
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Local adoption
and fostering agency ‘Parents And Children Together’ will help you to learn
more at a no-obligation information evening in Oxford on Tuesday 16th December.
Prospective parents can pick up written material, hear about the support that
is available, and talk one-to-one about their personal circumstances if they
wish. Call 0118 938 7600 or e-mail through ‘www.pactcharity.org’.
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Right, I’m packing
in for a spell. It’s 6.50 on a beautiful sunny morning and my neighbour in the
next apartment has switched on his television full blast with the French doors
wide open. If it’s any consolation, Australian TV is even worse than ours. That’s
unless you like repeats of ‘The Bill’ or ‘Midsomer Murders’. The recent Para
Olympics recorded every Australian athlete who came second or third I still
don’t know who came first and second. One news item announced “The President
of South Africa Thabo Mbeki has resigned.” Just that! Twenty minutes into the
news that was largely devoted to some dubious Rugby League tackles and the misbehaviour
of some of their players off the field. Oh! And the provision of some new traffic
lights in
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Back now after
a stroll along the beach. Seven blue black aboriginal children aged from 3 to
about 8 are splashing around in the shallows while a portly grandfather figure
in a baseball hat stands guard in the deeper water. Lovely! I feel better now.
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And ‘tis the
‘Lovely Leslie!’ That’s to let you know that she’s a girly type Leslie, and
she’d like you to know that on 12th December Didcot Arts Forum is holding a
Comedy and Dance Picnic. Headlining will be The
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Harwell Fun Club
Baby and Toddler Nearly New Sale takes place at Harwell Village Hall on Saturday
15th between 10 and
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Nah!
I much preferred it when it was’ Harwell Fun Club Nearly New Baby and
Toddler Sale’.
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Recently returned
from a successful three-concert tour of
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Incidentally,
the society welcomes old and new members – visit ‘www.didcot-choral-society.org.uk’.
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I flew back from
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I see trouble
ahead! On Tuesday the 25th Didcot Arts Society is holding a ‘Critique Evening’
when everyone is invited to bring along a picture for discussion. Oh Dear!
“I think it’s lovely Darling, but…” For the masochists amongst you, it’s on
at
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That’s nice!
I may pop along. On 13th November East Hendred Heritage Trust is having a moonlight
guided walk around East Hendred, where they talk about village history, legends
and the odd ghost or two, followed by supper at the Plough – tickets limited
at £15 on 01235 821 796. Park at the Plough, bring a small torch, waterproofs
advisable. Hah! So much for the moonlight. I thought they’d made a prior arrangement.
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Remember I told
you about the exhibition of Victorian painters being prepared by the
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The exhibition
has received financial assistance from GADFAS - Goring Decorative & Fine
Arts Society, who, to mark their 20th anniversary generously donated £500
towards the cost of mounting it; and from Goring Local History Society who contributed
to the cost of framing the Museum’s Kate Latter paintings.
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Some news on
the Wallingford Archaeological Excavations! Whilst the digging has finished,
work is still in progress on analysing all the data and finds. Meanwhile you
can visit
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One way of getting
your garden dug I suppose!
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And still with
the archaeologicals! A project that focuses on the unique archaeological importance
of
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Back to
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Samantha Grimwood
writes to say that Watlington Primary School Christmas Bazaar takes place on
between 10 and 2 on Saturday the 22nd.
There’ll be a range of quality craft stalls selling a wide variety of
goodies as well as Santa’s grotto for the children. That’s discrimination that
is! Q-tass will be providing refreshments throughout the day. Q-tass? Play it
again Sam! You’re having me on aren’t you?
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How’d you like
to do your bit for Helen and Douglas House? One of our top three favourites
that is! Pop into Grove Craft Fair at Old Mill Hall on Saturday the 8th between
10 and 4. They’ll have a wide range of stalls including hand-made cards and
gifts, home crafts, children’s toys, jewellery and even refreshments provided
by Grove District Guides. Entry £1, under 16’s free if accompanied by
an adult.
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St Helen's church,
Benson has a ring of eight bells, dating from 1781 that are still hanging
in the original oak frame. Ooer! The frame is rotting so must be replaced
with a new metal one as a matter of urgency. The band of about a dozen ringers
has been working hard to raise the £50,000 needed; and as part of
their efforts they have produced a Christmas card for sale at £5 for a
pack of 10. 5. If you’d like to buy some, or indeed help with a donation,
ring 01491 838 484.
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Abingdon Peace
Group has invited Professor Keith Barnham, Emeritus Professor of Physics at
Imperial College London to talk on ‘Nuclear Power – A threat to Security? The
links between nuclear power and nuclear weapons.’ All are welcome at this public
meeting at St Nicholas’ Church in the Market Place on Tuesday the 18th at 7.30.
Professor Barnham is a founder member of Scientists for Global Responsibility,
and currently researches into the practical application of photovoltaics.
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Henley Symphony
Orchestra is delighted to welcome the principal bassoonist of the Philharmonia
Orchestra, Robin O'Neill, as soloist for its first concert of the new season
at
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Abbey Meadow
Lacemakers meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Preston Road Community
Centre in South Abingdon and are asking anyone interested in bobbin lace making
to contact Sue on 01235 529 115.
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I do love a cliché!
You’ve probably noticed. When dining out one evening in a beach side restaurant
on the other side of the world we were seated near two other couples. As we
were leaving we bade them good night and one of the chaps asked where we were
from. “Oxfordshire.” I replied. “We’re from Wantage.” said he…Wait for it!...
‘Small World’ isn’t it?
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Ann Stieglitz
of Wallingford School of Art writes to say that they are now displaying Andrew
Maphanga’s wire sculptures, perfect stocking fillers, as well as linocut prints
from the Cape Town Printmakers Collective, and sculptures from Zimbabwe. Any
purchase made helps toward feeding at least 10 families in the area around Bulawayo,
as well as helping charities for abused women and children. If you’re interested,
contact Ann on ‘wallingfordartschool@talktalk.net’. Incidentally, she’d like
to thank all of you who attended the last two very successful exhibitions. Mike Simmons’ paintings and wood engravings
gladdened many hearts and minds; and the sales of photographs by the famous
South African, Gerald Hoberman, helped to replenish the gallery in the District
6 Museum in Cape Town.
On the 7 November,
Henry Pavlovich, formerly of the BBC and the Chartered Institute of Linguists,
returns to speak on his childhood and life in a UK refugee camp. Called ‘Worlds
Apart’, this lively, moving and well-illustrated talk also looks at his parents’
extraordinary adventures.
Then, on consecutive
Thursday evenings, beginning on the 6 November the well-known musicologist and
opera critic, Michael Eagleton, returns to speak on 'Vaughan Williams and the
English Symphony'. The four-week
course costs £35.
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A Very Special
unicorn called Hamish is bringing Father Christmas to Watlington on the 6th
December for a Special Shopping Day. Hamish? Must be from the Scottish side
of the family. He’ll drop off old SC at his grotto in the High Street at 10.30
and from then on there’ll be a lively programme, including the Watlington Band,
a Grand Free Prize draw and assorted entertainments. From
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A Quiz Night
in aid of the building fund for Wallingford Methodist Church takes place on
the 15th at Cart Shed, Crowmarsh Battle Farm at 7.30. Teams of 4 to 6 at £7.50
each to include supper. Entry forms from Esther Chamberlain on 01491 83 242.
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Cranford Choral
Society is performing Handel’s Messiah accompanied by the St Giles Orchestra
of Oxford at Dorchester Abbey on 6th December. A
perfect way to fill up with Christmas spirit. Tickets from 01865 305 305.
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A touch of ‘Arsenic
and Old Lace’ from The Domino Players on the 5th 6th 7th November at Lains Barn
near Wantage. Tickets £8 from The Vale and Downland Museum 01235 760 176
or book on line ‘www.dominoplayers.co.uk’.
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The South Chiltern
Choral Society Christmas concert weekend is a lovely mixture of English music.
The main feature is ‘The Son of God Mass’ by James Whitbourn, with the unusual
combination of a soprano saxophone and organ. In
contrast, the concert also includes Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas
Carols, and as ever, the society has invited a primary school choir to join
them, this time from Caversham. Saturday 20th at 7.30 and Sunday 21st December
at 2.30 at Chiltern Edge School, Reades Lane, Sonning Common. Tickets £10
from Heather Clark 01491 575 727.
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Wallingford Photographic
Club meetings are held at 7.45 on Thursdays at the Crowmarsh Pavilion, behind
the tyre warehouse near the bridge. On the 6th there’ll be talks from two members
on the work of Michael Kenna and on High Dynamic Range Photography. On the 13th
Doug Vernimmen, from Oxford will show his portraiture work and also a travelogue
on Brazil. The 20th features another popular ‘Discussion Evening’ when they
bring pictures along to be told where they went wrong. And they can bring in
entries for the competition on the 27th. The following week on the 4th December,
Gordon Roberts explains the pitfalls of taking pictures in the snow with his
presentation ‘Winter Snow’. Telephone 01491 835632 for membership details or
see ‘www.wallingford-photographic-club.org.uk’.
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Dane Garrod presents
his display ‘10 Collections 1 Collector’ to Henley Philatelic Society on Wednesday
12th. Ad on the 26th Ken Hussey gives you Imperial Airways, a presentation in
Philatelic pages and photographic slides. Visitors are welcome to come along
to Bix Village Hall at 7.45. Details 01491 681 739 or on ‘www.henleyphilatelic.co.uk’.
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This year, Children
in Need day falls on Friday 14th November and as
usual the collection
in Wallingford is being organised by Wallingford Rotary Club. If you feel you
can help with collecting and/or counting money, please contact Eira E Hoare
on 01491 839 415.
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On November 11th,
Tim Guilford who will talk about ‘Bird Navigation’ to Science Exchange Wallingford
the Corn Exchange. Not only is Tim
well qualified to do this as Professor of Animal Behaviour at Oxford University,
but he also flies with the birds and holds several UK paragliding records. Entry
is free and the talk begins at 7:30, but it is advisable to get there soon after
6.45 if you want a good perch.
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The Old Vicarage
Support Group of Friends of the Elderly at Moulsford is holding its annual Christmas
Fair on Saturday 22nd from 10.30 to noon. Christmas Stall, Cake Stall, Tombola,
Raffle etc. Entrance free and refreshments available.
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Ewelme Village
Pre-School is having a fundraising Christmas Shopping Evening at Ewelme Village
Hall on Friday the 7th between 6:30 and 10pm. There’ll be a variety of
stalls including such favourite as Phoenix Traiding, Usbourne books
and good quality wooden toys. Trot along and have a chance to buy your
Christmas presents in a pleasant, stress-free environment.
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And next door
in Benson Pre-School they are having a Pamper and alternative shopping evening
on Friday the 21st at 7.30. As well as indulging in a manicure or back massage
you can browse among lots of stalls, including cosmetics and pamper products,
complimentary therapy, greeting cards, books and jewellery.
For those of us who’ve given up, a bar will be serving wine and soft
drinks. Tickets cost £5 and include a drink on arrival from Liz Copping
on 01491 832 152.
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St. Mary's Church,
Henley, will celebrate its 800 year history on 14th and 15th November with performances
of a ‘Son et Lumiere’. Written by Bill Port it takes a light-hearted look at
events from the Church's past. The construction of the tower by a workman double
act; the Bishop's mastermind visitation; the Henley Standard newsboy's introduction
to Church history; all add up to a humorous and informative entertainment. The
essential sound and light will be provided by Bruce Smith and Derek Gilbert,
with production and direction in the hands of Anthea Redmond and Jill Richardson.
Tickets from Sandra Moon 01491 573 887.
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Lovely! A creepy
crawly bug show. Are you brave enough to hold a Boa? Daring enough to
tackle a Dragon? Aquasplash are returning with their well behaved, exotic
creatures. You’ll be able to touch and hold them while learning lots of
amazing facts about these fascinating reptiles. The show runs from 4 pm
until 5.30 at The Coffee Shop, Reading Road, Woodcote on Sunday 9th November. Home
made cakes and refreshments will be on sale too. Tickets available
from Woodcote Garden Centre at £4. Well behaved older children can be
left if required, but any bad behaved ones will be eaten.
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I saw cockroachy
things as big as my thumb in the bedrooms in Oz. I let my dearly beloved dispose
of them. Like a little terrier she is. Fearless!
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One for Ruth
Hubbard of Woodcote. I passed a restaurant on Cook Highway. The sign reads ‘Bloody
Good Tucker’. Beats your ‘Posh Ploughman’s Ruth.
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This year Help
the Aged is launching a range of exclusively designed charity Christmas Cards
at their 360 charity shops, all made from sustainable materials. All proceeds
will go towards the Charity's work to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation
and neglect.
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The November
meeting of Harwell Women’s Institute will be at 7.30on Wednesday 12th in the
Village Hall. This month Jan Tattersdill is talking about and demonstrating
‘Hands on Flower Arranging’. New members and visitors are always
welcome.
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Wantage Stage
Musical Company is back on the road again with their Old Time Music Hall
on Tour. You’re promised a sparkling; sing-along evening that will take you
back to the ‘Good Old Days’. Familiar songs such as ‘All the Nice Girls Love
a Sailor, Joshua, Lambeth Walk, and Knees up Mother Brown’. You can also relish
the thrills of a chilling melodrama, decide whose side you are on in a Victorian
version of X-Factor, and sit back and enjoy a snatch of Gilbert & Sullivan’s
HMS Pinafore. Above all, put yourselves in the expert hands of eloquent chairman,
Nigel Thornbory, who will guide through a scintillating evening of mellifluous
melodies. A Ploughman’s Supper will be served during the interval at most
venues, and is included in the price of the ticket at £10.
See ‘www.WantageStageMusical.co.uk’. On the 15th it’s at Benson Village
Hall and on Friday 28th it’ll be in The Cornerstone Theatre Didcot.
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Remember I told
you about the new West Berkshire NSPCC Luncheon Club a month or so ago?
Well it continues its new season with a talk from Chrissie Douglas of Coleman Douglas
Pearls, Knightsbridge. She’ll be at the Goring & Streatley Golf
Club at
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The John Madejski
Art Gallery at the Museum of Reading is showing the works of internationally
renowned Royal Academician Sir Terry Frost (1915-2003). The exhibition includes
large paintings, collages, constructions, sculptures and sketchbooks from his
career, including some previously unseen canvases. Frost was a much loved teacher
at the University of Reading, and throughout his career he developed an entirely
personal vocabulary of shapes and symbols to produce joyful abstract images
with luminous energy. Applauded by art historians and avidly collected internationally
his career culminated in a major retrospective of his work at Royal Academy
in 2000 and a knighthood in 1998.
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The Oxfordshire
Craft Guild is holding its annual Christmas Selling Exhibition at the County
Museum in Woodstock from 22nd November through to 4th January.
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I’ve bought myself
an Australian corky hat. Nah! Not the one that has corks hanging around the
brim. One like the Digger hat David Corke, our fishing correspondent lives in.
And eats in! And drinks in! And for all I know sleeps in! Can’t wait to wear
it the next time I meet him in the Red Lion in Brightwell. Of course that’ll
be after I’ve sewn the corks around it.
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Hagbourne Garden
Club is holding a Quiz at the Village Hall at 7.30 on the 27th, and although
there may well be questions on gardening, this is a quiz for everyone. Members
are encouraged to bring along their non-gardening friends as well and make up
teams of 4. Individuals can also be slotted in. Admission £2 to cover
refreshments.
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Readifolk’s guest
on the 9th at The Gardeners Arms, Surley Row is Robin Laing, with a reputation
of being one of Scotland’s finest singers and writers. Then it’s a touch of
humour on the 16th from Johnny Silvo before the dreaded ‘Hiring Fair on the
23rd. An opportunity for aspiring performers to impress, with the possibility
of a full Guest Night booking. For details contact Una on 0118 9483 145. Pressgang’s
George & Damian provide a vibrant combination of voices, together with superb
accompaniment on accordion, hammer dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy and guitar on the 30th.
And then it’s downhill all the way with ‘Singers Night on the 7th. Don’t be
shy now!
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A couple of Farmers’
Markets in Wallingford this month. A chance to stock up the larder for Christmas.
They’re on the 18th and 29th, and start at 8.30. Don’t forget, the early worm
catches the bird.
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The Hanney Volunteer
charity team is on course to meet a historic target in 2008. Kath Carter, her
sister Lyn Johnston and friends Dulcie Parfoot and Marion Carter have worked
to continue the work started in Hanney over 20 years ago by Rene Nobes to raise
money for Cancer Research. Rene’s work raised over £17,000 and since then
the group had raised a total of £42,000. The target is to reach £50,000
by the end of the year. The event scheduled to push the group’s fund raising
total through £50,000 barrier will be the Christmas Bazaar to be held
at Hanney Memorial Hall on Sat November 15th. Anyone who would like to assist
these ladies in their worthy cause by donating unwanted useful items should
call Kath on 01235 868 527.
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If you enjoy
delving into the past, then a new series of historic guided walks across the
Chilterns may be right up your street. The Chilterns Conservation Board has
teamed up with a number of local historical and archaeological organisations
to bring the past to life with 25 guided walks and events in places as far afield
as Little Marlow, Watlington, High Wycombe, Berkhamsted, Amersham, Chipperfield
and Totternhoe. These Chilterns towns and villages are full of interesting hidden
places and have fascinating stories to tell, often with links to infamous characters
and historic happenings. Local guides will take you back in time and reveal
some of the treasures. You can order The Walk Back in Time events leaflet by
calling 01844 355 504.
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Next Season,
Pangbourne Choral Society embarks on an ambitious programme designed to push
the boundaries further. After the usual February concert, there’ll be a staging
of a ‘come-and-sing’ Messiah in the summer, which will be open to all aspiring
singers. But the really big change occurs next November with the staging of
an autumn concert when the programme will include Mozart’s Requiem and the Choir
will again seek a wider audience by performing in two different locations. The
120-strong Choir is always looking for new recruits. More information from ‘www.pangbournechoral.org.uk’
or from Tony Maynard on 01635 200 354.
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East Hagbourne
C of E School is holding its Christmas Fair within the school grounds on the
30th November 11.30 till 4.30. There are over 60 stall's selling a wide variety
of crafts and gifts. Father Christmas will be going too, as will a professional
photographer doing family portraits.
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A case of raising
the roof, as extensive restoration has been completed at St Bartholomew's Church,
Lower Basildon and an Advent Service is planned to celebrate. It’ll take place
at 3pm on the 30th and include members of the Upper Basildon Primary School
Choir. But they’ll scoff all the mince pies afterwards. Well it is Christmas
isn’t it.
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This month is
so appropriate for a production of Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ as it’s 90 years
since the Armistice bringing to a close the ‘War to End all Wars’. Oxford Harmonic
Society is joined by members of the Bonn Philharmonic Choir and both the Oxford
Sinfonia and the Orchestra of Stowe Opera at Oxford Playhouse at 7.30 on the
22nd. Tickets at £14 and £12 on 01865 305 305 or on the door.
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If you have an
antique or interesting clock or watch and are interested to know more then get
yourself along to Steventon Village Hall on the 18th when the Oxfordshire Branch
British Horological Institute is holding its annual auction. Entries include
clocks, tools for restorers, spares and books. For entries and bidding contact
Geoff Carr at ‘geoffacarr@aol.com’.
The Institute
normally meets at the village hall at South Hinksey at 7.30 on the third Tuesday
of the month. Next month, Mike Flannery a well know restorer, is giving a talk
on entitled ‘View from the Bench’ on December 16th. Entrance is £5 and
for more details of the group at ‘www.bhioxbranch.co.uk’ or call Martin Gatto
on 07778 749 223.
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Wantage Orchestra's
Autumn Concert takes place at 7.30 on the 22nd in Wantage Parish Church. The
programme features James Willshire playing Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto,
Debussy's Petite Suite and Dvorak's 6th Symphony. Tickets £8 the Wantage
Museum.
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Ivan Menchels’s
Broadway comedy ‘The Cemetery Club’ is The Goring Gap Players next production
at the Morrell Room between the 19th and 22nd. A hilarious story of three widows
who meet regularly at the Cemetery to remember their dead husbands. The appearance
of Sam at the Cemetery causes a few complications and test their relationships.
A nice way to spend a cold November evening. Tickets at £7.50 from Inspirations
or 01491 073 530.
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You may have
read in the papers that a chap got eaten by a crocodile in North Queensland
while I was out there, but the only ones I saw were in wildlife parks. Freshwater
and saltwater crocs are the same breed apparently, only one goes to sea and
gets bigger. One magnificent wild specimen I saw was given a harem of eight
ladies after he was captured. He ate them!
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