RAMBLINGS - CAVERSHAM - RG4 - 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 than with a Fireworks
Fiesta. What? No Guido then? Has he been fired? Hah! Fired. I have no shame.
On Saturday the 8th, Friends of Pangbourne Primary School have organised a huge
bonfire, BBQ, coconut shy, penalty shoot out, tombola and lots of family fun.
West Berkshire Beer is also on tap and gates open at 5.30. There’s a small prize
for each child bringing a home made guy. Aha! He’s still around after all.
Tickets £20 per family of 4 from ‘www.fopps.org.uk’ or on the gate.
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And after that
it’s Christmas! Pangbourne is holding its Christmas street celebrations on Friday
5th December from
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And Hallelujah!
A convert at last! Jacky Rix-Brown writes, “Hope the trip to Oz went well and
you are ready to take a Ramblings entry from us - SPELT RIGHT THIS YEAR!!!”
See that? And three exclamations marks as well. I am overcome. Rightyho! You people in and around Purley will
be able to do some Christmas shopping at the Advent
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And still 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 in Reading Minster of St
Mary the Virgin. They are open Monday
– Saturday,
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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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Back to
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Chiltern Players
plan to test the brain cells of the keenest amateur sleuth in ‘Silhouette’,
an intriguing mystery by Simon Brett. It’s a cut above the average whodunit
with the seemingly simple plot turned on its head as it takes you on a journey
full of twists, turns and blind alleys. Nothing is what it seems. Find out on
Friday/Saturday, 21/22 and 28/29 November in Peppard Memorial Hall.; Tickets
at £7 from Village Yarns, Peppard Road, Sonning Common or on the door.
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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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Henley Offshore
Group's at a different berth this month as they’ve changed moorings to Badgemore
Golf Club for their
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It’s the Biggy
of the Year’ for Caversham & Chiltern Flower Club. Their annual Open Evening
will be held on Wednesday 12th at the Salvation Army Citadel,
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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
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Caversham and
District Residents' Association has invited James Freeman, Chief Executive,
Reading Buses to speak at their open meeting 7.45pm, Wednesday 12th November
2008 at the Baptist Free Church Centre, Prospect Street. Mr. Freeman will address
the major issues ahead with ‘Persuading People out of Their Cars’. Non members
are welcome.
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Reading Haydn
Choir welcomes you to join their Christmas Celebration at 7.30 on Saturday 29th
November at
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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
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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
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I saw cockroachy
things as big as my fat 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
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The
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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. Of course that’ll be after I’ve
sewn the corks round it.
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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
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Looks as if our
Caversham Conservative Councillors, Andrew Cumpsty, Tom Stanway and Dave Luckett
have wangled themselves some time off as their November meeting has been moved
to the 6th December when they’ll be at Caversham Library between 9.45 and
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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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I flew back from
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You may have
read in the papers that a chap got eaten by a crocodile in
-PSW-