Hallowe'en half term events in West Berkshire and North Hampshire: Dragon School in Newbury, Discovery Dog Day in Thatcham and Spooky scarecrow trails
A round-up of events taking place across West Berkshire and North Hampshire to keep everyone entertained.
• To Saturday 30, Woolhampton Hallowe’en Trail. Maps £1 available from Woolhampton Shop and Blackbird Café, Bucklebury.
• To Saturday 30, The Big Pumpkin Trail, Reading Museum. Hunt high and low for the pumpkins hidden throughout the Museum – each with a different fun decoration. Even our youngest visitors will enjoy this trail! Then collect your prize from Reception and take away your trail to colour in at home. www.readingmuseum.org.uk
• To Sunday 31, Mortimer Scarecrow Trail, around the village. £1 per map from village stores.
• To Sunday 31, Spooky Trail and Pumpkin Carving, Bucklebury Farm, Bucklebury. Visit www.buckleburyfarm.co.uk for details.
• To Monday, November 1, Tadley Hallowe’en Trail, maps available from the Gourmet Greens Café, Heath End Road, Baughurst. £2 per map/per family.
• St Thomas’ Infant School Hallowe’en Scarecrow Trail, maps available to buy from school in week before half term, £3. All proceeds to the PTA for the school. Prize for the best scarecrow.
• To October 31, Compton Scarecrow Trail, 9am-4pm daily. Find the displays and answer the children’s trivia questions. £100 prize for best scarecrow. For rules, entry form and payment information email: contact.fopcs@gmail.com Entry form must be submitted before October 11. All proceeds go to Compton Primary School.
• To October 31, Hallowe’en in Newbury town centre. Dragon visits, dragon school and spooky selfie spots. Organised by Visit Newbury, Parkway and Kennet Shopping. Visit the Facebook page for more information https://www.facebook.com/events/530206294743900?ref=newsfeed
• To Saturday 30, Hallowe'en Spooktacular at Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Pangbourne. Visitors can enjoy a pumpkin and skeleton trail, make broomsticks, wands and bat boxes, and there will be special sessions of Meet the Creepy Crawlies. www.bealepark.org.uk
Tuesday 26
• National Hunt preview evening, Owners & trainers suite, Newbury Racecourse, 7.30pm. The panel for the evening will be trainer Jamie Snowden, jockeys Page Fuller and Joe Hill and Lambourn correspondent for the Racing Post James Burn. The evening will be chaired by David Lees. There will be a raffle in aid of the racing charities. This is one of our major fund raising activities of the year and we ask members and their guests to support what promises to be an entertaining evening. Admittance for West Berks Racing Club members will be £3. Admittance for non-members (who are most welcome) is £7.
• And Thursday 28 and Saturday 30, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s Tripboat Jubilee: Special Hallowe’en trips, 2pm (and also 12noon on Saturday 30). The Ghost Ship Jubilee will be sailing from Newbury Wharf. The boat and crew will be dressed for Hallowe’en for a spook fun-packed hour on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Book in advance online at jubilee.katrust.org.uk or call 01380 721279
Wednesday 27
• To Sunday 31, Boyd’s Kitchen Garden, Arlington Lane pick your own pumpkins for October half term. Fancy dress encouraged. Homemade refreshments available. Dogs on lead welcome. Free entry but booking essential at www.ticketsource.co.uk/boydspumpkinpatch More details from boydskitchengarden@gmail.com or on 07903 232118.
• Burghclere Miniature Railway, Burghclere Sports Ground, 11am-3pm. Trains will be running for the public. Burgers and hot dogs available from the BMR grill.
Thursday 28
• SustainHUBle Market, St Francis de Sales parish hall, Warren Road, 11am-2pm.
Friday 29
• And Saturday, 30, Hungerford Christmas Fair, Town Hall and Corn Exchange, 10am-4pm. Stalls, cards and refreshments. All proceeds from the entrance fee and raffle will be donated to The Mary Hare Foundation.
Saturday 30
• Poppy Appeal Launch, village green next to The Crown, Kingsclere, 10am-4pm.
• And Sunday 31, Re-vamp sale, Memorial Hall, Aldbourne, 10am-4pm. Sale of preloved good quality clothing and accessories. Donations welcome. All proceeds to be divided between St Michael’s and the Methodist church Aldbourne.
• Hallowe’en Disco, Lambourn British Legion, 7.30pm til late. All welcome.
• And Sunday, 31, Handmade Craft and Gift Fair, Sea Scout Hall, Craven Dene, Newbury, 10am-4pm. Jewellery, crochet, glass, papercraft, cards, sewing, knitting and more.
• Hallowe’en Party, Shaw Social Club, £3 on the door.
• Bradfield Village Hall 70th Birthday tea party, 3pm-5pm. Cake cutting 3.30pm. Everyone welcome. Free even. www.bradfieldvillagehall.co.uk
• Hallowe’en themed Evening featuring IJO Swing Band, Tadley Memorial Hall, The Green, Tadley, 8pm. Fancy dress optional – prize for best costume. Raffle. Tickets £8 in advance from tadmemorialhall@btinternet.com or 0118 981 5137 or on the door. Bring a bottle there is no bar.
• Giant Book and Jigsaw sale, Shalbourne Village Hall, Kingston Road, 10am-3pm. Free entry and plenty of parking. Hundreds of books and dozens of jigsaws all at reasonable prices.
• Hallowe’en Quiz in support of Newbury Soup Kitchen, The Castle Pub, Donnington, 7pm. £2 per person, up to six in a team. Please book in advance (01635) 283098 or www.thecastlenewbury.com
• Upper Basildon village market, 10am-12.30pm
Sunday 31
• Hallowe'en Charity Paddle supporting Eight Bells for Mental Health, Kennet & Avon Canal, 11.30am. Fancy dress essential. Meet Thatcham railway station, 11am. Paddle to The Tea Shop by the Canal around 12.30pm. Paddle suitable for all abilities.
• Children’s Halloween Party, The Red Lion, Upper Basildon, 4pm-7pm. Lots of spooky fun and games. £5 per child – pre book
• Royal British Legion Hungerford Poppy Appeal Band Concert with Hungerford Town Band, The Town Hall, Hungerford, 7pm. Tickets £8 on the door.
• Spooktacular Fun Day, Shaw House, Berkshire, 11am-1pm. Follow the clues and solve the mystery in a family friendly Hallowe’en trail with activities and games outside in the grounds and inside for some fang-tastic craft activity. Every child will receive a goody bag of trick or treats to take home. Fancy dress encouraged.
• Walk in the Light Quiz Trail, St Michael’s Church, Aldbourne, 5pm-7pm. Finger torches, fairy lights, pumpkins, candles and a quiz. Andswer the 10 light-themed questions located around the Green and the pond to unlock the mystery word and receive a treat.
• Thatcham Youth, Moorside Community Centre, Thatcham, 10am-12noon. Free Hallowe'en craft activities. There is no need to book for this event, so simply turn up and enjoy.
• Thatcham litter pickers, meet Henwick car park, 10am-11am. Come dressed in your Hallowe'en comstumes and pick up a treat after the pick.
If you are organising a charity or community event and would like to be included in these free listings, please email details – type of event, time, venue, date and contact – to report@newburynews.co.uk
