Thatcham arts festival starts in Thatcham and Apple Day in Newbury today

Town mayor John Boyd, will open the 12th festival on the Broadway Green at 10am, launching the start of more than 60 activities for people to enjoy over nine days.
A sample of activities on day one will include a food fair at the Parish Hall, Chapel Street, with local companies holding demonstrations and the art and craft fair will return to St Mary’s Church, at which visitors can speak to members from craft groups in the area and purchase items.
There will also be a classic car show at Dunstan Green, a cartoon workshop at The Hub meeting room, an open day at Thatcham Allotment Gardening Club at Henleys Allotments and following the success of the Paralympic Games, why not test your skills at a meet and greet session with Thames Valley Kings Basketball Wheelchair Club at Kennet Leisure Centre.
Other events during the first week include nature walks, tea dance taster sessions, p photographic exhibitions, singing workshops and advice on funeral planning.
Mr Boyd said copies of this charity calendar would be available to buy on the launch day and he thanked all the businesses that sponsored pages in the calendar.
All the money made from sales will go towards his charities of the year.
For pictures and reaction to the festival, see next week's Thatcham News and see www.thatchamfestival.info for the full programme of events.
Also today, why not take your surplus apples to Newbury Market Place and they can be made into fresh juice, as part of the town’s first Apple Day.
Organiser Beverley Lewis said: “It’s not been a great summer for growing fruit and vegetables so don’t let any apples go to waste this year.
“Bring them along and we’ll press some juice for you”.
An art competition will be held for children, inviting them to name their own apple variety, and Newbury businesses will be contributing to the day.
Bartholomew Street pub The Newbury will hold a hog roast, there will be apple treats at the Corn Exchange and Shoemakers, and a range of ciders at The Hogs Head.
Funds raised will be used to plant more trees in community orchards in Newbury.
For more information, contact (01635) 580730.