Treat for eyes and ears at Woolton Hill Village Market

Wood-turning demonstrations and music from Newbury singer songwriter Olivia McBeth were just two of the attractions at the Woolton Hill Village Market.

Around 30 stalls set up in the church hall, car park and St Thomas’ School playground for the event, which is held every two months.

Although slightly quieter than usual due to the summer holidays, there was still a good turnout at the market, with money raised going towards this year’s chosen charity Loose Ends.

A particular attraction was Richard Willis Wood Turning, who had set up his lathe outside the hall to demonstrate how he made his range of pens, key rings, breadboards and ‘eggoscopes’ – a type of kaleidoscope shaped like an egg.

Mr Willis said: “People have been interested to see how the pens have been made. One person had a quick go on the lathe to see how he got on with it.

“I was a mechanical engineer and bought a lathe 30 years ago and just recently bought the small wooden one for making the pens.

“I’m retired and I just find it relaxing.”

In attendance was East Woodhay parish councillor, retired policeman and author Simon Bowden, who said he had “refilled our pâté, gin and bread supplies”.

He continued: “There are people in the village we only see when we come here so we catch up on the last month – and it’s all the better in the summer.”

Organiser Sally Fenwick paid tribute to Ms McBeth, who was set up under a gazebo at the entrance to the hall.

She said: “We have Olivia as the new attraction – we haven’t had her before.

“She’s fantastic and she’s pitched it just right. The volume is right and it’s just her a capella – you can hear the strains of her voice coming out.

“The stalls have appreciated her as well.”