Up up and away in Hungerford, local Saturday markets, sports fixtures and entertainment

The 43rd annual international icicle balloon meet gets ‘up, up and away’ from 8am today, at Folly Dog Leg, Hungerford, north of the town centre, an informal event, open to all hot air balloonists.
A social event will be held at the Elcot Park hotel, with trade stands and a dinner this evening, with guest after dinner speaker, Robin Batchelor, talking about his involvement with the Gorden Bennett Gas Balloon Race.
For full details visit http://www.icicle.org.uk/
To delight shoppers, in Newbury, the Charter market is open to browse from 9am to 4pm, with free entry, with a Saturday market also this morning (only) in Aldworth at the village hall, from 9.30am to 12pm.
Over the Berkshire/Hampshire border, Tadley’s townsfolk can pick up some sound advice whilst they shop at a supermarket in the town this morning (only).
Councillors Warwick Lovegrove and John Moss will be in the foyer at Sainsbury’s, Mulfords Hill (next to Tadley Library) from 10am to noon.
Football fans can choose between a Hungerford V Weymouth match, kick-off at 3pm, at Hungerford Town Football Club, Bulpit Lane, or watch Thatcham take on Shirvenham, at Waterside Park, Thatcham, kick-off 3.30pm.
Rugby fans should head for the 4pm, Monks Lane start of a match between Newbury Blue and Reading.
Elsewhere the pantomime season continues - for one more day only - with Peter Pan at the Watermill theatre, Bagnor and Aladdin at the Corn Exchange, Newbury, while Cinderella continues to sweep up at the Anvil theatre, Basingstoke, all set to finish tomorrow (Sunday Jan 4).
For a leisurely country outing, A Country House Christmas continues until Tuesday (January 6) at Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, from 10am to 4pm. Usual admission charges apply, plus £2 entry to the Christmas trail.