Village stocks up with festive spirit
The two-week long Stockfest has been organised to showcase all the village has to offer – providing a celebration of local talent, arts, music, culture and sport.
The festivities kicked off on Saturday evening when the picturesque gardens of Stockcross House provided the setting for An Evening in the Garden with the Kennet Opera.
The 100-strong crowd picnicked before an evening of music presented by local amateur opera company Kennet Opera, which included a selection of modern ballads, pop and classic English songs.
Meanwhile, visitors to the Stockcross vintage fair, which was held on Sunday, enjoyed a touch of 1940s glamour.
The idea of a vintage fair came after a village tea party held in celebration of the Royal Wedding in 2011 attracted more than 150 guests.
Highlights of the pop-up fair included sweets and cupcake stalls, as well as a 1940s-inspired victory tea dance.
The village hall was transformed into a kitchenette and NAAFI girls, famous in the Second World War for taking tea and marmite on toast to bombed-out houses, served tea and cake. Hairdressers from Jason Palmers in Newbury were on hand to give men and women 1940s makeovers and a photo booth was set up to take memorable snaps.
In keeping with the vintage theme, a 1960s psychedelic wedding dress worn by a villager on her big day, was also on display along with a hand-knitted outfit from the war.
A selection of vintage vehicles, including a Volkswagen campervan, an MG and a 1935 Lagonda were also on display.
One of the festival’s organisers, Claire Ralphson-Cook said: “It was an an incredible weekend which demonstrated all Stockcross has to offer.
“The opera evening was great, it allowed people who might not have been before to come along and experience something new, and the vintage fair was just brilliant, everyone really enjoyed themselves.”
The celebrations don’t stop there, with plenty more events planned for the coming 10 days, including quintessential afternoon tea at the five star The Vineyard at Stockcross, plus a performance from local musician Gaz Brookfield, who recently performed at Glastonbury.
For a full timetable of events and to book tickets, visit