What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, October 20:
to 26 November, The Big Sleep, The Mill at Sonning, world premiere of the stage adaptation of Raymond Chandler's famous crime novel. Box office (0118) 969 8000 www.millatsonning.com
Stacey Kent and Her Musicians, Corn Exchange, Newbury, 7.45pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Thatcham and District Philatelic Society, early issues of South Africa and Stamp Production Techniques by Brian Trotter, Memorial Hall, Bath Road, Thatcham, 7pm
Jumble Sale at St Catherine's Church, Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst (opposite Birch Copse School) on 2pm, entrance 20p
Rag Rugs, Cobbs Farm, Hungerford, 10am to noon. A two-hour course on how to make your own rag rug with Gill Bruty. £10 per head. To book call Gill on (01672) 871140 or email
cobbs@cobbsfarmshop.co.uk
Newbury District Ornithological Club, St Mary's Church hall, Greenham, 7.30pm. On the Texas Trail, a talk by photographer Dave Hassell. All welcome. More details (01488) 668482
Early Christmas Shopping Night, Boxford Village Hall, 7pm to 9pm. Back after last year's success, lots of stalls to buy your Christmas presents early. £3 entry which includes a glass of wine. All welcome. This event is raising money for Teddy Bears Pre-school, Boxford. Sarah Philips (01488) 657273
Newbury and Thatcham Hard of Hearing Club, Fair Close Day Centre, Newtown Road, 7pm to 9pm. Tonight's guest speaker – Malcolm about a collection of Gold Coins. Philip Davies (01635) 36830
West Berkshire Ramblers, from the roundabout on the A339 in Kingsclere, turn south into Newbury Road. After 400 metres go straight ahead into Fox's Lane. After a further 150 metres turn right into and park at the Fieldgate Centre, grid ref SU521587, 9.30am. The route of the walk is to Ladle Hill and Wergs Farm, returning via Ecchinswell and Cottismore Nursery. Lunch will be at the Royal Oak PH, Ecchinswell, or bring a picnic. 9.8 miles. Leader Roy Ba (01635) 40720 Mark Watson, The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 8pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Friday, October 21:
Racing at Newbury Racecourse, first race 2.10. Details: (01635) 40015 or www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Keeping Hens in the Garden, Cobbs Farm Shop, Hungerford, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. £10 includes light supper, booking essential. Fun talk from hen expert and author Charlotte Popescu. (01488) 686 770 www.cobbsfarmshop.co.uk
Newbury and District Transport Group: Steamy Eruptions in Indonesia. Sumatra and Java, 1984 by Tim Edmonds, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, 7.30pm. All welcome, no membership
necessary. Raffle and refreshments.
Jon Allen (plus support from Jaya), Arlington Arts, Snelsmore Common, 8pm. (01635) 244246 www.arling- tonarts.co.uk
and Saturday, Death Song, theatre Corn Exchange, Newbury, 7.45pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
and Saturday, festival Fieldgate Centre, Kingsclere, Friday 7pm taster session; Saturday noon official opening by Sir George Young. Local food and real ale, with free entry and children's games.
Erik Mongrain, guitarist, The Forge, Basingstoke, 8pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
The Essence of Ireland, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
James Sherwood, comedy, New Greenham Arts, 8pm. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Parents Week Fayre, Riverside Community Centre, Rosemoor Gardens, off Curling Way, 10am to 2.30pm. Find out what support is available for everyone raising children. A free event for all parents/carers: info stalls, activities, short talks, free refreshments, toddler play area. Alison Braithwaite (01635) 279700
and Saturday, Some Like It Hotter, East Garston Village Hall, 7.30pm. Great movie stars never die – they just sparkle on forever. Oxfordshire Theatre Company and The Watermill Theatre on tour with a new, fast moving, fantasy comedy. Munroe, Curtis and Lemmon forced once again to don heels and stockings and go back to their most beautiful, sexy and hilarious selves – now that's entertainment. Tickets £5, (01635) 56044
Saturday, October 22:
Armed Forces Day at Newbury Racecourse, first race 1.30pm. Details: (01635) 40015 or www.newburyracecourse.co.uk
Atongo Zimba, The Forge, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Newbury District Field Club: talk by Jane Burrell on Newtown Road Cemetery. St John's Church Room, 7.30pm
Fascinating Aida, The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 7.30pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Diwali Mela Celebrations, St Bartholomew's School, Newbury, 4pm - 9pm.
to 30, Spooktacular Fun, Millets Farm Centre, Abingdon, 10.30am to 5pm. For nine bone-shaking days, the 10-acre maize maze will be transformed into a world of winding webs and ghoulish creatures at the Millets Halloween Howl. To book, tel 07826 132416 or visit www.milletsfarmcentre.com
Line Dancing, The Royal British Legion, Upper Lambourn Road, 7.30pm to 11pm. Come and enjoy a super evening of line dancing. Instructor Tessa Hicks will be there to help lead you
through the dances, and everyone is welcome. Entry is £5, American buffet (bring your own plate of food). Also includes a raffle. In aid of Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance. Sue Cottrell (01488) 648620
Soroptimist International of Newbury and District: Friendly Rubber Bridge and Tea, plus raffle, Fairclose Day Centre, Newtown Road, 2pm to 5.30pm. In aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign. Tickets cost £7.50 Joyce Platts (01635) 42673
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at the Pineapple PH, Brimpton Common, grid ref SU567628, 10am. Head into Hampshire via Ashford Hill Meadows and Baughurst. back via Axmansford
and Haughurst Hill. Pub lunch afterwards for those that want it. 8.5 miles. Leader Tony V (01635) 230046
Pizza and Praise, Methodist Church Hall, Northbrook Street, Newbury, 5pm. Friendship, music and pizza. Rev Maree Farrimond (01635) 49336
Sunday, October 23:
Deane Sinfonia, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Vintage Toy Fair and Exhibition, Rivermead Leisure Centre, Richfield Avenue, Reading, 10.30am to 3.30pm.150 stalls selling model railways, model vehicles, Meccano, Hornby,
Dinky, Corgi etc; and many other vintage toys, plus working model railway layouts and various displays and club stands. Adults £3.50, children under 16, 50p. Details 01270 841558
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at the Wharf at 9am for car share to Emsworth. Park sensibly in Emsworth and meet the leader at the south side of the station, grid ref SU748063. The walk is a circuit of Thorney Island. Bring food and drink for the day. 10 miles, leader Richard N, 07720 898929
Monday, October 24:
International Antiques & Collector's Fair at Newbury Racecourse, early buyers, 8am to 10am £10, buyers 10am to 4pm £5. Details: www.iacf.co.uk
Tuesday, October 25:
Newbury District Field Club: talk by Phil Wood on The History of Nonconformity in Newbury. St John's Church Room, 7.30pm
Chef, food writer and TV presenter Valentine Warner at Cobbs Farm Shop, Bath Rd, nr Hungerford. He will be signing copies of The Good Table between 11am and noon. Free
Madama Butterfly, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.30pm. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
and Wednesday, Friend or Foe, The Haymarket, Basingstoke, 7.30pm and 2pm on 26. (01256) 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Circus Skills Workshops, Watermill Theatre, 10am-12pm, 7-10yrs; 1pm- 3pm, 11-15yrs. Tickets £12. Email heidi@watermill.org.uk or call (01635) 570934
The Science of the Super Small, Sience Oxford Live, St Clements, Oxford, 11am and 2pm. (01865) 810000 www.scienceoxfordlive.com
and Wednesday, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Corn Exchange, Newbury, times vary. Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company with an up-to-date retelling of the classic fairytale. (01635) 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Half term Soccer School, Trinity School, Love Lane, 8.30am to 4.30pm. Local soccer charity, The Children's Soccer Academy, is offering a half term soccer school with new Arsenal FC Schools Coach Neil Harvey at Trinity School, to raise money for The Children's Soccer Academy. Neil Harvey 07554 418489
Arts and Crafts for Hallowe'en, The Nature Discovery Centre, Lower Way, Thatcham, 11am to 4pm. Join Jill Nicolas for a spooky half term treat. Come along and make a bouncy spider for Hallowe'en. £1 per spider, drop in event. More information Becky O'Melia (01635) 874381
West Berkshire Ramblers, park at the village hall car park, behind the church at Chilton, grid ref SU489859, 10am. For a walk to Upton and Blewbury. 6 miles Leader: Joan C (01235) 835618
Wednesday, October 26:
Worm Fest Wednesday, Snelsmore Common, 10am to noon. Worms are one of the planets most important creatures. Join the Ranger and learn a little more about these wriggly
wonders. £3.50 per person, booking essential. Becky O'Melia (01635) 874381
The Selfish Crocodile, Arlington Arts, Snelsmore Common, 11.30am. Family theatre company, Blunderbus, return with another children's classic. Tickets £7 (family £25) (01635) 244246 www.arlingtonarts.co.uk
Philharmonia Orchestra, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. Tel: (01256) 844244; www.anvilarts.org.uk
Birdwatching for absolute beginners, The Nature Discovery Centre, Lower Way, Thatcham, 9am to noon. Join the ranger for a morning of learning the basics of bird watching. £3.50 per person, booking essential. Becky O'Melia (01635) 874381
Wind in the Willows Day, The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, two sessions: 10am to 11.30am or 11.30am to 1pm. A morning of themed activities linked to Kenneth Grahame's endearing story. Including willow weaving, drama games, storytelling, treasure hunt and dressing up. Light snacks will be on sale. Tickets £5 for children, adults are free, must be pre-booked with the box office on (01635) 46044. www.watermill.org.uk
Kennet Valley Probus Club's 3rd Anniversary Luncheon Meeting; members photography competition; guests speakers. If you wish to consider joining contact (01635) 31679 rosemary@bhhc.me.uk www.kennetvalleyprobusclub.co.uk
