What's on this week
A guide to what events are happening across West Berkshire and beyond this week
Thursday November 24
and 25 Essence of Ireland, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, 7.30pm. Tickets £25.50. Ticket office 01793 524481 or www.wyverntheatre.org.uk
Curing Parkinson's, Science Oxford Live, St Clements, Oxford, .30pm. 01865 810000 www.scienceoxfordlive.com
The Wind in the Willows, Watermill Theatre (until Jan 7), 2.30pm & 7pm. Box office: 01635 46044. www.watermill.org.uk (see stage)
Zappa Plays Zappa, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 8pm. 01256 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
The Winter Festival – Newbury Day at Newbury Racecourse, first race 12.30pm. Details: 01635 40015 or www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
The Magic of Motown, Hexagon Theatre, Reading, 8pm. 0118 960 6060 www.readingarts.com
Tales from a Sea Journey, Corn Exchange, Newbury, 7.45pm. 01635 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Hants & Berks Motor Club, The chilli Pad, North Warnborough. Standard & Triumph Cars, a presentation by Roger Crowther. 0118 977 2835 www.hantsandberksmc.org.uk
Lantern Procession, Winchester, 6pm. From the Great Hall to the Cathedral, to celebrate the opening of the Christmas market and ice rink. www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk
West Berkshire Ramblers, Park in the parking area in the main street in Beedon, grid ref SU488772, 9.30am. A downland walk to Stanmore, East Ilsley and Shrill Down. Pub stop 10 miles. Leader Joan C 01235 835618
The Future of Energy, Pangbourne Village Hall, 8pm. Guest speaker Will Voight, Head of Research and Innovation at Good Energy. Good Energy is the UK's only 100% renewable electricity supplier. Is the UK running out of energy? Where is it going to come from in the future? Are renewables viable? For the answers to these and many more questions come along and find out. This is a PAWS (Pangbourne & Whitchurch Sustainability) event. Admission free. www.pawsg.com
Rock Choir, Kennet Shopping Centre, 7.30pm to 8.30pm. 120 singers from Rock Choir perform at the Kennet Centre. Late night shopping.
Friday November 25
Daniel Sloss: The Joker, Arlington Arts, Snelsmore Common, 8pm. One of the hottest new comedy acts around with support from Kai Humphries. 01635 244246 www.arlingtonarts.co.uk
The Winter Festival – Gentlemen's Day at Newbury Racecourse, first race 1pm. Details: 01635 40015 or www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
60s Gold Tour 2011, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. 01256 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Christmas Lights Switch On, Market Place, with entertainment starting at 4pm
An evening with wine, hosted by Daniel O'Keefe, Cobbs Farm, Hungerford, 7.30pm. Daniel O'Keefe of Hallgarten Wines presents an evening of fine wine pairings based on seasonal dishes. 01488 686770 www.cobbsfarmshop.co.uk
Oranges & Sunshine, Thatcham Film Club, Frank Hutchings Memorial Hall, 7.30pm.
Saturday November 26
JT Nero with Alison Russell (Po'Girl), Arlington Arts, Snelsmore Common, 8pm. 01635 244246 www.arlingtonarts.co.uk
Beyond the Barricade, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, 7.30pm. £20.50. Ticket office 01793 524481 or www.wyverntheatre.org.uk
Good News! The Cromwell Singers in Concert, St Mary the Virgin Church, Kintbury, 5pm. Proceeds for restoration of the church organ. Tickets: £6 including refreshments. For advance ticket sales please contact: cromwell.singers@googlemail.com, Bastable Brothers Butchers Shop, 2 Church Street, Kintbury 01488 658537.
Christmas Crafts & Carols, Welford and Wickham School, noon to 3pm. Santa's grotto, craft activities, refreshments, festive gifts from local producers, free entry.
The Winter Festival featuring the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse, first race 12.25pm. Details: 01635 40015 or www.newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Basingstoke Choral Society, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.45pm. 01256 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Carols at the Corn Exchange, 7.45pm. With the Salvation Army. 01635 522733 www.cornexchangenew.com
Westridge Open Centre, Star Lane, Highclere, 3pm. Horace Mitchell entertains A Life in Tunes and Music. Entrance and refreshments. Booking essential. 01635 253322
SALSA spectacular, Liberty Ballroom, New Greenham Park. Classes start at 8.20pm: four salsa dance classes, beginners to advanced, Rueda dance class, Bachata/belly dance performance, two salsa dance shows, prize raffle, followed by dancing until 2am. In memory of Sandy, with all profits to St Michael's Hospice, Basingstoke. To book visit www.RebeccaandDean.com/SandysSalsaSpectacular or telephone Angie 07775 927247.
Pangbourne Silver Band, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring-on-Thames, 7.30 pm. Evening of music in support of the Royal British Legion. Admission: adults £10, concessions and children £7. Contact 07786694491 or 0118 9724249.
West Berkshire Ramblers, Berkshire Area walk and AGM hosted by West Berks Group at Woolhampton Village Hall, 10.45am. Including a walk looking at local geology and a talk Diversity in Stone – Berkshire Geology from a Walker's Perspective by Lesley Dunlop of Berkshire Geoconservation Group. Meeting starts 2:00pm
St John's Mortimer Church Bazaar, 10am to 2pm.
Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham, Christmas bazaar, 11am.
Xmas Bazaar, Majendie Hall, Speen Church, 1pm to 4pm. Bric-a-brac, cards, plants, grand draw, refreshments, Santa's grotto. Admission free. Ample parking
Salvation Army Christmas Bazaar, Mulfords Hill, Tadley, 11am to 4pm.
Hungerford Christmas Lights - switching on by the Norwegian Ambassador, Kim Traavik. Intro by The Mayor at 5.30pm followed by carols outside The Town Hall.
Christmas Fayre, ACE Space community hall, St Nicholas Rd (Off St Michaels Rd/Bart St) 2.30pm to 5pm. Pedestrian access via walkway opposite The Lighting Centre, Bartholomew Street.
Stalls include Micro Scooter, Vie @ Home, Silpada jewellery, Phoenix Cards, Usborne Books plus Christmas raffle, face painting, cakes, refreshments, tombola & fun and games for all! Donations on the door.
Woolton Hill Special Christmas Village Market, Church Hall, 10am to 1pm. Fresh local produce, fruit & vegetables, meats, crafts, gardenware, coffee & cake, card making for children, plenty of gift ideas. www.wooltonhillvillagemarket.co.uk
Sunday November 27
Newbury District Ornithological Club, A full day visit by car to RSPB Pulborough Brooks in West Sussex. Meet outside West Berkshire Museum at 8.30am for car sharing. More details 01488 668482
Reginald D Hunter Sometimes Even the Devil Tells the Truth, New Theatre Oxford, 8pm. www.newtheatreoxford.org.uk
An Evening of Burlesque, The Anvil, Basingstoke, 7.30pm. 01256 844244 www.anvilarts.org.uk
Kentwood Christmas Cracker, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, 4pm & 8pm. Tickets £11. Ticket office 01793 524481 or www.wyverntheatre.org.uk
Create and craft Christmas Special, Wash Common Community Centre, Glendale Avenue, 2pm to 4.30pm. A fantastic Christmas themed event for the whole family. A chance for children to come along and make Christmas gifts for their loved ones for under a tenner! For more information contact Lucy Clark on ljclark83@gmail.com
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet in the free Public Car Park, North Street, Pewsey, grid ref SU163601, 10am. A circular walk to Pewsey Hill, Milton Lilbourne, K&A Canal and Scotchell Nature Reserve. An optional pub lunch stop at the Bruce Arms is available. 9 miles. Leader Joan L C 01672 861359 or 07709582477
Christmas event, Englefield Garden Centre, 11am to 5pm. Father Christmas arrives 11am and plenty of local crafts stalls to provide that unique gift.
Newbury Santa Jog 2011, Victoria Park, 11.30am. Registration on the day from 10am. Raising money for the British Heart Foundation. Please note you can collect your Santa suit: in advance from Newbury Town Hall Sue Page 01635 35486; on the day from the BHF marquee.
Monday November 28
Thatcham Historical Society, Kennet School, 7.30pm to 9pm. Talk by Ros Clow on Family History from Inscriptions in Newtown Road Cemetery, Newbury. Visitors £1.50.Details 01635 865574
Newbury and District Gardeners Association, St Nicholas School, Link Road, 7.15pm. Wildlife on your doorstep by Geoff Lunn. Visitors welcome at a charge of £2.
Singing For the Brain, St Mary's Church, Shaw, 10.30am to noon. Singing For The Brain by The Alzheimer's Society. Minibus available - please ring the week before if you need a lift! Kim Westall 01635 500869
Tuesday November 29
West Berkshire Ramblers, Meet in the Recreation Ground car park at Ashford Hill, grid ref SU555621, 10am. The car park is in Chapel Lane, which is 200 metres SW of the Ship Inn. The longer version of the walk reaches Brimpton church and King's Bridge. There is an optional short cut. Bring a drink and a snack. 4.2 or 6.3 miles Leader Roy Ba 01635 40720
Share our memories of Royal celebrations, Hungerford library, 2pm to 5.30pm. Share your memories and help to create an exhibition of local stories in preparation for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Drop in or email hungerfordlibrary@westberks.gov.uk
Wednesday November 30
Jason Byrne, Cirque Du Byrne, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, 8pm. Tickets £16. Ticket office 01793 524481 or www.wyverntheatre.org.uk
to January 14 Funny Money, The Mill, Sonning. 0118 969 8000 www.millatsonning.com
Sing, stretch and socialise, Burghfield Common Methodist Church Hall, 1.30pm to 3.15pm. Light-hearted singing, lots of laughter, optional gentle exercise and afternoon tea! This event is organised by the Alzheimer's Society. Kim Westall 01635 500869.
West Berkshire Ramblers, Meet in the car park at the T junction between West Lockinge and Ardington, grid ref SU425881, two different walks from the same starting place. First walk 10.15am, second walk 1.15pm. Both five miles. Leader Roy Bu 01235 816763.
