What's on this week
Newburytoday.co.uk's news and events from West Berkshire and beyond
Thursday, December 15:
Thatcham & District Philatelic Society Christmas social evening and competitions/quizzes, Memorial Hall, Bath Road, Thatcham, 7pm
Science for Smarties, Science Oxford Live, St Clements, Oxford, 7.30pm. The Christmas lecture looks at the science of chocolate. (01865) 810000 www.scienceoxfordlive.com
Christmas Fair, Burnham Copse Primary School, Tadley, 3.30pm to 6pm. Santa's grotto; funfair; hot food and licensed bar; raffle; tombola, cake stall and craft stalls. Free entry, all welcome.
St Joseph's Church, Newbury, Spirit of Christmas, a concert of songs, readings and carols with Watership Cantabile. 8pm, tickets £5, incl refreshments and programme.
The Christmas Dinner Table, Market Place, Newbury, 10am to 4pm. A foodilicious extravaganza of exciting foodiliciousnessness and a fabulous feast of free festive fun that is guaranteed to entertain. Join Ursula Harrington Carrington Barrington Farrington Larrington on a 20-minute crash course in how to behave at the Christmas dinner table. A surreal and funny show where all the guests learn a little something. With heaps of audience participation, lots of foody mess and maybe a little dancing thrown in too. www.cornexchangenew.com
The Mandiloquents Annual Christmas Extravaganza, New Greenham Arts, 8pm. www.cornexchangenew.com
Sleeping Beauty Live, Vue Newbury, 8pm. From the world stage to the big screen, the new cinema season from the Royal Opera House. www.myvue.com/newbury
West Berkshire Ramblers, There are two car parks at Walbury Hill. Meet in the car park just to the east of Walbury Hill, grid ref SU380616, 9.30am. Walk is via Combe Gibbet to Vernham Dean, returning via Linkenholt. Lunch at the George Inn, Vernham Dean, or bring a picnic. 10.6 miles. Leader: Roy Ba (01635) 40720
Friday, December 16:
Newbury and District Transport Group, Bayer House, Strawberry Hill, 7.30pm. James Freeman managing director of Reading Buses will talk about his career to date and his role as chairman for the Friends of King Alfred Buses at Winchester. All welcome, no membership necessary. Raffle and refreshments.
to 18, Ballet Theatre UK: The Snow Queen, Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, times vary. Beautiful re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale. (01635) 244246 www.arlingtonarts.co.uk
Gardening For The Brain, Burghfield Common Methodist Church Hall, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Winter sessions with an indoor-gardening related activity on Fridays. This event is organised by the Alzheimer's Society. Kim Westall (01635) 500869
Christmas Singalong Extravaganza, St Joseph's Parish Centre, Tilehurst. Fun evening of festive entertainment, from classical choral pieces by Elgar, Lauridsen and Rutter to contemporary Christmas hits by Bing Crosby, Slade and Wizzard. Some instrumental performances and, of course, favourite Christmas carols. Seasonal refreshments. Proceeds to support the LIFE House in Bracknell, which provides accommodation for single homeless mums and their babies. Admission £2 on the door (concessions £1) Sarah (0118) 9456545
Saturday, December 17:
eenie meenie Christmas Fair & Market, Hungerford Town Hall. The gift fair will be in the Magistrates Room, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, for quality and unusual baby and children's goodies. The Christmas market will be in the Corn Exchange, 2pm to 4pm, for anything and everything for babies and children up to 8 years old.
Newbury Chamber Choir and orchestra, conducted by Edward Lambert, St George's Church, Wash Common, 7.30pm. The Christmas Story by Heinrich Schütz, has been re-scored and adapted to the familiar English text of the King James Bible by Edward Lambert. There is also the first performance of Ed Lambert's new cantata for Christmas Brighter than the Sun. Free admission, retiring collection. www.newburychamberchoir.co.uk
Coffee Morning in aid of Home-Start West Berkshire, Town Hall, Newbury, 10am to noon. Tea, coffee, squash, cakes with Tombola Stall
and Sunday, Santa Steam Specials, Cholsey and Wallingford Railway. Celebrate the festive season in a family friendly way. Santa and Mrs Claus on fully decorated steam-hauled trains distributing gifts to children up to age 8. A free mince pie and a hot drink for adults in the station café after the ride. Look out for the Christmas characters along the line. See Peckett Sir Gomer 0-6-0 saddle tank steam engine hauling 1950s coaches. No booking needed. Wallingford Station has a gift shop, café, trains depart from Wallingford at 11.05am and hourly until 4.05pm, trains depart Cholsey at 11.35am then hourly until 4.35pm. www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com or contact cwrail@yahoo.co.uk or (01491) 835 067.
The Cromwell Singers perform an open-air concert in the Market Place, Newbury, from 11am. The group perform their Christmas Concert as well as some traditional carols. Come along and join in for free. Mulled wine and mince pies served by Newbury Lions. Funds raised will help with choir's running costs and will also go to local charitable good causes.
Baby and Children's Market, Main Sports Hall, Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, Newbury Racecourse. 2pm to 4pm. Quality nearly new and new boys and girls items for sale from birth to six years. Entry £1 adults. Leanne Taylor 0788 1641614
Carols in the Barn, Bucklebury Farm Park, 6pm to 8pm. (0118) 971 4002 or www.buckleburyfarmpark.co.uk
Lantern making, Newbury Library, 10am to 3pm. Free drop-in sessions.
Time for Tea, town centre, Newbury, 10am to 4pm. Wet Picnic's Tea Ladies sweep through the streets to supply an explosive and surreal teatime for everyone to enjoy. Free event. www.cornexchangenew.com
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet in the central car park in Lambourn, grid ref SU325788, 10am. For a walk to Eastbury, 6.5miles. Leader: Lyn G (01672) 513294
Sunday, December 18:
Electronic organ and keyboard concert with Matthew Bason, Aldermaston Concert Centre, The William Penney Theatre entrance through AWE West Gate, 3pm to 5.30pm. Music of all styles, including well known Christmas tunes with a singalong section. Ample free car parking, bar and restaurant open from noon. Interval tea and biscuits plus raffle, £6.50 at the door no membership required. For information Sylvia Bowsher (0118) 971 2220 www.organfax.co.uk.
Terry's Music at Christmas, Burghfield Community Sports Association, 8pm to 11pm. Sunday social dancing and bingo at 9pm. Members £2, guests £3
Family Carol Service, St Nicolas' Church, Newbury, 6.30pm. Leader Sarah Alexander. Speaker Will Hunter Smart.
Lantern Procession, Newbury, 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Starts at the Methodist Church, Northbrook Street, leading to the Market Place, with live musicians and performances. Free event for all the family.
Mayor's Civic Carol Service, St Mary's Church, Thatcham, 4pm to 5.30pm. Refreshments after the service. Collection for the Thatcham Town Mayor's charitable fund
Zak and Panzee from the Zingzillas, Kennet Centre, Newbury, 11am to 5pm.
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at Newbury Wharf at 9am for car share to the National Trust car park at Lardon Chase (the top of Streatley Hill), grid ref SU 583806, c. 26 miles round trip. Drop down to Streatley for a walk along the Thames to Moulsford before climbing back up to Lowbury Hill and returning to the start via Aldworth. Bring sufficient food and drink to last the day, though The Bell at Aldworth will probably be open when we pass. 12.5 miles. Leader: Graham S (01635) 580356
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at the Stockcross Recreation Ground, grid ref SU433688, 10.30am. Walk to Hoe Benham, 4 miles. Leader: Jean B (01635) 35902
Monday, December 19:
Christmas Social Event, Enborne Primary School, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Christmas carols played by East Woodhay Band, grand Christmas raffle, famous Christmas cake auction, mulled wine & mince pies for everyone to enjoy. Fundraiser for Enborne Primary School. Catherine Morrison (01635) 40569
Tuesday, December 20:
Peter Pan, Eddie Katz, Newbury, 4pm to 5pm. Plus special guest appearance from Santa. Tickets £8.50 per child, includes a gift, a free play at Eddie Catz before or after the event and a 20 per cent discount meal voucher to use for all food and drinks on the day. £1 per adult. 0845 2011268 www.eddiecatz.com
West Berkshire Ramblers, meet at The Ridgeway, Sparsholt Firs, grid ref SU343850, 10am. A hilly walk along the Ridgeway to Letcombe Bassett, Childrey Warren and the Devil's Punchbowl, 6 miles. Leader: Joan C (01235) 835618
Wednesday, December 21:
Astronomy for Beginners with the Newbury Astronomical Society. Short entry level talks suitable for all ages and observing with society telescopes if clear. 7pm at St Mary's Church Hall, Greenham. Details Steve Harris (01635) 860047
Christmas Party, Krazy Klub, Thatcham, 3pm to 6pm. Children aged 4 to 10 years old can let off lots of steam on the tree tier main adventure play area, rock climb traversing wall and large ball pool and ball shower and then enjoy a Christmas dinner and dessert. £9.95 per child, must pre-book. (01635) 867555 www.krazy-klub.co.uk
