White Horse Festival autumn highlights 

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White Horse Festival invites you to enjoy extraordinary experiences, in harmony with nature, between 2nd & 5th October

There’s a new festival galloping into the Wiltshire cultural calendar, with world-class music on your doorstep. The White Horse Festival, a new classical and cross-genre music celebration, will take place across the region. 

Founded by Julia Hudson, who grew up in Savernake Forest, and led by celebrated conductor Hilary Davan Wetton, the festival promises to deliver innovative, inclusive events that appeal to all ages. The mission is simple but powerful: to bring high-quality, engaging music to rural communities that often miss out on cultural buzz. 

The four-day festival kicks off on Thursday, 2nd October, with Harvest Moon, an atmospheric evening of jazz featuring Jo Harrop and her band at The Ridgeway Barns. From there, the weekend unfolds with a diverse line-up: a talk on the art of conducting, fine dining accompanied by live opera, imaginative music sessions for children, and a thrilling British debut performance from South Korean pianist Seonghyeon Leem at Wick Bottom Barn. Family-friendly events include The Singing Shell, an interactive session for toddlers, and Whale Song, a musical adventure designed for ages four to 10 years; both taking place at Ramsbury Memorial Hall. 

On Sunday, the festival steps into the landscape itself, with Rooted in Earth, a guided walk, rustic farm lunch, and folk music experience at Warren Farm in Savernake. The weekend wraps up with Trumpet Fireworks, a lively concert for all ages with Crispian Steele-Perkins and Hilary Davan Wetton at St Mary’s in Great Bedwyn. 

What makes the White Horse Festival stand out is its strong connection to local life, working with community venues and businesses, and celebrating the area’s stunning natural surroundings. It’s also a registered charity, run by volunteers who believe that music has the power to bring people together. 

With something for everyone – from tiny tots to seasoned concertgoers – the White Horse Festival is set to become a much-loved fixture in local cultural life. 

Tickets are on sale now at whitehorsefestival.co.uk, along with details on patronage and sponsorship opportunities. Follow @white_horse_festival on Instagram or search fpr White Horse Festival on Facebook for updates. 

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Step back into Anglo-Saxon Wantage!

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Local history researcher James Mitchell invites you to learn about King Alfred with a walk on Sunday, 14th September

Was King Alfred the Great really born in a lost royal palace in Wantage?

Local history researcher James Mitchell is inviting people to explore this fascinating question in guided walking tours tracing the Anglo-Saxon roots of the town.

The one-hour tours, entitled King Alfred’s Lost Wantage Palace uncover the possible sites where Alfred, the most famous of Anglo-Saxon leaders, might have been born in 849 AD.

Along the way, participants will discover Wantage’s history (with strong connections to both Robin Hood and Dick Whittington) from pre-Roman to Victorian times, but with a special focus on the Anglo-Saxon period.

“Wantage is steeped in history,” says James. ‘These walks are a chance to step back into the past, to imagine where King Alfred might have first seen the light of day, and to picture what the royal palace

might have looked like.

A palace fit for a king.

Although no trace of the building remains today, historians believe that the site of the Royal Palace would have been carefully chosen. A typical royal Anglo-Saxon palace would have required:

A secure defensive site, protected by earthworks or a Saxon ditch.

A fresh water supply close at hand.

Proximity to a religious establishment, essential at a time where church and crown were

intertwined.

The walks consider these factors and explore the most likely locations in and around

Wantage.

Event details:

Date: Sunday 14th September (watch this space & see your October mag for November dates, too).

Times: 11am and 1 pm (groups limited to 20 – early booking advised)

Duration: Approx. one hour (easy walking)

Meeting Point: King Alfred’s Statue, Market Place, Wantage, OX12 8AT.

Tickets: £10 per person, available from www.ticketsource.co,uk/Lost-Wantage-Palace

For further information please email: jamesmitchellonevoice@sky.com

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Trust in Trusts

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You might think that Trusts are used solely by the very rich and by those people with complex estates to manage. Think again, Trusts are used by people like you and me every day to better protect their families and their inheritances

Trusts in some form have been around since the 12th Century and have been recorded as used by Knights to ensure their lands were looked after when they went off to battle – hence our business name!

In more recent times though, home ownership really triggered the use of trusts for normal people who, for the first time, had a very valuable asset they wanted to protect and hand down through their families.  This is still very true now, with home values at an all-time high, a Trust is a good strategy to pass these assets on to future generations. 

There are many reasons to set up Trusts:

• To protect – Trusts can protect your loved ones who may not be old enough or have the capacity to manage their inheritance.

• Minimise threats – Trusts can minimise a number of threats against your estate including your beneficiaries; going bankrupt, divorcing, partners marrying someone else, care costs and maybe even from the more unscrupulous members of an extended family.

• Tax mitigation – Trusts can be used legally to mitigate Inheritance Tax and / or Income Tax implications for your beneficiaries on your death.

• To stop conflict – Your trust can minimise potential conflict between your family after you have gone. Trusts can be very specific and binding on how you want your estate to be divided up. Indeed, each beneficiary can have their own separate Trust to further help reduce potential conflict

• Privacy – For most of us, a Will at some stage will become a public document, a Trust can add a layer allowing your wishes and your beneficiaries to remain confidential.

At Templar Estate Planning we can full advise on Trusts to protect your assets and family and to minimise tax.

Trusts via Wills

Standard Wills that most people have, including free Wills or ones drafted from templates, afford very little protection as assets are gifted directly to beneficiaries, which means they then sit within their estates and assets.

Such Wills are usually only recommended or suitable if your assets will not be threatened by, or you are not concerned by: inheritance tax or generational inheritance tax; long term care fees; marriage after death; divorce of beneficiaries; and/or creditors and bankruptcy.

Gifting directly to beneficiaries that are on means tested benefits or to disabled children is not recommended as it can adversely affect their benefits or they might not be able to manage their own affairs.

Contact us for a free estate planning consultation to discuss how Wills with trusts could better protect your family and their assets. Depending on your exact circumstances, such planning could legitimately save and retain hundreds of thousands of pounds for your family that might otherwise be lost to HMRC or other parties.

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Roast with the most at Donnington

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The restaurant at Donnington & Co (formerly Donnington Valley) has been lavished in some hearty doses of TLC… perfect timing to pop by and try an epic roast 

Here we are, at the tail end of summer now, and it’s a wistful time, don’t you think? The evenings don’t stretch so far, and the air feels wetter, heavier… 

The perfect antidote? Embracing the cosiness of the season with a cracking roast, cooked by someone else. And I’m pleased to report that the newly revamped restaurant is just as cocooning and comforting as the treatments in the adjoining spa. Donnington Co, which is privately owned by Sir Peter Michael & family, is also well-loved for its 18-hole golf course.  

Wine fans will find an unbeatable list, including an epic champers selection (there’s still a clever nod to the cork theme in the new décor). And non-drinkers are also in great hands: our virgin pina colada and angelic mojitos were just as fun and refreshing as a boozy beach binge. The restaurant itself is equal parts elegant and relaxed: the darker hues ushered in by the revamp work a charm – I was coveting the wishbone chairs and floriferous wallpaper. What’s more, the soft lighting and incredibly friendly, hospitable staff make you feel like lingering here all afternoon into the evening.  

What about the food? Seasonal ingredients are given the right royal treatment. You’re in great hands. Donnington Co’s Sunday lunch is a three-course affair that doesn’t just embrace the season, it gives it a hug and a glass of red. Our starters, cauliflower soup and scallops with crispy bacon and pea puree perfectly straddled that weird summer/autumn threshold: so fresh and full of hearty flavour. 

Now, on the main event: the roast beef. This wasn’t just beef, it was a masterclass in how to coax the very best from a beast. Perfectly pink in the middle, with a caramelised edge that made each bite feel like autumn had put on a velvet smoking jacket. The vegetables were far from an afterthought. Imagine golden roasties and parsnips that yield with a satisfying crunch, rainbow carrots with just the right amount of bite, and Yorkshire puddings so puffed up and proud that their arrival made us gasp. 

But the real seduction came from the gravy, which, let’s be honest, is a right pig to make (well) yourself. Silky doesn’t even begin to cover it. This was the kind of gravy that you briefly consider drinking straight. Dark, glossy, and layered with flavour, it tied the whole plate together. And I’m not even a massive roast fan. 

The rest of the menu shows similar flair, including puddings to warm the cockles, from crumble to Biscoff and miso caramel cheesecake. At £26 for two courses or £31.50 for three (you can also get bottomless options) it would be rude not to. Or better still, book an autumn staycation and roll into bed for a nap! 

To book in to eat, enjoy a treat or stay please call 01635 551199 or visit donnington.co

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All the King’s Men, Ramsbury concert 

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On Saturday, 20th September, the beautiful Holy Cross Church in Ramsbury will resonate with some of the finest close-harmony singing in the world. 

The King’s Men – the celebrated choral scholars of King’s College, Cambridge – will perform an exclusive evening concert. 

Formed from the Choral Scholars and Lay Clerks of the internationally renowned King’s College Choir, The King’s Men are known for their fresh, dynamic approach to close-harmony repertoire.  

While their counterparts in the Choir are most famous for the globally broadcast Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, The King’s Men operate as an independent ensemble, run by the current members themselves. Their performances blend technical brilliance with youthful energy, spanning music from traditional choral works to contemporary arrangements. 

The group tours widely, with recent performances taking them across Britain, North America, Australia, and China. Their concerts are renowned for showcasing both the discipline of choral singing and the personality of the singers themselves – intimate, vibrant, and often surprising evenings of music. 

For this special Ramsbury concert, they will be joined by acclaimed solo organist Kevin Bates, adding a dramatic and virtuosic dimension to the evening. 

📅 Saturday 20 September 2025 
📍 Holy Cross Church, Ramsbury, SN8 2QP 
🕖 7pm – 9pm (doors open 6.30pm) 

🎟️ Tickets are £35 / £25 and available from holycrossevents.org.uk 

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Steadfastly pink in Witney!  

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Denise Barkley of Against Breast Cancer’s Witney action team tells us all about the 25th anniversary of Witney in Pink Day 

This year marks my 19th year helping to organise our town’s much-loved community fundraiser: Witney in Pink Day. I joined the team with friends Sue Tedd and Sandy Bradshaw, and the three of us are still passionate about turning the town perfectly pink on one fun-filled day each year! 

This year it’s on Saturday, 27th September, and it’s a very special one – our 25th anniversary! In that time £300,000 has been raised for the Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer’s vital research to improve detection, treatment and survival from breast cancer. 

My own impetus was losing my Mum to breast cancer when I was in my mid 20s. It’s such a wicked, indiscriminate disease and every penny counts in the hunt for a cure. 

It was through my job as a local journalist that I met the inspirational Jeanne Chattoe, trustee of ABC and chair of the Witney Action Team. Everyone in Witney knows Jeanne – her red hair is her trademark and she’s a true fighter whose steadfast commitment to fundraising began 32 years ago following the death of her sister Delia from the disease aged just 41. 

Since then Jeanne has twice fought breast cancer herself, forging on regardless as she spearheaded raising the staggering total of £1m from a whole variety of events over the years. Her fashion shows at Witney Leisure Centre were a legendary feature on the calendar for many years and, with the backing of her team, there’s been pink gala balls, ladies’ dinners, vintage teas and much more… 

The longest-serving team member, and treasurer, is Laura Hounam who joined just after Jeanne launched her fundraising in 2000. She was recovering from breast cancer and felt she had to focus on something positive to avoid dwelling on what might or might not happen. 

She said: “Twenty-five years later I’m proud to see how the original cake stall and a few pink shop windows has developed into such a fantastic community event and we’re still raising thousands for Against Breast Cancer.” 

Jeanne’s unstinting efforts were marked in the best way possible two years ago when she was named in the King’s Birthday Honours and presented with the British Empire Medal at a glittering Blenheim Palace ceremony. 

On 27th September the town centre will buzz with a packed programme of entertainment throughout the day. As always it will be decked out with hundreds of biodegradable pink balloons and the local shops will compete to win the ultimate honour – the title of best decorated pink window. New additions this year are a pink-themed dog show on Church Green and the spectacular Brazilian drumming band Sol Samba will lead a fantastic line-up of street entertainment. 

“Witney in Pink Day is a magical event – the support each year is tremendous and unwavering,” said Jeanne. “Lots of shops and businesses have their own fundraisers too, the town unites behind us and it’s simply brilliant!” 

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Agatha Christie celebrated in art 

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Agatha Christie’s Mystery Weekend in Wallingford and Cholsey on 13th & 14th September offers will star sculptor Ben Twiston-Davies & artist Laura Hope 

Agatha Christie made Winterbrook House her home from 1934 until her death in 1976. You can find out lots more from exhibitions in Wallingford Museum and Wallingford Museum is hosting some highlights over the weekend. 

Agatha Christie in Art, 2.30-4.30pm on Saturday, 13th September, will star Ben Twiston-Davies, sculptor of the Wallingford Agatha Christie statue & Laura Hope, who is a local artist and illustrator of the Folio Society edition of Ordeal by Innocence. During the afternoon they’ll provide an insight into their work and discuss their varied creative approaches. Advance booking not required, normal museum admission fee applies.  

On Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th there are 90-minute guided walks from Wallingford Museum at 10am. Discover the Wallingford Agatha Christie would have known and loved (plus the original Causton of Midsomer Murders). £10pp includes museum entry; to book a place please call 01491 835065.  

Fabulous Fossils on Saturday, 20th September, invites families to handle fossils from nearby and around the world with Oxfordshire Geology Trust. Drop in between 11am & 1pm or 2-4pm to make your own dino-mask and colour dinosaur pictures. You can also handle dinosaur teeth, claws and bones. There’s a £2 lucky dip for a 60-to-300 million year old fossil! You can take along your own fossils for the experts to identify and handle fossils.

wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

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Radiohead beauty amplified at Oxford’s Ashmolean 

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This is What You Get, the new exhibition at the Ashmolean, featuring the work of Stanley Donwood, celebrates his iconic illustrations, over 30+ years, for Radiohead & Thom Yorke  

Nightmarish, bleak, dystopian and (ultimately) redemptive… But enough about my personal life. Let’s talk about the hotly anticipated Stanley Donwood exhibition at the Ashmolean!  

Fellow Radiohead fans, art lovers, and curious minds have been waiting for this all year. And it does not disappoint: the show invites you to lose yourself in the beautiful, chaotic visual universe of one of the UK’s most influential bands. This Is What You Get celebrates the three-decade collaboration between Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke — the creative force behind Radiohead’s iconic artwork. 

Running until 11th January, this is the first large-scale institutional show of its kind, featuring more than 180 original artworks. From early sketchbooks and rarely seen lyric fragments to enormous paintings and even woven tapestries, this immersive exhibition takes visitors deep into the visual imagination that’s shaped albums including OK Computer, Kid A, The Eraser and A Moon Shaped Pool. 

It all began in the early 1990s when Thom and Stanley – then students at Exeter University – first collaborated on the sleeve for My Iron Lung (inspired by a dummy found in the JR hospital basement). That partnership has evolved into a seamless blend of sound and vision that’s defined Radiohead’s creative identity ever since. 

Expect to see the haunting snowy landscapes of Kid A (inspired by war photography from the former Yugoslavia, the rude reds like wounds), the glitchy, analogue-style artwork of OK Computer (famously created without using the “undo” function), and the moving linocut from Thom’s solo album The Eraser, depicting a dark wave engulfing London landmarks. 

But this isn’t just a stroll through sleeve art nostalgia. Many pieces on display have never been seen by the public, including handwritten lyrics, trial artworks, and large-scale paintings made during the pandemic, when the pair began painting side by side. These latest works are vibrant, richly textured and surprisingly optimistic — a reflection, perhaps, of new beginnings. As befits a creative partnership that explores commercialism so cleverly, the merch in the gift shop (including old-school prints from letterpress king Richard Lawrence; richardlawrenceprinter.co.uk) are highly covetable, especially the tea set, shoppers! 

The exhibition’s title, This Is What You Get, is borrowed from a lyric in Radiohead’s Karma Police and, as curator Dr Lena Fritsch puts it, “captures the honesty, poetry, darkness and wit” of the duo’s visual storytelling. It’s a rare chance to get under the skin of Radiohead’s world of anxiety, beauty, and emotional depth. 

Tickets £8.10–18 and there’s an audioguide narrated by Adam Buxton; visit ashmolean.org 

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Mellow fruitfulness in Bampton & Burford 

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Beccy Hunt tells us about two autumn food & gift fairs to enjoy in west Oxfordshire this autumn 

A duo of delightful events are set to brighten up the autumn calendar, offering visitors the chance to discover something truly special.  

Organised by local entrepreneur, baking enthusiast and founder of Chez Beccy, Beccy Hunt (left), the Bampton Autumn Food & Gift Fair and Burford Autumn Food & Gift Fair promise to be two joyful days out packed with delicious seasonal treats, artisan wares, and heart-warming community spirit. 

First up, Bampton Village comes alive 9:30am-2pm on Saturday, 18th October, as the Autumn Food & Gift Fair takes over both the village hall and The Market Tavern. With 17 handpicked stalls, visitors can expect an irresistible mix of local gin, cheeses, chocolates, ceramics, candles, homewares, and more. There’ll also be a coffee brewing masterclass by Cara from Peaberry & leaf (top) and a Thermomix demonstration by Liz Cooke to enjoy – perfect for foodies and craft-lovers alike. 

It’s an ideal opportunity to kickstart your Christmas shopping while supporting talented small businesses. Entry is free, but there is a small fee for the masterclass and demonstration. Tickets must be booked in advance, with only 10 places available. 

Book your tickets at eventbrite.co.uk/e/bampton-autumn-food-gift-fair-2025-tickets-1338161399769 

Then, 10am-4pm on Saturday, 1st November, the festive cheer continues in Burford. Nestled in the heart of one of the Cotswolds’ prettiest towns, the Burford Autumn Food & Gift Fair is held in the beautiful Warwick Hall and features an inspiring collection of seasonal produce and handmade treasures, from elegant gifts to indulgent nibbles and thoughtful presents. 

Both events are the brainchild of Beccy, whose passion for food and connection is at the heart of everything she does, from hosting her popular baking demonstrations to creating beautiful kitchen textiles and running her beloved Chez Beccy brand. 

Beccy tells us: “These fairs are about more than shopping – they’re about celebrating the joy of local creativity, meeting the people behind the products, and sharing the warm glow of the season. Whether you come for the bakes, the browsing, or the community feel, there’s something for everyone.” 

Entry is free, and refreshments available at both venues, they make for an easy and enjoyable autumn outing. 

For more details visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/burford-autumn-food-gift-fair-2025-tickets-1358508117349 

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Betjeman beauty at the Beacon 

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Banana Blush is a joyful celebration of John Betjeman in words & music at The Beacon in Wantage on 4th October, so book in now! 

Too many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury, not a necessity like petrol. But to me it’s the oil of life.” 

Wise words from the late, great John Betjeman, former poet laureate and Oxfordshire resident. A delightfully witty and warm-hearted musical celebration of one of Britain’s best-loved poets, Banana Blush offers a unique collaboration between Betjeman and composer Jim Parker, performed at The Beacon at 2.30pm on 4th October. 

First released as a cult album in 1974, Banana Blush set Betjeman’s gently nostalgic – and often comic – verse to Jim’s quirky, jazz-inflected music. The result was something entirely original: not quite a poetry recital, not quite a song cycle, but a playful and poignant mixture of both. Half a century later, Banana Blush still sparkles with its sharp observation of English life and its affection for the eccentricities of everyday experience. 

At the heart of the performance is Zeb Soanes, the much-loved Classic FM presenter who lends his rich and expressive voice to the role of narrator. Zeb has been praised for his “perfect diction and dry wit,” and brings a deep appreciation for both the humour and pathos in Betjeman’s work. Banana Blush combines Betjeman’s recordings with musical accompaniment by the brilliant Chris Warner Ensemble. Listeners will hear memorable poems such as Indoor Games near Newbury, Youth and Age on Beaulieu Water and The Flight from Bootle, brought vividly to life celebrating both their rhythm and gentle humour. 

Whether you’re a long-time admirer of Betjeman’s work or discovering his poetry for the first time, this is a chance to encounter it in a fresh and engaging way. The performance honours Betjeman’s belief that poetry was not just for the page, but something to be heard and shared – often with a twinkle in the eye. 

Organiser Pat Mattimore tells us: “The event is part of a wider programme of cultural events in Wantage this autumn and promises a lovely afternoon of literary charm, perfect for those who enjoy music, poetry, or a little of both. With Betjeman’s roots in nearby Oxford and his long affection for the English countryside, this tribute also has a strong local resonance. The Bar will be open and we hope to have the opportunity to meet Zeb and Chris.” 

Tickets £25pp & expected to sell out, so book quickly! Refreshments will be available, the performance will run 2.30-4pm with an interval.  

Please visit beaconwantage.co.uk or call the box office on 01235 763456 to book. 

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