Bracknell ice skating stars

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Congratulations to three talented young couples from Bracknell Ice Skating Club who have done so well in the British Figure Skating Championships.

Emily Phillips and Jayin Panesar (right) are British Champions 2018 in the advanced novice category with a total score of 101.68.

Siblings Katya and Alex Fairbridge are British Champions 2018 in the intermediate category. This skating couple are aged 12 and 15 respectively and skated two pattern dances which, combined with their free dance, gave them a gold winning score of 56.20. The Fairbridges follow in the footsteps of the famous Olympic Ice Dance Couple Torvill and Dean who won the same trophy in 1994.

Krista Good and Advay Chopra entered the Championships as beginners and came third overall in the basic novice level, coming second in their pattern dances and third in the free dance. They are a new couple to ice dance and are thrilled.

All three couples are coached by Lucine Chakmakjian and David Phillips who have coached at Bracknell for 20 years and produced multiple British Champions in skating.
David Phillips says: “What a phenomenal achievement for these skaters who have worked so hard and given up so much to follow their dreams. They have made Bracknell Ice Rink, their parents and us very proud.”

Lizz Nelhams, Bracknell Skating Club Chairwoman adds: “We are so impressed by the Bracknell skaters who took part in the championships. They are all dedicated skaters and deserve these superb results. We look forward to seeing them continue their development at Bracknell Ice Rink.”

Bracknell Ice Skating Club is one of the UK’s largest and most active clubs and hosts a weekly Ice Ability session.

  For more information visit www.bracknell-ice-skating-club.co.uk

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Treasure trove: the Watlington Hoard

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James Mather shares the story behind the 1,200-year-old journey of his remarkable find.

Imagine finding items more than 1,200 years old and then finding out they are worth £1.35million…

That’s exactly what happened to metal detectorist James Mather when he unearthed the first large Viking hoard to ever have been discovered in Oxfordshire in 2015.

The Watlington Hoard was declared “treasure” by a coroner the following year and a fundraising effort launched to enable Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum to acquire the find.

Thanks to key grants, the museum was able to save the hoard which included about 200 coins, items of jewellery and silver ingots, for the nation. Many of the coins are of great significance, being from Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, 871 to 899.

This month, James will tell all about his hobby of responsible metal detecting and share the stories of some of his more exciting and unusual finds recorded over the past 25 years which include much more than just the Watlington Hoard.

There’ll also be the chance to get “up close and personal” with some of his treasures as he’ll bring along a number of “hands on” finds.

James has given a number of well-received talks and has appeared on local radio and national TV and this talk promises to be a real treat.

• The Abingdon & District National Trust Association talk takes place at Trinity Church Hall, in Conduit Road, Abingdon, at 2.30pm on Tuesday, 22nd January. Everyone is welcome and the group asks for a small donation of £3 for non-members.

  For more information, please call Ruth on 01235 524119.

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Bampton beauty: protecting the village

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Robin Shuckburgh explains more about the Society for the Protection of Bampton (SPB) and how you can get involved.

The SPB was founded in 1993 “to improve the quality of life of the people of Bampton”.

In this role it bought for the village Sandfords Field, a much used and appreciated open space in the centre of Bampton. Latterly, however, the SPB has been concerned with opposing the many opportunistic and inappropriate planning applications arising from misguided Government policy.

In July 2007 the village was badly flooded with 10% of housing affected. When, unbelievably, a planning application was made to build 127 houses on floodplain, the SPB set out to raise in excess of £20,000 to fight the proposal through one of the country’s leading firms of hydrologists and a specialist planning barrister.

The SPB quite accepts the need for growth but urges this at a pace that does not threaten the community. In the last few years Bampton has faced applications which would increase the number of homes by 60%. This is unacceptable, way above what’s predicated for the whole of west Oxfordshire in 2011-2031 by the Local District Plan. It is to be hoped this recently adopted plan will inject planning principles into development and return it to the control of locals, for whom the SPB has always fought.

• The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) asked villagers to make a film about their village.

  Visit www.savebamptonsfuture.co.uk

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Hungerford heroine: historical novelist Iris Lloyd

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Iris Lloyd explains more about her “now or never” approach to writing, having written her first novel at the age of 70 and just published her latest.

My Lady Marian, my eighth novel, has just been published. It tells the story of Marian who arrives at the court of Henry VIII at the age of 15 and later becomes lady-in-waiting to Katharine of Aragon then Anne Boleyn.

I have been writing all my life – stories, poems, pantomimes, as village correspondent for the Newbury Weekly News – but had never tackled a novel. When I reached the age of 70, I thought: “Now or never!”

At that time, I lived in Beedon, north of Newbury, and was helping to excavate a site on the downs that had been active all through the Roman occupation. Our “finds” included a thousand bronze and two gold coins, Samian pottery, jewellery, a Medusa medallion and a rare fish brooch (a sign of Christian activity), as well as the skeletons of a dog, one adult and more than 50 babies.

Inspired by this site, my first five novels tell the story of Bron, who was born and brought up there, who travels to Rome in pursuit of her young Roman officer lover, then returns home to a new village being built where Beedon now stands.

My sixth novel, Flash Black, takes place during the reign of Elizabeth I. There followed Hunterswick Green, a contemporary novel set in a new housing complex that is advertised as perfect but hides a secret.

  Signed copies of all my books are available through my website www.irislloyd.co.uk or by emailing [email protected] by adding £2, postage to the price, or they can be obtained through bookshops.

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Wassailing: Pagan roots

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Wassailing is an ancient English custom designed to ensure a plentiful crop in the spring and nowadays the chance to drink cider too; join in at Lily Hill Park.

There are some great English traditions that would leave many from foreign countries scratching their heads – high on this list must be wassailing.

The English custom has its roots in Paganism; the word comes from the old Anglo Saxon “wes bu hal” meaning “in good health”, with the idea being to bless the orchard to ensure a plentiful crop next season.

The custom has long been linked with cider-producing counties such as Somerset and Herefordshire but there has been a resurgence in it and this year Bracknell Forest Council will hold its ninth annual public wassail at Lily Hill Park community orchard. The ceremony involves choosing a wassail king or queen who places cider-soaked toast in the branches, feeding the good spirits of the orchard. Nowadays pots and pans, rather than shotguns, are used to make as much noise as possible to scare away evil spirits before everyone joins in pouring cider or apple juice around the roots of the oldest or best tree.

All this is done to the singing of a wassail song by firelight while apple pies and cider or apple juice are enjoyed. Lily Hill Park has once again invited the OBJ Morris Men to liven up the evening, from 5.30pm to 7pm.

To join in the celebrations of this ancient tradition on Saturday, 12th January, book on the council’s website at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/parks-and-countryside/events

Please take along cider or apple juice and meet at the north car park, RG12 2RX. The event costs £4.14 per person.

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Sentimental journey: Twyford singers in France

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Twyford Twinning has celebrated its very first project with its new ‘sibling’, the town of Cuincy in northern France.

The twinning groups achieved their goal of cementing their relationship before the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and moving ceremonies were held in Cuincy to honour the war dead in November.

The weekend of 10th-11th was devoted to remembering those lost between 1914 and 1918 and began with an exhibition about the battles that took place in the region.

A visit to the British Cemetery to pay respects to those who fell left not a dry eye, accompanied by schoolchildren from Cuincy singing God Save the Queen, a truly emotional moment for all. This was matched by a similar tribute at the French war memorial where the children sang La Marseillaise.

Part of the inaugural project also involved a concert featuring High Voltage Singers from Twyford and Cuincy Melodie Choir. The Twyford singers received a “wonderful welcome” from their French counterparts and both Jacky Crossman, the leader of High Voltage and Marie France Ladent, president of Melodie gave speeches beforehand. And judging by the standing ovation given by the audience at the end it was a success all round with lots of friendships being made!

Jacky, who extended the offer of a return visit, said: “The High Voltage Singers look forward to inviting Melodie choir back to Twyford for another joint concert in the future.”

  Anyone interested in joining High Voltage can contact them on 07780 580598 or via Facebook. For more information about Twyford Twinning, contact them at [email protected]

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Titanic Teddy Thompson: Holywell Music

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Holywell Music & Folk will host the internationally acclaimed star Teddy Thompson on Sunday, 3rd February.

“I love playing the Holywell Music Room,” Teddy tells us. “It’s one of my favourite venues in Britain; wonderful natural acoustics and a real community feeling. It’s an absolute joy.”

Teddy has performed in the world’s best venues – so his praise for Holywell Music Rooms highlights its calibre. He played here, at Europe’s oldest purpose-built music venue, for Holywell Music and Folk’s launch gig last winter, mesmerising the capacity audience with his hauntingly beautiful songs.

Teddy’s folk rock luminary parents Richard and Linda have seen him grow as a solo artist. Forging a career with hard work and original ballads and songs that blend folk and country, no comparisons are made between him and his parents today – talented Teddy found his feet early.

Six albums later he continues to explore and develop, including his instrumental role putting the album Family together, featuring his mum, dad, sister Kamilla, brother Jack and nephew Zak. He can also be found on the other side of the recording studio glass producing for himself and others. He plays bass, drums and guitar and has toured with his good friend Rufus Wainwright, including playing in Oxford in 2012.

Rumour has it that, in his one-man show on 3rd, Teddy might debut some new material which is a huge thrill for his fans. Support on the night comes from a young lady from Stroud called Sophronie who has a set of original material and three albums to her credit already. As music promoter Geoff Smith puts it: “Two such talents sharing the same stage will make for a fantastic start to the new season of gigs at the Holywell Music Rooms.”

• Holywell Music and Folk is run by volunteers to keep live music alive and to encourage young, local and talented acts to play in an amazing venue. Upcoming shows include Megan Henwood and Findlay Napier, Ben Savage and Hannah Sanders, Charlie Dore, Sam Kelly and Steve Tilston.

  Visit www.holywellmusicandfolk.co.uk

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Shock horror: theatre in Oxford

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Enjoy a fabulous comedy-drag-boxing-musical extravaganza from The Wardrobe Theatre at Oxford’s The North Wall this month.

It’s a hook to the left! And then a jab to the right! Let’s do the time-warp back to 1976; a world without men and women – only lovers, fighters, dancers and all-nighters and where the mean streets of Philadelphia are full of campy song.

After the stunning successes of Goldilock, Stock & Three Smoking Bears, Reservoir Mogs and Muppits Die Hard, Bristol’s The Wardrobe Theatre brings you another signature, darkly comic, adults-only show with all original music directed by Tom Brennan of The Wardrobe Ensemble.

Rocky Shock Horror is a loving, playful fusion of the boxing classic with the cross-dressing cult musical masterpiece. A scary-sexy, knock-out comedy that always punches below the belt, Rocky Shock Horror is a show you won’t forget, however hard you try…

A fringe studio venue and thriving arts hub in the heart of Bristol showcasing the best theatre-makers, companies and artists from around the UK, Wardrobe Theatre’s programme is a lovingly curated mix of theatre, comedy, storytelling, live music, poetry/spoken word, dance, puppetry, cabaret, drag, improvisation, new writing and family shows, with an emphasis on emerging artists and Bristol-based work. Throughout the year they also produce/co-produce productions of their own with dynamic Bristol-based creative teams and companies, shows which often go on tour nationally.

• At The North Wall, Oxford, on Thursday, 24th January, 7.30pm.

  For tickets, £13 (£11 conc) call 01865 319 450 or visit www.thenorthwall.com. Visit www.thewardrobetheatre.com or follow @WardrobeTheatre

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Murder mystery event in Goring

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Use your “little grey cells” to help solve a double murder at Goring Village Hall.

Hold the front page! A doctor and a councillor have been murdered in a sleepy Oxfordshire village by the River Thames.

But before you start frantically searching for details online, head to Goring Village Hall where all will be revealed later this month… if you can solve the crime.

This is the second murder mystery evening being hosted there after last year’s sold-out event. The mystery is set in the village of South Goresden where not a lot happens there and that’s the way the villagers like it. The most serious crime there previously was the re-arranging of Annie Short’s gnomes into compromising positions.
In a plot to rival Midsomer Murders, this year’s challenge for sleuths is to find out who murdered the respected Dr Alistair in front of fellow councillors at a parish council meeting and new councillor Mr Langley-Watts who has been beheaded by a wire stretched across the bridleway.
What dark secrets are the villagers hiding? Can you beat PC Mark Dixon to solve the crime first? The evening of fun, food, murder and mayhem includes a two-course meal – all for £20 per person. The bar opens at 7pm, with curtain up at 7.30pm and dinner in the interval.

Teams of five to eight are invited to use their ‘little grey cells’ to solve the mystery – smaller parties can be combined on the night. All funds raised will go towards the stage renovation projection to revamp the stage area.

  Buy your tickets from Inspirations or you can reserve by emailing [email protected] or calling 01491 871055.

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Concert: Violin virtuoso

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Former Young Musician of the Year Jennifer Pike will be playing the piece that won her the title when she appears at Marlborough College.

At the age of just 12, Jennifer Pike became the youngest ever winner of the Young Musician of the Year in 2002.

Three years later she performed at the Proms and has gone on to build an international career which has included many more accolades, not least being the only classical artist to win the South Bank Show/Times Breakthrough Award.

Jennifer is passionate about helping other young people enhance their lives through music and is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.

You can enjoy her music on Sunday, 20th January when she takes to the stage in the Memorial Hall at the college, as part of the World Class Musicians in Marlborough series when she will perform Vaughan William’s The Lark Ascending alongside pieces by Bach and Wieniawski.

Following the redevelopment of the Memorial Hall (which Marlborough College provides as sponsors of the concert series) the town now has a state-of-the-art concert hall.

The £6.5million project retains the charm of the original design while adding contemporary touches to create a state-of-the-art facility. The acoustics received accolades after a BBC National Orchestra of Wales concert recently and with improved front of house facilities, a concert at Marlborough College will be a true treat for the senses.

  Tickets available at marlboroughconcertseries.org. Enquiries: 01672 892566 or [email protected]

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