Author: Round & About

Round & About

Well done to North Moreton’s Mavericks who have defended their championship of the Home Counties Women’s Cricket Premier League 

Winning a title is one thing, but defending it is the true test of champions.  

Last year, the Moreton Mavericks made history by winning the Home Counties Women’s Cricket Premier League. Now the tiny village club has done it again, retaining their crown against much bigger rivals from Beaconsfield, Binfield, Charlbury, Newbury, Oxford, Stony Stratford and Thame. 
 
The Mavericks, based in North Moreton, famed for The Bear pub and its 167-year-old cricket club, entered the season determined to rise to the challenge. For the first time, they signed a 21-year-old New Zealander. The decision proved invaluable in a demanding league where no team escaped defeat, with every side losing at least three matches ina  14-game programme. 
Captain Georgia Haworth says: “Huge thanks and congratulations to the 35 girls who represented the club this season. With injuries to key players, we were very grateful for that extra capacity.” Club President Mike Howat adds: “As a small village club we continue to punch above our weight. Great credit goes to Georgia and her team for retaining the title.” 

Round & About

The John Hackett Band make their debut at The Northcourt, Abingdon, on Saturday, 15th November 

Progressive rock fans are in for a treat this autumn, as The John Hackett Band bring their genre-defying sound to The Northcourt in Abingdon on Saturday, 15th November. With a line-up that epitomises the spirit of prog, the band promise an evening of dazzling musicianship, eclectic styles, and unforgettable energy – with the added bonus of Oxfordshire’s very own Forgotten Gods sharing the stage. 
 
Fronted by the much-loved flautist and composer John Hackett, the band weave together a heady mix of sounds. From John’s lyrical flute passages to the funky rhythm section of drummer Duncan Parsons and bassist Jeremy Richardson, topped by the intricate guitar work of Nick Fletcher, their music journeys through pop, rock, jazz, classical, and funk. Tender ballads sit alongside hair-raising instrumental workouts, creating a show that’s as diverse as it is compelling. 
 
John Hackett has been a central figure in progressive rock since the mid-1970s, first gaining recognition alongside his brother, Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, on albums including Voyage of the Acolyte, Sketches of Satie and Please Don’t Touch. Alongside these collaborations, he has carved his own path as a solo artist with acclaimed albums such as Checking Out of London, Another Life and The Piper Plays His Tune. The 2025 tour celebrates the release of his new album Red Institution, with audiences also treated to highlights from Voyage of the Acolyte — a true prog classic. 
 
Adding an international dimension to the evening is special guest Dikajee, the Russian-born singer-songwriter whose ethereal voice and genre-blending style have captivated audiences across Europe and the US. Her 2021 album ForgetNots earned her the title of #4 Vocalist of the Year in Prog Magazine’s readers’ poll, and she now calls the UK home, with a new album The Frame set for release soon. 
 
Anchoring the bill firmly in Oxfordshire are Forgotten Gods, a local band renowned for their commanding stage presence and powerful soundscapes. Their appearance brings the evening full circle, ensuring local talent takes its place alongside international names in what promises to be an unmissable celebration of progressive music. 
 
With three distinctive acts on one bill, the concert promises to be part-festival, part-cosmic trip – a night of boundary-pushing music that still honours its roots.