Renowned artist kOrky Paul, based in Oxford, is set to bring his much-anticipated artistic flair to the city’s upcoming summer OxTrail at the Westgate Shopping Centre next month.
Widely known as the illustrator of the beloved Winnie and Wilbur children’s books, Paul will showcase his talent by painting an ox during a special ‘first-look’ event scheduled for Saturday, March 2nd, and Sunday, March 3rd.
Local shoppers and families will have the unique opportunity to witness the acclaimed illustrator at work on the upper level of the Westgate Shopping Centre, near John Lewis and Next, from 10 am to 4 pm.
OxTrail, Oxford’s inaugural art sculpture trail in support of Sobell House Hospice, is slated to transform the city from July 6th, 2024, for an eight-week duration. Earlier this month, a herd of 135 oxen, varying in size, was delivered to Oxford Brookes University Harcourt Hill Campus with assistance from RAF Brize Norton. The RAF team facilitated the unloading and preparation of the oxen for further transportation, while logistics partner Darcica ensured their safe delivery to participating artists for decoration.
As part of this year’s OxTrail learning program, Oxford Brookes University will host a special event this week for participants to collect their oxen.
In December, artist David Melling unveiled the first painted ox, named ‘Orox,’ at the Westgate Shopping Centre. Orox is currently on display at Sobell House Hospice until the official trail launch in July.
Amelia Foster, CEO of Sobell House Hospice Charity, expressed excitement about OxTrail’s aim to foster creativity across Oxfordshire. The viewing gallery at Westgate offers the public a glimpse behind the scenes of the remarkable artistry leading up to the main event in July.
In a significant display of support from local businesses, Westgate Shopping Centre generously provided space to showcase a sneak peek of the life-size ox sculptures that will feature in OxTrail. The exhibition space celebrates the exceptional talent involved in the project.
OxTrail is a collaboration with Wild in Art, known for bringing streets to life with installations in cities worldwide, including Manchester, Sydney, Cape Town, and São Paulo.
Following the trail’s conclusion, kOrky Paul’s life-sized ox, along with others, will be auctioned off to find their forever homes, with proceeds contributing to the vital care services offered by Sobell House Hospice.
Award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns to Oxford’s New Theatre.
The Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv will be presenting stunning classical productions of Bizet’s Carmen on Wednesday 17th January and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on Thursday 18th January.
Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen, is packed with passion, sexual jealousy, death and unforgettable arias. The story of the bewitching gypsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and leads to her own murder, Carmen includes some of the most evocative and best-loved melodies in opera.
The stunning set, built by Setup Scenery, who also build sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden, reflects the magnificent architecture of Seville with its Roman and Moorish influences.
Carmen will star Ukrainian mezzo-soprano’s Natalia Matveeva and Irina Sproglis. Sung in French with English surtitles.
Madama Butterfly, the winner of the Best Opera Award by the Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards, returns in a new production with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic ‘Humming Chorus’, the moving aria ‘One Fine Day’ and the unforgettable ‘Love Duet’.
In Madama Butterfly the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee returns alongside Ukrainian soprano Alyona Kistenyova and Ukrainian mezzo-soprano’s Natalia Matveeva and Irina Sproglis. Madama Butterfly will be sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Ellen personally hand-picks and directs all soloists to create visually beautiful and moving productions. She said of these productions, ‘I am delighted to be working with the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv again after the huge success of the spring 2023 tour. I started working with Ukraine in 2000 and have continued these strong relationships ever since, working with the Odessa National Opera for which I was awarded The Golden Fortune Honorary Medal from the President of the Ukraine, as well as the Kharkiv National Opera and for the last couple of years with the brilliant Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv.’
Tickets for Carmen (17 January 2024) and Madama Butterfly (18 January 2024) at Oxford’s New Theatre are available here.
Tony Hersch of Newbury Astronomy Society shares with us what to expect in the skies in January
This month spectacular Ursa Major (the “saucepan” or “plough” shape) stands vertically above the horizon in the North.
Follow an imaginary line joining the two stars at the end of the saucepan shape downwards and the next brightest star is Polaris, the pole star. This variable star (it changes its brightness over a period of four days) is about 433 light years away, is visible all year round and its position in the sky is such that it always points towards magnetic north and is a useful marker if you’re lost at night!
Near the highest point above your head is another bright star called Capella, the fourth brightest star in our northern hemisphere after Sirius, Arcturus and Vega and part of a constellation called Auriga. It’s only about 43 light years away and is one of the strongest sources of x rays in the night sky. Although it appears to be a single star to the naked eye, Capella is actually a quadruple star system organized in two binary pairs.
Keep a look out for meteors during the first 12 days of January when the Moon is only a crescent, because the Quadrantid meteor shower that started late in December continues. Look in the direction of Ursa Major about half way up the sky after midnight and you might see a meteor every few minutes. The peak happens around January 3rd. Regarding planets, Venus is bright this month in the mornings and can be seen just above and to the left of the crescent Moon at about 7am on January 8th. Saturn is shining in the evening sky. An easy time to spot it will be around 5pm on January 14th when it will be just to the right of a beautiful thin crescent Moon and well worth a look if it’s clear.
Topic of the month: Red Dwarfs
We tend to think we can see millions of stars in a dark clear night sky but in fact, unaided, even people with exceptional vision can only see at most 10,000 stars in a perfectly dark sky. There are many, many more stars we can’t see without a telescope. In fact of the 60 nearest stars to Earth, 50 are too dim for the unaided eye. These are red dwarf stars, the most common type of star in the universe, which glow a dull red and far less brightly than bigger stars. Red dwarf stars form just like other stars out of a molecular cloud of dust and gas. Gravity pulls the swirling gas and dust together, and it begins to rotate. The material clumps in the centre, and when it reaches a critical temperature, fusion begins. However red dwarfs have very low mass compared to brighter stars. As a result, they have relatively low gravity crushing material down, a low nuclear fusion rate, and hence, a low temperature and so they emit relatively little light. Even the largest red dwarfs have only about 10% of the Sun’s luminosity. Their low rate of nuclear fusion means they use up their fuel much slower than brighter stars and some are thought to have existed since the beginning of time, 13.8 billion years ago, far longer than other brighter stars. Because of their longevity and constant heat output astronomers are interested in the many planets which can orbit red dwarfs because these planets will have had constant conditions for far longer than Earth. If these planets have the right conditions for life to have evolved, like liquid water, they might be more likely to support life simply because of the duration of the constant conditions.
NewburyAstro welcomes everyone to their monthly astronomy meeting and beginners meeting (£2 for adults, free for under 18s) and also to star gazing and other events. See newburyastro.org.uk for details. Questions to tonyhersh@hotmail.com
Thirteen unpaid but dedicated workers have been recognised by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) for decades of work they have put in at the charity’s nature reserves across the three counties
Previously BBOWT has presented one lifetime achievement award at its ceremony, but this year has chosen to award the title to six volunteers.
Richard and Julie Birch have been active and influential members of BBOWT’s Chilterns volunteer group for 20 years. Mr Birch used his marketing and business experience to grow the group while his wife took over management of the newsletter and moved it online. Richard said: “As active conservation work becomes less of a pleasure, there are so many other activities to keep one occupied, making a useful contribution and seeing one’s BBOWT friends – like organising events, meeting and greeting and doing publicity.”
Ched George has been a volunteer at BBOWT since 2014, when he helped the Trust to acquire its Yoesden Bank nature reserve, a 13-hectare site of precious chalk grassland in the Chiltern Hills. He took the role of volunteer warden and helped organise regular conservation work parties and ecological surveys.
Richard Herbert as been volunteering with BBOWT since 1984. For most of that time he has been a core member of the Sunday work party at Bowdown Woods reserve near Newbury, led guided walks around the site and given countless talks to local groups and societies.
David Litchfield has dedicated 15 years to volunteering at BBOWT’s Warburg Nature Reserve near Henley. As well as helping with practical conservation work such as scything and teaching other volunteers a host of skills including tool maintenance. Mr Litchfield has also run ecological surveys on the site and passed on his wealth of knowledge to others.
Outstanding Contribution (Individuals)
Gustav Clark has been an enthusiastic and hard-working volunteer with the West Berkshire Living Landscape team. He has also championed the new online Volunteer Hub where BBOWT and volunteers share news, photos and campaigns.
John Lerpiniere is awarded for his exceptional long-term commitment and contribution to the Trust’s conservation work in Berkshire. He works for the Reserves and Ecology teams, and participates in external volunteer groups on several receivers and is also a volunteer stock watcher.
John Parker has volunteered at Greenham and Crookham commons since 2000. He also volunteers with several other BBOWT groups, occasionally up to five days a week, offering his practical conservation skills as well as his organisational acumen and extra help planning tasks.
David Richardson has been a member of Finemere Wood volunteer work party since 2016. He has taught many volunteers how to scythe and has raised funds to buy more scythes by using his skills as a wood turner to turn felled trees from the reserve into bowls and chopping boards for sale.
Dave Stevens welcomes and engages visitors to College Lake with a ready smile. Dave has also been integral in welcoming new volunteers and will often take them for a tour of the site and stay with them until they feel comfortable.
Phil Townsend has been volunteering for the Trust since 2005 and has been involved with the Reserves Surveying Programme since 2007. During this time, he has helped with butterfly transects, bird surveys, and the dragonfly count at College Lake.
Roger Walton helps provide a rewarding experience for visitors to College Lake through the seasons and helps to make resources for visitor trails.
Outstanding Contribution (Groups)
College Lake Wildlife Garden Group have been going for 30 years. The group is self-led with minimal staff input and come up with ideas and plans to ensure the garden is an inspiration to visitors, demonstrating that anyone can create more nature everywhere, from a few pots in the garden is an inspiration to visitors, demonstrating that anyone can create more nature everywhere, from a few pots in the garden to beautiful nectar-rich borders and bug hotels.
The Greenham and Crookham Common Volunteers (GCCV) were recognised for 25 years of conservation and maintenance work. Working closely with staff, the group is reliable, autonomous and very knowledge about the reserve, its history and ways to assist in its management.
The Oxfordshire Field Team is made up of six volunteers, all retired, racking up 83 years of volunteering for BBOWT between them. The group go out twice a week in all weathers and help with all kinds of tasks to look after BBOWT reveres and the animals that graze them.
Warburg Nature Reserve Volunteer Team includes stockwatchers who help look after livestock that graze the reserve, two work parties which carry out practical habitat management and infrastructure maintenance, and volunteers who make charcoal from by-products of coppicing. The team also volunteer at Hartslock and Cholsey Marsh reserves when needed.
The West Berks Badger bTB Vaccination Team was established in 2021 when they responded to a plea for help with baiting badger traps as part of BBOWT’s successful badger vaccination programme. This involves unsociable hours, long commutes, and assisting with vaccinations at sunrise. Their work has been essential in carrying out this year’s vaccinations.
We’re all focused on football with the World Cup.. but closer to home, the Fleet of Foot team recently enjoyed a charity match in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice
Eleven women’s walking football teams from a 60-mile radius were invited to take part, including Bracknell, Great Wakering, Cheshunt, Arsenal, Portsmouth, and X Saints.
The home side, Fleet of Foot, entered two teams into the competition, and for some players it was their first experience of taking part in a tournament.
Some 26 games were played in total with match officials being supplied by the Fleet of Foot men’s walking football team.
“High quality football was enjoyed by players and spectators alike”
Ann Goddard tells us: “High quality football was enjoyed by players and spectators alike, with tough competition and a great team spirit being displayed by everyone. Congratulations to the overall winners, Bracknell Blues and the runners up, X Saints who just lost out to penalties in the final.”
Following the tournament, there was a buffet and prize giving where the teams socialised together and celebrated their efforts.
As well as enjoying the tournament, the players collectively raised £671.50 for Phyllis Tuckwell, making the event even more worthwhile.
Fleet of Foot women’s walking football was well supported by Everyone Active for this event at Hart.
Aimed primarily at the over-40s (but all ages are welcome), Fleet of Foot women’s walking football takes place on Thursdays, 7-8pm at Hart Everyone Active in Emerald Avenue, Fleet GU51 5HS. For more information or to arrange a free taster session, please email Sue on sue_scarlett@ntlworld.com.
Hampshire’s National Trust treasures have lots of festive delights for all the family…
Christmas is the time for getting together, to feel the warmth of festive days out with family and friends. At National Trust places in and around Hampshire, you can do just that, with winter experiences to bring joy, sprinkles of magic, and for little ones especially, a tingle of excitement.
There’s a real variety of Christmas entertainment to discover this year, with plenty of spectacle and sparkle for those ‘wow’ moments and selfies moments. Decorated houses bring much-loved stories to life – kindling a glow of nostalgia. You’ll find family actives, storytelling and crafts. Outside, frosty landscapes offer an uplifting escape for those who want winter nature, views and festive walks.
Here’s a roundup of the National Trust’s best Christmas events in an around Hampshire.
The magical one
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Christmas at Mottisfont
Mottisfont, near Romsey
Step into a Narnia-inspired world at Mottisfont this winter, with scenes and a family trail inspired by C.S. Lewis’s much-loved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The magic begins from the moment you enter the gardens, where Narnia’s famous black lamp post illuminates your way to the house, transformed for a 1940s Christmas. Inside, follow wartime evacuees Edmund, Lucy, Susan and Peter into the kingdom of the White Witch – a landscape of snow and Turkish delight. An enchanted woodland scene introduces more famous characters – look out for Lucy having tea with Mr Tumnus the fawn – and a display of exquisite Narnia illustrations by Pauline Baynes, the original artist of C.S. Lewis’s children’s books. There are plenty of ‘wow’ moments, from walking through the wardrobe into Narnia, and seeing the White Witch in her sleigh, to sitting on a throne with Aslan at the crowning of the young kings and queens. Outside, families can collect their Narnia-style map to continue the adventure. Life-size wardrobes frame iconic scenes, there are story-themed activities, and loads of great ‘selfie’ opportunities as you enter the Beaver’s cottage, find Father Christmas’s sleight and sit in the throne room at Cair Paravel.
26th November – 8th January (closed 24th & 25th December). Normal admission charges apply plus £1 per trail including members.
The cosy one
The Wind in the Willows at Christmas, Hinton Ampler
Hinton Ampner, near Alresford
The much-loved World of The Wind in the Willows comes to Hinton Ampner this Christmas. Inside the house follow Mollie, Rat and Badger as they leave their sheltered lives in the woods and along the riverbank to rescue incorrigible friend Toad from his wild adventures. Rooms are beautifully decorated to tell the story, from Toad’s motor car exploits to the friends’ stand against the mischievous weasels. Outside, you can visit the characters’ homes, dressed in charming seasonal displays, including Mole’s sweet little burrow among the trees and the grandeur of Toad Hall in the walled garden. Storytelling: enjoy Wind in the Willows storytelling on selected dates, in the cosy setting in Hinton’s second-hand bookshop (subject to volunteer availability).
26th November – 2nd January, Wednesday to Sunday (closed 25th & 26th December). Normal admission charges apply. Storytelling in the bookshop: 4, 11, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29 December, 11am-12pm & 1-2pm, free (note: these sessions are subject to volunteer availability). Pre-booking for Hinter Ampner essential, at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner or call 0344 249 1895.
The glamorous one
Christmas at The Vyne
The Vyne, near Basingstoke
This Christmas, the atmospheric interiors of The Vyne are decked out in Victorian festive finery, with twinkling lights and glittering Christmas trees. Inspired by the mansion’s 18th century ‘Grand Tour’ treasures, which include an incredible casket encrusted with semi-precious stones, you’ll also find decorations that celebrate Christmas in Europe. Look out for sumptuous Venetian masks, mini ‘Colesseums’ and intricate Moravian stars. A special ‘Passport’ takes families on their own ‘Grand Tour’ adventure in the house and gardens, with actives to try that explore festive traditions in other countries.
26th November – 3rd January (closed 24th & 25th December). Normal admissions charges apply plus £2 per family passport including member. If arriving by car pre-booking is essential, at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne or call 0344 249 1895
The handmade one
Christmas at Uppark
Uppark House and Garden
Celebrate Christmas at Uppark and see the mansion adorned with natural and handmade decorations. Pretty festoon lights illuminate the approach to the mansion. Inside, you’ll find the entrance hall beautifully dressed and festively scented with winter greenery, pinecones, citrus fruit and cinnamon. Above and below stairs, each room has its own crafted theme, from music to haberdashery. Made by local community groups and including sparkling Christmas trees, the result is a unique and joyful Christmas experience.
19th November – 1st January, Thursday to Sunday (closed 25th & 26th December). Normal admission charges apply
The medieval one
A Tudor Christmas
Winchester City Mill
Celebrate Christmas with Winchester City Mill as we go back to Tudor times, when Queen Mary I gifted the Mill to the City of Winchester. This ancient building is set for a royal feast, with festive decorations, costumes to dress up in, and a throne to sit on for a unique Tudor ‘selfie’. Our café is serving festive specials such as marchpane and gold leaf shortbread, as well as lots of other seasonal treats, many made using the Mill’s own stoneground flour. At weekends you can watch our volunteer millers making fresh stoneground flour, which is available to buy too, so that you can get baking at home. Pick up a pack of recipe cards, for some seasonal inspiration (for a small donation).
12 November – 2 January, Wednesday to Sunday (closed 25 to 27 December. Free entry.
Craft workshops
Christmas dinner set ceramics class with Tash Fry
Local ceramicist Tash Fry will introduce you to the art of hand-building ceramics this Christmas, as you sculpt your very own tableware, for yourself or for gifts. Using hand-pinching and slab rolling techniques, you’ll create several pieces, from dinner plates to candlestick holders. The choice is yours. Allow up to four weeks for pieces to be fired. No previous experience necessary.
Christmas wreath making workshop with Field Farm Project
Join us inside ancient Winchester City Mill to make your own natural festive wreath using a base of willow and selected greenery. There’ll be a wide assortment of decorations to use, including fragrant pine cones, seed heads, teasels and berries, finished off with pretty ribbons to create a really eye-catching rustic design. All materials are supplied by Field Farm Project.
STK Steakhouse, known for its vibe dining experience and premium reimagined classic American cuisine, is offering a special Thanksgiving menu, available from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th November.
Thanksgiving is a special time of year, when friends and family come together and give thanks for everything they’re grateful for. This year give thanks at STK Steakhouse, who is offering an incredible Thanksgiving menu available at both its Strand and Westminster restaurants.
Guests can tuck into STK’s signature turkey with all the trimmings (also available for takeaway & catering) and seasonal cocktails while spending the special holiday with loved ones at the iconic American restaurant. Known for its dynamic, fine dining experience.
On the menu will be a succulent roasted free range turkey served with light and fluffy cornbread, sage stuffing, sautéed green beans with crispy shallots, maple baked sweet potato, Yukon gold mashed potatoes with parmesan crust, classic gravy and cranberry orange chutney (£54 per person). Those with a sweet tooth (and extra space) will be able to order the classic Thanksgiving dessert. Spiced Pumpkin Pie served with candied ginger cream & crunchy caramel honeycomb (£11 per slice).
STK’s Thanksgiving dinner is best enjoyed with a drink in hand and STK has it all. Choose from the comprehensive drinks menu which combines expertly mixed cocktails, a selection of fine wines and both draught & bottled beers.
Book in to STK Steakhouse to catch up with friends and family, give thanks and celebrate Thanksgiving over delicious food & drinks.
Woodley-based hypnotherapist Sophie Price explains how this approach can help a frazzled mind
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a relatively modern approach, combining various forms of talking and brief therapies. With similarities to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) and other humanistic approaches, solution focused hypnotherapy combines the very best practice of other talking therapies with the added benefit of hypnosis.
The primary focus of this style of therapy is the importance of staying in the present. When we go over our problems in our mind, we’re reliving them and, because our brain can’t tell the difference between imagination and reality, we find ourselves right back there – in the problem. When we allow ourselves to focus on how we want things to be, instead of how we don’t want them to be, we’re giving our brain positive images which allows it to believe that we can achieve those things.
When we suffer with anxiety, depression, OCD, and other related issues, were spending too much time in the fight/flight part of our brain. This part of our brain is there for our survival and, while we absolutely need to have access to this mind, we don’t need to use it every day. When we just want to get to work without feeling angry in a traffic jam; or we just want to get a good night’s sleep without worrying about tomorrow’s meeting/appointment; or we just want to enjoy time with our children without feeling worried about the finances, we can sometimes find ourselves thinking of all the worst-case scenarios and therefore missing out on the present. The more anxious we are, the more we are encouraged to be anxious.
“The more anxious we are, the more we are encouraged to be anxious”
This is how hypnotherapy can help. It helps to create new neuropathways in the mind which can break old habits and help us to move forward with a new, positive attitude towards life.
The Importance of Sleep
One of the first things people recognise when they seek my help is that their sleep is affected by the issue they’re suffering with. Sleep deprivation will increase our anxiety and stress levels. It has been said that just a few minor reductions in your sleep pattern for just a week, can disrupt your blood sugar levels enough to classify you as a pre-diabetic. There are many, many health complications which can be brought on or worsened by a lack of sleep and we often find that when our mental health is suffering, we can’t get enough sleep.
The recommended 7-9 hours per night is something that we should all strive for – for the sake of our physical and mental health.
Hypnotherapy helps to regulate sleep and once your stress levels come down, your sleep will improve.
Please do get in touch to find out more about how hypnotherapy can help you.
Help a family in need with toys and gifts for children this Christmas
Christmas can bring great joy but for many it can also bring great financial strain and perhaps no more so than this year.
John and Sarah started the Oxfordshire Toy Bank in 2019 to help those families who may not be able to afford gifts at this time of year. They collect new toys and donations in the run up to Christmas and distribute them to families all over Oxfordshire.
New toys can be donated at several Collection Points – South Moreton Boxing Club; Mollies Café, St Martin’s Street, Wallingford; Wallingford Baptist Chuch; Blewbury Primary School; The Barn Fitness Club, Church Road, Cholsey and The Old Counting House, High Street, Wallingford – or they can arrange collection. They’re then distributed to families who’ve applied to the Toy Bank for help, with the remainder being distributed through Oxfordshire Social Services to families in need. They also work with the local food banks and churches.
In the last two years John and Sarah have distributed thousands of presents and gift vouchers – they use donations to buy gift vouchers for teenagers, an often overlooked age group.
Any parent or primary carer who lives in Oxfordshire and is in need of some additional help this Christmas with provision of new toys and gifts for their children can apply for help via the website. They also welcome offers of corporate or individual sponsorship pledging cash donations to help which are used to buy vouchers.
Please get in touch if you would be interested in becoming a collection point.
