Reading’s leading homelessness prevention charity invite you to enjoy Carols by Candlelight on Tuesday, 3rd December
This fantastically festive evening will return to Reading Town Hall from 6pm, with Launchpad patron and BBC presenter Matt Allwright and long-term supporter Andy Briggs as the hosts for the evening.
Enjoy a magical night of music and carols with the Take Note Community choir and the Reading Phoenix Choir. As well as seasonal songs there will be readings and inspiring stories about how, with your help, Launchpad is changing lives in Reading.
Every ticket sale will help Launchpad continue to provide homes for Reading’s most vulnerable this winter. Launchpad’s supported housing offers warm, clean, and safe accommodation for over 100 people in need – which are a lifeline to the many individuals, couples, and families at risk of homelessness, or who have already lost their homes.
Fiona Keyte, fundraising manager at Launchpad, says: “Every year, people tell us that Carols by Candlelight marks the start of their Christmas celebrations. Our event is a beautiful reminder of the spirit of community and the joy of giving during the festive season. We’d love to see you there!”
Tickets start at £12 per person and under-threes can attend for free. For more information and to buy your ticket, visit Carols by Candlelight 2024 – Launchpad
For anyone who is unable to attend, you can still support Launchpad’s work with a donation so the charity can help ensure local people have a roof over their head and a place to call home, for Christmas and beyond. Simply visit Donate – Preventing Homelessness In Reading
The magical Peterley Christmas Market promises to give you a warm welcome from 14th to 17th November
The market at the beautiful Peterley Manor Farm in Great Missenden, HP16 0HH, will feature over 70 boutique shopping stalls nestled in our atmospheric greenhouses.
You can look forward to a diverse range of offerings, including artisan goods, from interiors and jewellery to candles and crafts.
Tuck into delicious food and drink: Enjoy gourmet street food, luxury handmade chocolates, cocktails from Rythmik Cocktails, and unique wholesome, vegan and gluten-free food from Wild Rose Kitchen.
Experience live music and DJ sets that will enhance the festive atmosphere. With act including Jazz trio Blue in the Green, vocal harmony trio The Santa Babies or local artist Soraya Ray.
Adults-only shopping evenings offer you the chance for a magical evening filled with twinkling lights, a glass of prosecco, and a goodie bag from VIP event partner Mulberry’s. There will be live music, DJ sets, cocktails, wine tasting and the food trucks will be serving all evening too.
You’re all invited to celebrate the Magic of Christmas in Amersham Old Town, 4-8pm on Friday, 6th December
It’s that time again, the Old Amersham Christmas Festival is back!
The new-look Christmas Festival 2023 was a huge success and attracted over 5000 visitors. This year’s Festival is set to be even bigger and brighter.
Taking over the historic Old Town on Friday 6th December, 4-8pm, this magical late-night shopping extravaganza is the place to be.
Expect festive fun for all the family. Enjoy live music from the Amersham Band and the Barbershop Choir while shopping for Christmas gifts in the local shops and boutiques – most stores offering exclusive special offers for one-night-only. Browse the carefully curated collection of local traders in Cooper’s Market, all while indulging in mulled wine and delicious foodie treats from the local restaurant, cafes and pubs.
Twinkling Christmas lights are set to illuminate the town with the Christmas tree light switch-on at 6pm from a surprise local celebrity guest. No festive event would be complete without the most famous guest for all – little ones can meet Father Christmas and his ‘real life’ reindeers for a magical moment. A vintage fair with traditional ferris wheel, swing boats, go-carts and roaming stilt walkers add to the enchanting atmosphere. While face painting, Christmas-crafting, selfies with Rudolf and ‘pig-petting’ bring more family fun to the festivities.
Diana Halley, co-owner of Fabric Boutique which will be open late during the festival, says, “This fabulous Christmas Festival not only provides a platform for local artisans and businesses, but it’s also a gathering place for the community to join together to support and celebrate their town during the festive season. A torch light procession with pupils from St Mary’s Primary School will parade from the church to the Christmas Tree for more festive cheer and carol singing. The vision is to create a sparkling festive event for the whole community, and as with previous Christmas evenings our charity partner is ScannAppeal who will be running their popular Golden Tombola and offering hot chocolate in a ‘warm space’ upstairs in the Market Hall.”
Mark the date in your diary, it’s a not-to-be-missed event and prepare to be dazzled by a truly magical experience. Combine Christmas shopping with exploring the Old Town in all its festive glory, from the lights and fun entertainment, to the fabulous in-store offers, tasty foodie treats and artisan gifts from the Cooper’s Market stalls.
A stunning shot of ‘near threatened’ bee has been crowned the winner of a wildlife photography contest
The extreme close-up of an armed nomad bee won first prize in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) 2024 Photography Competition. A winter lake scene and a hungry bank vole are among the other winners.
The contest launched in April with nine categories including taking action for nature and mobile phone photography, and nature lovers of all ages were challenged to take pictures at one of BBOWT’s nature reserves or in their community.
The winning shot was taken by Luke Chambers at BBOWT‘s Dry Sandford Pit reserve Abingdon.
Luke said: “During one of my 4am outings, I was checking some vegetation for any subjects. This is one of the challenges with macro, you often have no idea what you’ll find, and it’s pure luck. But there she was, a very rare species of nomad bee, fast asleep. With my left hand, I adjusted the position of a nearby scabious flower so it was behind the bee, and help onto the plant she was on to stabilise the scene.
The image is also a focus stack – I took around 10 frames, all at different points of focus across the bee, then merged them together to achieve the detail you see. It wasn’t an easy photograph, but it was worth and is one of my favourite images to date. To win this competition with it means a great deal.”
As overall winner, Luke received a high-tech bird feeder camera. Along with all other category winners, he also won a wildlife photography masterclass as well as the honour of having his photo appear in BBOWT‘s 2025 calendar.
New for this year, the vote was also thrown open to the public with a new ‘People’s Choice Award’. After nearly two thousand votes were cast across ten shortlisted images, Peter Hines was crowned the public favourite with his close-up portrait of the iconic robin, and won a Nexcam solar-powered trail camera.
Peter said: “I am absolutely thrilled to received this award. My late sister-in-law, Anne, inspired me to get into photography 12 years ago and I love it. I have learnt so much from mistakes and successes. Wildlife, sunsets, smoke art and macro are my passions, so to have this recognition for one of my photographs is wonderful. A huge thank you to all who voted for my robin. Also thank you to BBOWT for giving me the opportunity to share my photos.”
Nine-year-old Logan Brown won the children’s category with his capture of a red admiral butterfly perched on red valerian. In addition to the category prizes, Logan has won a bundle of nature books for his school.
Speaking on behalf of Logan Brown, Frankie Gillespie said: “Logan has recently been diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disease and unfortunately the outcome will be total blindness. He has always loved photography and nature, so for him to have become one of the winners is wonderful news and he’s so excited!”
Nearly 200 photographers were submitted entries for this year’s competition, and the winners were painstakingly chosen by our panel of judges: BBOWT’s Wild Magazine editor Ben Vanheems, BBOWT website & design officer Chris Deeney, BBOWT’s membership assistant Beth Milner and wildlife photographer Steve Gozdz of GG Wildlife Experiences.
Ben Vanheems said: “Being on the judging panel is such an honour. The photos demonstrate a real flair for detail and an eye for creativity, and being able to go through that is just a ‘wow’ moment! There’s been incredible deliberation because there’s been such strong photography this year. It’s a joy to be involved in this process.”
Steve Gozdz added: “We’ve seen a wonderful selection of photographs this year in all categories and from so many wide-ranging people, from the kids right the way up to the adults. My personal favourites have again been the insects – we get to see them at such great detail which is something you don’t get the chance at with the naked eye. Well done to all entrants and thank you for making it so hard to judge.”
The winners
• Butterflies and other insects, and overall winner: Luke Chambers (Armed nomad bee at Dry Sandford Pit). Runner-up: Andrew Bristow (Grasshopper).
• Children (ages 6-11): Logan Brown (Red admiral). Runner-up: Henry Webb (Glistening inkcap).
• Teens (Ages 12-17): Harry Huie (Brown hairstreak). Runner-up: James Lloyd (Red kite)
• Birds: John Kearns (Marsh Tit at Warburg Nature Reserve). Runner-up: Grace Miller (Mute swan at Loddon Nature Reserve).
• Mammals: Mark Lauri (Bank vole at Warburg Nature Reserve). Runner-up: David Byrne (Rabbit at Greenham Common)
• Our nature reserves: Martin Wheeler (Cholsey Marsh). Runner-up: Peter Smith (Round-leaved sundew at Snelsmore Common)
• Urban nature: David Thirlwall (Kingfisher). Runner-up: Eddie Leslie (Honey Bee)
• Taking action for nature: Graham Bonham (Hedgehog). Runner-up: Richard Hopkinson (Barn owl)
• Mobile phone photography: Jennifer Stevens (Thatcham Reedbeds). Runner-up: Emma Stone (College Lake)
In her new podcast Choose YOU Choose BLISS, which starts on 1st November, Prestwood emotional health coach Vanessa Louise Moore takes on taboo topics such as abuse & relationship breakdowns
Vanessa believes there are three evils plaguing the world. These are ill health, addiction and violence. In her new podcast, which started last month, each episode will discuss one of these evils and how the power of love is always the answer.
Vanessa, who offers coaching, workshops, meditation and affirmation messages, says: “Now is the time to take back our power, reconnect with our true selves and each other, including the world around us, and live with confidence, purpose and joy. People spend their days seeking bliss, but often don’t realise it’s inside us all. Bliss to me means Boldly Living In Sweet Surrender.”
Choose YOU Choose BLISS will talk about the taboos and difficult topics few are willing to discuss. From healing after relationship breakdowns, to overcoming cancer, addiction and breaking free from abuse, Vanessa will invite a new guest onto the show for each unique episode. The biweekly podcast kicks off on 1st November, when Vanessa will introduce the listener to the purpose of the podcast and her own experiences of learning to love herself.
The following episode will see Vanessa speak with her ex-husband, Brian, whose addiction to alcohol led to the breakdown of their marriage. Over the years Brian has begun to heal and takes one day at a time in his journey to recovery. The pair have reconnected and developed a powerful and encouraging friendship, allowing them to have honest and open conversations about the past.
Episodes three and four will involve conversations with Vanessa’s sister, Abbie, who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in December 2020. She has learnt to navigate her illness through to healing and now believes it has shaped her for the better.
Vanessa says: “I want this podcast to be like the stabilisers on a bike. I want to help people come to terms with their issues and learn to love themselves. Choose YOU Choose BLISS will be like a warm hug of reassurance that it will get better, no matter what stage of your journey you are at. You are not alone.”
Choose YOU Choose BLISS is available on major platforms, including Apple, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon with new episodes released every fortnight.
The ADS Santa Fun Run is back for its 10th outing on 24th November, supporting local families affected by dementia. And Santa’s grotto will give you a warm welcome at Dorney Lake!
Back for its 10th year, continuing a festive tradition cherished by many local families Santas will step up for a great cause, 10.30am-2pm, on Sunday, 24th November at Eton Dorney Lake.
Dressed head-to-toe in Santa suits, hundreds of participants will walk, jog, push or run 5km around the lake, all while raising vital funds for local people affected by dementia and their carers in the Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead, Slough and Langley areas.
The ADS Santa Fun Run is more than just a race; it’s a community favourite and the perfect way to kickstart the holiday season: get some exercise in, meet new friends locally, and make a real difference. Your participation helps keep crucial local services going, providing vital support to those who need it most.
What’s in store? Get your free Santa suit with registration (or feel free to rock your own Christmas costume!) – this event is open to all ages and abilities. Even your furry friends are welcome to join in the fun in their seasonal costumes. And don’t miss out on the chance to win in categories like Best Dressed Team, Best Dressed Dog, Best Dressed Family, and Best Dressed Wheels. Plus, fundraise over £50 and you’ll be entered into a prize draw.
The day isn’t just about the 5k – it’s packed with festive activities for the whole family. Enjoy Santa’s Grotto, snap a S-elfie with a giant inflatable Santa, and enjoy games like Hook-a-Duck, and special appearances by Princess Elsa, Spiderman, and a surprise superhero. Warm up with a hot drink from the upstairs café while listening to live Christmassy music and watching the Santas run past around the lake. It’s a festive feast for the senses!
ADS Director of Operations, Nysa Harris, says: “This is our signature annual fundraising event, and we’d love to see as many Santas as possible! It’s all about fun, raising awareness, and getting our local community involved.”
Your garden might look bare right now but Missenden Seeds can help you plant a brighter future thanks to sustainable seeds & tubers, including dahlias
Missenden Seeds is a small, independent company run by enthusiastic local grower Carolyn. Summer might feel forever away but this month Carolyn is sowing sweet peas… “I love sweet peas,” she tells us. “I find they make stronger plants and flower earlier if I start them off in autumn. I’m also sowing lots of hardy annuals, biennials and perennials, things like calendula, poppies, astrantia, foxgloves, hollyhocks. As soon as we get the first frost I’ll dig up and store all the dahlia tubers, which is a lot of work but with our heavy clay soil I can’t leave them in over winter.
Carolyn is passionate about perennials, biennials and annuals which make beautiful cut flowers and good for pollinators. “We believe growing flowers should be simple and sustainable. All the seeds and tubers we stock are grown by us, we don’t import or repackage seeds or dahlia tubers. We also only stock open-pollinated varieties from which you can save seed year after year – no F1 varieties here!”
On a small site in the village, Missenden Seeds uses no chemicals and is peat free. “As the seeds are open-pollinated there is always the chance that the odd seedling may not appear exactly the same as its parent, but may be something even lovelier. Some can produce beautiful variations – particularly in the case of dahlia seeds where every plant you grow will be different to its parent and totally unique.
“I’ve lived in Great Missenden for many years and my children all go to school locally. I feel very lucky to live somewhere with such beautiful countryside on the doorstep and such a great range of local shops and places to eat.
“It’s hard to choose my favourite flower but if I had to pick just one thing to grow it would be dahlias. There’s a dahlia for every situation, they flower for months until the first frost and come in such a range of colours, forms and sizes. My favourite this year has been Labyrinth, a striking large decorative variety in pink and peach.”
Dawkes Music in Maidenhead will welcome you to its wondrous new warehouse studio & bar for highlights this season including the Emma Rawicz Trio and Greg Coulson Band
Fresh on the heels of their stunning refurb, the team at Dawkes are thrilled to welcome you for more live music highlights to build on the popularity of their previous Sunday Live music sessions.
The beautifully redesigned new premises in Reform Road, SL6 8BT, have been created to provide a comfortable and stylish environment where you can enjoy the magic of live music, with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. There’s also a permanent on-site bar offering a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
“Every part of the store is a family affair, and the live events are no exception,” says event manager Julia Bentley-Dawkes. “Here at Dawkes, we are passionate about creating, inspiring and supporting musicians of all ages, and as such, we have curated a programme of free and paid events for everyone, aged from 0 to 100+. We have seen first-hand how music brings people together, and our aim is to provide an opportunity for everyone to hear really great quality live music and to inspire them to embrace music in their lives, whether that be learning an instrument, joining a choir or going to see more live music events.”
On 10th November you can enjoy the Andy Mears Octet. Consisting of five horns and rhythm, this versatile ensemble showcases some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians working today. They have extensive repertoire of intricately crafted arrangements of jazz and big band classic, as well as some original material.
Saturday, 30th November & Sunday, 1st December is Clarinet & Sax Weekend. Dawkes Music hosts clarinet and sax-related workshops, masterclasses and live performances with inspiring visiting professionals.
On 1st December, Emma Rawicz stars. She’s a young saxophonist, bandleader and composer with an astonishing musical maturity. At just 22 years of age, Emma has achieved a huge amount including the release of two critically acclaimed albums, Incantation & Chrome, and extensive headline tours across 15 continents!
MD Jonathan Dawkes adds: “Helping live music happen is why we do what we do in the shop; selling new instruments and repairing old ones! We are very excited to be hosting some old friends and new ones to bring a bit of that jazz club vibe to Maidenhead.”
Experience a Magical Christmas with Snow White: A Fun-Filled Pantomime Adventure!
Get ready for a spellbinding pantomime like no other! This Christmas, Snow White takes the stage in an exciting new production full of laughter, magic and surprises. Join Snow White and her lively band of friends in a charming adventure packed with unforgettable songs, hilarious moments, and stunning scenery.
Special Performances:
• Relaxed Performance: Sunday 15th December, 2pm • Integrated BSL Signed Performance: Sunday 22nd December, 2pm • Captioned Performance (live subtitles of the show): Friday 27th December, 1pm
In our latest Bucks vox pop, the MD & co-founder of Atula Technologies shares what she loves about Stokenchurch & the surrounding area
Hi Soumya! Please could you tell us a bit about yourself? “I’m just on the cusp of moving to the other side of the 50s. I have two grown-up boys I’ve lived in Stokenchurch for the past 15 years. As for work, at Atula Technologies we build e-commerce platforms and software to solve unique business problems. I take the fear and uncertainty out of technology so it’s accessible to everyone. I love it when I can explain to small business owners how they can add value to their business using technology or plan a business exit strategy or a passive income during retirement.”
Q. That sounds rewarding! “Yes, I like to spend time understanding the business values and mission so that technology can be used to achieve them. For example, I’m helping build a website that’s accessible to the sight-impaired to help achieve the company’s mission for accessibility and inclusivity.”
Q. Are there any local teachers worth a shout-out? “Both my boys went to school locally, and I am so glad they did! I’d love to give a huge shout-out to the lovely Mrs Katie Hayes who has been a music teacher for over 50 years and also Mr Venvell who used to be the music director at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe.”
Q. What are you favourite walks? “There are far too many! Along the canal in Wendover is just as rejuvenating as the walk in the woods and fields behind Peterley Manor Farm, as is the walk inside West Wycombe Estate. I also enjoy visiting the woods in Hughenden and Bradenham. The beautiful views from Whiteleaf Hill are also well worth mentioning.”
Q. What do you most love about where you live? “Having the gorgeous countryside on our doorstep! I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Q. What are your favourite local pubs or restaurants? “I really enjoy Vaasu in Marlow and Wagamamas in High Wycombe.”.
Q. What about shops or local businesses? “The Apple Orchard in West Wycombe village all day long! Their café serves up the best coffees and cakes and the gift shop is such a wonderful place to just meander around.”
Q. Where is your favourite landmark or hidden secret? “The churchyard near the river in Marlow and the bridge over the river.”
Q. Are you a member of any local groups? “I’ve recently become a member of the BoB High Wycombe networking group. Although it is business-focused, the people there are absolutely fantastic. Not only do we get business done, but everyone supports each other outside of work, raises money for charity and has fun along the way.”
Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be? “That people are more accepting: of themselves, and the people around them!”
