Church in Abingdon: Christmas Services

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Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at a service in one of Abingdon’s churches

The Church in Abingdon has several venues at which you can enjoy a traditional service or carol concert this month, details here and more at www.church-in-abingdon.org.uk.

Abingdon Baptist Church

Ock Street, OX14 5AG

Sunday 11th December, 6:30pm – Carols by candlelight

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Nativity service with special guest ‘Donkey’

Saturday 24th December, 11:30pm – Christmas Communion

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day family celebration

Abingdon Community Church

Thameside Primary School, Cotman Close, OX14 5NL

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – All-age family service

Sunday 25th December, 10:30am – Christmas Day service

Abingdon Vineyard Church

Preston Road Community Centre, Midget Close, OX14 5NR

Sunday 11th December, 10:30am – Christmas Café with family Christmas craft activities

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Family Christmas celebration with Carols and Nativity

Sunday 25th December, 10:30am – Christmas Day Celebration

All Saints Church

Appleford Drive, OX14 2AQ

Sunday 18th December, 3:30pm – Candlelit Carol service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day service

Christ Church

Northcourt Road (NR), OX14 1PL/ Long Furlong (LF), Boulter Drive, OX14 1XP

Wednesday 14th December, 10am – LINK Toddler Nativity, NR

Saturday 17th December, TBC – Christmas Giveaway, LF Community Centre

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Indoor Carol Service, NR

6pm – Carols in the car park, NR

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Christingle service, NR

4pm – Christingle service, LF School

4:30pm – Christingle service, NR

11pm – Midnight Communion, NR

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day family service, NR

10am – Christmas Day family service, LF School

Sunday 1st January, 10:30am – Christ Church Together New Year’s Day service, NR

Our Lady and St Edmund’s Church

Radley Road, OX14 3PL

Saturday 24th December, 6pm – First Mass

8.30pm – Carols

9pm – Mass

Sunday 25th December 8.45am – Mass

10.15am – Mass

12 noon – Mass

Monday 26th December, 10am – St Stephen’s Mass

Peachcroft Christian Centre

Lindsay Drive, OX14 2RT

Sunday 18th December, 10am – Nativity for all

7pm – Carol service

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Christingle service

5pm – Christingle service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas celebration

Quakers, Abingdon Community Support Centre

Audlett Drive, OX14 3UW

Sunday 18th December 10.15am – Christmas meeting including all-age worship

Salvation Army

West St Helen Street, OX14 5BL

Sunday 18th December, 4pm – Candlelit Carol service

Wednesday 21st December, 10:30am – Community Carol service

St Helen’s Church

West St Helen Street, OX14 5BS

Friday 23rd December, 6:30pm – Christmas Lessons and carols

Saturday 24th December, 4pm – Christingle

10.30pm – First Eucharist of Christmas

Sunday 25th December, 8am – Holy Communion

10:30am – Sung Eucharist with all-age address

St Michael’s Church

Park Road, OX14 1DS

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Crib service

6pm – Christmas Lessons and Carols

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Sung Mass for Christmas Day

St Nicolas’ Church

Market Place, OX14 3JD

Sunday 18th December, 6pm – Christmas Lessons and Carols

Saturday 24th December, 4pm – Crib service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Holy Communion for Christmas Day

Trinity Church

Conduit Road, OX14 1DB

Sunday 18th December, 4:30pm – Carol service

Saturday 24th December, 4:30pm – Christingle service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas morning service

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New look for Nature Discovery Centre

Karen Neville

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Nature Discovery Centre reopens after £125,000 revamp just in time for Christmas

Berkshire’s beloved Nature Discovery Centre has reopened after a £125,000 refurbishment. The revamp has created an open-plan layout for the popular cafe and shop, new educational table displays and a wildlife-themed children’s play corner.

The icing on the cake is a brand new ‘hide in the sky’ on the first floor of the centre in Thatcham. A viewing station overlooking the wildlife lake where visitors can use a telescope and binoculars to spy on all the wild goings-on below.

The café is also serving a new warming winter menu and new products in the shop. Including locally produced honey, Fairtrade chocolate, local art and jewellery and a host of Christmas cards, decorations and gifts. The renovations were commissioned by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). Which manages the site and funded by a grant of £125,000 from site owner West Berkshire Council.

Steve Johnson, NDC’s manager, said: “We’re so excited to show everyone all our new features. This is the biggest refurbishment we’ve had in years. It makes the whole centre a more welcoming, easy-to-use space for all our visitors.

“The NDC is now the perfect place to go for a family day out this winter. Take a bracing walk around our wildlife lake, come and have a hot pastry or panini, take a hot chocolate up to the hide in the sky, then pick up a few Christmas gifts while you’re here! Huge thanks to West Berkshire Council for the funding.”

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter, Executive Member for Environment and Transformation at West Berkshire Council, said: “We’re delighted to help BBOWT deliver this important improvement to the Discovery Centre with a grant.

“Ensuring our residents can be closer to nature is an objective of the council’s Environment Strategy, which this investment achieves. The Nature Discovery Centre is a key educational and wellbeing asset. I would encourage all our residents to visit and enjoy.”

As well as improvements indoors, the centre team have also put up several new interpretation boards in the grounds, telling visitors about things to do around the site and upcoming events.

A host of new welcome signs also include an innovative three-dimensional wooden ‘Nature’ sign on an exterior wall which is filled with bits of wood and other natural materials, which solitary bees and other insects can nest in.

Inside, a new wall-mounted screen is showing specially commissioned drone footage and other videos of animals and plants around the site. So visitors can admire the diverse wildlife even on the rainiest days. The Wildlife Trust is confident that all the new features will encourage more people to visit the NDC and help teach all visitors young and old, about wonderful local wildlife.

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Panto family favourite Sleeping Beauty

Karen Neville

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‘Pay what you can’ tickets to help more families enjoy the magic of panto at Godalming Borough Hall, December 10th to 26th

The enchanting family Pantomime Sleeping Beauty, which plays Godalming Borough Hall from December 10th – 26th, will be open to all thanks to the return of the ‘Pay what you can’ scheme this year.

Wysch Productions hope it will help those who would not otherwise be able to attend a pantomime due to financial restraints. Producers Charlotte and Nick Wyschna said: “We are delighted to bring back our Pay What You Can tickets. Sleeping beauty promises to be a magical, laughter-filled show which is a much-needed tonic in the current climate. We’re keen to reach those in the local area who could not otherwise manage to attend. Just send us a message via our website (GodalmingPanto.com), or telephone the Box Office on 01483 361101, and we’ll happily sort your tickets out.”

Terms and conditions apply, and the offer is subject to availability. No refunds or exchanges are available on Pay What You Can tickets.

The festive favourite promises spectacular song and dance, colourful costumes and lots of fun and laughs for the whole family.

There is a relaxed and BSL signed performance on December 17th at 6:30pm. This show will be specifically adapted for those on the autism spectrum, individuals with sensory and communication disorders, those with learning disabilities, people who are deaf or hard of hearing and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. Tickets for this performance have been reduced to £18 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office. There is disabled access throughout the whole venue.

Book tickets for Sleeping Beauty, the pantomime of your dreams, by calling 01483 361101 or by visiting GodalmingPanto.com.

Tickets: £18-£23.50.

Concessions: Senior Citizens, under 16’s, unemployed.

Children aged 2 and under go free but they must sit on a lap.

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Celebrate with glorious chamber music

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Distinguished performers prepare to share their talent and love of music with Haslemere concert goers

Get the new year off to an uplifting start with a concert at Haslemere Methodist Church.

The London Chamber Music Group Wind and Piano Quartet will entertain with an evening of classical, romantic and 20th century works.

The quartet, professors of the Royal College of Music and the British Isles Music Festival, comprises Susan Milan flute, John Anderson oboe, Martin Gatt bassoon, Daniel King-Smith piano.

The distinguished musicians will perform on Thursday, 12th January, 8pm. Doors open 7.30pm, with refreshments available in the interval.

Tickets £18, 12-17 year olds £9 and under 12s free. Book at wegottickets.com

2023 continues with concerts from the London Chamber Music Group:

February 9th – romantic, impressionist and 20th century works

March 9th – classical, romantic and 20th century works

May 4th – classical, romantic and 20th century works

June 1st – Baroque works for wind and continuo

Future charity concerts are planned featuring outstanding young musicians from the Royal College of Music for February 23rd (oboe, bassoon, piano), March 23rd (viola recital) and June 8th with the Edenis String Quartet.

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Celebrate Christmas with Olive and Bloom

Karen Neville

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This super tasty, delicious festive wreath is sure to be a hit with your guests

If you can’t indulge at Christmas, then when can you so when this dropped in our inbox it instantly had us salivating and putting in our orders.

Haslemere-based Olive & Bloom Grazing create mouth-watering grazing boxes and platters, full of an abundance of delicious fresh local produce and their luxurious Festive Wreath will make a charming centrepiece to any Christmas table.

Six festive cheeses from small independent makers: many are local, award-winning cheeses (usually Brighton Blue (Sussex), Isle of Wight Soft (Hampshire), Sussex Charmer (Sussex), Ewe Eat Me (Sussex), Wensleydale Winter Warmer with cranberries and a Boursin French cheese).

A selection of antipasti – cured meats, pickles, olives

Two packs of Peter’s Yard Sourdough Crispbreads

A 330g jar of Sussex Deerview Christmas Chutney

Fresh Fruit and nuts

They also offer vegetarian and gluten free options

This serves 6-8 (depending on portion size) | £80

This serving guide is based on appetiser sized portions.

Order yours and more at Olive and Bloom Grazing.

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Leftfield thrill fans with collaborative album

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Electronic and dancefloor pioneers Leftfield have delivered fans an early Christmas present with their new album This Is What We Do, out now

Just when we all needed a burst of energy, Leftfield’s new album This Is What We Do has delivered this with bells on.

Neil Barnes and Paul Daley joined forces to create Leftfield more than three decades ago. Now led by Neil, Leftfield remain at the cutting edge of music. This is their fourth studio album and taps into the much-needed themes of connection, love, acceptance, diversity and healing.

You’ve probably heard the new single, Full Way Round, starring Fontaines DC frontman Grian Chatten with a spoken-word verse over banging beats and a poignant twist.

The other 10 tracks are also works of collaborative genius including Making A Difference featuring a poem by Lemn Sissay, the roots City of Synths and Kraftwerk-infused Machines Like me.

Full of raw energy, Accumulator, which Neil describes as the most fierce and aggressive on the album, is a blast from the past, tapping into the original Leftfield sound.

Many of the tracks were conjured up before the pandemic. Neil has spoken movingly about being diagnosed with bowel cancer last year, and of the tumult in his life, including divorce and depression. By opening up about his experience with other students on his psychotherapy course, Neil says that he was able to face down his demons and free up space in his mind, allowing him to be more creative. After an incredibly fertile time in the studio, Neil went into overdrive when he received his cancer diagnosis, finishing a batch of demos and handing them to the record company the day before his colon operation.

Now in remission, he has earned all the praise the new album is earning, infused with hope and urgency, which is why it feels like it is pulsing with life.

He says: “I just decided, if I don’t get this done now, I will probably either die, or it will never be done.”

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The Art of the Album Cover

Karen Neville

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Henley-based art publisher Hypergallery welcomes browsers and buyers to an exhibition of signed, limited-edition prints by music’s most extraordinary visual artists

A collection of exquisite limited edition prints and affordable works by a collection of talented artists who have worked with some of the most iconic musicians from the 20th Century will be on display at Hypergallery in Henley from November 26th.

Celebrating the Golden Years of rock music through the album cover art that put a face on it, visitors can view pieces featuring David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, T.Rex, Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Beatles, Elton John, Genesis, Donovan, The Hollies, Cream, Pentangle.

The featured artists exhibiting include:

Vincent McEvoy was the art director of Polydor in the 1970s. As such, he had unique access to some of the biggest names in Rock, including The Who, Bob Marley and Eric Clapton. In recent years he has rekindled his passion for silkscreens, producing powerful pop-artworks based on some of the wonderful and iconic memorabilia that he accumulated throughout his career.

Karl Ferris is the man behind some of the most recognisable images of Jimi Hendrix. The originator of psychedelic and infrared photography worked closely with Hendrix on his image, styling and of course the photographs. With subjects including Cream, The Hollies, The Beatles and Donovan, Ferris was right at the epicentre of the psychedelic revolution.

Terry Pastor is a graphic artist who has worked for clients all across the world, creating iconic imagery with masterful flourishes of his airbrush. Pastor is best known for two images that jump-started the career of a young David Bowie, Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust. He has revisited and ‘remastered‘ his original source material in the creation of his stunningly sympathetic editions.

Barry Godber was a friend of King Crimson lyricist Peter Sinfield and a regular visitor to the group‘s rehearsal room in the basement of the Fulham Palace Road Cafe. Using watercolours, Godber gazed into a shaving mirror and constructed one of the most fearful self-portraits ever to grace a record sleeve.

Hipgnosis created some of the most innovative and surreal record cover art of the 1960s, 70s and 80s for the biggest bands and musicians of the era including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and 10cc. For fifteen years Hipgnosis (Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell and Peter Christopherson) thrived as one of the best known photo design companies and latterly movie makers, creating timeless rock iconography.

Alan Aldridge created imaginative designs and intoxicating colour-rich images that captured the dreams and hallucinations of a generation; in The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics, on album covers for The Who, Cream and Elton John, and on the notorious Chelsea Girls poster for Andy Warhol.

Richard Evans began his rock’n’roll career as a shoe designer in the early 70s, putting multi-coloured platforms under the feet of Elton John, Roxy Music and The Osmonds. It was at this time that he met Aubrey Powell and Storm Thorgerson and later worked at Hipgnosis with them as their graphic designer for several years. Eventually, he set up his own design studio, working with many big names in the music industry. Since 1976 he has worked closely with The Who, designing tour visuals, merchandise and, of course, album covers.

Sir Peter Blake was elected RA in 1981, awarded a CBE in 1983, and was knighted in 2002. His seminal art for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is probably the world’s best-known album cover, but Peter’s connections with pop music led to many other ventures in album packaging, including The Who, Live Aid, Paul Weller, Oasis, Ian Dury, Eric Clapton and Brian Wilson.

Exhibition details:

Dates: 26th Nov 2022 – 23rd Dec 2022

Open: 11am-2pm by appointment

Location: Hypergallery, 47 Market Place, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2AA

Admission: free

If you would like to visit, just drop Hypergallery a line at [email protected] or call on 01491 637021 to ensure someone will be at the gallery to welcome you.

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Divine dining with Christmas tablescape ideas

Karen Neville

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A B Events Hire in Woking have fabulous creative ideas to help you wow your guests with a festive table that’ll really make you the host with the most

Christmas dinner is the time when friends and families come together to spread love and joy over the most special meal of the year. It’s also the perfect time to create an inviting show stopping tablescape for all the family to sit around.

You don’t need to get your tinsel in a tangle, styling a festive table doesn’t need to be expensive and can be created using handmade decoration, hiring items, and using what you have at home.

Here are our top tips for creating a festive table that’ll make you the envy of all

Start with thinking of a theme. Will you go for a white wonderland table, Elf candy canes or something like a natural Scandi Nordic look? Having a theme can add instant fun or a luxurious element to the tablescape. Plus, it helps with the décor decisions.

Do you have enough seats for everyone or chairs that match? You can hire extra chairs and benches to make sure your guests aren’t sitting on the floor or guests aren’t on office chairs. Have a matching set to give your table the extra wow factor. You could hang a little Christmas wreath, mistletoe, bells, or big bow to the back of your chair. This is a great way to bring your theme into all areas of your Christmas tablescape.

Linen always adds a luxurious feel to a table, but you don’t need to necessarily buy it! This can be hired for a fraction of the price. If you don’t want a full tablecloth, you could always use a runner down the centre of the table. This will add texture, a pop of colour without covering the whole table. Napkins matching the colour scheme will look wonderful, plus, you could be creative and fold your napkins into Christmas trees!

Incorporate all the beautiful festive foliage and pretty winter flowers into your table set up. Why not go foraging for ivy, holly, mistletoe, and fire tree to create a table runner? Then add in elements like pinecones, small baubles, faux foliage in golds/silvers etc. Remember to think about the height of the centrepiece, your guests need to be able to see other, without a great big candelabra blocking their view! Use odd numbers of items, it creates a much more pleasing effect on the eye.

A cost-effective décor idea is to make pomanders and place along the table runner and decorate pillar candles by slicing oranges and drying them, to then tie them with cinnamon sticks and twine around the candle. A Christmas tablescape wouldn’t be complete without some fairy lights intertwined around the foliage, and main centrepiece.

A great tablescape is all about layers! At AB Event Hire we’re conscious about the environment and stay away from one-use plastic throw-away items. Instead of buying new tableware, hire it in at a fraction of the price. Not only does it help reduce waste, but we can wash it up for you too! Use matching plates, cutlery and glasses to create an instant cohesive feel to the tablescape. Charger plates add a special element to the table, they can add textures and colours without overpowering the setting, these can easily be hired in too.

Personal touches – will you create name tags for each guest or leave a little Christmas present at their seat? A handmade salt dough decoration or a candy cane with a name tag on could make a heartful gesture to a family member.

For more information about how to hire items & tips on creating Christmas tablescapes, head to AB Event Hire social media pages @ab_event_hire or our website www.abeventhire.co.uk.

AB Event Hire is a family fun wedding, event & catering equipment company. They’re based in Woking and can supply you with all the items you might need to create a perfect festive celebration. Get in touch, they would love to hear from you. Telephone number 01276 856440 and the office email is [email protected].

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The Flying Child earns lottery funding

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Image: Girl in a Gilded Cage by Elise Macdonald.

Well done to Surrey-based community interest company The Flying Child has been awarded three years of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, to support survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA).

Founded in 2020, the survivor-led Flying Child Project has reached more than 1,000 professionals to date, across the UK in education, social work, and healthcare settings.

The team have earned praise for improving understanding of trauma resulting from CSA and the confidence of professionals in supporting both children and adults in a trauma informed way. In a recent participant survey, 100 percent of attendees said they felt better equipped to manage a disclosure of CSA, with all likely to recommend the training to a colleague.

The new National Lottery funding will allow The Flying Child Project to continue their training, aiming to reach thousands more over the three-year period. It will also fund The Flying Child peer support and creative wellbeing groups for survivors of CSA in the local community.

The groups will consist of a 12-week therapist-led programme, co-facilitated by a lived experience support worker. In addition, creative groups for survivors will be offered, providing the opportunity to express trauma through art and writing, meet other survivors and build networks in a supportive space. Over the next three years The Flying Child aims to support 360 survivors of CSA with initial groups starting in the new year.

“As an organisation we normalise speaking about an ‘unspeakable’ subject and challenge the societal culture of silence.”

Sophie Olson, founder and managing director of The Flying Child, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means we have a fantastic opportunity to improve outcomes for both child victims and adult survivors of CSA. As an organisation we normalise speaking about an ‘unspeakable’ subject and challenge the societal culture of silence. Lived experience in training helps to break down barriers and dispel myths that lead to victims of abuse being overlooked, and their normal reactions to trauma being misunderstood. The current statistics estimate there are 11 million adult survivors of CSA in the UK, equating to 1 in 6, yet are a large, hidden, and marginalised group, with services often not adequately trauma informed of accessible.

CSA is a devasting form of abuse with long-lasting consequences on mental and physical health, and wellbeing. Peer support groups play a vital role in the community. Because CSA is considered a taboo subject, stigma and shame silences the majority with many believing they are the only one. This is something we aim to change. This grant will make a big difference to people’s lives.”

The Flying Child encourages the local community to engage on Twitter and Instagram @flying_project, and to become survivor ‘allies’ – helping to challenge the silence surrounding CSA. Sophie Olson’s story can be heard on the BBC Radio 4 documentary The Last Taboo. For more information about the training or peer support groups, please visit theflyingchild.com.

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Forest family fun at Hill End

Karen Neville

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Celebrate the season in the great outdoors at Hill End centre just outside the city

Escape the hullabaloo of Christmas preparations with a day in nature to help you reconnect and chill out at a family forest day at Hill End. The outdoor activities base just outside Oxford city centre has been inviting people to take part in unique outdoor learning experiences for just over 100 years.

And at this chaotic time of year what could be better than releasing in the open air with the chance for children to run free and play games, follow the winter trail as a family, make creative crafts using natural materials and just sit around the campfire and toast marshmallows.

Enjoy the Christmas holiday fun on Tuesday 20th from 1pm to 5pm and on Wednesday 21st from 10am to 2pm.

These self-led open days are just £8.50 per person and include a jacket potato or soup and hot drinks in the Friends of Hill End pop-up café.

Booking essential. Visit https://hill-end.org/news/familyfun/ and click on whichever date you wish to book.

The month starts with a fun evening keeping warm by the fire, singing carols and Christmas songs and festive story time on Friday, 2nd December from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Tickets, £6 Friends adult member / £3 child and £8 non-Friends / £6 child, include hot drinks, marshmallows and mince pies. Booking essential in advance, visit https://hill-end.org/news/christmas-sing-along/

A visit to Hill End offers visit the opportunity to be closer to nature, with the space and time to explore and appreciate the wonders of the natural environment.

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