Uncover the Oxford Indie Book Fair

Karen Neville

Oxfordshire

The fifth fair is all set to be the biggest & best yet

The fifth Oxford Indie Book Fair takes place at Oxford University Examination Schools in the High Street on December 1st, opened by the charismatic Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, the actor and author Paterson Joseph.

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Lucy Group, the Fair is doubling up again this year and will fill both halls in the impressive venue – Oxford University Examination Halls. The declared aim of Oxib is to be free entry so no one in excluded. All the talks and activities are free too. Like many underprivileged young people, access to books, particularly through libraries, opened doors to opportunity for Paterson.

What’s On December 2024 – Oxford Indie Book Fair

Speakers include the historian Janina Ramirez, the naturalist Hugh Warwick – he of The Prickly Affair in discussion with Canon Rev. Dr. Charlotte Bannister Parker on the topic is there hope for creation? The discussion will be chaired by Ray Foulk who ran Planet Earth workshops in the nineties in most Oxfordshire state secondary schools.

There is lots to attract children and families, including activities provided by Korky Paul, and the Pegasus Youth Theatre. The organisers are delighted to announce that the international children’s author, Paul Gustafson, known for his series of Eggbert’s Adventures, will be exhibiting. His books are illustrated by Ray Mutimer (illustrator of Postman Pat, Paddington, Noddy, Rupert and Friends magazine, Charlie Chalk and Star Hill Pony’s magazine for the BBC). Paul’s giant Eggbert will also providing fun activities for the youngest readers.

Check out who’s going to be there in the exhibitor directory.

The fabulous assemblage of children and young adult writers include:

Angela Kecojevic: Being Brace, Frank’s Secret Yeti, Sleuth School: Jeremy Swift Investigates, and The Laughing Shepherd.

Vie Portland: inclusive children’s picture books.

Griselda Heppel: Ante’s Inferno, The Tragickall History of Henry Fowst, The Fall of a Sparrow.

Milo McGivern: Five books, detailling the adventures of Aubrey, Clifford and Walli on the mysterious Island of Animaux.

JM Carr: Wonder Girls

Veneficia Publications: With books for children of all ages.

Oxford Children’s Book Group: Featuring a variety of children’s books including the story of St Frideswide who founded Oxford told for young children in The Princess who Hid in a Tree.

There’s non-ficton too, Crosswords for Boffins and Rebecca Mileham, author of popular science books. Her most recent book is ‘Cracking the Elements’ (2018) which takes a comprehensive look at the development of the periodic table – and reveals untold stories, unsung pioneers and intriguing science along the way.

For budding authors there’ll be lots of publishers and publishing professionals and the future of English Poetry is in the safe hands of Ignition Press, a publishing arm of Oxford Brookes. Niall Munroe has organised the poetry slam. You can even learn How Tennis Invented Everything…

More info


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How To Date A Feminist show

Liz Nicholls

Oxfordshire

In a brand new university production, Very Broken Leg invite you to How to Date a Feminist at the Burton Taylor Studio, 26th-30th November

How to Date a Feminist, written by Samantha Ellis, will open on 26th November at the Burton Taylor Studio and close on 30th November.

It is produced and directed by Ivy Stephens and Robyn Patterson, whose production company, Very Broken Leg, has been created under the umbrella of Oxford University Dramatic Society.

Ivy says of the plot: “He’s a feminist, she loves lipstick and Heathcliff. Featuring two proposals, two weddings, an elopement, and an array of unforgettable characters played by two astounding actors, you will find yourself laughing your socks off one second and wanting to scream and cry at them the next.”

The play consists of two actors, each playing three characters. Esther O’Neill will be playing the roles of Steve, Ross and Joe, whilst Bella Bradshaw will play the roles of Kate, Carina and Morag. Hope Hamilton will cover the roles of Kate, Carina and Morag on Thursday, 28th November. The lighting is designed by Leon Moorhouse, sound by Izzy Adjei, costumes by Cerys Bennison, and music written by Olivia Hall. 

This is a show unlike Oxford has ever seen before, with the set consisting solely of a costume box, a three-act, no-interval structure, and an all-female-presenting cast. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible talent shown by each cast member and each department in our company as we take less than ninety minutes to blow your socks away! 

Bella Bradshaw says, “It’s such a unique show that manages to border on hilarious and serious at the same time. I’m so excited and thrilled to be a part of it and present all our work to [our audiences]!”. Co-producer and co-director Ivy Stephens feels that audiences will be “blown away by all of the innovative little tricks we have managed to squeeze into this show, and shocked at the incredible talent of our cast!”. 

Tickets are available now at How to Date a Feminist | Oxford Playhouse


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Happy 80th Lydalls Nursery School

Karen Neville

Oxfordshire

Didcot nursery celebrates “providing the very best start for young children”

Lydalls Nursery School has been celebrating 80 years of looking after and nurturing children in their care.

The birthday was marked on Wednesday, 13th November by raising a new flag designed by the children, enjoying cake and party games, and taking home a commemorative teddy bear.

Headteacher Sarah Phillips said: “For 80 years we’ve been building early years expertise and providing the very best start for young children. Lydalls Nursery School is often described as feeling like a family and we all really enjoyed celebrating this milestone together.”

Maintained Nursery Schools are special places – like other local authority schools they have a headteacher and governing board with teaching and learning delivered by a team of teachers, nursery nurses and teaching assistants. In a Maintained Nursery School the headteacher and the teaching team are all early years specialists.

Sarah added: “For 80 years our school has been delivering this special provision to children in Didcot… here’s to many more happy years!”

Find out more at Lydalls Nursery School


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Greatest Showman sing-along fundraiser at UPP

Liz Nicholls

Oxfordshire

The Ultimate Picture Palace and Yellow Submarine invite the community to a spectacular family-friendly event, a Greatest Showman sing-along fundraiser at 3pm on Saturday, 23rd November

This exciting event will bring together fans of the hit movie The Greatest Showman for an afternoon of music, fun, and support for a fantastic local charity Yellow Submarine.

Guests will have the opportunity to sing along to all the iconic songs from The Greatest Showman, with on-screen lyrics guiding everyone through hits such as This is Me, Rewrite the Stars and The Greatest Show. This is a relaxed screening where everyone is welcome.

Proceeds from the event will go to Yellow Submarine, a local charity dedicated to supporting young people with learning disabilities by providing opportunities for personal development, social inclusion, and community engagement.

“Yellow Submarine’s mission is to empower young people with learning disabilities and give them the chance to fully participate in their community,” says Ella, community fundraiser for Yellow Submarine. “The themes of inclusivity, acceptance, embracing diversity and empowerment in the Greatest Showman really speak to our values at Yellow Submarine. We are grateful to the support of the Ultimate Picture Palace for helping us with this exciting sing-along event.” 

This family-friendly event is the perfect outing for all ages, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a fan of The Greatest Showman or simply looking for a fun, interactive experience, this sing-along is designed to bring people together in a lively and inclusive atmosphere. 

The Ultimate Picture Palace is Oxford’s independent cinema, offering a range of films, events, and community activities in a welcoming and intimate setting. With a commitment to supporting local causes and creating unique experiences, the cinema is a hub for cultural and community engagement in Oxford. 

Yellow Submarine believes people with learning disabilities and autism deserve to live life to the full. The charity provides a range of social, educational, and developmental activities. Their programmes focus on inclusion, empowerment, and fostering connections within the community. 


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Indians in Didcot’s dazzling Diwali highlight

Liz Nicholls

Oxfordshire

The community group, Indians in Didcot (fondly known as IID), celebrated their 10th anniversary with a Diwali Dinner and Dance event

The event, which took place with great pomp and splendour at Didcot Civic Hall at the weekend, was also graced by the presence of the Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, Elizabeth Paris.

Mrs Paris who represented the Monarchy, His Majesty the King said: “I offer my sincere thanks to founders of the community – Dr Sneha Anand and Mr Nitish Anand – and to all of IID, for the warmth and kindness for their welcome at the Diwali Celebration. It was such a joyous occasion, so full of light and inspiration, and I was touched to see so many families, across three generations, coming together in celebration.

“Creating such a strong community and sustainability it for ten years, despite Covid, is a huge achievement and I could tell from the decorations, to the performance, to the superb logistics, just how much effort is given by volunteers. The highlight for me was the performances by the children – such energy and courage!”.

With about 180 attendees, the event was a testament to the strong bonds and vibrant spirit that define the IID community. As IID continues to flourish as not for profit, it remains dedicated to promoting cultural awareness, community engagement, and the celebration of Indian heritage in Didcot and Oxfordshire. The atmosphere was further elevated by the rendition of the national anthems of both the UK and India.

The event was masterfully hosted by Sneha and Nitish along with the organising committee – Amit Sultaniya, Bhavana Ananda, Cinil Mukundan, Elizabeth Abraham, Gayatri Panchbhai, Nipa Gandhi, Vaibhav Solanki, Venky Rao, Vikram Bhagwani, and Vinayak Upadhyay.


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Find treasures at The Juniper Barn

Karen Neville

Oxfordshire

Find fabulous extraordinary antique French, Italian and Swedish furniture, décor & lighting at The Juniper Barn

Friends for over 20 years, Narelle Lester Paine from Henley and Jenny Leslau from Wallingford have always loved to collect beautiful and unusual items from antique markets and their travels all over the world.   

In 2021 after reflecting on their careers, they decided to pool their experience and join forces at The Juniper Barn.  

As their lovely pieces flew off the shelves and needing storage for the expanding collection, a kind friend offered them the use of a stable at her yard near Watlington. As the business grew so did the need for space to display and photograph their beautiful finds and they decided to look for more permanent premises.   

The Juniper Barn has found a home and established a showroom in Cane End on a beautiful country estate. 

Narelle and Jenny’s mission is to provide an exceptional experience for their clients. The Juniper Barn specialises in curating collections for the home and garden and has built a strong network of specialist contacts within industrial, antique and artisan communities, allowing access to rare and unusual pieces. 

Dedicated to sustainability, they strongly encourage the continuing movement away from excessive consumption of easily accessible factory produced furniture and unnecessary waste, towards sourcing high quality, sustainable pieces with timeless elegance, warmth, character and individuality.  

The Juniper Barn supplies private clients and interior designers with beautiful decorative pieces and antique furniture for the home and garden from the UK, France, Italy and Sweden, immaculately restored industrial mid-century British lighting, all alongside some superb one-off artisan pieces of antique English furniture.  

Their collection includes vibrant glazed 19th century pottery from the South of France, beautiful French cast iron urns and other decorative treasures sourced from French chateaux, alongside candlesticks and sconces from Italy, faded white Swedish furniture and skilfully made pieces of Victorian and Georgian furniture that have been restored and beautifully decorated by a talented artist. Each piece is unique, a stunning blend of traditional and modern craftsmanship combined to create a fully functional and striking work of art. 

They love the challenge of sourcing in the UK and throughout Europe. One of their favourite finds was an exquisite large antique French stone statue of the Madonna for a client who was looking for a very special piece for her garden. 

The Juniper Barn delivers throughout the UK and ships worldwide, working with excellent, reasonably priced and trusted couriers. 

Narelle and Jenny can be found at the showroom most days. They are also planning open days in the near future. Please contact them to register your interest. Visit thejuniperbarn.co.uk and follow on Instagram @thejuniperbarn 


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Yattendon Winter Market 23rd&24th November 

Liz Nicholls

Oxfordshire

Yattendon Winter Market, a celebration of slow craftsmanship, is back on 23rd & 24th November at the village hall, RG18 0UE 

Yattendon is the perfect village for a festive market, being home to the beloved local Christmas tree farm!  

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or a special treat for yourself, The Modern Makers Collective invite you to find a diverse and vibrant selection of handmade treasures to choose from, including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glass, printmaking, basket weaving, and much more. 

Modern Makers Collective are a group of skilled makers, designers, artists and craftspeople committed to promoting high quality craftsmanship, sustainability and community engagement through the Winter Market and programme of workshops in the local area.  

This year the team are excited to showcase the incredible talents of 24 artists, designers and craftspeople. Among them will be several new faces, bringing a wave of fresh creativity alongside more seasoned Collective members.  

The highlight aims to foster a deeper connection and understanding between makers and visitors, highlighting the time, effort, and skill that go into handmade artworks. The makers pour everything into creating exceptional pieces with care, attention to detail, a respect for materials, and traditional techniques, often fused with modern design. Visitors can meet the makers, learn about their processes and buy one-of-a-kind items that embody the essence of slow craft. 

The picturesque estate village of Yattendon, renowned for being largely owned by Lord and Lady Iliffe, is the perfect setting for the Winter Market, with its award-winning pubs and beautiful scenery, providing visitors with a lovely opportunity to enjoy a day of mindful shopping and delicious food. 

“We’re thrilled to host an event that not only showcases the incredible talent of our Collective, but also encourages mindful shopping,” says co-founder Aimée Alice Payton. “The popularity of our Winter Market reflects a growing appreciation for unique, quality products that tell a story, and reflect a commitment to thoughtful, sustainable purchases over mass-produced items.” 


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Abingdon Drama Club’s seasonal ghost story

Karen Neville

Oxfordshire

A spell binding evening awaits at The Unicorn, November 27th-30th as ADC stage A Christmas Carol. Kevin Thomson tells us more

Abingdon Drama Club’s last production – in their 80th anniversary year – is the seasonal tale A Christmas Carol.

One ghostly Christmas night, cold-hearted businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Adam Blake) gets the fright of his life, discovers the truth about himself, and learns to love his neighbour.

This adaptation by David Edgar of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol rediscovers the social conscience of this timeless tale and through time jumps, a realisation of how Scrooge’s life was in the past, how it is going on around him in the present and the shock of what it will be in the future.

All the well-known characters are here and the extra element added to the original gives us an insight into the various parliamentary reports of the 1840s on abolishing rotten boroughs, establishing workhouses etc and how Dickens brings that to our attention.

Edgar’s clever (and amazing) adaptation is brought to the Unicorn stage by Abingdon Drama Club directed by one of the club’s finest directors, Susi Dalton.

Edgar has reinvented this most Victorian of stories and his masterstroke is having the author, Dickens (Terry Atkinson), tell the story with his editor and friend John Forster (Kieran Madden). The show begins with Dickens trying to write another book on poverty and child labour. Forster suggests this may be too bleak and sad for a Christmas time readership. The two of them construct the story in front of us, with themselves watching as the tale unfolds. This play’s wonderful device shows us how Dickens decided on the various scene.

Explaining why she wanted to direct this adaptation, director Susi Dalton says: “I love different versions of well-known classics and I directed another different version of A Christmas Carol at the school where I work, a few years ago. I decided to go with David Edgar’s version, not only to give myself new challenges, but also because I felt this version added something extra to the original we all know and love.”

She continues: “I am really looking forward to directing and seeing this version of A Christmas Carol with our wonderful actors, as I know they will help me make my vision a great success for Abingdon Drama Club.”

Tickets are £12pp, £10 concessions (60+, under-12s, students, ADC members). They are available from The Bookstore at 15 Bury Street in Abingdon or at abingdon-drama-club – Abingdon Drama Club – Passionate about performance


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Christmas magic at Blenheim Palace

Karen Neville

Oxfordshire

The much-loved Christmas experience returns to Blenheim Palace, November 15th – January 1st, with the ever-popular illuminated trail, a magical adventure in the palace and the new Great Skate ice rink

Blenheim Palace will sparkle brighter than ever this winter, with a series of dazzling new illuminated artworks set to enchant visitors in the garden and Neverland® in the Palace.

The illuminated outdoor Christmas Trail in the grounds is one of the highlights of the festive calendar. Wander the picture-perfect gardens filled with Christmas cheer to discover a place where new memories are made as a multitude of glowing lights and Christmassy sounds fill the air with the festive fun.

These stunning installations, inspired by the natural world and festive themes, have been created by internationally renowned artists and are guaranteed to add extra magic to the festive season.

Created by Culture Creative and produced in partnership with Sony Music, Christmas at Blenheim is a magical, after-dark trail for visitors of all ages featuring thousands of twinkling lights, seasonal scents, sparkling baubles, shimmering tunnels of light and vibrant woodland lakeside displays. 

The illuminated trail has everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way. 

Inside the house, embark on a swashbuckling adventure in Neverland, a place bursting with magic and make believe. Follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees, wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon. The enchanting new experience based on JM Barrie’s Peter Pan is in association with the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. 

Visit the Orangery Restaurant and delve into a world of delight with a Neverland themed afternoon tea. Tinkerbell Blackberry Ganache Tart anyone? 

Also new this Christmas is The Great Skate. Go along to skate with family and friends in the Palace’s stunning Great Court on a spectacular, covered ice rink. Surrounded by breathtaking beauty and festive decor, enjoy a luxurious hot chocolate or tasty treats at rink-side seats. Capture the perfect festive family photo in this unique setting. 

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the traditional wooden chalets showcasing a range of festive treats from designer-makers and artisan food and drink producers. Stock up on festive goodies, and if you’ve worked up an appetite indulge in the treats on offer at the street food stalls. This will run from Friday, 15th November to Sunday, 22nd December.   

For more details on all the Christmas magic at Blenheim Palace this year and to book tickets (essential), please visit Christmas at Blenheim | Festive Light Trail & Christmas Market


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Step Into Christmas at Wycombe Swan!

Liz Nicholls

Oxfordshire

This Christmas feelgood show brings all the magic of the season to life with all your favourite songs, so book your tickets for 28th November now!

Step Into Christmas is a festive, feel-good show that brings all the magic of the season to life, with all your favourite Christmas songs including All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Stay Another Day, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Do They Know it’s Christmas, A Winter’s Tale, Merry Xmas Everybody, and many, many more!

The show is produced by entertainers, one of the UK’s leading entertainment producers. Entertainers is run by father and son team, Michael and James Taylor who were recently listed in The Stage Top 100, a list of the most influential people in the theatre industry. They have over 30 other productions in their portfolio including The Magic of Motown, Cirque: The Greatest Show, The Rocket Man, Fastlove, and The Makings of a Murderer all of which are touring the UK throughout the year.

For more information visit entertainers.

Tickets can be purchased from Wycombe Swan Theatre


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