Win! A Lucy Quartermaine jewellery set 

Round & About

Round and About

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One lucky winner can win a stunning pair of silver teardrop earrings and necklace from Lucy Quartermaine 

Inspired by organic shapes and capturing fluid elements in motion, Lucy Quartermaine creates stunning jewellery from remarkable designs.  

We’ve teamed up to offer a matching set of large tear drop studs (RRP £65) and a matching multi-tear necklace (RRP £115), both crafted in 925 sterling silver with rhodium overlay in an award-winning, timeless design.  

To shop please visit lucyqdesigns.co.uk 

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Uncover the Oxford Indie Book Fair

Karen Neville

Round and About

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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Guildford welcomes Bird & Blend Tea

Karen Neville

Round and About

Bird & Blend Tea Co brings its tea mixology innovation to Surrey with an array of tea-licious flavours

Bird & Blend are taking the humble cuppa to the next level with the opening of their new shop in Market Street, Guildford on Friday, 22nd November.

Offering an imaginative and magical customer journey, Bird & Blend Tea Co. create a fun, interactive in-store experience, mixing award winning, tea-based drinks. Flavours as inventive as Birthday Cake and Strawberry Lemonade to Chocolate Digestives, alongside firm favourites Builders Breakfast Brew, Earl Grey Crème and many more will be available alongside a brand new limited edition flavour, created exclusively for Guildford, called ‘Surrey Hills,’ a green tea packed with English berries to reflect the town’s beautiful countryside surroundings. 

Retail stores are the heart of Bird & Blend Tea Co., alongside its ecommerce business, and in addition to mixing tea, the Guildford team of six will also host live free Matcha tea demos, offer a tea matching service, showcase new and innovative flavour combinations, run mixology masterclasses, events and so much more.  The Guildford team are passionate about spreading happiness one cup of tea at a time…the new roles really are TEA-riffic. 

The store will showcase its range of teas, and the largest Matcha tea range that can be found in the UK, via its bespoke Tea Wall display, alongside the wide range of tea tools and utensils and its takeaway tea bar. The store will even run its own award-winning Mixology Workshops, where guests can learn all about tea and even blend their own to take home!  

At the opening party, on 5th December, guests will be treated to Bird & Blend’s signature Spiced Rum Chai or Strawberry Lemonade Drop on arrival. The first 50 customers will also receive an exclusive Guildford goody bag and lots of free tea. There will be plenty of seasonal samples for guests to taste, alongside the Guildford store blend, Surrey Hills.

With its arrival in Guildford, the team at the new store has nominated local charity Guildford Institute as its charity of the quarter, raising money and awareness to support the charity’s mission to provide an educational, cultural and social community hub in the heart of the town offering a special place for people of all backgrounds to meet, learn and explore. In store fundraising activities will raise funds and 50% of the in store profits of Surrey Hills will be donated.   

Bird & Blend Tea Co. was founded by Krisi Smith and Mike Turner, who met at university. The brand is leading the way in tea innovation in the UK; creating a range of over 100 exciting tea flavours by blending ingredients including herbs, flowers, fruits, caramel, chocolate… & even cake sprinkles.

Co-Founder & Managing Director of Bird & Blend Tea Co., Mike said: “Customer experience is at the heart of everything we do.  Alongside the fast growth of the digital side of our business, we’re proudly continuing to invest in local high streets too. We see our stores as not just retail spaces, but as community hubs where customers can come to make connections with one another and our team, and enjoy interacting with our teas. For us, there will always be a place for magical in-person experiences and we’re delighted to be arriving in Guildford.”


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Join Launchpad’s Carols by Candlelight

Karen Neville

Round and About

Enjoy a fantastically festive evening and help raise funds for Reading’s most vulnerable

This year’s Carols by Candlelight takes place on Tuesday 3rd December at Reading town Hall with Launchpad patron and BBC presenter, Matt Allwright and long-term supporter Andy Briggs as the hosts for the evening.

Join Launchpad for 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, said: “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!”

Carols by Candlelight starts at 6pm. Tickets start at £12 per person and under 3’s can attend for free. For more information and to buy your ticket, visit Carols by Candlelight 2024 – Launchpad

For anyone unable to attend, you can still support Launchpad’s work with a donation so they can help ensure local people have a roof over their head and a place to call home, for their Christmas and beyond. Simply visit Donate – Preventing Homelessness In Reading


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How To Date A Feminist show

Liz Nicholls

Round and About

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

Round and About

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

Round and About

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

Round and About

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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Clean Bandit starring at Newbury Racecourse 

Liz Nicholls

Round and About

Newbury Racecourse’s much-anticipated Party In The Paddock race day music series returns for 2025 with the acclaimed electronic trio performing a headline set live after racing on Saturday, 16th August.

Clean Bandit have achieved remarkable success with four UK number-one hits and ten top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart. The group features classically trained cellist Grace Chatto alongside brothers Jack and Luke Patterson, with Jack serving as the primary songwriter and earning two Ivor Novello Awards for hits including the triple platinum “Rather Be” featuring Jess Glynne.  

As of 2024, Clean Bandit is among a select few UK bands with over a billion Spotify streams on four songs, joining the likes of Queen, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and One Direction. The Grammy-winning group has captivated audiences with their groundbreaking blend of classical and electronic music, solidifying their reputation as one of the most innovative and influential forces in contemporary music. Hits including “Symphony”, “Solo”, “I Miss You” and “Rockabye” define their unique sound and legacy.  

Clean Bandit said: “Newbury! We’ve heard all about the Racecourse’s famous Party in the Paddock racedays and are so excited to be headlining on Saturday 16th August – we can’t wait to see you all there!”  

Harry Walklin, Marketing Director for Newbury Racecourse said: “This summer has seen us welcome Sigala, Dizzee Rascal and thousands of fans to the Racecourse across two bumper music racedays and we’re delighted to announce Clean Bandit as the headliner for next August’s Hungerford Day. With an afternoon’s racing and a live headline performance to look forward to it’s set to be an unmissable day. Both the racing and Clean Bandit’s show are included in one ticket and those fans registering for our exclusive priority sale will guarantee themselves the best deal.’’ 

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday, 22nd November, but fans can access an exclusive pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday 20th November by registering for free at newburyracecourse.co.uk/cleanbandit.  

Tickets – which entitle admission to both the day’s racing and Clean Bandit’s headline set – start from just £34 for Adults and £16 for U18s. 

Hospitality packages – priced from £130 per person – for Clean Bandit live after racing at Newbury Racecourse are on sale now at newburyracecourse.co.uk.  

Newbury Racecourse plays host to year-round racing and offers free parking at all racedays while an on-site train station means getting to and from the Racecourse couldn’t be easier. 

For more details and tickets visit newburyracecourse.co.uk or call 01635 40015. 


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Meet Elizabeth Bennet

Karen Neville

Round and About

From page to face-to-face conversation, meet Jane Austen’s most loved character through the magic of technology at the author’s house at Chawton

Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice can enjoy a conversation with their literary hero when speaking with the world-first Elizabeth Bennet avatar – Lizzy. 

Created by StarPal in collaboration with University for the Creative Arts (UCA), the avatar has been developed to mirror the human qualities of Austen’s character as detailed in the novel, such as empathy and humour. Her conversations, which fans will have with her face-to-avatar at the Learning Centre at Jane’s house in Chawton, will evolve, giving each person who talks to Lizzy a unique experience.  

How does Lizzy feel about being a world-first? She said: “It is quite an interesting notion indeed – I must say being Elizabeth Bennet in a world far removed from my own time is an unexpected but intriguing experience. It allows me to share the intricacies of our society and my life with new audiences.” 

Following consultation and guidance from Jane Austen’s House, Lizzy’s knowledge bank has been curated from a selection of novels, manuscripts and period-accurate information. 

Lizzy is set within a Regency-style background. Her dress and hair have been designed and created by students from the Games Arts and Digital Fashion courses at UCA, drawing on fashion templates from the period. 

Sophy Smith, Director of Games and Creative Technology at UCA and the originator of the project, said: “It is so exciting to finally be able to lift Elizabeth Bennet off the page and to be able to have real-time conversations with her. To be able to cross time in this way is joyful – you get a real sense of speaking directly to someone from the 18th century. Imagine – you can now have Elizabeth Bennet as your friend.  

“This technology has the potential to transform experiences within both the museum and heritage, as well as the education sector. Visitors to Jane Austen’s House, will have the opportunity to not only experience the renowned author’s home but also engage directly with one of her most famous characters. It could transform learning – instead of only having text-based revision guides, students can now learn about literature by speaking directly to the characters.” 

Director of Jane Austen’s House, Lizzie Dunford, said: “It has been fascinating to watch this project develop, and to witness the innovative staff and students at UCA developing these new technologies, and new ways of accessing literary and cultural heritage.” 

Anya Haber, an MA Digital Fashion student who created the dress in 3D, added: “It showed how useful technology can be in a historical setting, letting fans engage with fictional characters…and that’s just the beginning.” 

Fans will have the chance to interact with Lizzy at the Learning Centre at Jane Austen’s House until mid-December, included with House entry. 


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