Festive fun at Blue Collar Corner

Karen Neville

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world cup

Blue Collar Corner have prepared a huge variety of events and extra opening dates for the festive season

For their first New Year’s Eve since opening the venue, Blue Collar are hosting DISCORAMA, a special night to welcome in 2023 with the greatest disco music of all time. The venue will be decorated especially, have extra dancefloor space, NYE cocktails, special NYE menus from the street food traders and all ticketholders will get a glass of bubbly to celebrate at midnight.

On Sunday 12th December, local music festival Are You Listening? Celebrate their first line-up announcement with a Festive Matinée. With acoustic performances from Lilac, Matt Greener, Kito Riley & Buildings on Fire (solo) alongside DJs, this will be Blue Collar Corner’s first live music event and runs between midday and 5pm. Again, as with all December events except New Year’s Eve, entry is free. All England games in the World Cup 2022 will be screened across three screens at the venue as well as the World Cup final on Sunday 18th December. From 10am-3pm on 18th December, Reading’s Indie Christmas Market will take place, with a plethora of local crafts stalls providing last minute Christmas gifts and decorations.

“We’ve had an amazing couple of months since we winterfield Blue Collar Corner with extra covering and heaters and now mulled wine and a fantastic stage for live music, World Cup screenings and guest DJs.” explains Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning. “We love Christmas and have great party DJs lined for every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December. We’re opening every day in the week before Christmas then from 27th December until New Year’s Eve when our DISCORAMA party will be a massive celebratory night before we close for the first two weeks in January!

Schedule for the rest of December at Blue Collar Corner:

Sat 10th Dec – Rum n’Donuts DJs + DJ Rachael Chrisp

Sun 11th Dec – Are You Listening? Festive Matinée w/ live acts & DJs + Sonning Flowers Wreath Making Workshops (sold out)

Thursday 15th Dec – Party Thursdays w/Twin Sun

Friday 16th Dec – DJ Alfresco

Sat 18th Dec – Reading’s Indie Christmas Market + World Cup Final

Mon 19th Dec – Bonus Christmas sessions 17:00-00:30

Tue 20th Dec – Bonus Christmas sessions 17:00-00:30

Wed 21st Dec – Bonus Christmas session 17:00-00:30

Thu 22nd Dec – Party Thursdays w/DJ Rich Sloman

Fri 23rd Dec – DJ Ryan MacGregor

Sat 24th Dec – Christmas Eve session 11:00-20:00

Tue 27th Dec – Bonus Christmas session 15:00-00:30

Wed 28th Dec – Bonus Christmas session 17:00-00:30

Thu 29th Dec – Party Thursdays w/DJ Rachael Chrisp

Fri 30th Dec – DJ Ben Narbutas

Sat 31st Dec – Discorama NYE party w/DJs + more

For tickets to DISCORAMA NYE, Christmas booking and info on all other events, see www.linktr.ee/blue.collar

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Women’s walking football fun Fleet fundraiser

Ellie Cox

Posted on

world cup

We’re all focused on football with the World Cup.. but closer to home, the Fleet of Foot team recently enjoyed a charity match in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice

Eleven women’s walking football teams from a 60-mile radius were invited to take part, including Bracknell, Great Wakering, Cheshunt, Arsenal, Portsmouth, and X Saints.

The home side, Fleet of Foot, entered two teams into the competition, and for some players it was their first experience of taking part in a tournament.

Some 26 games were played in total with match officials being supplied by the Fleet of Foot men’s walking football team.

“High quality football was enjoyed by players and spectators alike”

Ann Goddard tells us: “High quality football was enjoyed by players and spectators alike, with tough competition and a great team spirit being displayed by everyone. Congratulations to the overall winners, Bracknell Blues and the runners up, X Saints who just lost out to penalties in the final.”

Following the tournament, there was a buffet and prize giving where the teams socialised together and celebrated their efforts.

As well as enjoying the tournament, the players collectively raised £671.50 for Phyllis Tuckwell, making the event even more worthwhile.

Fleet of Foot women’s walking football was well supported by Everyone Active for this event at Hart.

Aimed primarily at the over-40s (but all ages are welcome), Fleet of Foot women’s walking football takes place on Thursdays, 7-8pm at Hart Everyone Active in Emerald Avenue, Fleet GU51 5HS. For more information or to arrange a free taster session, please email Sue on [email protected].

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Three Hogs for Three Lions

Karen Neville

Posted on

world cup

Hogs Back Brewery backs England’s World Cup bid with free beer (if they reach the final)

Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery is offering drinkers a free pint of Three Hogs, its beer specially brewed for football-watching, if England reach the World Cup final in December.

The brewer is ready for a bonanza beer giveaway, after it made the same pledge last year and honoured it when England reached the Euros final. Three Hogs was first brewed for the Euros in 2016 and will be available on draught and in 500ml bottles.

A 4% ABV golden ale, Three Hogs in brewed with a selection of English malts and hops including Fuggles grown in the Hogs Back hop garden next to the brewery, as well as Cascade and Centennial. The pump clip and bottle label describe the ale as “a beer of two halves: refreshingly hoppy up front, followed by a balancing bitterness and a hint of sweetness to finish.”

Hogs Back Brewery managing director Rupert Thompson said: “Many Hog Back drinkers look forward to the return of Three Hogs with each international tournament. This World Cup is going to feel very different to the euros, taking place at a different time of year, and in a different time zone. But the nation’s hopes will still be pinned on England lifting the trophy, especially after they reached the finals last year.

“Millions of people will be watching the home nations’ matches with friends, family and fellow football lovers. A pint of easy-drinking beer like Three Hogs is an enjoyable part of the occasion. Let’s hope that we might finally be raising a glass to a victorious English side on 18th December.”

Hogs Back will be screening a number of matches in its Brewery Tap, depending on timings, including the England v Wales fixture on 29th November. Guests will be able to enjoy the football accompanied by a range of Hogs Back beers and food including their popular stone-baked pizzas. Bookings for places or tables are open at https://hogsback.co.uk/products/tap-room-booking-access

Thompson added: “During the Euros, the excitement in the Brewery Tap built to fever pitch, and we were sold out ahead of the final. It’s a great space for watching sport and we’re looking forward to welcoming football fans to enjoy the tournament with us again.”

If England reach the final, customers will be able to claim a free pint of Three Hogs – or another Hogs Back beer, depending on availability – by visiting the Brewery Tap between 11am and 2pm on 18th December.

Three Hogs, Hogs Back’s beer for the World Cup, is available on draught and in 500ml bottles

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Blue Collar Corner’s November showcase

Ellie Cox

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A fabulous mix of music from DJ Huey Morgan and The Amazons headline beside some straight talking from former Reading FC manager Brian McDermott in Reading this month

Local independent street food specialist Blue Collar, are bringing big names to Blue Collar Corner for their extensive November events schedule. 

What’s on

On Saturday 19th November, Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman and Radio 6 Music DJ Huey Morgan brings his NYC Block Party to Blue Collar Corner. Running from midday until midnight and with free entry throughout, Huey Morgan’s NYC Block Party will be a riotous celebration of the Good Times feature the sound of funk, soul, disco and hip hop jams. Huey will be playing a special early evening set, ensuring younger fans also get to enjoy his set, under 18s are welcome until 8pm.

Former Reading FC manager, Brian McDermott, who famously lead the Royals to promotion into the Premier League in 2012, hosts a presentation entitled Winning, Losing, Mental Health & Finding Balance followed by an audience Q&A. Brian will share his story of dealing with the highs and lows of football including feelings of not being ‘good enough’ and having to cope with anxiety, depression and an alcohol addiction. Two sessions of the presentation, on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th are sold out. The third and final evening with Brian is on Wednesday 23rd and tickets are available now from www.linktr.ee/blue.collar.

Fresh from reaching number five in the UK Official Albums Chart with their third album How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me, local indie rockers The Amazons head to Blue Collar Corner for a special hometown DJ set on Thursday 17th Noember. The band will be celebrating the end of their current album tour which has taken them across Europe and the UK, including a packed-out show at Roundhouse, London. The Amazons’ DJ set will be part of the Indie Thursdays night, Blue Collar Corner’s weekly free entry night of indie anthems and alternative favourites.

“We could not be more excited about this month at Blue Collar Corner”, says Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning. “Brian McDermott is my hero and having him agree to tell his story at Blue Collar Corner is very special to me. I’ve also always loved watching England’s World Cup games with friends so I can’t wait for the moment when we kick off our first game and cheer on the lads.”

He continues: “October’s guest and resident DJ sets at Blue Collar Corner were a big hit, so we’re really happy to have a strong mixture of both again in November, keeping up the great vibes into the evening to fit with our later opening hours. The Amazons’ latest album is probably my favourite of the year so I’m really looking forward to hearing what they play when they join us for their DJ set on Thursday 17th.”

Blue Collar Event manager Pete Wheeler adds: “We’re also thrilled to have a rare free entry DJ set from Huey Morgan when he plays an early evening set for us on Saturday 19th. His Saturday lunchtime shows on BBC 6 Music are always full of great funk, soul, disco and hip hop selections so we’re definitely in for a treat when he brings his NYC Block Party to Reading.”

Also at Blue Collar Corner this month, Reading’s Indie Market bring their popular local art, craft and produce stalls to the venue on Sunday 6th. Music lovers get to dig the crates for bargains and rarities at Blue Collar Record Fair & Social on Sunday 20th. On the same date (20th November), the venue begins its screenings of selected World Cup 2022 football games, showing the opening ceremony and opening game. England kick off their campaign the following day (Monday 21st) against Iran at 1pm, tables can be reserved now for this and England’s other group games at www.linktr.ee/blue.collar.

Then on Saturday 26th November, Blue Collar Corner present their first R’n’B Brunch. Cheekily entitled Pop Ya Collar, expect three hours of nothing but solid gold 90s & 00s R’n’B jams. Pop ya collar while they pop the cork on your bottle of Prosecco or serve you up a gin n’ juice. No diggity, no doubt.

For the full Blue Collar events line up for November visit www.bluecollarcorner.co.uk

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