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Monthly Archives: December 2023

Blewbury Village Society

December 24, 2023

Please note that all the BVS Christmas events are held outdoors, so make sure you layer up/bring your waterproofs/wellies, etc. – you know the drill! The events are listed below, with more details on page 3 of the printed Bulletin.

  • Sunday 24th December – Santa’s Sleigh and Carols on the Playclose. Santa’s village tour starts at Bohams Road (London Road end) at 5:00 pm and ends in the Playclose at 6:30 pm, where he will give out presents (don’t forget to drop your labelled presents at the Pre-school between 10.30 am and noon)
  • Tuesday 26th December – Boxing Day Walk. Registration from 10:00 am at the Village Hall, skits at 10.30 am and walk at 11.00 am
  • Monday 1st January – Roger Cambray Memorial Walk from Blewbury to The Bell Inn at Aldworth (and back!) – meeting at 10.30 am at The Pound (the green space near The Blueberry)

Dates for your diary, 2024

  • Saturday 16th March 2024 sees the return of the BVS Comedy Night, when Paddy Lennox will be introducing a stellar line-up of acts. For details of how to buy tickets, see the February Bulletin and the BVS Facebook page.
  • Looking even further ahead, the ever-popular Blewbury Beer Festival will take place on Saturday 18th May 2024.

 

Dedication of Methodist War Memorial

The picture shows that the War Memorial is already in place in the Lychgate of Blewbury’s New Cemetery. We are grateful to Blewbury Parish Council for permission to put it there and to members of BlewShed for installing it.

There will be a short Dedication Service (blessing) of the War Memorial at 2.30 on Sunday 21st January at the Lychgate led by Didcot Methodist Church’s minister, Rev. Bruce Thompson. We would be pleased if you join us for this short service.

Blewbury and Upton Methodist Churches both closed at Easter in 2013, and the members all moved on to other local Methodist churches. We wanted the war memorial to stay here in Blewbury because we were aware that the families of some of the men commemorated still live in Blewbury but we thought it would have to be housed in some sort of expensive protective cabinet, which is why it has taken so long to install.   Jo Lakeland

Sustainable Blewbury Space-Based Solar Power

Sustainable Blewbury launches 2024 with Space-Based Solar Power – how the UK is turning science fiction into reality

Martin Soltau, co-CEO of an exciting space start-up, Space Solar, comes to talk about the amazing concept of harvesting the abundant solar energy in space and beaming it to earth. This stands to provide us with continuous clean energy day and night, and in all weather. Martin has co-founded the Space Energy Initiative, a collaboration between Government and UK space and energy organisations promoting the advancement of this technology.

We’ll be among the very first to learn why it is important that we pursue such ambitious technology, how it works, and why the UK is well placed to take a global leadership position. Martin will also fill us in on his extraordinary career as a business and engineering leader in the Aerospace and Renewable Energy sectors.

Monday 29 January 2024, 8.00pm, Melland Room at the Clubhouse. Tickets £6, including a drink, from the Post Office or on the door

Can you help us to help local people in need?

At United Charities we continue to help local people who are struggling financially.

Some people will have recently received a heating allowance from the Government to help towards the increased cost in fuel bills. For many, this is badly needed. But there are others who may feel they could donate all or part of the allowance to help others in need. If that’s you, perhaps you could help local people in Blewbury, Upton and the Astons, by gifting through our Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/ucab

We thank you very much in advance for your generosity and if you have any questions, please do get in touch with us by email at unitedcharities@outlook.com

Blewbury Players audition

AUDITIONS  3 & 4 February

It’s that time of year when many of us begin dreaming of warmer weather and summer evenings! So, it must be time to encourage you to audition for Blewbury Players next summer production which will be The Caucasian Chalk Circle…

“A gem of a play. This is full of action, humour, music, and emotion… a wonderful story performed by a gang of actors – in a new translation”.

You can find a video recording of Director Erica Harley discussing her love for this play and sharing her vision for our production next summer on our website www.blewburyplayers.co.uk.

The performances will be at Orchard Dene Garden Theatre 17-20 July, 2024.

You will also find details of the adaptation that we will be using and more details about rehearsal process. To book an audition please email us @ blewburyplayers@gmail.com or call 07795 675146. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch in the same way if you have any questions or would like to audition but can’t make those dates.  We welcome new and familiar faces, first timers and veterans! Why not dip your toe into new waters in 2024!

Would you like to get involved as part of the costume team?

We are looking for people who would like get involved as part of a costume team.

We would also like to encourage anybody interested in joining the production team in non-performing roles to get in touch @ blewburyplayers@gmail.com or call 07795 675146. 

BlewShed News

 

Community Projects:  Style Acre volunteer and BlewShed treasurer Paul Sanders rescued a couple of Style Acre outdoor tables for renovation by the BlewShed team recently. With tops firmly re-glued together and resurfaced they will be ready for you to sit at and have your cuppa and cakes again very soon.

DIY for beginners: Dates for the next module, ‘Saws and Cutting’ will be emailed to all who expressed an interest.

BlewShed products: We have a few garden trugs available at the Shed if anyone’s looking for a last-minute Christmas present. In the absence of crops or flowers to harvest they are useful for holding kindling, firewood or a seasonal decoration.

Meetings: Mulled wine and mince pies provided a welcome warmer before member and sharpshooter Simon Edwards’ interesting presentation on long range shooting. Next month the topic will be wood carving. We will provide all who attend with the chance to have a go at one of mankind’s earliest forms of artwork. No need to bring wood or tools as these will be available on Tuesday, 9th January when Mike Wrottesley will lead the session.

Outdoor storage space needed:  with membership increasing rapidly and materials for Shed projects stocking up, we are in urgent need of somewhere to store things outdoors as the Shed indoor space is very limited. If you have, or know of, an unwanted shed, storage box or panels that could be assembled into one please let us know. You can leave a message on the website or pop in when we’re open.

Opening times and membership: BlewShed opening times: Tuesday and Saturday afternoons 1.30-4.00 pm and Thursday afternoons 2.00-4pm for electronics sessions and non-dusty work. BlewShed membership subs are £25 for individuals or £37.50 for a family, which includes expert advice from members and use of a well-equipped metal, wood and electronic workshop. Mike Wrottesley, BlewShed secretary https://blewshed.home.blog/news/

Bellringing News

The countdown to Christmas began with ringing for the Benefice Advent Carol Service and continues with ringing for all the special services during Advent.

The WI Carol Concert was one of these services and was well attended by 7 local WI groups. The bells will ring out for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Morning. The tradition of ringing out the old and ringing in the new year will hopefully continue.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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