Monday 26th January 2026, 8pm Melland Room
Mark will inspire us about woodland creation through the lens of our very own Quaker Wood. He will talk about what we can expect in the first five years of growing trees. He will say how he selects species for wood creation and refer to other woods that he has planted in Oxfordshire. Mark is doing a research trial on the beech trees at Quaker Wood; he will explain this project. Tickets on the door (opens at 7.45pm) cost £8 (includes a drink).
1st January 2026
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).
26th December
This is an informal walk around the village. You can come along in fancy dress and perform a skit or come as you are to watch and/or join the walk (i.e. ‘here for the beer’)! Entries are in the usual categories: Individual, Small group (2–5 people), Medium group (6–10 people), Large group (11+ people). 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes are available for the best fancy dress/skit in each category, as well as the coveted Ron Freeborn Memorial Cup and John Grice Memorial Cup.
Entry fees: Adults £7; Children £2 – includes refreshments along the route. Suggested donation of £7 if you are ‘here for the beer’. This is a slight uplift (for adults only) on previous years owing to the increased cost of the drinks provided, but kept as low as possible to try not to make a loss.
Registration 10:00 am at the Village Hall; skits at 10:30 am; walk starts at 11:00 am
24th December, 5:45 pm in the Church
You are welcome to come dressed up as a character from the Nativity or you could come as just as you are! The service will finish in time to meet Father Christmas at the Play Close at 6.30pm.
24th December
On Christmas Eve, Santa’s mailbox will be open from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon at Blewbury Pre-school (opposite the Church). Parents should bring their present (labelled with their child’s name and age), and place all presents for their family in one bag. Santa’s postal charge is £2 per parcel – small presents only, please.
In the evening, Santa will first make a tour of the village, starting at Boham’s Road (London Road end) at 5:00 pm, and will end up at the Playclose at 6:30 pm, where he will distribute presents (see the map for Santa’s route and timings at key points). Carols will be sung, so bring your best vocal cords (and a torch to see the words). All singers and any accompanying players are very welcome to come and join in!
Thursday 18th December – St Michael’s Church
Everybody welcome! Orchestra rehearsal 7.00-7.30, doors open 7.35pm, concert starts at 8pm. As in the past, lots of great carols for all to sing with items from the school, church choir, orchestra, Blewbury Brass Band and some festive readings. A joyful evening which heralds all Christmas festivities. Retiring collection for Didcot Foodbank.
How to join the ad hoc orchestra
If you can play any instrument at Grade 3 level and upwards, do come and join our ad hoc orchestra. The only further qualification needed is enthusiasm! The music is very straightforward and is available from early December if you would like to practise beforehand. It is helpful to know how many chairs to put out so please contact Lindy on rmmfarrell@gmail.com to reserve yours. Please arrive at 6.50, ready to play at 7.00pm and bring a music stand.
November was a busy and exciting month for the Friends, and we were delighted to see so many people at our events making them a success.
The Book Fair at the beginning of the month was a great event, everyone loved rummaging through the second-hand books, choosing new gifts and enjoyed the delicious homemade cakes.
Once again our professional jazz artists gave an outstanding performance to an appreciative audience in mid- November. This year we have enjoyed such a wide variety of music, and the fabulous acoustic and ambience of St Michael’s were appreciated by every band. For our regular supporters the dates for 2026 will be June 7th, July 5th, September 13th and October 11th. Thank you to everyone who has supported these events.
The last weekend brought us the Advent Wreath Making Workshop, with huge thanks to George & Jackie Reade for their wonderful tutelage. Everyone made beautiful wreaths which you can see on various doors in the village.
Our Blewbury Tart Snowdrop mugs have landed and are on sale at the post office, or via Jane Barrett on 07552 569569. Available in 2 colours, sage green and teal, perfect Christmas presents.
Lastly – EXCITING NEWS, in memory of Bernard Mattimore the Friends of St Michael’s will be making a village calendar for 2027 – and your picture can be featured! More details in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Friends of St Michaels Committee
This year, the sphere has come and gone like the Tardis but now is safely back on the Play Close.
To celebrate this imaginative piece of public art, made by Blewbury’s own David Harber, the BPC are calling on the poets of the village to take one or more of the words on the sphere, or the artwork itself, and write a poem. These can be sent to the Parish Clerk before 1 March 2026. We will then hold a celebration of the poets and the sphere on 20th March – the equinox. Prizes will be awarded to the winners in the categories: under 11, 11 to 18, and adult.
A timely reminder for the season: Vale of White Horse District Council is reminding residents that crews can only empty household wheelie bins if the lids are fully closed.
Crew members check to make sure that the waste is fully contained within each bin. They need to do this because there is a real risk that an overfilled bin won’t attach properly to the lifting equipment at the rear of the collection vehicle. In such cases, bins can end up being thrown from the lift, causing a serious danger to collection staff, the public and motorists who might be in the vicinity. Waste can also drop from overfilled bins while they are being wheeled to the collection vehicle, creating a street cleansing issue and encouraging vermin.
Waste collection is one of the jobs with the highest risk of injury in the UK. Crews are trained in manual handling techniques, but overfilled bins can undermine this – it’s human nature to try and catch falling items. Bin lids must be fully closed in order for the bin to be emptied on the scheduled collection day. This requirement applies to all wheelie bins – including general rubbish, recycling and garden waste. If a household has more waste than will fit in their bin with the lid shut, residents should:
* for general rubbish and garden waste – hold it back for next time or take to their local Household Waste and Recycling Centre (you won’t get charged for household waste)
* for recycling – put extra items in a clear plastic sack or cardboard box and leave it next to the bin for collection.
Saturday 13th December, 10am to noon
We need to continue scything and raking the ‘orchard’ area, plant some replacement hedging, mulch the trees and replenish the bark path. There are jobs for every level of fitness and everyone is welcome to come for a taster. Bring your own protective gloves and a drink. Meet at the Nature Reserve. More details from the secretary.