Thatcham
Ten days, dozens of events and nothing over £7: Thatcham Festival starts Friday
Thatcham Festival returns this Friday with ten days of music, comedy, talks, walks, workshops and exhibitions across the town, and more than half the events are free.
The festival, organised by Thatcham Town Council, runs from Friday 9 October to Sunday 18 October. The council says many events are free and none costs more than £7.
It begins at the Friday market on the Broadway, from 8am to 2pm, where groups taking part in the festival will be on hand to meet shoppers. That evening, seven comedians compete for the audience vote at Thatcham Comedy Club, held at Thatcham Bowling Club from 7.30pm (£7).
The first big night is the Big Thatcham Fest-Off on Saturday 10 October, from 4.30pm to 9pm on the High Street. The programme promises live music, street food, gift and craft stalls, beer and cider and a silent disco. The council's website says entry is free and the High Street will be closed to traffic.
Earlier that day there is a classic car show at the Memorial Playing Fields and a scale model show at the Memorial Hall, both 10am to 4pm. Apple Day is at the Nature Discovery Centre from 10am to 3pm, where visitors can bring an apple from the garden to have its variety identified. All three are free.
Other highlights include:
- Tuesday 13 October: crime writer Tom Hindle at Thatcham Library, 6.30pm (£5).
- Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October: free local history talks at the town council offices, 7pm. One covers the town centre's history and the other Thatcham in 1966. Both need booking.
- Friday 16 October: a World Food Day market on the Broadway, 8am to 2pm, and free hands-on CPR and defibrillator sessions at the council offices from 5pm (booking needed).
- Saturday 17 October: a leisure and craft fair at St Mary's Church and the Broadway, 10am to 3pm.
- Sunday 18 October: a new blue plaque marking the area's Mesolithic past is unveiled at the Nature Discovery Centre at 11am.
The festival closes on Sunday 18 October with the Thatcham Thrives Dance Gala at Kennet School, at 4pm and 6.30pm (£6), and a finale concert by Cold Ash Brass at St Mary's Church at 7pm (£3.50).
The council says the festival is a chance for residents to discover the clubs, community groups, artists and performers on their doorstep, with activities for families as well as talks, performances and workshops for adults.
Writing in the festival programme, the Mayor of Thatcham, Councillor Mark Lillycrop, said: “I am sure you will find something to enjoy.”
Collection boxes at festival events will raise money for the mayor's chosen charities, PALS and West Berks Food Bank.
Tickets can be booked on the Thatcham Festival page of the town council's website or through the box office at the town council offices in Brownsfield Road. The council's number is 01635 863592.
The full festival programme, with every event, venue, time and price, can be downloaded from the town council's website.