We have several items of lost property, a blue cardigan, a red ladies jumper, 2 pairs of specs, a small key, and a few items of non valuable jewellery, (a ring, a bead necklace, a penguin charm, and a fairy earring!), if no-one claims them, we will give them to a charity shop!

Last date for posting to Operational BFPO’s is 29^th November.

Airmail Last Posting dates are all in December, so no need to panic just yet! But please be aware that Airmail to Far East, Australia, USA & Canada etc (ie; non Europe) are 4^th/5^th/6^th December!

We will be having the Scout Xmas Post box, for local mail (25p each)

The Christmas Stamps are on sale in early November, and I am ordering the Royal Mail children’s competition winners too!

Please remember to tell us if you have perfume, phones, aerosols, nail polish etc in your parcel; we have to put special labels on them! Some items are not allowed to be sent at all!

We are getting a lot of people asking us about our privatization! Its Royal Mail that this affects, NOT the Post Office, we have been told that the Post Office aims to become a “Mutual” organization; however, the Royal Mail employees are not happy at all, there may be strikes before Xmas, we have cards to post to our MP if you are interested. The worry is that if Royal Mail loses the contract with the PO, (in about 7 years) then the next company may not have a 6 day a week delivery or collection!

Love from Karen & Angela

We can now accept entries to the “Health Lottery”,  just £1 to play, either choose your 5 lucky numbers or have a “lucky dip” ticket, proceeds go to “health” charities around the country! We are also able to sell National Express bus tickets now too! We have a few Andy Murray mini stamp sheets left, and have the latest stamps from Royal Mail, depicting the Merchant Navy. We also have the new “Dinosaur” stamps, available from 10^th October.

We also have the last Christmas Posting dates for Surface Mail;

• Monday 30^th Sept for Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central Africa, New Zealand
• Tuesday 1^st Oct for Far & Middle East,
• Tuesday 15^th Oct for Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, USA
• Tuesday 5^th Nov for Eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Iceland, Malta, Turkey
• Tuesday 19^th Nov for Western Europe

Last date for posting to Operational BFPO’s is 29^th November.

Airmail Last Posting dates are all in December, so no need to panic just yet!

We are closed on Monday 8^th October, as both Angela and I have events booked for that day! Sorry!

Love from Karen & Angela

October brings a host of performances including the opportunity to see three fantastic contemporary theatrical adaptations starting with the hilarious The Complete Works of William Shakespeare from the Reduced Shakespeare Company.  The Duchess of Malfi, Webster’s stupendous Jacobean masterpiece comes to Cornerstone on 12 October and its themes are just as relevant today as they were in the 17th century. Finally Shakespeare’s well-loved As You Like is suitable for ages 12 and over and family tickets are available. 

Younger members of the family are well catered for too.  There’s comedy with Little Howard’s Big Show, a super adaptation of Pinocchio from hiccup theatre, written by the popular Michael Rosen and on 27 October we have The War of the Buttons, a delightful show suitable for both deaf and hearing audiences.  There is also a workshop before the show.

PERFORMANCES

Box Office: 01235 515144 Website: http://www.cornerstone-arts.org

FrI 4th  Tom Stade Totally Rocks! Comedy: Stand Up 8pm

Catch comedy’s coolest stand-up before he explodes into a household name. The material’s close to the bone, definitely adult and not for the faint-hearted but Tom is very mischievous and charming with it. N.B. VERY ADULT THEMES AND LANGUAGE.

Sat 5th Reduce Shakespeare Company: The Reduced Works of William Shakespeare

Comedy: Theatre 7pm

The West End comes to Didcot. This revised version is an irreverent, fast-paced romp that’s fun for all the family. These madcap men in tights present a semblance of all 37 plays in 97 minutes. You’ll laugh your socks off. Ages 12+.

Fri 11th Clare Teal Music: Jazz 8pm

Multi-award winning singer and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster Clare is a national star. Our Queen of Swing celebrates the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Doris Day and more shimmering stars with diamond voices. You’ll leave feeling all warm and tingly.

Sat 12th The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster Theatre: Classic 8pm

A woman dares to disregard her social status and a powerful family is destroyed. Seven actors present a piece of theatre about mortality, class and sex, as relevant today as it was in the seventeenth century. Ages 14+.

Sun 13th Little Howard’s Big Show Children’s: Comedy 2pm

Fresh from smash-hit BBC One children’s show Little Howard’s Big Question, the nation’s favourite human-cartoon double act come to Cornerstone. Songs, sketches, magic, a cheeky pigeon from Barnsley and the Royal Monkey Philharmonic Orchestra. Ages 4+ and adults.

Fri 18th Sean Hughes: Life Becomes Noises Comedy: Stand Up 8pm

This show is an hilarious and poignant tale which chronicles Sean dealing with his father’s death, which actually brings us one of the most feel-good and uplifting shows of the year.

N.B. SOME SWEARING AND ADULT IMAGERY.

Sun 20 Pinocchio by Michael Rosen Children’s: Theatre 2pm

A new version of this classic tale from hiccup theatre and acclaimed children’s writer Michael Rosen. Expect live music, puppetry, physical storytelling and long noses. Ages 4+.

Thu 24th Texan Supper Theatre Night: The Many Apologies of Pecos Bill 7.30pm

Mosey on down for a ‘taste of Texas’ themed menu and captivating live theatre all included in the price.

Fri 25th As You Like It by William Shakespeare Theatre: Classic 8pm

Rosalind is banished from her homeland to the Forest of Arden to find her exiled father, where she also finds love. One of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, Cornerstone is proud to be one of the venues to commission this production. Ages 12+.

Sat 26th Gabby Young and Other Animals Music: Swing 8pm

Counting Graham Norton as one of her biggest fans, English songwriter Gabby Young fronts her riotous seven piece band to combine swing, Balkan brass, jazz and folk.

Sun 27 The War of the Buttons Children’s: Theatre 2pm

A journey of imagination, into a world drawn by a child, where a button can be a kiss, a wish, a present or a trophy. Music, puppetry, clowning, movement and sign language create a show accessible to deaf, hearing and international audiences. Ask about the workshop before the show! Ages 3+.

Wed 30th Didcot Film Club: Dans La Maison (In The House)( 2012) 8pm

 

HALF-TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FOR UNDER 16s

For October half-term there are lots of exciting activities lined up for under 16s, some of which are suitable for all ages and free of charge.

Compagnie Animotion: Workshop, Sunday 27 October 12noon-1pm

· Ages 5-10 years.

Join in with company members before the ‘War of the Buttons’ show. Watch your feet…and your hands! Join in games and fun exercises to get you chatting…using your hands and your faces!’

This workshop is suitable for children with and without hearing impairments.

Hallowe’en Masks, Tuesday 29 October-Friday 1 November 10am-4pm FREE

Suitable for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Drop in to Cornerstone to make yourself a scary mask for Hallowe’en. Will you become a bat, a witch, a ghost, a cat or a wriggly spider?

Outer Space Family Day, Tuesday 29 October 10am-4pm FREE

Suitable for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).

A family day for all to explore the exciting world of outer space! Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s Space Centre will be providing loads of hands-on activities for you to try out, plus special workshops where you could design your own spacecraft! Sign up to the workshops on the day.

Print Making

· Ages 6-9 years, Tuesday 29 October 1pm-3.30pm

· Ages 9-13 years, Wednesday 30 October 10.30am-4.30pm

Back by popular demand after our Easter workshops! Learn different printing techniques, including using a press, and create your own prints inspired by our Outer Space theme.

Youth Dance, Thursday 31 October-Friday 1 November 10.30am-12noon

· Ages 5-7 years.

A fun two-morning course suitable for those new to dance, as well as seasoned regular class attendees. Start the mornings with a bounce and a jump, and get the most out of your holiday

Clay Sculpture, Thursday 31 October 1.30-3.30pm

· Ages 5-12 years (adult goes free when accompanied by a child).

It’s Hallowe’en – create spooky creatures and ghostly apparitions in clay at our ever-popular course.

Amazing Animation, Friday 1 November 10.30am-4pm

· Ages 9-13 years.

One day to become an amazing animator! Get behind the scenes, get messy with plasticine…

Long Nose Puppets: Workshop, Sunday 3 November

· Ages 3-8 years

Join in with company members before the ‘Arthur’s Dreamboat’ show. In this hands-on session you will make your very own dream boat hat to sail away with and take home.

 

ONE-OFF WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS

Sat 12 Singing the Changing Seasons, 10.30am-1.30pm

Another chance to sing with Liz Hodgson of Joined-Up Singing. We will learn songs to reflect the changing seasons, signing in different styles from various cultures. All songs taught by ear, no music-reading. All welcome!

Sat 26 Print-Making: Mono-Printing, 10.30am-12.30pm

Come and explore this fantastic creative technique. A very immediate printmaking process, you will be able to see impressive evidence of your achievements very quickly! Price includes all materials.

 

GALLERY

FREE entry

3rd Oct- Tim Widdowson: Paintings and Prints

10 Nov British artist and designer Tim has lived in and worked from his studio in Long Wittenham for over 30 years. This exhibition presents a range of landscapes and abstract subject matter and will include some of Tim’s paintings of the Didcot Power Station alongside other paintings inspired by areas of beauty and interest in and around Oxfordshire.

Weds Free Talk: How Do Artists Work With Scientists? 7pm

9th Oct Dr Hugh Mortimer, RAL Space and Alice Sharp, Curator and Director of Invisible Dust, discuss Turner Prize winner Elizabeth Price’s artist residency at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell and other art science projects. This talk is presented as part of World Space Week in collaboration with RAL Space and the Science and Technology Facilities Council. See www.invisibledust.com

 

For more details on any of the above activities go to the Cornerstone website http://www.cornerstone-arts.org

We now have to ask everyone “What is in your parcel”? We are not being nosy, Royal Mail now request that we do this for every parcel & packet! Batteries are not allowed to be sent on their own, they have to be connected to the device, along with other restrictions!

We have a few Andy Murray commemorative Presentation Packs & mini sheets, and the new British Car Legend Presentation Packs.

Virgin bank customers can now access our system, with cash withdrawals & balance enquiries. We are also able to offer the new “Drop & Go” system, this is a pre loaded card, which allows customers with large amounts of post, to just drop off their items, we scan their card, and process the items when we are less busy, and the card will automatically be debited.

We are closed on the August Bank Holiday Monday; allowances will be paid on the Friday before.

Love from Karen & Angela

DIDCOT & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 2pm at Didcot Civic Hall. Visitors are welcome to come to one meeting as a taster before joining.

The September meeting will be held at 2pm on 17 September, the topic will be 35 years on a milkround.

Didcot & District U3A aims to encourage and enable older people in Didcot and District who are no longer in fulltime paid employment to help each other to share their knowledge, skills, interests and experience. There are over 20 interest groups including wine appreciation, science & maths, play reading, creative writing, walking, knitting, bridge, crafts, books, poetry, singing, badminton, photography and 5 languages. There’s something for everyone!

Tel: 07804159993

Email: didcotdistrictU3A@virginmedia.com

Website: http://u3asites.org.uk/didcot

The following activities are on at Cornerstone in September. Tickets can be booked from the Box Office: 01235 515144 or online at: www.cornerstone-arts.org

PERFORMANCE

Wed 4 Didcot Film Club: Babette’s Feast, 8pm

Fri 13 5^th Birthday Show: 8pm

Some fizz, some cake, some little surprises and a stormer of a show from Alice Francis, first lady of cool swing.

Sat 14 5^th Birthday Celebration Day: Free mini-festival, 10am-midnight

It’s our birthday so we’re throwing the doors open wide for a whole day of fun for the family with plays, dancing, art and music – outside in the town square and throughout the whole building. Evening music and cabaret in the bar.

Fri 20 Rodney Branigan: Free bar gig ,8pm

Rodney’s singer-songwriting has been compared to Jeff Buckley and his multi-instrumental skills to Rodrigo Y Gabriela.

Sat 21 Alex Horne: Lies Stand-up comedy, 8pm

Star of We Need Answers and The Horne Section, Alex returns to Didcot.

Not too rude.

Fri 27 Strindberg’s Miss Julie: Classic Theatre, 7.30pm Ages 14+

Midsummer’s Eve 1888, aristocratic Miss Julie is drawn to the socially ambitious Jean, her father’s valet. Witness a ferocious power struggle as they attempt a love affair in a world that depended on people knowing their place.

Sat 28 Sam Carter: Contemporary folk music, 8pm

Mixing American spirituals, gospel and shapenote hymn singing with glorious songwriting, Sam has been compared with Nic Jones, Richard Thompson and John Martyn, and won Best Newcomer at the BBC’s 2010 Folk Awards.

Sun 29 Georgie Fame in Concert: Music legend! 7.30pm

Still fresh, still oozing cool, Georgie comes to Cornerstone with his two sons, Tristan Powell on guitar and James Powell on drums, with both on backing vocals. A night of hits, banter and eye-opening anecdotes from Georgie’s career.

 

REGULAR CLASSES

Tuesday (start dates 24 September, 5 November)

Youth Theatre – 10 week course

– 6-10 years, 4.30-5.30pm

– 10-14 years, 5.45-7.15pm

Street Dance (Adult 16+), 6.15-7.15pm

Life Drawing (Adult), 7-9pm. All materials included

West End Dance (Adult), 7.30-8.30pm

Creative Writing (Adult), 7.30-9pm

Young Directions: Theatre (14-18 years), 7.30-9pm – 10 week course

Wednesday (start dates 25 September, 6 November)

Mature Movement and Dance (Adult 50+), 11.30am-12.30pm

Baby Boogie: Parent and Tot (9 months-3 years),1-1.30pm

Parent and Toddler Ballet (18 months-3 years), 2.30-3pm

Ballet – 3-4 years, 3.15-3.45pm

– 4-6 years, 4-4.45pm

Youth Hip Hop (7-11 years), 5-5.45pm

Young Directions: Dance (12-16 years), 6-7.15pm

Ballet – Beginners (Adult), 7.30-8.30pm

Privately run class – Pilates Matwork for Beginners/Intermediate, 6-7pm (please see web site for more details)

Thursday (start dates 26 September, 7 November)

Parent and Toddler Ballet (18 months – 3 years), 11.45-12.15pm

Ballet – New Starters (3-4 years), 1.15-1.45pm

Ballet – 3-4 years, 3.15-3.45pm

– 4-6 years, 4-4.45pm

– 6-9 years, 6-6.45pm

Youth Dance (4-6 years), 5-5.45pm

Yoga (Adult), 7-8.15pm

Enhance Through Dance – Fitness (Adult), 7-8.15pm

Privately run class – Camino Del Flamenco, various times from 4pm (please see website for more details)

Friday (start dates 27 September, 8 November)

Argentine Tango (Adult beginners), 7.30-9.15pm

Privately run class – Music & Movement for Under 5s, 10-11am (please see website for more details)

Saturday (start dates 28 September, 9 November)

Street Dance – 10 week course

– 8-10 years, 10-10.45am

– 11-12 years, 11am-12noon

– 13-15 years, 12.15-1.15pm

Arty Party: Children’s Art Classes

– 4-8 years, 10-10.45am

– 9-12 years, 11am-12noon

 

REGULAR GROUPS

Curious Arts: Tuesdays during term-time, 10.45am-12.45pm

‘Say-so’ drama workshops for adults with learning disabilities. (Please see website for more details.)

 

GALLERY (free entry)

Andrea Brailsford: Textures, Marks and Scribbles, 3-29 September

A collection of work using a combination of largely recycled materials: wax, candles, string, boxes, paper and fabric, with glue, charcoal, crayon and acrylic paint. Rather than having any narrative or philosophical content, these works have been produced for a ‘love of the materials’.

There are now strict rules for all parcels, sent via either Royal Mail or Parcelforce, either inland or abroad! Anything deemed as “dangerous” is not allowed to be sent! This includes liquids, fireworks and anything with batteries in, (although a lithium battery is ok apparently!)

Please remember we have Euro in stock, and any other currency can be ordered before noon, and will be available for collection the next day! HSBC customers’ are pleased that they can get cash out free with us now, along with many other banks too!

We are closed on the August Bank Holiday Monday; allowances will be paid into accounts on the Friday before.

Love from Karen & Angela

Apparently 95% of us can now access our bank accounts at the Post office, HSBC, First Direct, Co-Op, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide, Halifax, Smile, Nat West to name but a few! Save a trip to “town”, and get your cash from us! Euro’s always in stock and 24hr delivery for all currencies ordered in the mornings!

We will also be the Box Office for ALL Blewbury Festival tickets or events, the WI are also offering to meet up with “onesies” who would like to join in with events but have no one to go with, the lists for each event are with us too!

We are closed for the Bank Holiday Monday on the 27^th; allowances paid on Monday will be paid on Friday 24^th.

Love from Karen & Angela

Blewbury Post Office

More great news! HSBC, First Direct & M & S bank customers, will be able to access their accounts via all Post Office branches, from the 8^th of May they can make free cash withdrawals, and pay in cash or cheques using their own personal paying in slip! This means over 95 % of us can access our accounts without going into “town”, and help keep our little Post Offices going!

The “contactless” payment option is now also live, so when paying by chip & pin cards for amounts less than £15, the little screen on the pin pad will show the “wave” symbol, simply apply your card onto the screen and bingo, no pin needed! I have tried it, the card needs to be quite close, and so no chance of paying for someone else’s shopping by accident!

We will be closed for the two Bank Holiday Mondays at either end of May, I am sure that pensions etc that are paid on Mondays will be available on the Friday before!

We now have ice-cream in anticipation of a heat wave!

Love from Karen & Angela

Blewbury Post Office