News and events

Village activities are beginning to revive as covid restrictions lift. Please check all details at source before making assumptions.

Each second Saturday in the month there's a community market in the village hall from 10am to 1pm, at which home-made cakes, preserves and artisan bread are on sale, usually with other stalls offering cheeses, plants, fruit & veg, local crafts, and second-hand books.
A larger Christmas market is held in December, and a summer market in June/July. These markets stay open longer (10am to 2.30pm) and there are many more stalls, as well as refreshments and children's activities. The summer market usually spreads outside.
The community market has its own Facebook page which advertises upcoming specialities.
If you're interested in taking a stall at any of the markets contact Lanie Allen.

Founded by Anne Budd in 2021, and open to anyone who is interested, the wildlife group aims to monitor and record wildlife in the village, from wildflower verges to animal and bird sightings. It has a Facebook page.

This is a women's group for all ages, which meets informally once a month to hear a speaker and to chat.
There's no fixed membership: newcomers are welcome, and regulars are encouraged to bring friends.
Meetings are usually from 19.00 to 21.30 on the first Thursday of each month (except January and August) in the village hall.
£3 covers entry, tea/coffee and raffle.
See the Noticeboard page or look in the Hamstead Hornet for dates, or contact Sue Watts on 01488 658932 to learn more.

Members and guests meet four times a year, usually on a Wednesday evening:
• in spring either at a garden centre or in the village hall to hear a talk;
• in summer, usually as an evening visit to an interesting private garden;
• in autumn for the AGM, wine & cheese and quiz evening;
• and in December for a Christmas-themed talk.

The annual show and fete usually takes place in Enborne on the first Saturday in September.
New members are always welcome to the society. The annual subscription is £5 per individual, payable on 1st January each year. Members are entitled to certain garden centre discounts.
Contact either
Dawn Taylor (8 Church Close, Enborne, 01635 32006) or
Penelope Lake (19 Glendale Avenue, Wash Common, 01635 48701).

On 5th November the community market group organises a splendid firework display, preceded by a guy competition and a massive bonfire on the village hall recreation ground. Drinks and snacks are on sale. Entry is free, but a collection is made for charity.

The mobile library visits the village, usually every third Thursday, from 10.40 to 11.10am. The stop used to be at the village hall, but is now at Ash Tree Grove. (see the Noticeboard page or the WBC library service page for specific dates).

The mobile service also operates an At Home loans service for residents who are housebound. Volunteers will collect and deliver library books on request. To find out more about this service see the WBC library service page.

St Mary's supporters regularly organise fund-raising social events which in the past few years have included open-air jazz evenings, comedy nights at Elm Farm, barn dances and children's activities.
These are publicised on St Mary's Facebook page, the Noticeboard page, in the Hamstead Hornet and on village noticeboards.

Ladies Who Brunch meet monthly for a glass of bubbles, a two-course brunch and tea/coffee, and to raise a bit for local charities. There is usually a speaker and a raffle.
The event is usually on the second Thursday of the month. The ticket price includes £1 towards the charity of the month.
Anyone can attend, but booking with Lanie Allen by email or on 01488 658168 is essential.
See the Noticeboard page or look in the Hamstead Hornet for dates.

Sarah and Mick Ward organise carol singing around the village on a designated evening close to Christmas.
Due to the spread-out geography of the village each area has to take its turn: Chapel Corner, Ash Tree Corner and Craven Hill. All ages are welcome to join. The group usually meets at 7pm, tours the area singing and collecting for a chosen charity, and then has refreshments either at Sarah's house or another host.
Details of the date, area, meeting arrangments and chosen charity are publicised in the Hamstead Hornet and on the Noticeboard page in early December.

Pilates classes are held on Tuesday mornings, 9.30-10.30. contact Jenny Carter for details.

For details on these and anything else that's currently happening see the Noticeboard page.