Tag Archives: Round Table

Win Guide to November

The city is treating us to a display of fiery reds and golden browns so dig out your knitwear, wrap up warm and read about what Winchester has to offer this month.

wot-no-fishThere’s a chance to see some great story telling at the Theatre Royal on the 4 November in the form of Wot? No Fish! In 1926 shoemaker Ab Solomons drew a doodle on the wage-packet he gave to his wife Celie. Throughout their marriage, right up until 1982, Ab developed his art, drawing a wage-packet picture every week for Celie.  One of Lyn Gardener’s top ten shows of 2014, this is a great night at the theatre. We saw it a the BAC and can thoroughly recommend!

Winchester Bonfire and FireworksRemember, remember, the fifth of November.  This year, the 58th annual Winchester Round Table Bonfire & Fireworks event takes place on Saturday 5 November.  Around 20,000 people will take to the streets for the torchlight procession around the city, culminating in an impressive fireworks display at the River Park Leisure Centre recreation ground.  Tickets are available to buy online now and money raised will go to charities and good causes in Winchester.

Winchester Short Film Festival

Now in its fifth year, the Winchester Short Film festival runs 4 – 12 November. Promoting emerging and seasoned talent in film-making, the festival will present a selection of films from the WSFF 2016 competition in a range of venues across the city including the Railway Inn and the Hampshire Records Office. For a full programme, or to book tickets, visit the festival website here. Our wonderful site sponsors Dutton Gregory have also kindly sponsored the WSFF festival too, a really supportive business in this fine city.

happiness-project-270x270For more culture, visit the Theatre Royal on the 10 November for the chance to see the Happiness Project. Best known in the UK for her productions for Rambert, Northern Ballet and HeadSpaceDance, international dance artist Didy Veldman launches her own company Umanoove with a choreographic investigation of western society’s endless search for fulfilment. For more details or to book tickets, visit the Theatre Royal website here.

Here’s the trailer:

Winchester Wine FestivalWhat better way to warm up the season with the Winchester Wine Festival.  It’s a chance to sample a selection of wines, curated by Winchester’s own BBC1 masters of wine, Susie Barrie and Peter Richards. There’s also the chance to stock up for Christmas or attend specialist masterclasses.  Tickets are £30 per person and can be bought online here.

Winchester Christmas Market

And finally, the crisper weather can mean only one thing – it’s time to get festive.  The Christmas lights will be switched on at the Broadway on 17 November.  Events will start at 4pm.  Winchester really knows how to do Christmas.  There’s a website dedicated to it wth a handy guide to dates and events available here. The famous Winchester Christmas market in Cathedral Close opens 18 November – 20 December boasts its open-air ice rink, which is a suitably festive family trip out (20 November 2014 to 4 January). For those who are less Torvill and Dean, more mulled wine and stollen, there are plenty of other festive distractions on offer in the beautifully lit Germanic fairytale cabins, including holiday food and Christmas gifts.

Enjoy, Wintonians, and we’ll bring you updates throughout the month @Win_Guide.

Win Guide to November

November, november, remember november?  What a fine time for Wintonians.  It may be getting chilly out there, but Winchester is certainly showing off its seasonal sensations.  Here’s a taste of what’s on offer in our fine city this month:

Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks
Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks

Starting in style, on Saturday 7th November it’s the 57th Winchester Round table Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular. The famous torchlight procession through the city starts to gather 6pm at King Alfred’s statue, culminating in the lighting of the bonfire at 7.15pm and the firework display at 7.45pm. Children 16 and under can enter the ‘build a Guy Fawkes’ competition for a chance to win tea with local MP Steve Brine at the Houses of Parliament (gunpowder, treason and plot not permitted). To enter, bring your Guy along to the Riverpark recreation ground on Saturday 7th. There’s also a photography competition this year, so tag #winchbonfire and post on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for your chance to win a £100 Bangkok Brasserie or Japanese Kyoto Kitchen voucher or £50 for second prize. Celebrated local photographer Joe Low will be judging the winning snaps. Tickets are £3 in advance or £5 on the night with funds raised going to local charities. Last year, £40,000 was raised through the event, so it’s a worthwhile extravaganza as well as being a really good evening.

Sunday 8th November will see the annual Remembrance Service at the Cathedral War Memorial. You may have noticed a particularly smart gent in a bowler hat on the high street doing his bit for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and poppies are available throughout the city now,  so donate generously.

Winchester Short Film Festival
Winchester Short Film Festival

The Winchester Short Film Festival takes place 7th – 14th November, screening original short films, including World Premieres and shorts. There will be an award ceremony on Saturday 14th November at the Winchester Discovery Centre, and also some industry masterclasses.

Winchester Christmas Lights
Winchester Christmas Lights

Get ready, because on 10th November the Winchester Christmas lights are being switched on. Yes, Christmas is coming! This year’s ‘switch on’ is an extra special affair coinciding with the Winchester stop off of the Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge. Pudsey will be greeting guests and there will be Children In Need fundraising activities. Matt Baker will be switching on the Christmas lights live on the One Show, BBC One. Entertainment will start from 4pm, with the switch on taking place between 7-7.30pm.

For some stirring singing, the Southampton Choral Society with Southern Pro Musica and guest conductor Brian Kay will perform of Elgar’s oratorio, The Dream of Gerontius at Winchester Cathedral on 14th November at 7.30pm.

Winchester Christmas Market
Winchester Christmas Market

On the 19th November, the Cathedral Christmas markets will open, a germanic fairytale transformation set against the majestic backdrop of Winchester Cathedral. Mulled wine and festive treats abound, not forgetting the opportunity to skate with friends and family in the ice rink. Opening times: 10am-6pm, Sunday-Wednesday, 10am-7.30pm Thursday-Saturday every day between 19th November and 22nd December.

The Winchester Musicals and Opera Society present Bizet’s Carmen at the Theatre Royal, 19th – 21st November.  A passionate tale of lust, seduction and betrayal with some of the opera’s most famous melodies.

Winchester Wine Festival
Winchester Wine Festival

The Wine Festival returns to Winchester, 27 – 29 November, hosted by BBC1s Susie Barrie & Peter Richards, the husband and wife Masters of wine duo. The Winchester Guildhall will be packed full of wines to try, included as part of your entrance fee, with additional masterclasses available and the opportunity to stock up at discounted prices for christmas and beyond. Tickets start at £25.

Wrap up warm and enjoy the festivities one and all.