Tag: christmas

Walking at the Devizes Winter Wonderful Festival

Oh…a slice of onion from my bratwurst plopped into my mulled wine; where does one go to complain about this?! Other than that, Devizes Town Council and DOCA’s Winter Festival was the best one for many years, officially opening yuletide in Devizes…..

Over time the simple premise of switching the Christmas tree lights on has become a large-scale event which differs in traditions from town to town, possibly competitive even. Some here envy the Sham’s monstrosity of an electronic tree sculpture, others favour our real tree. Wotton Bassett hosts great lively rock bands, like Barrelhouse this year. But while I love those guys, nothing says Christmas to me more than Devizes Town Band brassing off the seasonal Shakin Stevens classic. And, face it, Trowbridge’s lantern parade was an idea they nicked from us, which we may/may not have pinched from Chinese New Year, but who’s splitting hairs?!

In the modern era I’ve no experience of other town’s shenanigans in which to compare Devizes’ efforts with. I just know and am more than content with the spectacular show we stage here. A massive well done and thanks to all involved, it was a magnificent occasion, much better than last and other previous years.

To start at the end, fireworks were welcomed back after last year’s dubious light show replacement. Despite them being dubbed “silent fireworks” the effect was near equally impressive. Perhaps Fantasy Radio blasting out the decibels made up for the lack of explosions, and everyone’s dogs could join in the fun. I thought the radio could’ve been turned down a notch, during intervals of the Devizes Town Band playing, to enhance them when they did, but there’s no telling radio DJs!

And as for light shows, St John’s looked absolutely magnificent. It’s one thing to project images onto a wall, it’s another to use it to compliment a 900 year old beautiful church, where children and PTAs usually just collect their lanterns and wait in relative darkness!

The Market Place was also transformed into a visual feast, a bustling market with plenty of food and drink options. Devizes Town Band proudly showcased on a grand stage was a new great idea, and excited faces of all ages gathered to watch the lantern parade. It is a wonderful, popular family occasion, this year being one of the very best.

The town came out to play. Folk gathered at the end of the lantern parade by The Corn Exchange, though, were unfenced and naturally pushed forward so Santa’s sleigh on a trailer was forced to stop there and let the lantern bearers pass behind it, rather than park sensibly by the stage. This was the only technical error, as their view of the lanterns were now obscured by Father Christmas and the Mayor offloading with a stepladder! But Devizes is Devizes, and we retain our astute sense of humour regardless. As Santa dismounted and the lanterns passed behind, folk shouted in jest, “get out of the way Santa!” “You can’t park there!” and “it’s not all about you!!”

And from the basic children’s lanterns to the regular spaceman, chickens and even the odd Minecraft Ghast, the parade swept through the Market Place gloriously, and we cheered Father Christmas as we counted down the moment the tree lights would glitter and Christmas in Devizes begins for another year.

But it’s not just about wandering through the stalls, deciding what food and drink to treat yourself to and perhaps buying fudge, or auntie a jar of chilli jam, because while you did, entertaining street theatre and glittery ladies on stilts (who I failed to pick up the phone numbers of) bustled through.

The best had to be those giant stockings moving around and charming the kids with puppet bears chatting; that was a stroke of genius. I know if I was five and saw that I’d probably have wet myself with excitement, but now I’m fifty-something…well, best check for a wet patch just to be certain!! No, that was a mulled wine spillage as a piece of onion plopped into it; thought I’d told you that?!

I did bump into Santa though who was off-duty and, at the time, mysteriously carrying a stepladder. Being as I’ve been good-ish all year, I acted like I’d met Mick Jagger and posed for a photo with him; a quality occurrence which made my night!

But it wasn’t any one element of the event which made it, it was the colossal show they staged, all the elements so well coordinated and coming together in unity which caused this to be so magical. The expressions of joy on children and drunk’s faces was priceless and from the maker’s market to the teacup rides, everyone seemed to be having fun, even the weather was agreeable!

If I was triggered in the week by Facebook whingers witch-hunting DOCA, the newspaper reporting it, or anyone else they could blame, (like, bizarrely, Americans) for their own agitations at the name of this event, for not, apparently, being religious enough, and I said I hope they don’t come if they were only to wine-hole, I’ve changed my mind. I wish they did come now. They’d have seen for themselves the evening had plenty of Christmas spirit and Christmassy elements to it, whilst embracing many other aspects of winter too, and nobody really gave thought or the slightest botheration to its name, they just wanted to enjoy the moment. And they did.

The work that went into this by all involved, mostly volunteers, was absolutely incredible, and I hope it will pave the way for a new chapter in the work of DOCA, of which Devizes should be grateful and proud.

So, until next year we’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree, letting the Christmas spirit ring, having pumpkin pie, later, and possibly doing some caroling; if that’s still not Christmassy enough for disgruntled keyboard warriors next year I’ll dress up as the Archangel Gabriel, if they so wish, so they can winch me up and suspend me across the Market Place where everyone below will see my Grinch boxers….don’t tempt me!!

Available from Devizes Books!

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Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward “E”) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy…

Burning the Midday Oil at The Muck

Highest season of goodwill praises must go to Chrissy Chapman today, who raised over £500 (at the last count) for His Grace Children’s Centre…

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Winter Festival/Christmas/Whatever!

This is why I love you, my readers, see?! At the beginning of the week I put out an article highlighting DOCA’s Winter Festival, and included everything else going on in town this coming weekend, as side attractions. It was as well received as ever and no one on its social media shares thought to question the event’s name. Today Gazette & Herald reporter Jason Hughes followed suit, but its shares received a barrel load of terribly misinformed and exasperating comments from keyboard warriors who wouldn’t know the true meaning of Christmas if it slapped them in the chilling wintery chops; which, maybe it should!

Bag of coal for those ranting that it should be called a “Christmas Festival.” Why not just go, enjoy it, make of it what you wish, call it whatever you wish, and not worry what other people want to call it?!

Foremost, I feel a smidgen sorry for Jason, if he reads the Facebook piffle on his articles, as the paper is slammed there for calling it “Winter Festival.” Someone plucked Americans from the sky and blamed them, one even ingeniously used an emoji of a bell and wrote “end” next to it; is there no limit to that guy’s wit?! Jason is working from a brief, you spanners! The organisers, DOCA, are calling it Winter Festival, as they have rightfully done for years, not the newspaper.

Maybe they choose to do so because it’s too early for Christmas. Perhaps to make it open and inviting to all. Which, I’m sorry to the keyboard warriors, but I thought that’s what the season was all about?! Or are you all more clued up about Christianity than the Gospel of Luke, who told of angels chanting “peace and goodwill to all men” at the birth of Jesus?

Father Christmas will be there, a Christmas tree, and lots of other representations of Christmas too; not that they have anything to actually do with the birth of Jesus, and more to do with what was there before it. There was a midwinter festival for hundreds of years before its Christianisation. No one really knows when Jesus was born, or if he was at all. Yuletide, or winter solstice was a convenient time for Christianity to adopt, and claim it as the birth of Christ, because folk celebrated around that time already. Nearly everything in traditional Christmas symbolism represents the ancient folk festival, from trees, mistletoe, even Father Christmas himself!

But the bottom line and most important point is, atheists and people of other religions have absolutely no gripe, issue or even the slightest complaint about Christmas! They embrace it, many celebrate it too, across the entire globe. The idea that someone is attempting to “take Christmas away,” or ban it, is only a rhetoric invented by those wanting to spread hate and prejudice; is that the Christmas message you wish to purvey to others? What happened to joy to the world?!

Bar Humbug, it’s all complete hogwash, but likely the reason for the bitingly bitter comments added to the Gazette’s social media shares; Facebook is a toxic playground for so-called adults. The organisers want to call it the Winter Festival, for whatever reason, and that is their prerogative. No one is stopping you, or are even suggesting stopping you from referring to it as a Christmas Festival, if that’s what you wish to do.

And lastly, no one is forcing you to attend! Probably best you don’t if you’re going to walk around it as grumpy as the Grinch; or this just your Facebook persona? If so, it doesn’t look good on you, nor is it in spirit of the season. Here’s hoping three ghosts will visit you on Christmas Eve!

Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at The Rowdey Cow!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Rowdey Cow cafe and ice cream parlour; their Christmas Tree Light Switch On is this Friday, the 21st November…..

If you thought an ice cream parlour was restricted to summertime, think again! It’s the first time the Rowdey Cow near Devizes has held a Christmas light switch on event, and we wish them all the best with it. The fun begins at 5:30pm, and the lights will sparkle at 6pm.

Ice cream might only be for the daring, but they’ve marshmallow toasting and festive food & drinks, plus gift stalls, Christmas crafts, and a cozy Christmas film of which they’re asking children to vote for their favourite on their Facebook page; I’m voting Arthur Christmas, hands down!

Free mince pies and mulled wine if you turn up before the big light switch on at 6pm. They promise a very special guest too. I think I might be able to guess who it might be, and I’ve been good all year, well, good-ish!

And if you cannot make it, there’s lots of chances to have Breakfast with Santa at various dates in December, see HERE.

The Rowdey Cow is at Lower Farm, Devizes Road, Rowde, Devizes, SN10 2LX 01380 829666 info@rowdeycow.co.uk

Devizes Chamber Choir Christmas Concert

It’s not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have done since they were founded in 1978…..

Devizes Chamber Choir is a group of around thirty singers, with a broad repertoire from acapella, through chamber works to major choral masterpieces including The Creation and Elijah. Their programme comprises of three seasonal concerts annually, a spring concert of standard classical works, a summer concert of lighter music and a seasonal Christmas concert of carols, and obviously it’s the latter which is coming up next; deck the halls!

The Devizes Chamber Choir’s Christmas Concert of Seasonal Carols and Songs will be held on Saturday 6th December 2025 at St. Andrew’s Church, Long Street, Devizes, with Music Director and Conductor, Shaun Holley.

Concert evenings offer a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere with refreshments available during the interval. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.

They are a non-auditioned choir, so there is no singing test, but they do expect an ability to read music and of course an enthusiasm to sing. If you are interested in joining the choir, come along to a rehearsal to meet them. Look at them on the featured photo, it doesn’t look like they bite, (though Devizine cannot be held responsible if I’m wrong!) They rehearse on Tuesday evenings between 7:30pm and 9:30pm, at St. Andrew’s Church, Long Street, Devizes.

More information on Devizes Chamber Choir HERE.

DOCA’s Early Lantern Workshops

Is it too early for the C word?! Of course not, Grinch! With DOCA’S Winter Festival confirmed for Friday 28th November this year, there will be a number of creative workshops and makery sessions, not forgetting the creation of those wonderful handmade lanterns for the parade; here’s some early sessions in which you can get creative…

A number of lantern making workshops in the run-up to the Winter Festival Lantern Parade have been allocated. Including open-to-all workshops at different venues with materials provided – all they ask is a small donation. DOCA suggests £5 for a small lantern, which requires one light, but you are welcome to pay as you feel.

Come along to one of their open public workshops to make a lantern in preparation for the parade. All materials are provided, and all are welcome.

Image: Simon Folkard

Held at Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes, the workshop Schedules are:

Saturday 20th September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.

Sunday 21st September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.



More info HERE!

Book your session HERE

First Christmas: Kopp and Guy’s Second Feature Film Enters Development

The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas enters development, to be produced by Shropshire-based production company, Ask Seek Knock. We sent our Helen to the press screening of their award-winning first film, Translations, here’s what she thought…..

First Christmas is set to be filmed in Shropshire, with a primarily West Midlands based crew. The film is to be associate produced by West Midlands-based Emily DeJesus and Adam Fray. The synopsis, “a widowed man invites his three grown up children and their families for Christmas, in the hope that they stitch their fractured family back together.”

Luke Allen is a renowned young producer with a solid track record of short form productions. He is the writer and executive producer of Something Sketchy, a sketch show pilot, having previously worked as production manager on the heavily anticipated pilot Henry House (starring Peter Purves, Annette Badland and Mark Lewis Jones) and in other production office roles on the upcoming features Bjorn of the Dead (dir. Sara Sugarman, starring Ralph Brown and Amelia Eve) and Reckless (dir. Elliott Montello, starring Scott Adkins & Vinnie Jones). Luke’s short form credits include the drama Weightless Words and the darkly comic Got Your Nose, which recently screened at Raindance Festival. 

Luke is set to make his feature film producing debut with First Christmas. He said, “when Keith approached me to produce this, it was an instant yes as I had so much fun working with him for a couple of days on Something Sketchy. Once I read Laurence’s beautiful script, I knew I had made the right decision – it’s an honour to be onboard and I can’t wait to bring this story to life!”

Laurence Guy is an award-winning Screenwriter, who has worked in collaboration with Keith Kopp on several films that have played in festivals around the world, as well as streaming online (SkyTV and Amazon Prime). Laurence’s play, ‘ZORIC’, was longlisted for the Bruntwood Prize in 2022, and his debut feature film ‘Translations’ won best screenplay at the Riverside International Film Festival, before gaining UK distribution in the summer of 2023. Laurence is represented by Steven Russell at Collective Talent.

Laurence stated that, “I’m really excited to be working with ASK on Keith and my second feature, First Christmas. After the success of Translations it felt like a natural step to bring this ensemble comedy drama to life in a way that I know audiences will love. It’s a real actor’s script, with character and heart at the centre of the story, that centres on a family brought together over Christmas after the death of the matriarch of the family.”

Keith Wilhelm Kopp is an award-winning film Director whose works have screened in festivals globally (Encounters FF, Belfast FF and Portland FF) and has had TV broadcast in the UK. His debut feature film Translations has received rave reviews and had a theatrical release in 20 UK cinemas. He is interested in films about redemption, transformation, and family dynamics. Keith is a BAFTA connect member. 

Kopp said, “I look forward to bringing First Christmas alive because of the universality of families coming together during the holidays, overcoming their hardships and rediscovering the joy of spending time with people who know the joy and complexity of each other. This film has a lot of humour and humanity and I know there is a wide audience who will really engage with the story. I am especially excited to shoot First Christmas in Shropshire, a location that is wealthy in history and picturesque landscapes.” 

First Christmas is currently in development and available for investment and sponsorship conversations. For more information, contact Luke on luke@askseekknock.co.uk

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For Now, Anyway; Gus White’s Debut Album

Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlborough’s singer-songwriter Gus White’s debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and it’s more…

One Of Us; New Single From Lady Nade

Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Lade’s latest offering of soulful pop. It’s timelessly cool and…

Large Unlicensed Music Event Alert!

On the first day of advent, a time of peace and joy to the world et al, Devizes Police report on a “large unlicenced music…

Winter Festival/Christmas/Whatever!

This is why I love you, my readers, see?! At the beginning of the week I put out an article highlighting DOCA’s Winter Festival, and…

Avoiding the Drizzle: Devizine Online Christmas Market!

You should know me well enough by now to accept I don’t beat about the bush; it’s supermarkets and chain-store’s own silly fault for the rise in popularity of the Christmas Market, for lavishing their shelves with uninspiring commercialised, plastic rubbish!

There, there, got that off my chest! Now, Christmas Markets are popping up locally faster than Santa on Christmas Eve, but if you cannot make it to one, or simply prefer to shop in your jimmy-jams, here’s some ideas for Christmas presents we’ve found which won’t break the bank, and support local crafters…Welcome to the Devizine Online Christmas Market, jingle your bells!

DIY it, with Pins & Needles!

One affordable and genius idea springs to mind; do-it-yourself. For as well as personal and unique designs by owner Vixter Woolista, Pins & Needles in Snuff Street Devizes has all your knitting and crochet needs, and an online shop too, here. With a fabulous range of accessible crochet and knit kits, patterns and gorgeous hand-dyed yarns, Pins & Needles is a little shop with a big heart, and winner of the 2020 British Knitting Awards for best yarn shop in the south west.

Good Reads!

We don’t get as many book reviews from local authors as we’d like, but this year saw two great reads, which would make ideal presents for your book worm.

First up, Sorrel Pits published Broken Shadows, and this has to be my personal favourite novel I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. A gripping thriller based locally, this really is a page-turner. Here’s the review, you can grab this from Devizes Books, or online here.

This year also saw local author Molly Anderson’s Dad’s New Dress, an emotional rollercoaster of searing honesty into family ties and commitment. Reviewed here, at Devizes Books and online here.

Polish up on your cooking!

Novel idea we hope your recipient won’t take the wrong way, cookery classes at The Farm Cookery School on Bromham’s Netherstreet! They have adult and children’s courses available, and various Christmas meal related workshops too! Christmas baking masterclass anyone? Beats a can of Christmas Tinner!! Find them Here.

Chocolate, of course!

Hollychocs in Poulshout, award-winning chocolates; need I say more, other than you shop online for them, HERE.

Getting Crafty

Upstairs in The Healthy Life Company in the Little Brittox, Devizes, you will find the most fantastic display of Christmas gift ideas, many sourced locally. We reported on this last year, see here. Find them online here.

Bramblerose Designs is by local artist Ginnie Burns, stocking lots of Christmas gifts and cards, fantastic tie-dye T-shirts and prints of her colourful local landscapes. Find them HERE.

Cositas Bonitas in Albion Place on Sidmouth Street, Devizes has beautifully handmade crafts, like personalised baubles and cute drawstring Christmas sacks, knitted advent calendars, decorated jars and decorations. Find them on Facebook, here.

Merlin Glass Studio & Gift Shop in Woodborough Yard is run by crafter Louise Spink, has some great Christmas craft workshops, and sells beautiful decorations and glassware designs. How can you resist these little robin brooches? Awl! Find them Here.

Moonflower and Me has original hand illustrated artwork, handmade resin & clay Items and more fascinating gift ideas. Check out their magical mushroom terrarium baubles; gorgeous! Find them Here.

Over the Yarnarm is a small, unique business cruising the British waterways, bringing a touch of handmade warmth to every corner they visit. Operating from a cosy liveaboard narrowboat, sharing our passion for all things yarn. Find their Etsy shop here, be a star and grab yourself a knitted star!

Enter artist Matt Baker’s World of Thoodles. Don’t know what a Thoodles is? Find stickers, prints, stationary and badges of these colourful kawaii fashioned monster characters here. We think they rock, and I’m 51 years young! Find Thoodles HERE.

And lest we forget the white bear at Christmas, Arthe! Lots of prints and some fantastic Christmas tees up for grabs, HERE! Find Arthe Christmas cards at Black Dog Coffee on Couch Lane.

That’s all folks! Well, there’s bound to be many more jumping the bandwagon once they see this, expecting me to do a thing called “editing,” I’ve heard it’s all the rage these days. Have a lovely Christmas everyone, here’s our Christmas card video message, filmed on location at DOCA Winter Festival, by Jess…..

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Devizes Winter Festival This Friday and More!

Who’s ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lantern…

Snow White Delight: Panto at The Wharf

Treated to a sneaky dress rehearsal of this year’s pantomime at Devizes’ one and only Wharf Theatre last night, if forced to sum it up…

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Christmas in Devizes: Everything Happening From Now Until NYE!

Being as we received a taster of wintery weather to come this week, I believe it’s okay to use the C-word; yes, Christmas!!

Here’s everything we’ve found to do in and around Devizes, so far, from now until New Year’s Eve, in addition, of course, to decorating trees, picking all the toffee pennies out of the Quality Street tin, and enjoying watching Hans Gruber fall from the Nakatomi Plaza….

Do remember though our event calendar is constantly updating, so do keep an eye on it, as more events may well be added when they’re brought to our attention. And if you’re in another town, check our event calendar for events in your area; sorry you are not included here, we still love you, but there’s only so many hours in a day!

Lets go from this weekend, but be warned, there’s a lot to get through. Ongoing photographic exhibition at the Valentina Gallery, opposite SoupChick in the Shambles, ends on 2nd December. 

Thursday 21st November sees an Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at the Corn Exchange.

Friday 22nd: Public Living Room is open at the Cheese Hall from 1.30-4pm. John Girvan’s celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website. Queen tribute Qween UK plays the Corn Exchange. Recommended trip out of town: boom-bap legends The Scribes are at the Barge on Honeystreet.

Saturday 23rd November: and there’s a Sighthound Stroll at 12pm. Devizes Eisteddfod’s Junior Showcase at the Town Hall. The FullTone Orchestra is at the Corn Exchange with an 80s special, so get your rah-rah skirts dusted and ready.

The Sylvertones are at The Three Crowns. The Ben Fletcher Band at The Southgate. DJ Emilo is bringing in the sounds at the Exchange. And for a short trip out of town, I recommend The Killer Circus show at Market Lavington Community Hall, with a double-header of mod-indie, britpop and ska with The Killertones Underground and 6 O’clock Circus. Or The Publicans at the Royal Oak, Pewsey.

Sunday 24th, The Duskers are at the Southgate for 5pm start, same time, it’s nice to see live music back at the White Bear too; Andrew Hurst kicks those Sunday Sessions back into gear.

Tuesday 26th sees Devizes Lions Bingo Night at the Conservative Club.

Wednesday 27th, don’t forget the acoustic jam at the Southgate.

Thursday 28th – do not miss this, the fantastic Ruby Darbyshire is doing a Fantasy Radio Live Lounge from 7pm at The Pelican. The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30pm.

Friday 29th is the Winter Festival, on go the lights and Christmas begins officially in Devizes! 

12:00 – 20:00: Indoor & Outdoor Markets and Creative Installations. Lantern Parade at 18:30. 19:00 is Christmas Light Switch On. Window Wanderland begins and runs until 2nd Dec. Look out for the Cascade Chandelier, in the Shambles!

There will be several opportunities to get crafty over Winter Festival weekend with bookable artist-led workshops. More workshops will be dropping soon, so keep an eye on DOCA’s social media! Willow Reindeer Workshop from 10am to 4pm at the Yeoman Room, Corn Exchange. Sarah Jayne Edwards works in willow in all scales, she made the Sanctuary that appeared on the Green in Devizes 2023. Spend a day with her where she will support you to create your own beautiful willow reindeer. 

All materials will be provided on these creative workshops, no experience needed. Event capacity for each is only 8 people. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk  

Elsewhere in Devizes, the fantastic People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, it’s the Pour House’s official opening party, and karaoke at the Pelican. Big Plus: it’s panto season at the Wharf Theatre with the opening night of Hansel & Gretel; this is superb, I’ve seen the rehearsal, you’re going to love it, young and old. Hansel & Gretel continues until 7th December, tickets are sold out, but you can join a waiting list.

Saturday 30th sees a Devizes Lions book sale at St Mary’s Church.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts Winter Festival continues, presenting ‘Crow’ by Avanti Display. ‘Crow’ is a beguiling, genre-defying, beautifully odd show. It teases us with strange images, magical clowning and bewitching visual images. Accompanied by a live inventive score. Video projections expand their comic and curious world, suggesting ideas both profound and absurd. This is a ticketed event at Sheep Street Baptist Church and starts at 6pm.

Also part of the Winter Festival, from 10am to 3pm, there’s an Outdoor Market with Music & Street Entertainment, and Makery Sessions Craft Workshops at various times. Porcelain Christmas Decorations Workshop at Parnella House from 10am to 1pm, with Geraldine Francis.

Contemporary Wreath Making Workshop at 2pm to 5pm at Parnella House with Nancy Rose Stott, an accomplished maker, best known for her amazing hats. All materials will be provided, no experience needed. Event capacity: 8 people only. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk

There’s also a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Poulshot Village Hall, not DOCA related.

Groovedream at The Three Crowns. Red Light at The Southgate.

And relax, it’s Sunday, but it is December 1st! Curious Kids: Winter Fun at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. The Pelican has a winter festival Christmas Lunch. JP Oldfield is at the White Bear at 5pm, the Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate, same time, and One More Shot at the Black Horse.

Monday 2nd, find a new open mic session at the Pour House, set up by the one and only JP Oldfield; very busy boy atm!

Wednesday 4th December: acoustic jam night at the Southgate.

Friday 6th sees a new regular acoustic session on Fridays at The Southgate, this week has JP Oldfield, Sammi Evans & Bryan Davies playing. White Horse Opera presents some Christmas Music at St Andrews. It’s Christmas Mixup night at the Exchange.

Saturday 7th, there’s a tour behind the scenes at Wiltshire Museum, and another Ghost Walk Christmas Special with John Griven.

The Shudders are at The Southgate. James Mitchell at The Three Crowns. The Coco Club Christmas Ball at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Party at the Exchange. Recommendations out of town, find a reggae night with Knatti P at the Barge on Honeystreet and Ruby Darbyshire at the Woodbridge.

Sunday 8th sees a family Christmas Party at West Lavington Village Hall in aid of Julia’s House. Sunflower Events Christmas Fair at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Fayre at The Barge, Seend Cleeve. 

Music at the Southgate from 5pm with The Wholesome Soul Trio.

Wednesday 11th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.

Thursday 12th is the second Exchange Comedy Night for The Mayor’s Appeal.

Friday 13th there’s Devizes Good Afternoon Choir’s Christmas Invitation with Children from Wansdyke School at St Andrew’s Church. Young Curators Club: Mid-Winter Celebrations: Yule and Saturnalia at Wiltshire Museum.  

Saturday 14th: Table-top Sale for Camps International to Peru Trip: 12-4pm at The Wharfside. LECTURE: Digging for Erlestoke by Leigh Chalmers and Dr Phil Harding at Wiltshire Museum. And the opening of a new exhibit at the Museum, Megalithic Connections – Drawings & Etchings by Dave Gunning, which runs until 22nd Feb.

Christmas Market at Hillworth Park, in which Santa is fully booked, but he’s also at, Breakfast With Santa at the Fire Station! Santa! Hey! I know him!

The Big Sound Christmas Concert at the Corn Exchange. Sour Apple at the Three Crowns, The Worried Men at The Southgate. And Karl Maggs has got the Jingle Bangers in the mix at the Exchange.

Sunday 15th, Wish Tree Gathering from 3-5pm at Quaker’s Walk. Devizes Town Band Christmas Party at the Corn Exchange. And  Manos Puestas at The Southgate at 5pm.

Wednesday 18th, acoustic jam at the Southgate. 

Friday 20th, John Grivan’s celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website. 

Devizes most celebrated house nights, Palooza returns to The Exchange.

Saturday 21st: Barrelhouse at The Southgate. Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and the Long Street Blues Club Christmas Party with the Thomas Atlas Band. DJ Mike Alford is at the Exchange.

Sunday 22nd is the Tractor & Tinsel Run at the Market Place. Charity Fundraiser with Burn The Midnight Oil, new band fronted by the fantastic Chrissy Chapman at The Southgate, from 5pm. 

Monday 23rd: The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, being anything but unpredictable!

Tuesday 24th: Spend Christmas Eve at The White Bear, where the one, the only Jamie R Hawkins will be singing a few songs with Vince Bell too.

Thursday 26th: The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30. We assume this will take place as usual.

Friday 27th: Drew Bryant at The Three Crowns. Twixmas Fun Quiz at The Pelican. DJ Stevie MC at the Exchange for an after Christmas Party.

Saturday 28th: The Killertones Underground at The Southgate; nice one!

Tuesday, New Year’s Eve: find Soundhog Karaoke at The Three Crowns. Back to Skool New Year’s Eve Party at the Pelican. The Original PJ & Mister M at the Bear Hotel. DJ Karl Maggs at The Exchange, and NYE Party at Seend Community Centre; Happy New Year!

That’s your lot, unless there’s something we missed? Tell us about it, please do, we can add it, it isn’t going to cost you anything more than being nice to me when you see me next! I hope everyone has been good all year, and wish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Chatting With Burn The Midnight Oil

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Local Tech Firm Encourages Shoppers to Think Pre-Loved this Christmas

With Black Friday just a few weeks away, Wiltshire based Blackmore Computers Ltd, is encouraging people to think pre-loved if they’re planning on buying laptops and computers in this year’s sales…….

Electrical goods are one of the leading categories of intent to buy over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend (29 November – 2 December 2024) and while discounts on new products can be enticing, second hand devices offer an environmentally friendly alternative without compromising on quality or cost.

Steve Edmunds, Director of Blackmore Computers, said: “The second-hand laptops we sell in our e-store often have higher specifications than new consumer-grade laptops because of higher initial quality and performance standards which are required in the corporate world. Essentially, they’re built to perform and last better than consumer grade laptops.”

The UK is facing a substantial e-waste problem, generating the second-highest amount per capita worldwide. Research from Material Focus, released in March 2024, highlighted that ‘UK households are holding onto 880 million unused electrical items and throwing away 103,000 tonnes of electricals, costing the economy £488 million in lost valuable raw materials.’

Purchasing new tech not only places unwarranted demands on the planet’s resources but poses the question for consumers: “How do I dispose of the old one safely?”

ReassuredIT, a new initiative by Blackmore Computers, addresses both problems by providing a convenient and secure way for residents to dispose of electronic devices they no longer need or want and providing them with a voucher in exchange. The voucher can then be used towards the cost of a quality refurbished laptop from the company’s e-store. All laptops have been refurbished to the highest of standards and present an affordable option for purchasing ‘new tech’ gifts during a cost-of-living crisis.

For a small fee, old devices can be shipped to, or dropped off at, Blackmore’s secure facility near Warminster. Each device is then securely wiped and either refurbished or recycled. More importantly, every customer will receive a certificate confirming all data on the device has been removed.

“Our focus has generally been on corporate contracts and their need for high levels of data safety; however, the number of households storing old devices due to data security concerns is significant,” explained Simon Barfoot, Founder of Blackmore. “I have always been an advocate for sustainable IT and the work we do not only reduces the amount of tech going to landfill but it guarantees the highest standards of data security. Our team of experts restore and refurbish what we can in order to extend the lifecycle of a laptop or computer and tackle the ‘throw away’ culture. Buying new shouldn’t be the default shopping mindset, and purchasing second-hand in 2024 doesn’t mean having less. It’s about making smarter choices.”

To learn more or to register for the Reassured IT service visit: www.ReassuredIT.co.uk

The Late but Great Devizes Christmas Shopping Guide!

Something I was trying to skive off doing this year, being time consuming, is a local Christmas shopping piece, but then this terrible roadworks situation occurred, and not knowing when it would end I invited local businesses with websites and/or delivery options to send us their links. Now we can happily declare DEVIZES IS OPEN, the roadworks greatly reduced, and congestion is back to its average levels, which I dare say could do with improvements, but it’s not so bad, and another story for another time!

DEVIZES IS OPEN!

Devizine!

Here’s a rundown of those shops and small businesses who dared opt for the challenge of being presented on this controversial website, (you know, you love it really, as long as you don’t take it too seriously!)  and their links for home delivery or website ordering, just in case you’re thinking “I’m all in my cosy jimmy jams now and I’m staying that way till new year!”

Who knows, perhaps there’s gift ideas here, for the guys still running around like headless chickens. I know all you lovely ladies have it sorted, probably do your Christmas shopping in May; philistines! Where’s the fun/anguish/trauma in being so proactive?! Wait till Christmas eve, guys, it’s great for your stamina and blood sugar levels.

Before we begin, don’t forget the best place to start your journey into local shopping is the wonderful Devizes Retailers and Independents site at indevizes.org.uk where you’ll find much more info, even a map; the map I’d imagine is a real asset for the headless chicken running guys, save them from accidentally landing themselves in the pub!

Some listed here didn’t comment on the Facebook post, but I love them too much to miss them out, some have shops, some are online businesses, some have valid Christmas ideas, others I suspect are just in it for a mention, but we love them all the same!! Listed alphabetically for no other reason than to prove I know my a,b,c, here we go!

Beeze’s

Ah, handmade gifts a plenty, and the toy shop, Little Beeze’s next door too! They can deliver as far as Wroughton, you can pay them a visit in The Ginnel, Devizes….lovely place!

Find them online here.

Dollies Dimples

Handmade in town, vintage inspired dollies in tins, dinosaurs in tins, stationery sets and lots of other goodies, Dollies Dimples products are soooo cute they make me go all squishy, and I’m a grown man, (apparently!) Dear Santa, please can you…..

Website only, find here.

The Giving Tree

Ah, the Giving Tree, fifteen years strong in the Little Brittox, wonderful gifts, lovely selection, and they can deliver within Devizes. Do you guys remember our 2020 Christmas Shopping challenge, when you found me a Galileo thermometer? See, Devizes, got it all, even a Galileo thermometer!

standing gonk stood in front of a Christmas tree and wrapped presents

Find their website here.

Gourmet Brownie Kitchen

The way to man’s heart, or anyone’s with brownies this tasty! You’ve been in there, I know you have, probably have a loyalty card! We love the award-winning Gourmet Brownie Kitchen, we love them there brownies!

Gourmet Brownie Kitchen

Find them online here.

Hannah Cantellow Studio

Okay, if I give my better half a tea-towel for Christmas……yeah, I think you know where I’m going to end up, move aside Rover, I’m pitching up in your kennel tonight! But you have to see local printmaker Hannah Cantellow’s definite Devizes tea-towel designs, they are rather special. If I had one of these I’d want to keep it, and never wash the dishes with it at all….hey, now there’s an idea!!

Looking to open a printmaking studio near Devizes next year, Hannah Cantellow plans to offer Studio Memberships, Presses & Equipment and Courses & Workshops.

Devizes Treasures Tea Towel ~ Screen printed on 100% natural cotton. Available in a range of gorgeous colours to compliment your kitchen. This pattern design is inspired by the original limited edition linocut ‘Devizes Treasures’. The print celebrates my favourite places and symbols in my home town Devizes in Wiltshire, including the Millennium White Horse, Roundway Hill, Caen Hill Locks, Devizes Castle and many more… These tea towels have a beautiful quality and will make a gorgeous addition to your home!

Find online here.

The Healthy Life

With a wonderful Christmas gift shop upstairs, this longstanding eco-friendly shop in the Little Brittox, Devizes, always wins our heart. We’ve mentioned them recently, They also have a delivery and online service too.

Find them online here.

Hollychocs

Okay, so our very own Wilma Wonka, Holly didn’t respond to our callout, too busy to be scrolling Facebook, I guess, but we cannot have a local shopping article without our mentioning Poulshot’s award-winning chocolatier; we would love you Holly if you didn’t make chocolates, we’re smitten that you do! You can find Hollychocs at the Poulshot Lodge, or go to her website, here.

Yeah, I know, right… me too! Me three!!

Kittags

Made it Poulshot, Kittags supply personalised luggage tags. They claim they are “loved by the military, blue light services and many a parent who has suffered lost school bags!” Mate, I’ve been there; tempted to attach some to the actual child too sometimes!

Website only, find here.

Pins & Needles 

Local designer and owner of Pins & Needles Vixter Woolista has a fabulous range of accessible crochet and knit kits, patterns and gorgeous hand-dyed yarns. On her website, you’ll find special deals and clearance bargains from Pins & Needles, that are no longer available on general sale in the bricks & mortar shop…. and get knitting; I could do with a new Christmas cardy!

Find online here.

Pins & Needles (Devizes) – a little shop with a big heart and winner of the 2020 British Knitting Awards for best yarn shop in the south west, has a HUGE amount of stock, and a knowledgeable, enthusiastic team.

Roses Ironmongers

Easy to spot when they put a lawnmower on the balcony over the shop! Roses is Devizes’ historic ironmongers, and you can buy literally everything in there; just ask. But they do also have an online presence too, which you can find here.

Shire Garden Machines

Sister to Roses the Ironmongers, Shire Garden Machines have everything to keep your garden perfect all year around, from mowers and tractors to leaf blowers, chainsaws and hedge-trimmers to fuel and spare parts for your garden equipment. They also service all your garden equipment. And there it is, get your hubby a chainsaw for Christmas, he’ll love you forever, it’s a bloke thing!

Find them at Roses Yard, Gains Lane, or online here

Stove Hunters

Okay, look, I’m grateful if I get a Lynx Deodorant set for Christmas, but a restored bespoke French stove is pushing my luck. Maybe not a Christmas shopping item, unless you’re either exceptionally showy, or want to treat yourself, which I think is a necessity too, but we love these classic stoves from the Stove Hunters, who are similar to the Bounty Hunters, just less coconutty!

You can find them online here, or visit them at The Old Granary on Roundway Hill Business Park, Hopton Road, Devizes. And if you do buy one, can I come over for a baked potato? Yes, baked beans AND cheese on it, I’m not a savage!

Sun Flower Macramé

Knot a lot of people know this, (see what I did there?) Catherine, from Potterne, knots macramé home décor, and also has kits available for you to try your hand at macramé too! Look at this splendid Christmas tree, makes a great decoration, I’m not one for neon flashing lights visible from the moon, these are far nicer; great for your nan too!

Website only, from here.

Vinyl Realm

The way to any music lover’s heart, vinyl. The toys I got for Christmas when I was young, (and believe it or not, I was, once) are but a fleeting memory, whereas my first long-player, Absolutely by Madness, I still have. Even if you’ve not got a record player, they do these too, and repairs, all the kit you need, expert advise and stacks of records.

Tamsin Quin outside the original Vinyl Realm, 2018. Image: Matthew Hennessy 

I’ll be honest, when I handbraked turned my milkfloat into the snowy St John’s Street many moons ago, and popped into meet Pete and Jackie a day before they opened, I fell in love with what they were doing, but, being what I deemed, niche, I admit, I gave the shop a time limit. But today, still going strong, moved to a larger location on Northgate Street, you can’t miss it, all yellowly façade, Vinyl Realm, you rock!

Find them online here.

That’s all happy shoppers, have a lovely time shopping, I’ll be snoring the theme to Airwolf in the corner! Oh, and if I don’t get the opportunity again, have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, but I’m sure I will….

Thanks DOCA: Devizes Winter Festival, this Autumn!

Photographs by Simon Folkard

Astronomical winter starts on the 22nd December, y’ know, but the Met Office uses a meteorological definition of seasons, making the first day of winter this coming Friday, the 1st of December. Either way I think we jinxed it, having a Winter Festival this November weekend in Devizes, as the climate sought to take heed and plummet the temperature to a very wintery -4; oh, my poor frosted milk-bottle collecting fingies!

Even I, one who would hibernate given half a chance, donned my beanie and thermal long Johns to turn out for this year’s lantern parade, light switching on, market thingy in the Market Place of ol’ D-town, and what a smashing evening was had by the multitudes who gathered there.

Image: Simon Folkard

Yeah, I know, I cry for diversity in our local entertainment and encourage those who challenge the norms, but on some, particularly this occasion, things are best left to tradition. An event systematically built over the years in which little really changes because it doesn’t need to, Winter Festival in Devizes is that family occasion which screams Christmas to you, with the clout of Noddy Holder annunciating through a megaphone. Like it or not, it signifies Yuletide better than a billion shopping trips to B&M for cheap plastic decorations; even I, Uncle Scrooge, cannot deny it’s that season once more!

Image: Simon Folkard

Bar humbug, DOCA, and the many small businesses knocked it out of the park, or should I say Market Place once again, in providing a little taste of winter wonderland. With sleigh bells ringing, we were listening, in the Brittox snow was very nearly glistening, a beautiful sight, we were happy last night. Not that I’m able to scribe a review in a similar manner to a gig. It is what it is, what it is brings a smile to every face. and you cannot argue with smiles. See this then more as documentation of the occasion with a footnote thanking all who volunteered to stage this impressive show: I saw Santa, thanks DOCA!

With Young Farmers pimping their tractors in lights and tinsel, raring to set off on December 17th, to the enlightening parade of lanterns, and from hot rum toddies served at the Muck, to the aromas of the food stands, to Soupchick busy at the helm, craft fair in the Corn Exchange and projections on the facade of the Shambles, it was a spectacle to behold while Devizes Town Band blessed the Market Place with seasonal anthems.

by Simon Folkard

And that’s about it, really, a communal and hospitable gathering with an ambience of goodwill you cannot fault, need not improve, and annually marking the beginning of Christmas. Even a repeat of Home Alone or Die Hard on the telebox wouldn’t hold me back; bit nippy though, innit?!

Staying in Devizes This Christmas; What’s Happening?

Featured Image: Tanya Jurkiewicz Photography

Oooh, exciting, are you excited? I know I am; been good(ish) all year, no bag of coal for me. With the DOCA Winter Festival coming this Friday and Saturday, and so long as Devizes Town Band play Stop the Cavalry, that’s my calling and I drop my humbug and start accepting it, and, in the words of the gurt lush Elton, I’m stepping into Christmas, joining together and watching the snow fall forever and ever, though it’s more likely to be this perpetual drizzle. But what’s to do over the yule in Devizes? Well, I think we’ve got it all jingling here, so break out your eggnog……

Now, before we begin and you’re sitting comfortably, note this is for Devizes only, and perhaps our surrounding villages, but more countywide stuff is listed on our event calendar, and it’s updating all the time, so do check that out. Ticket links and more details of all events listed here can be found on the calendar too.

Also, while I’m here, do check out the windows on display throughout this week as part of Window Wanderland. Take a stroll around Devizes and see the fantastic window decorations, dressed to the theme of ‘Look To The Future’. The decorations are up now until 26th November, illuminated from 5-9pm every evening. Look on the map to see where you can find the windows around town, full map available at tinyurl.com/docawindows23

Okay, here we go, this weekend sees the DOCA Winter Festival, incorporating the light switch on, fireworks, markets, music, and of course our lantern parade. Friday, in the MarketPlace, you know the score, you’ve done it before. Oh, and on Saturday too. You can follow this up with the Chicago Blues Trio at Long Street Blues Club, Stones Throw at The Three Crowns, or a Christmas lantern parade Karaoke Party at The Pelican, on Friday that is. Saturday you’ll find Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and The Worried Men at The Southgate, both come highly recommended from us. Polish off your early Christmassy doings with some rock n roll from the James Oliver Band at The Southgate on Sunday.

And just like some tinselly magic fairy dust, we’re into December with our woolly bobble hats and gran’s knitted mittens. Jack & the Beanstalk is the pantomime at the Wharf Theatre this year, and it opens Friday 1st, running behind you, oh no it it isn’t, oh yes it is, until 9th December, but please do get in quick on this one, tickets usually sell out faster than Santa eats breakfast on Christmas eve.

The Pelican Inn has a Christmas Fair on the 1st December, from 4-9, and a Santa’s Grotto too! Friday night is 80s disco night at the Moonrakers.

Santa’s Grotto at the Pelican Inn, Devizes

Devizes Lions will be out touring the town from Friday 1st to Thursday 21st December with a cheery Santa, lights and music.  Starting at 5:30pm each evening and finishing by 7:45pm at the latest. See below for the routes………

or you can view or download a copy from their website: www.devizeslions.org.uk  You will be able to follow Santa’s route each evening in real time from their Facebook Page.

Santa’s Sleigh will be at the Lidl supermarket on Saturday 2nd December and at Morrisons’ supermarket on Saturday 16th December. Devizes Lions will also have a Christmas collection in The Brittox on Thursday 14th December.

Please Note: 

Cul-de-sacs 

The float will normally wait at the entrance to cul-de-sacs and Santa’s helpers will tell people where he is waiting to greet the children

Times 

The float will start at 5.30 each evening and finish no later than 7:45

Weather 

Devizes Lions cannot guarantee that they will be able to adhere to the published programme due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

The Truzzy Boys plays the Three Crowns that first Saturday of the month, LunaBarge plays The Southgate and on Sunday Jon Amor Trio will have their celebrated residency, with a special guest.

Christmas Wreath making workshop at Chirton School on Sunday 3rd, and the Groom Family’s Houseparty fundraiser at Devizes Town Hall.

Ah, Soupchick, yay!

Late night opening at HollyChocs in Poulshot, if you want to get really chocolaty on Thursday 7th!

Friday 8th, and there’s a Fun Quiz Night at Wiltshire Museum, the wonderful Strange Folk grace The Southgate, and People Like Us party at The Condado Lounge.

Saturday 9th is Devizes Lions Christmas Fair at The Corn Exchange from 9am-2:30pm. The White Horse Opera Christmas Concert is at St John’s Church, James Mitchell plays the Three Crowns, and Black Nasty are at the Southgate and Soupchick have a feast, see above. Sunday 10th sees Sunflower Events’ Christmas Fair & Craft Market at the Corn Exchange.

Devizes Adventure! The theme for this year is ‘Room at the Inn’

This December, the life-sized Advent Calendar will open once again to reveal a different festive, creative, interactive, and fun display each evening (5:30 – 6:30pm) in the garden of the British Lion pub.

Come and say hello on the 15th December when DOCA will be hosting the Advent Calendar for the evening, and come to see the other fantastic offerings throughout the month – there will be prizes for those who come to all 24 nights.

Friday 15th sees our upcoming favs, Nothing Rhymes With Orange at The Southgate. And on Saturday 16th the first boat launches from the Wharf for the Kenavon Venture Santa Cruise. These run until the 23rd December, but booking in advance is essential. Glad to hear Breakfast With Santa is on again this year at Devizes Fire Station, on Saturday 16th too.

There’s a Christmas Market in Hillworth Park on Saturday 16th too. The SODs Charity Christmas Gig is fundraising for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, at Devizes Town Hall, The Coco Club Christmas Ball at the Bear Hotel and the Big Sound Choir have their Christmas Concert at St John’s. Christmas for you raver families starts also on Saturday 16th, when the Exchange plays host to The Family Ravers Christmas Party, see below….

Aside from all these Christmassy things to do, also on Saturday 16th Fullhouse play Frankie Miller at Long Street Blues Club, Phase Rotate are at The Southgate, and Sour Apple play at The Three Crowns for the birthday boy landlord, Simon.

On Sunday 17th, Devizes Young Farmers Tractor & Tinsel Christmas Market at the Market Place, raising funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Finish this off with an afternoon with Andrew Hurst at The White Bear from 5pm.

Oooh, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas now, as by the following weekend, Funked Up have their Christmas Party the Pelican on Friday 22nd, and One Trick Pony has her fundraiser at the The Southgate, see poster. Illingworth are at the Three Crowns on Saturday 23rd, and Marlborough’s finest blues ensemble Barrelhouse blesses The Southgate. Then, and only then, you can open your socks and Lynx deodorant sets!

Barrelhouse looking rather Christmassy!

Christmas Eve all I have so far is this from the Crown at Bishops Cannings:

After the Quality Street tin only has those toffee pennies no one likes left, tribute Mick Jogger has his Rolling Stones Experience at the Corn Exchange on Friday 29th, Sound Hog Disco, Karaoke at the Three Crowns on Saturday 30th, and the only new year partes I know of is The Crown at Bishops Cannings who have the Chicken Teddies, and in town, Devizes Scooter Club’s, at The Cavalier. Triblies off to them, but there must be some others, and some serious updates to this in general, so do tell us if we missed anything and we’ll paste you in quicker than pulling a cracker!

Wass that Brah? Just cos I’m 50 I have you know I can still pull a cracker pretty darn quickly…..you’d be surprised how quickly I can pull a cracker!

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It’s Christmasssss at Marlborough Memorial Hall!

In an attempt at a humorous Facebook status update a few years back I wrote a list headlined “it’s not Christmas until….” One option was “Hanz Gruber falls from the Nakatomi Plaza,” and another was “Noddy Holder calls it.” With Alan Rickman sadly passed, and a “will-they-won’t-they” Slade reform scenario apt for NME speculation clickbait, neither look likely. But the latter was as close as dammit last night in the glorious Marlborough College Memorial Hall, when, thanks to the MantonFest team, Slade tribute Slyde supremely tore down the impressively high ceiling with a retrospective seventies glam rock extravaganza. Yep, it’s now officially Christmas by my reckoning!

Though the Noddy-a-like frontman teased the audience he wouldn’t play Slade’s seasonal magnum opus, when they did, obviously for a finale, I was deep in conversation with purple goatee-bearded harmonica player, Nick Beere of supporting act Barrelhouse, about our dad’s make of cars in the seventies! The topic spurred by something the Noddy-alike (let’s call him by stage-name Nobby Boulder hereafter,) jested on stage, in true Black Country fashion, praising their attributing decade, “we all knew someone who drove a Ford Cortina!” Which coincidentally occurred just as I was contemplating the best method of assessing the value of a tribute act is to consider if a fan you know would appreciate them, and my dad loved Slade….and yeah, he drove a brown Cortina too!

For while uncannily looking and sounding akin to Slade to the point Nobby was mistaken for him in the street and actual band members endorse them, Slyde refrained from simply belting out their celebrated discography, opting to meld them with other sing-along classics of the glam era, only in the fashion Slade would’ve covered them in. This formed more a seventies nostalgia show than simply a tribute to one act, yet somehow retained the ambience of a Slade gig with silver disc top hats on. I mention this element now to answer the last paragraph’s question, would my dad have loved it? Undoubtedly, he would’ve, and been up doing his unique dad dancing, to the point I could envision his smirk through the crowds of bopping Marlborough folk. I was nailing “most definitely” prior to the icing on the cake, that being the final blast of Jeff Beck’s Hi Ho Silver Lining, as here is a tune which uncompromisingly dragged my dad to any dancefloor, to the point I parodied the lyrics into my eulogy to him.

But covers came thick, fast, and accomplished, much to the audience’s delight. Betwixt Slade’s greatest hits they were treated to Bowie’s Rebel Rebel, Sweet’s Fox on the Run and, Blockbuster in a medley with Gene Genie, Rod’s Maggie May, even Showaddywaddy’s Under the Moon of Love and Joan Jett’s I Love Rock n Roll, among others which included seasonal favourite Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. In YouTubing other Slade tributes, including the ingeniously named all-female one Slady, nothing appears to be of the calibre of Slyde, such is the ethos when MantonFest choose a tribute act, heralding two at this summer’s festival; Rolling Stones Now and Badness.

For me personally, I might, on another day, rant on a loathing of the glam rock genre, because I’m of the era just past this, when it was considered uncool to like what your parents liked. But hearing these seventies anthems, played so thoroughly loud and proudly, was pure and embracing nostalgia for me, and certainly too for the elders of the vast age demographic present.

As reminiscences flooded my neurons last night, of family parties, of driving to the tip with my dad, and so many others when these classics were embedded in my mind from the Cortina’s mono shortwave radio, I’m at the age when I can shake off trends, and proudly announce these were my songs of growing up, no matter how I’d never wear platform shoes with goldfish in, they were what shaped my eclectic tastes. In conclusion to this point, it is one thing for me to praise a Bob Marley tribute act, or other firmly of my darlings, but for something slightly out of my like bracket, like Slade, I might be a tad more critical, yet Slyde ticked every box for me, and were utterly fantastic.

One could deem Slade an easy target to tribute, on account as was the era, Noddy was a shouty vocalist and the band took themselves with a pinch of salt, but those memorable gritty choruses were performed in such a precise manner by Nobby, that this ranks topper-most on the tribute acts list I’ve borne witness to.

Of course, this was assisted by the astounding venue and its acoustics, something which took the support act, Barrelhouse to another level of professionalism. Ah, yeah, let’s not forget to mention, before all this, this vintage blues band stalwart of any MantonFest event was present, and typically performed a belter. A set change due to a broken string on Tim’s handmade cigar-box guitar didn’t falter their blinding performance, for if seeing a Springsteen gig in New Jersey is on another level from seeing a Springsteen gig elsewhere, it’s a similarity with Barrelhouse on their home turf of Marlborough.

It never ceases to amaze me how this band, their excellence in being united, can attract such a vast age demographic by both covering the old-timey jump blues classics of Bo Diddly and Howlin’ Wolf et al, and arranging their own original songs akin to this notion. It can only be these are timeless, as Barrelhouse knock out their regular setlist I never tire of hearing, of Hoochie Coochie Man, and You Can’t Judge a Book, alongside the 12-bar version of Ace of Spades, finale of Everybody Needs Somebody to Love and an added Shakey Christmas cover for seasonal effect.

Breathtakingly on form Barrelhouse looked last night in these impressive surroundings, and making full use of the circular extended stage. Wow, what a venue, and what a night; It’s Christmasssss at Marlborough College’s Memorial Hall!  

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Sustainable Devizes Christmas Toy & Book Swap

Grab some free Christmas gifts, clear some space at home, and reduce waste… “try swapping not shopping this Christmas,” says Sustainable Devizes, as they host a Christmas Toy & Book Swap at St James Church this Saturday (17th December,) from 11am-2pm.

Bring your unwanted toys, games and books to swap for something new, or simply donate some of your older toys and books. Crazy how they grow out of them so fast, isn’t it? While me, I secretly still want to play with them, but I can’t, because they’d moan at me, call me “babyish,” and what’s worse; they’ll tell on me!

Books for adults are also welcome. Toys should be clean and undamaged please (a little bit of wear and tear is ok!) Please note that they cannot accept electrical mains powered items, battery powered toys are fine.

If you’ve nothing to swap, that’s okay too, everything is still free! And there will be refreshments from Fairtrade Devizes. What a wonderful thing for those feeling the pinch this Christmas; thank you Keith at St James, Sam and all at Sustainable Devizes.

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As sparkly as Elton John at his most sparkliest, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts pulled the tinsel out of bag for the annual Winter Festival yesterday evening, leaving no niggles for a ‘review’ here, as such, just saying, and besides, if you live in or around Devizes, you were likely there anyway!

Edited out of my chat with one half of the new management team, Annabel, a few months ago, was the part where I described partaking in a lantern parade of yore, when the nippers were nippier and I was lesser of grey hair. It was met with a torrential storm, after we’d walked from St Johns, the lantern collection point, to the starting blocks at the Wharf. After a lengthly wait, while professional lantern makers gasconaded and kids became tiresome already, we marched on, around the entire town, arriving in the Market Place like war-torn soldiers. We carried freezing slain underarm, tired toddlers unable to stay concious and victims of gale forces gallantry still waving a bare stick in the air, of where a lantern once stood, only because it was frozen to their hand!

Okay, please allow slight exaggeration for artistic licence, but it was a trek even for the able-bodied. If the route these days is far more suitable, just a loop around the Market Place via Long Street and returning along the High Street, it was about the only change made, opting for all the custom aspects of the occasion; should keep the traditionalists content!

Except Devizes Town Council seemed to not warrant inviting Father Christmas to make for the high ground to make the light switch, as is tradition and a grand element of excitement for the little people, which was a shame. Otherwise, everything was in place for a wonderful time, this mild November evening.

The few art installations were aside the usual routes, so not trying the event to be akin to street festival, it was left to Devizes Town Band to entertain, under the memorial, which they did, kicking off with Hark the Herald Angel Sing; yep, definitely in the Christmassy mood now!

Devizes Young Farmers parked their tractors, adorned with fairy lights and tinsel, ahead of their Tinsel Run on Sunday 18th, a newer event by comparison, but over the last couple of years, fast also becoming a tradition. I’m unsure if they’ll keep all those lights on and flashing until the 18th, while working the fields, or if they take them all off again until the big day.

From the bustling Shambles to the Market Place crowds gathered, a variety of stalls, a great selection of tucker, and a busy craft fair in the Corn Exchange, coupled with the ever-fantastic lantern parade, which, once gathered the tree lights go on and the finale of fireworks commence. It’s the working method Devizes has seen in the season with for decades, and it made no sense to alter it; if it’s not broken…… congratulations again, DOCA, a super evening was had.

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Devizes First Ever Life-Size Advent Calender

For the first time, Devizes will have its own life-size interactive Advent Calendar starting from the 1st of December. Devizes Adventure is a community event to bring our town together as we approach Christmas….

Each night throughout Advent, Devizes Adventure will be on the Little Green, where the calendar’s doors will open for one hour to reveal a different festive and fun display each day.

With 24 days of Advent there are 24 different groups involved, including local schools, charities, arts organisations, churches, families, and The British Lion pub! The ‘Christmas Stories’ theme chosen for this year’s Adventure allows each of the groups to give their own creative take on the Christmas stories we all know and love.

Each night will be a unique creative event – some nights the Devizes Adventure doors will open to live music, on other nights it may be storytelling, drama, a creative workshop with things to make and take home, or a fantastic display.

If you pick up a Devizes Adventure flyer at the event, or bring the one delivered to your home, and have it stamped each night you attend, those who come along to the most will be entered into a draw to win a gift just in time for Christmas.

The idea – inspired by the hugely successful Brighton beach hut advent calendar – is the brainchild of a group of volunteers.

Rev. Richard Saint of St James’s Church, one of the organisers, said: “It’s intended to be a really fantastic, creative event – by the community for the community – and a lovely way to bring people together on the journey to Christmas. It’s definitely one for every age, and especially for children, who’ll love each new life-size Advent display and collecting the stamps.”

Devizes Adventure will open its doors from 5:30-6:30pm each night on the Little Green from December 1st until the doors finally close at 6:30pm on December 24th.

List of Participating Groups



1st – Bishops Cannings School

2nd – Sustainable Devizes

3rd – Devizes 6th Scout Group

4th – Christingle

5th – Featherbrook Connect Group

6th – Wiltshire Police

7th – 10:10 Youth Group

8th – Oliver’s Connect Group

9th – Lighthouse Youth Group

10th – The Journey Group

11th – Remembering & Thanksgiving

12th – Sibson’s Connect Group

13th – DOCA

14th – Trinity School

15th – Big Sound! Community Choir

16th – The MacDonald Family

17th – Southbroom St James School

18th – Home for Good

19th – St Andrew’s Church

20th – Hope for Justice

21st – Sheep Street Baptist Church

22nd – Jones’ Connect Group

23rd – The British Lion

24th – St James Church

A Right Christmas Carry-Con at The Vaults

Sunday saw Ian Diddams reading his Christmassy self-penned yarn at The Vaults, which over the past few years has become something of a decidedly anticipated yuletide tradition among Devizes socialites, not to mention raising wonga for local charities.

Directed downwards to, what is fittingly described as a vault, within the Vaults, a communal gathering amassed. With the ethos of a “quiet bar,” the welcoming and cosy Vaults is the perfect place for the art of conversation, and in turn, the superlative place for an event of the spoken word in town. It has hosted sporadic poetry slams, including Devizes Arts Festival ones with poet, Josephine Corcoran.

Previous readings from the amusing and talented writer Ian Diddams have mostly been parody, usually taking a recognised fictional serial, such as last year’s Sherlock Holmes, and placing it within an unsubtle comparison to Devizes, sprinkled with characters suspiciously resembling a variety of known locals. Combined with a truckload of locally-related gags, the effect is laugh-out-loud funny for its audience. This time, while still lampooning, the signage underneath his microphone resembling the florescent warning logos of the government’s national TV pandemic announcements, but reading “Taking the Piss,” gave a clue this one would be somewhat different.

Ideal to prevent things from getting samey, Ian took an alternative angle; a satirical stab at national politics, this time, sardonically capturing the current mood of the country and distaste for the cabinet. This was convenient for me, I pondered during the first interval, being I was subject to one his character assassinations in last year’s online version, and didn’t see how references to a toothless Cockney milkman would quite fit in with this synopsis. Ian, however saw opportunity to sprinkle the tale with a few local caricatures, and did so; I was not left out, something one should see as an honour, I guess!

Taking the viral Handforth Parish Council Zoom meetings, where the toxic Jackie Weaver became the unlikeliest of reality tv stars, as a base, Ian worked a story read through a year’s worth of minutes taken of meetings by an imaginary village, Little Twittington’s Christmas Club. Deliberately badly disguised characters bore remarkable resemblances to MPs, the most obvious and well-placed being a Pritti Patel-a-like, taking the role of Weaver, with her conceited habit of banning and blocking anyone who disagreed with her.

Chaos ensued, gradually building from the bureaucratic nonsense and general pomposity of village or small-town politics, thus partially retaining Ian’s trademark reflection on local affairs, but soaked in an undercurrent of Brexit, handling of the pandemic, perpetual scandals, mishandling and unashamedly backhanding of government.

Taking a subject out of its usual context to display how utterly preposterous it is, is possibly the hardest form of satire to perfect and convey convincingly to an audience, and Sir Ian of the Diddams knocked it out of the park. It must be noted, to mock something so meticulously is partly to recreate the style of it, so if the performance felt drawn-out, it only was so as it reflected the subject it was ridiculing; ever been exhilarated by a village parish council meeting? I rest my case.

Though this meant belly-laughs from the crowd were perhaps lesser than his previous stories, the overall impact was greater. I’ve no doubt this was both the trickiest one to pen, and in so much, the finest one to date; a stroke of genius.

As usual, the reading was separated by poetry, read by our own man in the field, Andy Fawthrop, who also manned the bar, and Devizes own poet Laurette, or laundrette at least, the absolutely brilliant Gail Foster. The multi-skilled master, Andy, gave us some particularly adroit and amusing poems with thoughtful seasonal prose, as is his style. The apex of which was a hilarious recollection of appearing in a school nativity.

Meanwhile Gail gave us a partial seasonal selection, with an amusing personification of the fairy at the top of the Christmas tree, a sombre and powerful pagan reflection of yule, and then she preceded to bring the house down by airing her dirty washing in public, the one of which if you’ve not heard, and are not an unsuspecting and lesser-endowed pipe-fitter from Grimsby, I’ll leave no spoiler.

All this spoken word madness made for my most entertaining Sunday for the longest, which might not be the most fitting accolade it deserves, being I spend most Sunday afternoon’s snoozing on the sofa in front of a Disney-Pixar classic not of my choosing, yet it is doubly satisfying to note a substantial contribution to local homeless charity, Devizes OpenDoors was raised. And if you missed it, I believe photographer Stephen McGrath captured it on film, which will be available to view soon, for a small contribution to OpenDoors. Send us the link, Steve, and we’ll share it here, as this was something you’d be sorry you missed, if you did, bookmark the occasion for a possible next year’s must-do.

A Right Christmas Carry-Con The Movie!

And here it is. Thanks to Steve McGrath for video production. All we ask is that you please donate to Devizes OpenDoors after viewing; there’s a link on the YouTube page, or donate directly HERE, thank you.

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Talk in Code Down The Gate!

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Webb Dreams of a White Christmas

If we had a lot to say about Webbs’ head-turning metal EP Disenchanted, back in August, there’s a version of Irving Berlin’s classic, White Christmas out tomorrow, Friday 3rd December, here. Yeah, it’s a sluggish haul building into Webb’s emblematic hard rock style, and the sonic fuzz-box crooning will shake the baubles off your tree!

As for what’s next, after two very successful gigs in Birmingham and Glastonbury in 2021, I’m told we can expect to hear more new music from WEBB shortly into the new year. Which we look forward to.

From Bing to Buble, and from Bob Marley to Meghan Trainor, it’s a popular but odd murmuring song to cover, I think, while Nat King Cole’s Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire hardly ever gets a remake, and I personally think it’s the best Christmas crooning song, like, ever, but let’s not get into an argument over such froths during the season of goodwill, you cheap lousy maggot! I know you favour Shakey’s, and that’s your prerogative!

Maybe the Darkness tried to bring heavy rock back into Christmas songs, but it was never the same since the glam days of Slade and Wizard, those are the ones which ring in my ears with memories as far back as I can reach, real toddler Christmas days of yore. White Christmas though, yeah, Webb makes a great, alternative job of it.

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Cracking DOCA Christmas Festival on Friday

by T.B.D Rose

Finally, after a missed year (best to write 2020 off the map) our Christmas festival was back on Friday and as illuminating as ever….

With enchanting light displays, bombastic fireworks, specialist stalls (in the Marketplace, the Corn exchange and the Shambles), seasonal music performed with gusto, the spectacular parade beaming with all its glorious homemade creations and of course our signature local atmosphere, the festival had it all and showed our little town is getting back into the groove of doing what it does best: the kind of spirited events you’ll only find down in Devizes.

On a funny note, much to the amusement of both me and the woman sitting opposite, we both got an accidental front row seat to the firework display, which was suitably loud!

Once the parade, the fireworks and the music had faded into the night, I caught the beginning of an artistic shadow puppet show with beautifully built wooden Reindeer.

Having all of this right on my doorstep has got me right into the Christmas spirit. After all, aren’t we lucky to live here in the most wonderful time of the year?

Christmas is coming and Devizes is the place to be!

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An Art Shambles!

I tip my beret to The Shambles in Devizes for a wonderfully presented Christmas Art Fair on Saturday evening. Though it promised a glass of mulled wine and minced pie, which I didn’t seem to receive, it offered a variety of local artists exhibiting, and besides, I’m impartial to mince pies anyway!

(Update: seems I was supposed to queue at SoupChick for the mince pie and wine, so in effect I’ve only got myself to blame!)

If many an art show restricts itself by pigeonholing a particular movement, introducing only a handful of local artists gave the show range, and a little bit of everything could be found there. From charming sculptured little clay houses to watercolour landscapes, and from Marc Shilling’s monochrome candlelight art to Caroline Le Bourgeois’ super-cute animal studies with a dash of humour, it was a diverse assortment, but everything was great in its own right.

Breathtakingly impact-art from our good friend, Clifton Powell really makes one stop and think, not that he’s adverse to also painting life studies of local scenes and wildlife too.

A total of thirteen artists submitted, many on hand to chat with, but I was surprised how busy it was, and a couple of loops around the Shambles still wasn’t enough to take it all in.

Emily Hodges gave us some stunning photography, Josey Lewis had some wonderful landscapes, and visually, Matt Gibson and Belinda Golledge wowed, but my particular favourite, aside the couple I was aware of, Clifton and Caroline, I stopped for the longest in perusal of the colourful acrylic canvasses of first-time exhibiting Elly Smith. I loved the swirling patterns and autumn leaves design, semi-psychedelic, part fantasy expressionism, Elly had an amazing dragon piece which really drew me into it.

As well as art for sale, the more affordable prints and greetings cards were also available. Neil Barnes’s regular stall “Pics n Bits,” also remained open, for a great assortment of more mainstream prints and gifts and collectables.

Organised by the independent businesses of The Shambles, Anya Toropov of SoupChick, which conveniently stayed open for refreshments, and Michelle Turner of Phoenix Health and Wellbeing, this was a great, general exhibit which appealed to all, and certainly drew the crowds. But remember, guys, art is not just for Christmas; more of this in the future, please!

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The Devizine Online Local Yuletide Market

If you’re like me and leave shopping to the last-minute Christmas eve frenzied dash like a headless turkey, or even if you’re arranging next year’s already, here’s some local Christmas gifts and ideas, which will build up, I hope, to a virtual Christmas market, a warm winter wonderland!

Surfing through the Net, with a one-maned open search engine, over Facebook we go, laughing all the way! Hey, crafty crafters, cheeky chefs and any other local creative types, I haven’t got a naughty or nice list, so don’t make me hunt you down. I know you’re busy, but it takes a second or three, and costs nought, to message us at Devizine and get your Christmassy products and ideas listed here, on our online local Yuletide market.

So, do bookmark this page and drop back in regularly, as it will be updated.

And for those who prefer the physical, there’s a list of Christmas Craft Markets at the bottom of this list, just keep on scrollin’!

Real Christmas Trees in Devizes

Back at the Bell on the Green this year from the 26th November, as it has been for 23 years, real Christmas trees will be for sale. You can pre order your trees for click and collect or delivery at www.merryChristmastrees.co.uk

AbraKadabra

AbraKadabra make these wonderful handmade magic seed-bombs, always popular at Christmas! Contact them via Facebook or Esty, and if you are in Devizes, put the discount code DEVIZES at checkout and you’ll get free postage!

Alan Watters

Rowde artist Alan Watters has limited edition signed and mounted prints of his recent drawing of a highland cow, and gives some of the proceeds to charity. This picture is also a signed cow greetings card with each print and posting worldwide. Have a look at https://alansfineart.com if interested. Cost is just £30 with delivery included.

Arthe

From the creators of Devizes-own artistic, hectic, eclectic, chaotic, linguistic, poetic, bombastic, fantastic, and perhaps a little anarchistic, kawaii bear, Arthe, there’s some groovy greeting cards and gifts on their website, tote bags, mugs, tees, etc; check it out funk soul bears.

Andy Fawthrop

Whilst some people might have spent their Lockdown baking banana bread or stockpiling toilet rolls, our very own roving reporter, Andy was hard at it, writing short stories. These have now been published in three volumes. There’s 49 new stories in all, featuring the usual gentle topics of murder, blackmail, mistaken identity, revenge, infidelity, piracy, robbery and…oh…well, anyway, they’re jolly entertaining, and by turns spooky, bizarre or comic. You can buy them direct from Andy for a tenner each, or order them through the wonderful Jo at Devizes Books, or even buy them from Amazon (paperbacks £10, Kindle downloads £3). “They would obviously make ideal Christmas presents,” Andy says, “particularly for that special person that you don’t like very much.” I’ve read his “stuff” and beg to differ.

Beeze’s

Easy choice, you just know Beeze’s in Devizes’ Ginnel are going to have some great ideas for Christmas gifts; they’ve got a whole Christmas Collection, not to mention Little Beeze’s toys next door. Chocolate message bars? Say no more!

Website Facebook

Blossom Hill Cards

Devizes-based Blossom Hill Cards has five Christmas wonderful card designs, with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society. You can buy them HERE.

Cositas Bonitas

The brilliant shareware craft shop in Sidmouth Street Devizes, Cositas Bonitas is a must stop off on your Christmas shop, you will be spoiled for choice. Check out Facebook, to see what I mean!

The Little Eco Shop, Devizes

I’m so glad to hear the Little Eco Shop is back. Go there for zero waste Christmas Eco wrapping essentials. Recycled craft wrapping paper in brown, green and red. Compostable brown paper tape. Christmas patterned brown paper tape (perfect for jazzing up the paper) Natural twine. Coloured twine made from recycled plastic. Paper bows. Craft card tags. Make your own elf Christmas crackers.

Little Eco Shop is off Couch Lane, Devizes: Website. Facebook

My Happy Place

Such a lovely name for this Devizes-based small decoupage business; so it’s mainly bottles and jars, with lights or wooden hearts hanging plaques, but owner Cassie tells me, “pretty much anything I can get my hands on that will work!” Join her Facebook group for more details.

Caroline Le Bourgeois

If you’re lucky to find this amazing wildlife artist at the Shambles, or many local fairs and markets, her cute pictures would make a perfect wall hanging gift, or greetings cards. If not, her website is here.

Dollies Dimples

Devizes-based Dollies Dimples makes these charming secret pocket tins with personalisation, visit their Etsy shop here.

The Healthy Life Company

From Green and Blacks, Montezuma, Moo Free and Clipper tea advent calendars to Vaughn’s Kitchen Christmas Cake Packs, the Healthy Life in Devizes’ Little Brittox is more than muesli. With a reduced carbon footprint focus, they have a pop-up gift shop each year, with those gifts that you won’t find elsewhere on the high street. For a healthy, planet-friendly Christmas, visit The Healthy Life, or on Facebook.

FM by Gem

Perfume, the ideal gift; Gemma is your local FM rep with everything from real discounted perfumes, to home fragrances, makeup and even cleaning products. You will need to join this Facebook group to find out more.

Shaz’s Chutneys and Pickles!

Shaz’s homemade chutneys, pickles and hampers are up for grabs from the Southgate, Devizes. With a 5 star Food Hygiene Rating, they do look tasty!

The Devizine Compilation Album, of Course!

If you’re not fussed about unwrapping gifts, I could shamelessly plug our Devizine compilation album. It can’t be on CD, because it’s far too mahoosive, it would need approximately 6 discs to cram onto, ergo you can download it, and your money goes to Julia’s House Children’s Hospices. And on it you’ll find the very best of what local music has to offer, I pinky promise you that much!

Download it HERE

White Chalk Gallery

Newly opened in Devizes, The White Chalk Gallery would be the perfect stopping place on any Christmas shop, there’s handmade jewellery and sculptured pots as well as art, and will you just look at these two needle felted cutties made from pure wool by Jo Lilley @miceandmole. Find the White Chalk Gallery in Devizes Market Place, or website here.

Simon Folkard Photography

Amazing photographer Simon Folkard has a range of Devizes themed Christmas cards, as well as his celebrated calendars. He will be at the Corn Exchange’s Christmas fayre on Saturday 15th November, look him up or contact him via Facebook.

The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen

The way to a man’s heart this festive season I can tell you, for I’m dreaming of a brownie Christmas, and no one, I repeat, no one makes a brownie as good as The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen. Currently based at Poulshot Farm Lodge, plans are afoot for a new shop, but while it looks like Devizes, it’s all top secret at the moment, so keep in the loop via Facebook, and visit their website! UPDATE: it’ll be on Maryport Street; yay!

Kit Tags

Personalise your kit bags with combat proof tags, here!

Will Do Studio

On a Bauble or hanging decoration, personalisation is trending, Westbury’s Will Do Studio have personalised Christmas ornaments. Write your wishes on the bauble and give it to the person who is important to you. Add any text and make this souvenir on the Christmas tree.

Website Facebook

The Bird, The Book & The Barrel

I could recommend a billion albums, but this debut from our brilliant The Lost Trades would be my pickermost for the yule season, it’s just sooo nice! And yes, they have this on CD, so you can gift-wrap it! Buy it here.

Hannah Cantellow Studio

From Poulshot’s to Lockeridge’s village halls, Hannah runs linocut Christmas card workshops, a great way to create multiple cards yourself. You’ll be able to make and handprint a set of 10 Christmas cards and a carved block to take away with you, which you’ll be able to print again and again. All materials, tools, design templates and refreshments are provided (however, you’re welcome to bring your own design if you prefer.) Check the website for dates and booking.

Wix n Scents

Based at Castle Combe, who wouldn’t want a pug or boxer fart scented candle, I ask you? Other scents are available! Check them out here.

Christmas Shopping in Devizes

Our friends at InDevizes has created this map of all the independent shops around Devizes, for refence when out there shopping, and the cafes too, naturally!

Interactive Maps of Devizes

Christmas Markets

Coming over all Oliva Newton John? Prefer the physical? Yeah, for shopaholics there’s nothing like trampling around a craft market this time of year, so I’ve also included a list of known Christmas craft fayres locally. If I missed yours, my gift to you is I can add it, which is not quite as good as socks or a Lynx deodorant set, but c’est la vie.

Deck The Halls @ Devizes Corn Exchange: 12th & 13th Nov.

Forest Friends Online Christmas Fayre: 15th-21st Nov.

Festive Shopping Night @ Bratton Jubilee Hall. 7-9pm. 18th Nov.

Wootton Rivers Village Hall: 20th Nov.

Westbury United FC: 20th Nov.

Shop Small Swindon Artisan Market @ The Hop Inn: 21st Nov.

Devizes Winter Festival: 26th Nov.

Christmas Market Night @ Abbey Meads School, Swindon. 5:30-8:30pm 26th Nov.

Charity Craft Fair in aid of St Joseph’s Nursey @ Devizes Conservative Club: Nov 27th, 10am-12.

Wadworth Christmas Fair: 27th Nov, 10am-4pm.

The Lamb Inn, Urchfont: 27th Nov.

Shield & Dagger Christmas Market, Swindon: 27th Nov.

Christmas Charity Fair @ The Cheese & Grain, Frome: 27th Nov.

Chippenham Festival of Christmas: 28th Nov.

Bishops Cannings School Christmas Fayre: 4th Dec.

Christmas Extravaganza @ St Johns Church, Devizes: 4th Dec.

Biddestone Christmas Fayre: 4th Dec.

Christmas Fayre at Ridgeway School, Wroughton: 4th December.

Codford Christmas Artisan Market: 4th Dec.

Mamma Events Christmas Market @ Mecca, Swindon: 11am-3pm. 5th Dec.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Devizes: 10th Dec

Christmas Fair at the Churchill Arms, West Lavington. Saturday 11th Dec.

Christmas Craft Fair @ Warminster Park Community Centre: 11am-3pm 11th Dec.

Christmas Nativity @ White Hart Attworth

Print me out and colour me in!

Oh, and send me them via our Facebook page, with your name and age, and we’ll decide winners in December. If anyone of the lovely businesses we’ve helped by plugging their wares could offer a prize, do let me know!!

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Ann Liu Cannon’s Clever Rabbits

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It’s Beginning to Look a DOCA Like Christmas

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts are in the thick of planning for the Lantern Parade and Winter Festival, set to take place at the Market Place on Friday the 26th and Saturday 27th of November, but it looks doubtful the usual mass-gathering to see Santa Claus switching on the Christmas lights will be possible this year.

Divided in opinion on controlling the pandemic and vaccinations we may be, but I’m certain, though disappointed, it would be an understandable move to spread the festival out for safety reasons, as it did so well with the town’s celebrated International Street Festival in the summer. Not forgoing, we’ll all agree, the last person we need to test positive at this time of year, is Santa!

“Traditionally Devizes Lantern Parade,” DOCA announced, “a huge magical community event comes to our streets on the last Friday of November, it is usually part of the Town Councils Light Switch on.  Things may be a little different this year.”

 But, let’s look forward for the positives; posters are going up around town this coming week, lantern making workshops in schools and at the Wiltshire Museum will take place on the 7th and 21st of November, and DOCA is gearing up to present the town with a wonderful parade and market. “We can confirm that we will have an amazing festive market,” they delight to inform, “with carefully selected sellers and makers bringing unique gifts, tasty food, and drinks to our Market Place.”

“The Makery” in the Corn Exchange will hold independent crafter stalls on both days, where you’ll find beautiful handmade gifts. Fantasy Radio will be playing festival tunes in the Market Place, Devizes Town Band will bring class brass to the Market Place, from 6-7pm each evening, with fireworks straight afterwards, and the highlight lantern parade starting off at 6:30pm.

There is a revised route for the parade, DOCA advises checking maps on lampposts around the town. Collect your lanterns from St. John’s Church between 5pm until 6pm. Leave unwanted lanterns under the Christmas Tree in the Market Place for recycling.

Other first-time things to look out for include the Air Giants, outside the Corn Exchange and the Town Hall at 5:30pm and 8:30pm. Amazing gentle giants, Triffid and Luma are huge illuminated, emotionally expressive, soft robotic creatures. “You may think the wind is blowing them, but they can actually sense you and will interact with you as you approach them,” DOCA claim. This I have to see for myself; who knows, by the end of the evening we’ll be best buddies and probably stop off for a pint at the British!

Also look out for Ghost Caribou; part caribou, part spirit, roam a mystical world after dark. That being outside the Mayflower on Long Street at 5:30pm and 7:10pm, and they’ll go walkabout along the High Street and Long Street afterwards. Join them as they clear a space to perform their other-worldly ceremony, with music, song and shadow puppets they tell stories of lost homes, impossible migrations and seeds of hope before continuing the journey into their hauntingly beautiful dream-world of the night.

Spooky! Hope to catch you there, with mulled wine and mittens! Find out more, HERE.

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Chilly Gonzales Vs Toddla T with Jarvis Cocker; A Very Chilly Christmas Mixtape

Following the release of Chilly’s new album ‘A Very Chilly Christmas’, platinum selling UK producer Toddla T has put his very own spin on the record, The Coldest Crimbo out today (16th Dec.) Featuring help from friends Nadia Rose, Serocee, Coco and Deli OneFourz, and even Jarvis Cocker features, Toddla T and Chilly Gonzales delight with this tongue-in-cheek hip hop “very festive mixtape.”

It’s an amusing quarter-of-an-hour of naughtiness seasonal rap, like a nativity gone bad. Chilly Gonzales may revisit old carols and the new pop standards on his album, but it wouldn’t be Christmas without friends and family, so Gonzo has assembled his gang to celebrate the holidays in his playful and intimate style.

A Very Chilly Christmas Special gives old-school TV Christmas variety shows a 2020 makeover. “Santa Claus, like all of us, has had a challenging year,” Chilly says, “and has decided to go to therapy.”

A very chilly christmas special, with guests Feist, Jarvis Cocker and more, streams December 23. Details and tickets here. 

Fairy-Tale of New Park Street; And Better Local Christmas Songs!

It was Christmas Eve moi lover, outside Carpet Right, an old man without facemask said to me, won’t be seeing another one, and then he yelled a song, Shaky Steven’s Merry Christmas Everyone, I turned my face away, and puked all over you……

Okay, I’ll hold my hands up, that’s all I’ve got when it comes to writing a Christmas song. Time to call in the pros, because without venues many of our local musicians are so bored, they’ve produced some great Christmas songs! As ever I’ll list them alphabetically, not to prove I know my a, b, c, but because whenever I do these “listy” type articles some of you assume it’s a top ten countdown. This isn’t Top of the Pops, but we do have some nice tunes for you:

Ben Borrill – (untitled?)

Colm McCarthy – Christmas Time – 2020 Remix

https://youtube.com/watch?v=jifSuOVy5sk

Gecko – Last Christmas’ sung by a sad bird

Illingworth – Yes It’s Christmas! 

Peloton – Father Christmas Won’t Be Long

Pete Lamb & Colette Cassin – I Remember Christmas

Sound Affects – Taking Back Christmas

Splat the Rat – 2020 you Arse (Ho Ho its Xmas)

Will Lawton – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Did we miss you out? I’m sorry, tell me quick and I can add it!

Devizine Christmas Shopping Challenge!

Too early to even mention the big C? Yes, I accept, but needs must with four weeks of lockdown at our door. The gauntlet laid, the challenge: to seek out Christmas shopping items suggested by our Facebook readers within a two-hour limit, including an obligatory breakfast, by shopping in Devizes, using independent shops as much as possible. Can it be done, will I get a soaking, will I remain relatively sane?!

A Tuesday morning in earliest November, I’m confident and at a steady pace. It’s overcast but dry, the sun attempts to peak through, and surprisingly, there appears to be no rush or panic buying with three days prior to the lockdown sequel. Is there any point to all this, one may ask? Yeah, I said I was going to do it, despite my general loathing of shopping (retail therapy is an oxymoron to me.) We still have three days, and fingers crossed all will reopen next month. I did make a point of asking the relative shops about their online presence too. All is not lost, Devizes is a wonderful little place to shop, but million dollar question, can you get everything you want there?

This list then, lets have a look. I have only six items suggested, therefore added something of my own. Got to look after number one after all. So, added to the list is a new jumper, and a cuddly elephant; note I’m a grandad now, it’s not for me!

Items on the list as follows: Clair Goodwin Figes wants a spatula spurtle, of which I had to Google. Jenny Moore wants a tagine, yep, that too. Ema Waterman wants an electric whisk, or, failing that a bottle of whiskey. I guess with enough whiskey inside you an electric whisk is unnecessary. There seems to be a running theme of kitchen utensils here, but I was prewarned popping into Ma Cuisine and scooping the whole bundle in one would be frowned upon.

Other, non utensil items were a Galileo thermometer for Leannie Cherry, a specific album for Catherine York, Nine Below Zero’s Don’t Point Your Finger, and Teri Stout wanted some gouache paints; I hope you’re all on the good list ladies.

Result, I think, was fair. Did I manage it in two hours? Well, I didn’t get a parking ticket, let’s put it that way. Inclusive of laps around town trying to find a parking place, I was dusted well within the time limit, and survived to tell the tale.

First port of call I figured was easy, Teri’s gouache; there’s an artist’s shop in St Johns near the Vaults. Yeah, I govern my way around by pub names. In fact, as I do, I fail to notice changes to our shop fronts, and found a nice-looking tearoom come Chinese restaurant called the Mayflower. Though it was closed, I was like, oh, never seen that before. Much was the nature of my start to the challenge, as what I figured would be easy, was not. The artist suppliers kaput, who knew? A picture framer and décor supplier, Original Glory stood in its place. Not so original as its namesake, as it used to be an artist’s shop, and had been for as long as I can recall. They were however friendly and recommended Devizes Books.

It’s plastic gloves on at Handell House, and Jo there to great me. I could spend eons in this cathedral of all thing’s literature and art. Devizes Books is wonderful, always has been. Alas they only sold watercolours and pastels. I was diverted to WH Smith, in which doubtful about as it broke the rules, and anyway, they only had watercolours and acrylic paint. Sorry Teri, item one; failed.

Down Maryport Street I marched unperturbed of my failure. I spotted an electric whisk in Mainlys, Ema, that shop which has got everything hardware and a whole lot more; I took a snap through the window.

Detour Clothing was the destination to fulfil my own want of a new jumper. The only men’s clothes shop in Devizes has been on scene for twenty-four years, once situated down Swan Yard. The thing is, and I put it to the chatty shop owner, people drift by assuming as it’s breached a gap in the market, it must be pricey. “We get more tourists than young local people come in,” she explained. When really, prices are reasonable, there’s jumpers on racks, a steal at £15. The notion you need to travel afar to obtain new threads, guys, is proven wrong by this great little store.

Now, I did promise myself a breakie, I love a bit of New Society, you know that, and was recommended Brogans and Soup Chick in the Shambles. Time pushing on, I’m heading for the back of the Shambles for a sample of soup, but it was closed. “People shutting up early,” said a trader, “before lockdown.” A sign of the times, perhaps. Maybe they were simply out of croutons. 

Biddles it was, a warming and hospitable alcove of the Shambles, after the draft of the doors. Biddles supplied me with a mug of tea and a tasty bacon roll, cooked just how I like it, all in for £2.50. You’ll not get that in Costa. I’m not one for delicate a’ la carte when it comes to breakfast, I want good honest grub at a steal, job done at Biddles.

Refreshed, I’m on my way to sort Cath’s request out; rather like Highlander, there can be only one. Vinyl Realm, under their new roof in Northgate Street is just how you remember a record shop being. I dragged my daughter in just last week, flicked through vinyl and told her that’s how we made a Spotify playlist back in my day. Pete brushed his hand over his record deck, for people to use and try before they buy. “Kids come in and play the vinyl on here,” he smiled in reminiscence, “just how we did.”

They sold a copy of Don’t Point Your Finger not so long ago, but assured me they had other albums by Nine Below Zero; so, I half-met the agenda. Thing is though, I’m in there now, browsing, and could be some time. What Pete and Jackie don’t know about music you could write on the back of a matchbox, with space for diagrams. And they’ll happily chat about it till the cows on a Pink Floyd album come home. Man, I noticed an original Atlantic 7” of Wilson’s Picket’s In the Midnight Hour, for a mere fiver. But I spent my pearl on local band Mr Love & Justice’s 2009 CD, Watchworld. Pete and Jackie are dedicated to our local music scene and will sell unsigned bands’ wares in abundance.

But there’s more to the activities happening here in the yellow gem on Northgate Street. Pete showed me out back of his new digs, where I was greeted by a wall of sound, and a guitar lay on a desk ready for new strings. Whether it’s instruments or simply a band t-shirt, Vinyl Realm got it down, and PA hire to a vintage hi-fi, it fits any bill. What is more, lockdown is no worries, Pete explained he was still busy during the last one, as they have a website, ordering service and will deliver what you need if you ask them.

Time ticking I’m hopping out of there and down the Market Place. The Ginnel, that little pathway of ever-changing indie boutiques and tea rooms is a must. Tea Inc is bustling, but I’m on for a cuddly elephant here, I can feel it in my bones. Handmade gift shops are plentiful in town, Beezes is a beauty. Next door an extension for children, Little B’s is simply delightful, lots of crochet and knitted cuddlies, wooden toys and books await you there; a cute little elephant awaited me. For less than £13, he’s a steal and would warm any child’s heart. I took his mugshot on the desk; he deserves a loving home. Beezes set up a website last lockdown and so will continue to trade, they warmly informed.

But I’m still in the dark with all the kitchen utensils from the demanding girls! Oh, and Leannie’s Galileo thermometer; please, can’t I just go home now?

What the heck, Ma Cuisine it is. Never been in there before, but it’s a maze of kitchen goodies stacked to the ceiling. A small chain based in Bath, it’s glorious. I sauntered the aisles, assured I’d find them all here. Amidst spatulas a-plenty I couldn’t see a spurtle, but nothing was “man-labelled” and I confess, I didn’t have a Scooby-Doo what it looked like! Trouble is, I felt like a mere peasant in the Queen’s chamber, and scared for my month’s pay, to knock so much as a kettle off the shelf, I made a sharp exit.

Gloomy outlook, I failed, I spent too much time lapping up my bacon roll and gassing in the Realm. I’m homebound, grab some teabags from Iceland which is what I came out for. There’s the very misconception though; residents nip to town to grab a necessity, save a big shop for a larger town. But walking through Devizes is a delight, and though we may’ve not made the outlandish requests on the list precisely, there’s plenty to purchase here, and little need to venture elsewhere.

Example, and hole-in-one. On my trek to Iceland I pass through the Little Brittox. There, at number 3, is the Giving Tree. What a wonderful name for a gift shop, and so, as name suggests it, I give it a last go. Whoop bang wallop! No, I didn’t smash anything. The lady inside sprung to order when I told her the nature of my visit. I noted a fine wood spatula, that will have to do Clair!

A tagine, for Jenny, yep, right above it, she told me. I tried my luck and inquired about the Galileo thermometer for Leannie. “Yes,” came the reply, and she hurried to fetch this wonderful workable charm. Placed together it was the perfect ending; result! Three in one, done, thanks to The Giving Tree. And yep, just like the others, they trade online, and you won’t find customer service like this at a sprawling blot on the landscape retail park.

Even the name gets my goat up, honestly, “Retail Park,” “Shopping Village,” doesn’t fool me, call a spade a spade, it’s a shopping centre, nothing like a park or a village at all. You’ve been had by the name alone, how can you trust them further? Ak! Shop local!

Alan’s Fine Art Christmas Cards for NHS Charities

Local artist Alan Watters has launched these wonderful pencil-signed greetings cards, with all profits from his website going to NHS charities only until the end of October. The cards are individually pencil signed and sold in packs of ten for £12 (+ £3 UK P&P.) But hurry, Alan says they’re going fast!

Limited edition prints are also available, making a great Christmas present idea. Click here to order.

DOCA’s Window Wanderland

As part of their new Winter Festival, DOCA are inviting our local community to create something special in their windows to show just what an amazingly creative place Devizes is. Window Wonderland is a Covid-sade way to connect people, transforming streets into magical outdoor galleries.

DOCA invite anyone with a window to create a display which will become part of a programme of events over a weekend which they hope will light up Devizes. Over the weekend you will be able to pick up a map or download online.

Follow the trail of windows into Devizes Town Centre where you’ll find seasonal markets both indoors and out, selling beautiful artisan gifts, delicious food and drink, light installations and walkabout performers, a warm welcome and plenty of smiles.

TAKE PART
To take part and register your own window for this event follow the link to the Windon Wanderland website. Everyone that registers a Window will be added to our event map. You will be reminded of when to display your window and keep your light on!

Take part and register your window: https://www.windowwanderland.com/event/devizes-2020/

WALK THE TRAIL


You will be able to download a map from the DOCA website, the Facebook event, or pick one up from The Shambles over the weekend.

Windows will be displayed between 27th – 29th November from 5:30pm to 9pm.

Window Inspiration


Devizes is putting on a Window Wanderland and you want to take part? Wanderful! Welcome aboard.

Taking part is FREE and everyone is welcome. You can use the windows of your flat, house, business, school, nursery, car, camper van, shop…


It doesn’t even have to windows, you can also use your front door, the front of your house, your front garden…
Visit our website for ideas, FAQs and some top tips:

Devizes Window Wanderland

There’s a Kidnap… In Pantoland!

No, not some kid’s pap in Poundland, there’s been a kidnap in Pantoland, or at least there will be if the Wharf Theatre have anything to do with it. Me, I’m trying to imagine: “he’s behind you!…..Oh, he was behind you, now he’s bartering for your ransom demand.”

Still,  The Wharf Theatre Group ask, “what better way to start the Christmas Season and get into the festive spirit than by taking the family to the Wharf Theatre to discover all the songs, jokes and slapstick fun you would expect from the magical world of panto?”

“Come and cheer, boo and generally join in as you help discover ‘who-done-it’ in this pantomime adventure featuring all of your favourite fairy-tale characters,” my money is on Buttons, never trusted that guy, always the quiet ones.

“Together you can catch the culprit and rescue Snow White, Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella who have all been taken hostage by someone in Pantoland. Help Detectives Maverick and Chirpy investigate the case with a little help from the goodies, including wacky washer woman Widow Twanky and silly servant Buttons. And remember to keep a look out for the baddies – Captain Hook, the Evil Queen, the Wicked Stepmother & the Wicked Fairy are hiding out at their club house, working on their alibis!”

kidnap1

I confess, I’ve a little crush on the Wharf Theatre since the fantastic Little Shop of Horrors performance and it sounds to me like The Wharf’s spin on pantomime will be highly entertaining family fun! Tickets £12/under 16s £10, can be purchased from Ticketsource at:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-wharf-theatre/events

or at the Devizes Community Hub and Library on Sheep Street, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or by ringing 03336 663 366. To find out what else is on at the Wharf pick up a new Autumn/Winter brochure which is now available from the Community Hub and Library and many other outlets around Devizes.

Wharf Theatre, Wharfside, Devizes, SN10 1EB

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