A very Happy New Year to all our readers, volunteers and supporters. I genuinely hope that your Christmas break was everything that you wanted it to be.
So, 2026 begins and here at the village hall we are already busy thinking about the year ahead as with each month there is something new to look forward to! But perhaps most importantly for this month we have our very first pantomime with the professionals Chaplin's delivering a fun afternoon for children and their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, in fact everyone who needs a good laugh – so if you haven’t got tickets yet, don’t delay or you might miss it! Sunday 11th January. Oh yes it is!
Then in February ……… get practicing now to shout ”House” with our first Community Bingo session – look out for flyers around the village with details but do save the date – Friday 20th February.
Easter will feature our usual Easter Market and free egg hunt with prizes for children taking part and then if all goes to plan May will see the trial of our Community Café starting at the hall for a 10 week period – more details will follow nearer the time.
Great news also on Vision 2050 project fund-raising and our sincere thanks go to the Chieveley Parish Council who have agreed our grant application for the wilding and nature trail. Their assistance financially will ensure that we can now move this forward in the Springtime with planting starting when the weather improves. This combined with the Spring daffodil display should make for quite a feature in the village, either when walking around the Rec grounds or just travelling through.
And, for those of you turning over a new leaf at the start of this year, or just trying to undo the Christmas indulgences, don’t forget there are activities available to help!
Firstly, do you know about the new Danae Yoga classes at the hall? Derived from an ancient form of Hatha Yoga, these started last Autumn and are run by Alex, who recently settled in Chieveley having taught in Singapore. Yoga has many health benefits, including mental well-being, and there are still some places available so why not come along and give it a try this January. Classes are held every Monday at 6pm and at 7pm, with a morning class being held on Tuesday mornings at 11.15am. To book please contact Alex at: alexandradanaeyoga@gmail.com.
Also, on January 23rd we will see Paolo start his Vitality & Nutrition sessions designed to help improve your vitality, nutrition, sleeping and eating well. To book contact him on: 07883 390212 or by email at: paolo.p.lamperelli@gmail.com.
Lastly, did you get a puppy for Christmas or have you gained a new family member in the last few weeks? If so Michelle is starting her Paws to Train classes again in March, however bookings can be made now at: Michelle.harris@pawstotrain.co.uk.
Keep an eye out for details of all the new and regular activities and events at your village hall on: our notice board outside the shop; on the banners and flyers around the village; and of course as always at the hall itself and on our website:
www.chieveleyvillagehall.org and, if you have any other suggestions, of where you would like to see details advertised or questions, then please get in touch with Rosalind - our Bookings Manager.
Lastly, we have been secretly hoping that some readers made a New Year’s resolution of volunteering and, if you did, then please get in touch as it would be great to welcome even more new faces to our “Friends of Chieveley Village Hall” volunteer group.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and healthy 2026,
Neal Courtney
Chairman CRC