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Woodley / Twyford
Regattas, horse shows, farmers markets and carnivals are just a few of the activities on offer in the vigorous RG5 and RG10 communities. Shopping, flying and fun are the order of the days in Woodley. An annual French market is hosted in town centre from March 9 - 11 and features a large continental range of goods. French clothing, glassware, soap, accessories and jewellery are available. Foodies will find an extensive selection of coffees, vegetables, crepes, meats, spices, freshly baked breads and all manner of French food. A thriving farmer’s market is also held monthly on the third Wednesday. June sees the coming of the huge week-long Woodley Carnival that will celebrate its 47th year in 2007. Festivities include: concerts, carnival rides, dog shows, children’s entertainments, a car boot sale, netball and football competitions, fancy dress, bingo, junior/senior carnival queens, arts and crafts, and culminates in a spectacular fireworks display. With all that is on offer, annual attendance is in excess of 10,000 and more than £233,000 has been raised for charities.For those who are interested in the glory of England’s aviation history, stories of heroes and WWII , the Museum of Berkshire Aviation tells the tale of many famous aviators that flew to the Woodley airfield including the likes of Charles Lindburgh, Douglas Bader and Amy Johnson. Ms. Johnson broke numerous long-haul airspeed records in the 1930s including the flight from England to Japan and England to Australia among others. The 100-acre field and industrial site was also the birthplace and manufacturing home to the Miles Hawk used in WWII.
On the ground in Hurst, the annual Horse Show and Country Fayre is held the last weekend of June. Now in its 28th year the charity event has Show Jumping competitions that include: clear round jumping and musical ride display. A scarecrow competition, bird of prey show, pony events, terrier racing, Morris dancing, face painting, bar, refreshments, bouncy castle and tug-of-war contests all come together to make for a good family weekend. The fayre includes authentic country crafts such as pottery, willow sculptures, farm food, furniture restoration, jewellery, paintings, photography and plants. Officially known as St. Nicholas Hurst, the village also has several active sports clubs, a biennial pantomime and Dinton Pastures Country Park with golf course.
Twyford, a part of the Hurst parish until 1895, hosts an annual Donkey Derby and Summer Fair. Now in its 13th year, the event will take place on June 3rd and benefits the 1st Twyford scouts. Laser Quest, the Crisp Drop, ferret racing, Go Karts, dodgems, fun fair, miniature railway, bouncy castle, a range of stalls, BBQ, beer tent, the Maidenhead Band and a grand raffle are some of the activities featured for the day. An aircraft flypast of a Spitfire and Hurricane are also local favourites. The town also has two recreational fields. King George's Field (aka The Rec), has football pitches, children's playgrounds and a youth shelter. There is currently a project to add a skate park and ball court. Stanlake Meadow also has football pitches, a cricket square used by Twyford Cricket Club and a pavilion which is also used by a nursery school.
Twyford and neighbouring Ruscombe share their own winery. Valley Vineyards sits on part of the drained 3,000-acre Ruscombe lake and Stanlake Park. One of the UK’s most successful award-winning producers, a high yielding vintage can produce 150 - 200 tons of grapes making more individual wines than any other winery in Britain. Some local favourites include: Ascot wine, a sparkling wine; Regatta, a dry white wine; and Ruscombe, a red wine. A specialty liqueur has also been developed using Berkshire fruits. Fermented for 15 years, Liqkir, is a sweet blackcurrant liqueur and Silvikir is its white currant alternative. Percy’s Acre, a 1-acre wine-yard that is part of Valley Vineyards on the Stanlake Park Estate, is open to visitors year-round. The yard features many different varieties of grapes to view. There is also a cellar shop with cheeses, pickles, organic fruit drinks and snacks for children along with public footpaths around the estate.
If ground and air activities do not suit, go to Wargrave for its annual regatta. Just three miles up-river from Henley, Wargrave and Shiplake have hosted a light-hearted regatta since the 1850s. Held this year on August 10th and 11th, the regatta is one of the largest with races for punts, canoes and skiffs. More than 600 individuals compete in 350 races during the two-day event. Competitors include combinations of first timers, veterans, Olympic and university students. There are also land and water-based activities such as dinghy races for children and adults. Be it air, land or river the towns and villages of RG5 and RG10 never fail to provide ample opportunities for diversion and fun.
