One year on:
FRIARS AYLESBURY presented a FREE event on Sunday, 24 March under the arches in Aylesbury Market Square 2.00pm to 5.00pm and celebrated the first anniversary of the unveiling of EARTHLY MESSENGER – the world's first statue of DAVID BOWIE.. Bowie music was played and there was a special talk by Earthly Messenger sculptor, Andrew Sinclair, describing how he designed and sculpted the statue.
Renowned photographer Michael Putland, who produced those amazing photographs of Bowie at his legendary Friars Aylesbury Ziggy Stardust world premiere on 29 January 1972.
2.00pm Bowie music starts.
2.15pm Presentations and interviews.
3.15pm Talk by Andrew Sinclair.
The building originally opened in 1925 as The Grand Pavilion Cinema. It was taken over by the Granada Theatre chain in November 1946 and renamed simply Granada a year later.
The Granada closed in 1972 and the premises was converted into a Granada Bingo Club, . Gala Bingo took over in May 1991 until closure on 7th February 2019.
There is now an uncertain future for this iconic building which hosted many artists in the early years such as The Rolling Stones, Sir Cliff Richards, Manfred Mann , Max Byrave, The Ronettes, Adam Faith , Lonnie Donoagan and Helen Shapiro to name a few. The last artists to perform there, were A Little Bit Country a local country music duo.
George Entecott, who has started a petition to save the building said:
"It seems a shame that we are losing all of Aylesbury's history. We lost the police station and the beautiful old Odeon cinema recently which was a real shame. "I'm not trying to stem 'progress' of the town - I just think we should take a bit more glory in our history and keep these beautiful and unique building. These buildings are an important part of our heritage, to repurpose this site as a music venue would be a fantastic move and maybe give the town the CPR it so desperately needs. My proposal is to ask Aylesbury Vale District Council and Bucks County Council to delay their planned demolition of the building and allow time to find investment in the building to allow it to continue to be used.”
Risborough Rangers FC V London Lions
Risborough took all 3 points helped by 2 OGs from The Lions. Risboroughs goal scorer was Ben Cullen at 33 mins. This moved Risborough up to 12th in the League. Man of the Match was Jason Castello.
Full time 3 - 0
League Attendance 86
Not just last orders but last numbers called at Gala Bingo Aylesbury High Street on Thursday 7th February 2019. The end of an era. There were people queueing up the High Street with many being turned away as the was no more room in the hall. Around 400 people came to say goodbye including current and ex staff : it was an emotional goodbye.
Gala Bingo closed its doors for good. Worse than that, the building is now to be demolished!
One of the last iconic buildings in Aylesbury is about to be lost forever.
That building is Gala Bingo! Some of you knew it as 'The Grand Pavilion Cinema', and even 'The Granada'.
Many famous faces have graced the hall over the years, including iconic 60's acts like The Rolling Stones, Cliff Richard, Freddie and The Dreamers among many others. There are rumours that The Beatles sneaked in to catch a show too!
To mark this day in local history local duo A Little Bit Country performed after the final bingo session.
Angelman Syndrome Creative Arts Evening
The Angelman Syndrome Collections Presentation Soiree took place on Saturday 2 February at the Hackney Attic.
The evening showcased Innovative International Fashion Designers and Artists.
Collection Presentations by the following Designers: Sarah Salvador, Amy Sweaton, Laura Thomas, Samantha Shaw, Rose Brown, Phoebe Constable, Lydia Fung.
Stands Exhibited Rising Artists: Vega Navascues and Merel Kaptein.
Angelman Syndrome: Angelman UK is a UK charity (1021882) run by and for those affected by the genetic condition Angelman Syndrome. Their patron is movie director Gareth Edwards. The charity help support families and carers of people with Angelman Syndrome. They also provide support to professionals who meet AS individuals, even though they may meet very few individuals with Angelman Syndrome in their professional career. If you wish to donate click on the link below https://www.angelmanuk.org/
On Thursday 31st January the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique returned to Banbury with a Midday Pitstop . The Rallye which started in Clydebank at 6:00pm the previous evening, was heading to Monte Carlo some 1300 miles away , with stops off at various towns enroute. All cars taking part had to have Monte-Carlo heritage from previous years. The cars were displayed for about an hour, some requiring maintenance before proceeding through Passage Control to the next stage. They set off at 13:30 at one minute intervals by Banbury Town Councils, Cllr Maurice Billington, raising the starting flag.
For those attending the event there was also a Classic Car Show around the streets of Banbury Old Town.
Saturday 29th December - Risborough Rangers FC V Winslow United
Both teams were under strength, however the game got off to a great start with 2 early goals by RR - 1st @ 7mins by Marcus Wylie and the 2nd a penalty by Alex Woodfine. The final score after a tense ending was 3 -3. Marcus Wylie was named as Risboroughs Man of the Match.
Sunday 16th December saw the AgriSocial 2nd Charuty Tractor Run in aid of Cancer Research UK. Over 450 tractors and lorries took part in the run starting from Thame Showground for a 21 mile round trip around Oxfordshire. One of the highlights was the convoy through the Town Centre with crowds lining the streets.
At the Showground there was a prize for the most festive tractor which was presented by The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Ann Midwinter: there was also a best fancy dress category which was presented by Oxfords Lord Mayor, Colin Cook.
The event hopes to raise over £10,000.00 in total with the entry fees, street collection and raffle & auction.
A minute silence before the Risborough game against Broadfields United on Saturday 1st Dec for President Derek Wallace who sadly passed away. Also a book of condolences was open in the Windsor's Stadium clubhouse in respect to Derek.
Joel Read 1st half goal was enough for Risborough to take all 3 points.
Friday 30th November saw Thames’ Christmas Lights Switch on, organised by Thame Town Council. A large crowd gathered for the entertainment which included Music, Dance demonstrations and Thame Concert Band, plus a presentation from Thame players.
Local groups and schools led a Lantern Parade through the Town Centre before the switch on.
The streets were lined with gifts stalls, food stalls, Snow Globe and childrens fairground rides. And there was a Santas Grotto and real REINDEERS!
Fantastic evening.
The Aylesbury Christmas lights were turned on in Market Square on Thursday 15 November.
Mix 96 presenters hosted the event from the big stage. Entertainment was provided by Brill School Dance Troop, St Teresa’s School Choir, Aylesbury’s Zoe Forward (as seen on the Voice Kids UK 2018) and 18 year old classical singer Jacob Cole together with local group The Eclectix.
The lights were turned on by the winner of the WhizzFest Fancy Dress Competition (an Ompah Lompah) and the stars of this years Pantomime from Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.
Other entertainment included the winners of this years Bucks Got Talent: Hoola Hooper Steph Evans from Stewkley and Singer Alex Crittenden from Great Missenden.
The evening ended with a superb Firework Display.
Remembrance Sunday in Aylesbury started at 6am with a lone piper playing Battle’s O’er to commence a short service - The Battles O’er Act of Remembrance - which included 1 minutes silence, readings, The Exhortation, The Kohima, The Last Post, Poems and Prayers. The service concluded at 6:15 and moved to The Royal British Legion Pop-in Centre for bacon rolls & coffee.
Remembrance Day continued at 11am in the Market Square with a Service and Parade together with Wreath laying by representatives from The Services, Veterans, Local Groups and Dignitaries.
The day concluded with Aylesbury Town Mayor’s Remembrance Service at St Mary’s Church followed by Beacon lighting in the Market Square. The service was a reflection, commemoration and thanks for those that gave their lives In The Great War 1914 - 1918. Aylesbury Concert Band accompanied hymns and a solo by Alison Langer. Roisin Willetts and Community Projects Drama Group performed a piece entitled ‘Diaries and Letters from The Trenches.
Stone Memorial Hall hosted an exhibition over the Remembrance Weekend : Stone in the Great War. It depicted stories of local soldiers and how the war effected the village and those who remained behind.
Local residents served homemade soup, cakes and tea & coffee and war time music was played.
On Saturday the 3rd of November, St Johns Sports & Social Club Stone hosted a Fireworks display & Bonfire and a live band performed in the St John's clubhouse afterwards.
The Bonfire was lit around 7.00pm.
The fireworks started at 8pm.
The live band, Scobey Snax.
The return of the Walking Play around Aylesbury’s Old Town.
Hosted by Sparky Buddy Productions and Aylesbury Town Council
The Clock Tower Strikes Again is a tale that weaves around the town, mixing factual events with fictitious story telling – but can you tell where the truth ends and the story begins. Filled with lots of audience interaction, drama, action with a hint of comedy for good measure.
Saturday 27th October saw Aylesbury celebrate Diwali with a Festival of Light for the 2nd year running. A multicultural event in conjunction with the Bucks County Museum saw performances from many different groups to entertain the crowds.
There was an outdoor stage in Kingsbury Square where the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire opened the event, performances by K’Z Dance Ent, Peploe Williams Academy, Dholbeats Uk Lejhim, abhinaya FGine Arts, Jay Kumar Dance, JugalBandhi and a speech by Mayor Mark Willis.
Bucks County Museum hosted workshops, Storytime, shadow Theatre and arts & craft stalls.
The event culminated with a parade and a Fire Dance.