CALLS for volunteers to help with this year's poppy appeal have been made in Twyford. Jane Bronk posted the following on Facebook: "Can you help please? Do you have an hour or two to support the Poppy Appeal this year? Would you be willing to sell poppies outside of the Twyford Stores on any of the following dates between 10 am and 4pm? Saturday, November 2, Sunday, November 3, or Saturday, November 9, or even weekdays if you wish. If your daughter or son is a member of a uniformed group and would like to help, they need to be accompanied by an adult, it would be fantastic. Please contact me on janebronk@gmail.com or 07725059717 as soon as you can."

LOOKING ahead to Christmas, on December 7 at Twyford Parish Hall, members of the public are invited to the free festive hobnob. There will be a series of relaxing features, including festive teas and locally produced honey. In a post on Facebook, the organisers said: "You will find some really special and unique gift ideas, or simply just pop in for a coffee, a piece of cake and a chat, somewhere to go if you feel like unwinding and de-stressing from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping." The event will run from midday until 5pm.

PANTOMIME seats for a production of Alice in Wonderland in Otterbourne Village Hall are available for booking. The performances will take place on Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January and the following weekend on Friday 17, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19. Performances begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10. On the Saturdays, there will be performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 for those shows. On  Sundays, the performances will be at 2.30pm and tickets will cost £12. There is also a relaxed Performance on Sunday 12 at 11am, for which tickets are £12. To book, visit ticketsource.co.uk/ovh or call 07544 581331.

On Remembrance weekend the annual local history photographic exhibition in Otterbourne Village Hall will remember local men who fought in the WW2 campaigns of 1944. Also featured will be a display of 200 years of village schools. The exhibition in the John and Betty Mobbs room will run from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10. Entry is free.

A TRADITIONAL service of sing-a-long carols and bible readings that tell "the story of that first Christmas" will take place in Twyford. On Sunday, December 22, members of the public are invited to participate in a festive sing-song at St Mary's Church. A traditional service of nine lessons and carols to celebrate the coming of Christmas. Choir made up of the church robed choir and ad hoc choir plus Twyford Singers and Foundation Music, University of Winchester. There will be refreshments after the service. there is no admission charge. Donations welcome. 

AN ARTS and crafts fair will take place in Twyford this weekend. On Sunday, November 10, members of the public are invited to attend Twyford Community Centre between 10am and 5pm. It is free entry, with "lots of lovely things to browse and an opportunity to take a bit of time out with a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Pop along to browse some fabulous art and artisan crafts, maybe do a spot of Christmas shopping and support your local community centre too."