2015, December: Festive Shopping Day

Santa's Grotto, outside Waitrose. Festive Shopping Day 2016. ©Josie Elias — Santa’s Grotto, outside Waitrose.
Festive Shopping Day 2016.
©Josie Elias

Christmas Tree Festival, Methodist Church, Cheap Street. ©Josie Elias — Christmas Tree Festival, Methodist Church, Cheap Street.
©Josie Elias

Stilt walker in Cheap Street. ©Josie Elias — Stilt walker in Cheap Street.
©Josie Elias

Cheap Street ©Josie Elias — Cheap Street
©Josie Elias

Treacle Eater Clog Dancers in Cheap Street. ©Josie Elias — Treacle Eater Clog Dancers in Cheap Street.
©Josie Elias

Entertainment in Cheap Street. ©Josie Elias — Entertainment in Cheap Street.
©Josie Elias

Entertainment in Cheap Street. Festive Shopping Day. ©Josie Elias — Entertainment in Cheap Street. Festive Shopping Day.
©Josie Elias

Elsa from "Frozen", turns on the Christmas lights. ©Josie Elias — Elsa from “Frozen”, turns on the Christmas lights.
©Josie Elias

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What's Coming Up

Here’s What’s Coming Up in Sherborne and surrounding villages. For What’s Coming Up in the surrounding area please click here

Friday 17 January/ Lunchtime Recital Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 1.45-2.20pm Sherborne musicians: Singers. Free.

Saturday 18 January /Village Dance Night Sandford Orcas Village Hall, nr. Sherborne DT9 4RX7 10pm Dance away the January blues. Sounds by DJ Hedgegg, lights by Gman. Disco-funk-soul-sja-reggae. A £5, C free.07505 361693

Sunday 19 January/Sherborne 5K Run The Terraces Playing Fields, Sherborne DT9 5NS. 8am registration, 8.25am warm-up, 8.30am run starts. Everyone welcome. Adults £5, children £1. Sign up at www.communifit.co.uk

Sunday 19 January/ Workshop: Sherborne Folk Band Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 1.30-4.30pm Workshop for all levels & all acoustic instruments. Learn to play new tunes & harmonies by ear. £12.50 or discounts available online. www.sherbornefolkband.org

Wednesday 22 January/ Discovering & Developing New Cancer Treatments’ Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 7.30pm Matthew Lloyd, University of Bath describes the general approaches to identifying & developing new treatments. £2 sherborne.scafe@gmail.com

Thursday 23 January/Visiting Artists’ Tindall Recital Series: David Newton Trio Tindall Recital Hall, Sherborne DT9 3NU. 7.30pm An evening of jazz fun and musical adventure. Tickets £10 from Sherborne TIC, Sherborne School Reception: 01935 812249 or tickets@sherborne.org

Thursday 23 January/ Sherborne Historical Society talk: ‘The reputation of William Rufus’ Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 7.15 for 8pm. Dr Benjamin Pohl asks: Was William Rufus a ‘bad king’ by medieval standards? Visitors £5 www.sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

Friday 24 January/ Lunchtime Recital Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 1.45-2.20pm Sherborne musicians: Woodwind. Free.

Saturday 25 January/ Willow Pigs Workshop Sandford Orcas Village Hall, nr. Sherborne DT9 4RX 10am-4pm Use of tools, materials & drinks included. Please bring your own lunch. £95 07765 654771

Thursday 30 January/ Winter Organ Recital The Chapel, Sherborne School DT9 3AP 7.30pm Programme includes music by JS Bach, Vierne & Boellmann. Free

Friday 31 January/ Lunchtime Recital Cheap Street Church, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 1.45-2.20pm Sherborne musicians: Soloists II. Free.

Friday 31 January- 28 February/Basketry for Beginners Sandford Orcas Village Hall, nr. Sherborne DT9 4RX 9am-1pm 5 part course teaching the ancient skill of ‘stake & strand’ basketry using willow. Participants will complete 3 types of basket. £225. Use of tools, materials & drinks inc.07765 654771

Saturday 1 February/ ‘Yer a Quizard, Harry’ Sherborne Library, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 2-3pm Quiz on the world of Harry Potter & crafts inspired by the Triwizard Tournament. Free.

Saturday 1 February/Talk: ‘The Kennet & Avon Canal’ Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 2.30pm BVYNT talk by Giles Harvey about the history, dereliction & restoration of the canal. Members £3, Guests £5.

Saturday 1 Februrary/ Quiz Night @ Leigh Leigh Village Hall, nr Sherborne DT9 6HL 6.45pm Quiz night & 2 course supper in aid of Batcombe Church. Tables of 6 @ £7pp Bridge Stores or Andrew Graham 01935 83397 or 07717353232 andrew@sandagraham.com

Sunday 2 February/Woodwind Festival & Workshop Tindall Recital Hall, Acreman Street, Sherborne DT9 3NU 1.30pm Players from Sherborne School take part in a workshop with an element of competition. Free.

Tuesday 4 February/Sherborne Literary Society talk Quarr Hall, Gryphon School, Bristol Road, Sherborne DT9 4EQ 6.30 for 7pm Talk by Jason Lewis, author, explorer & sustainability campaigner. £6 Sherborne TIC/ Winstone’s Bookshop/ online: www.sherborneliterarysociety.com/events

Wednesday 5 February/Talk: ‘The Making of Landscape Photographs’ Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 2 for 3pm The Arts Society Sherborne talk. Charlie Waite, landcape photographer talks about ‘Behind the Photograph’. https://theartssociety.org/events/charlie-waite-making-landscape-photographs

Thursday 6 February/The Importance of ‘Time to Talk Day’ with Dorset Mind Sherborne Library, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 11am-12noon Dorset Mind share the importance of speaking up, listening, their mission & how they support mental health. Free.

Thursday 6 February/Talk: ‘The History of Rope, Hemp, Twine and Sail in the South-West’ Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 8pm Sherborne Historical Society talk by Ross Aitkin. £5, SHS members free. www.sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

Thursday 6 February/Talk: ‘Climbing Plants’ Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 2.30-3.30pm Free spring talk about climbing plants 01935 814345

Friday 7 February/Snowdrop Remembrance & Thanksgiving Service Cheap Street Church, Sherborne DT9 3BJ 11.30am An opportunity to remember loved ones with Sherborne Churches Together.

Friday 7 February/Pianists’ Recital Cheap Street Church, Sherborne DT9 3BJ 1.45pm Sherborne School piano soloists perform on the Steinway model D.

Friday 7 February/Skittles Evening The Tippling Philosopher, Milborne Port DT9 5AQ 7 for 7.30pm Sherborne Twinning Association Skittles Evening & finger buffet. £5. Lifts available to members 01963 251081

Saturday 8 February/Felting Workshop The Butterfly House, Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 10.30am-3pm Felting Workshop SOLD OUT

Sunday 9 February/Sherborne Winter Warmer Talk The Butterfly House, Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 2.15pm Talk & slide show: ‘Understanding Sherborne south of the Abbey’. £5 on door. www.sherbornewalks.co.uk

Wednesday 12 February/Sherborne Artslink Flicks Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 7 for 7.30pm Film: ‘Downton Abbey’ (PG). Bar open from 6.30pm. £6 from Sherborne TIC or on door if not sold out. 01935 815341 www.sherborneartslink.org.uk

Wednesday 12 February/Sherborne Schools’ Choral Society Concert Sherborne Abbey, DT9 3LQ 7.30pm Sherborne Schools’ Choral Society & Orchestra perform Haydn & Mozart. Tickets, £15, £12, £10. 01935 812249 tickets@sherborne.org

Thursday 13 February/Talk: ‘Care & Maintenance of Trees & Shrubs’ Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 2.30pm Sherborne & District Gardeners’ Association talk by David Usher. £2, members free.

Thursday 13 February/Sherborne Museum Talk: Our Common Ground Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 1.30 for 2pm Artist Frances Hatch speaks about her experience of painting the Dorset landscape. £5. Members free. www.sherbornemuseum.co.uk

Thursday 13 February/Talk: ‘Get Set for Spring’ Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 2.30-3.30pm Free spring talk about preparing the garden for spring 01935 814345

Friday 14 February/Valentine’s Day All Stars – Dinner & Jazz The Dining Room, Sherborne School, Hospital Lane, Sherborne DT9 3AP 7.30pm A three-course dinner to the sound of Jazz performed by Sherborne School’s Swing Band. £25 01935 812249 tickets@sherborne.org

Friday 14 February/Strings Recital Cheap Street Church, Sherborne DT9 3BJ 1.45pm Sherborne School students play music from the 18th to 21st centuries. Free.

Friday 14 February/Don’t Dine Alone Trinity Manor Care Home, Bradford Road, Sherborne DT9 6EX 5-6.30pm Don’t dine alone on Valentine’s Day! Free event but please call to book. 01935 818577.

Saturday 15 February/Orchid Day Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 11am & 2.30pm. Clinic with Ian Parsons, Vice President of the British Orchid Council. 01935 814345

Saturday 15 February/Sherborne Bookfair Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 9.30am-4pm Book fair

Sunday 16 February/Eco Fair & Supermarket Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 9am-1pm Range of crafts & items which have been responsibly sourced with an emphasis on zero waste. Facebook: Eco Fair Sherborne. 07708 372251

Sunday 16 February/Workshop: Sherborne Folk Band Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 1.30-4.30pm. All levels & acoustic instruments. Learn new tunes & harmonies by ear. £12.50 on door, discounts available online. www.sherbornefolkband.org

Sunday 16 February/Sherborne 5km Run From the Terraces, Sherborne DT9 5NS. 8am registration, 8.25am warm-up, 8.30am 5km run organised by CommuniFit. www.communifit.co.uk or facebook.com/sherborne5km/

Sunday 16 February/Talk: ‘The Unforgettable Walter – Sherborne’s Adopted Son/ Castleton Church, Sherborne DT9 3SA 2pm Blue Badge Guide Cindy Chant shares the life and secrets of Walter Ralegh. £8. No need to book.

Sunday 16 February/Explore Romantic Sherborne Tourist Information Centre, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 11am 3 mile dog-friendly circular walk exploring events & locations. Walking shoes advised. £8. No need to book. www.sherbornewalks.co.uk

Monday 17-21 February/Have a go at seed sowing Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR All day. Gardeners of all ages can sow seeds at our potting benches to grow at home. 01935 814345

Wednesday 19 February/Sherborne Group Dorset Wildlife Trust Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 7.30pm Talk by Pauline Kidner, founder of Secret World Wildlife Rescue, about her work rescuing, rehabilitating & releasing wildlife. £3.

Wednesday 19 February/U3A Coffee Morning Cheap Street Church Hall, Sherborne, DT9 3BJ 10.15-11.45am Coffee Morning open to all members of Sherborne U3A

Wednesday 19 February/Sherborne WI talk Catholic Church Hall, Westbury, Sherborne, DT9 3RA 2.30pm Speaker: Paul Stickland. ‘An insight into the beginnings & continued growth & success of Black Shed Flowers’. £4 inc refreshments.

Thursday 20 February/Tree-mendous Woodland Stories & Crafts Sherborne Library, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 10.30-11.30am In-tree-guing stories & unbe-leaf-able crafts for children based on woodlands plus writing competition. Free.

Thursday 20 February/Talk: ‘From Foundry to Foreign Office’ Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 8pm Sherborne Historical Society talk by Prof Andrew Thorpe about Arthur Henderson (1863-1935), Labour Party leader. £5, SHS members free. www.sherbornehistoricalsociety.co.uk

Thursday 20 February/Talk: ‘Strawberries & other soft fruit’ Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 2.30-3.30pm Free spring talk about growing strawberries & other soft fruit. 01935 814345

Thursday 20 February/Sharandys Birds of Prey Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 10am-4pm Get close up with birds of prey. 01935 814345

Monday 24 February/Insight Lecture Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 7.30pm Insight lecture by former Bishop of London, Richard Chartres. £5 on the door. www.insight.sherborneabbey.com

Monday 24- Saturday 29 February/Sherborne Amateur Players: ‘Table Manners’ Sherborne Studio Theatre, Marston Road, Sherborne DT9 4BL 7.30pm by Alan Ayckbourn, A £10, students £8, from Sherborne TIC or 07585 278722 www.aps-sherborne.co.uk

Wednesday 26 February/Talk: ‘How the Earth Shaped Human History’ Digby Memorial Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne DT9 3NL 7.30pm Sherborne Science Café talk by Prof Lewis Dartnell, University of Westminster. £2 donation sherborne.scafe@gmail.com

Thursday 27 February/Talk: ‘Exploring peat alternatives’ Castle Gardens, New Road, Sherborne DT9 5NR 2.30-3.30pm Free spring talk about peat free alternatives. 01935 814345

Friday 28 February/Talk with John Bradshaw ‘Guide dogs’ Sherborne Library, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 2-3pm Injured whilst diffusing a landmine, John discusses being blind & the pleasure and empowerment of owning a guide dog. Free.

Friday 28 February/Soloists’ Recital III Cheap Street Church, Sherborne DT9 3BJ 1.45pm Sherborne School solo musicians in concert. Free.

Saturday 29 February/Art Vessels using fibre & textile Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne DT9 3AA 10am-4pm ArtsLink workshop with Jennie Loader. Max. 8 £68 or £61 for Friends of ArtsLink. 01935 815899 www.sherborneartslink.org.uk

Saturday 29 February/Ancestry Workshop Trinity Manor Care Home, Bradford Road, Sherborne DT9 6EX 2-3.30pm Learn to make a family tree with Barry Brock. Free event but please call to book. 01935 818577.

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