Thatcham news
Thatcham news, newest first, from The Newbury Times: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Thatcham, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Swings & Smiles Mascots See Thatcham Town Win 4-2
Disabled children and their siblings from Thatcham charity Swings & Smiles led the Kingfishers out against Hilltop FC, and Thatcham Town won 4-2.
More stories
Thatcham
Thatcham Post Office Shut on 4 October, No Replacement Yet
Thatcham's Broadway Post Office closed with Morrisons Daily on 4 October. No new operator is named yet. The two nearest branches, and what they cannot do.
Thatcham
Thatcham Festival 2026: 9 to 18 October, Nothing Over £7
Thatcham Festival runs 9 to 18 October: a free street party on a traffic-free High Street, a blue plaque for the town's Mesolithic past, and nothing over £7.
Thatcham
Thatcham Fire Was Accidental, Started by a Battery
The Colthrop Lane fire was accidental and started with a battery, the fire service says. Crews spent 25 hours on 150 tonnes of batteries and left on Wednesday.
Remembrance
Newbury Remembrance Sunday: 10.30am Parade, 8 November
Newbury's Remembrance parade: Sunday 8 November, 10.30am from Pelican Lane, salute on Northbrook Street, BSL interpreter at Market Place. Thatcham also 10.30am.
Christmas
Newbury Christmas Markets: Gift Fairs 13 and 14 November
The Watermill's Christmas Fair is Friday 13 November and the Corn Exchange Gift Fair Saturday 14th, switch-on day. Thatcham's are 28 Nov and 18 Dec.
Christmas
Santa's Grotto Newbury 2026: Free at Beale Park, 10 Dates
Father Christmas is free with admission at Beale Wildlife Park on 10 December dates. Headley's Magical Christmas Adventure runs 28 Nov to 24 Dec. Dates here.
Newbury Show
Newbury Show 2027 Is 18-19 Sep: How the 2026 Show Ran
The next Newbury Show is Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September 2027. The 2026 show charged £25 on the gate; its ring timetable and shuttle times are below.
Thatcham
West Berkshire Crematorium Shuts 26 Sep for 17 Days
West Berkshire Crematorium closes from Saturday 26 September and holds no services again until Tuesday 13 October, a 17-day gap for a chapel rebuild.
Fireworks
Newbury Fireworks: Lions Sat 7 Nov £14, Thatcham Fri 6th
Newbury Lions fireworks: Saturday 7 November, gates 5pm, display about 7.30pm, adults £14 at Tesco or £14.98 online. Thatcham's Friday 6th show is £10.
Christmas
Newbury Christmas Lights Switch-On: Sat 14 Nov, From 9am
Newbury's lights go on at 6.30pm on Saturday 14 November, after a free day from 9am: funfair, petting farm, gift fairs, Santa at Waterside. Thatcham is 28 Nov.
Thatcham
Thatcham Banking Hub: Old Lloyds Unit Bid, Comment by 11 Sep
Cash Access UK wants to move Thatcham's banking hub into the Kingsland Centre unit Lloyds left in 2022. Comments close 11 September, decision due 13 October.
Schools
West Berkshire Term Dates 2026/27: Half Term Starts 23 Oct
West Berkshire schools break for half term on Friday 23 October and for Christmas on 18 December. Kennet School's half term starts a week early, on 19 October.