Devizes Diary

The Devizes Diary brings you details of events happening in Devizes and Mid-Wiltshire. Read details of upcoming events, or if you're holding your own event, tell us all about it.

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Regular Events

Wednesdays Devizes Children’s Choir

On Wednesdays from 4.30 to 5.30pm the Devizes Children’s Choir takes place at the Baptist Church Hall Sheep Street. This is a children’s community choir for children from Year 1 upwards. They have been running for just under a year and their aim is to sing for fun and to go out and about in the community. The team sings at local events in the community, and at places like care homes. There are currently 24 children but would like to increase their numbers into their second year. For more information or to get involved call Heather Flower on 01380 722013.

Thursdays Salsa

The Devizes Salsa Classes on a Thursday Night have moved! They are now at Needham House in Victoria Road, so pop along for the best Salsa fun in town, 7.30pm on Thursday evenings.

Saturdays Slimming World

Every Saturday at 9am and 11am, pop along to Slimming World at the Nursteed Centre. Lose weight and feel great. Join the gang and make new friends whilst receiving some great support to help you lose weight.

First Saturday Each Month Wiltshire Farmers Market

On the first Saturday of the month it's the Wiltshire Farmers Market. It takes place in the Market Square, Devizes from 9am 'til 1pm with local artisan food, crafts and top quality goods available to purchase directly from the producers.

November

10-11 Nov WW1 Centenary Exhibition

On the 10th and 11th of November there's a World War One exhibition taking place at Worton Village Hall. It's an exhibition of family stories from the time of WW1 to commemorate 100 years since the end of the war.
The village hall will also be decorated inside and out with a display of 1918 knitted poppies. The village hall will be open from 11am - 4pm and entry is free.

Tue 13 Nov James Holland Lecture

Devizes Lions are delighted that James Holland has agreed to speak on his new book "Big Week".

James Holland is a historian, writer, and broadcaster, who regularly appears on television and radio, and has written and presented the BAFTA shortlisted documentaries, Battle of Britain and Dam Busters for the BBC, as well as the Battle for Malta, Cold War, Hot Jets, and Normandy 44. He has his own collection at the Imperial War Museum, and is Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

James' talk takes place on Tuesday the 13th of November at 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, New Park Street Devizes. For more information contact tonyscorer@yahoo.com or pop into Devizes Books.

Wed 21 Nov An Evening with Richard Noble

Richard Noble is the head of The BLOODHOUND Project which is a global Engineering Adventure, using a 1,000mph World Land Speed Record attempt to inspire the next generation to enjoy, explore and get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Richard speaks at Devizes School on Wednesday 21st November. Tickets are available from Townsends Garden Centre and Devizes Books.

Wed 21 Nov Devizes Flower Club Event

On Wednesday the 21st of November the Devizes Flower Club holds their monthly event, now at The Corn Exchange.

National demonstrator Nigel Whyles presents Deck The Halls. Doors open at 6.30pm, the demoo starts at 7.30.

Tickets are £10 with refreshments included. It's all for a good cause as the club's chosen charity is The Caenhill Countryside Centre.

Fri 23 Nov Sunset Service Plus Illustrations & Chris Wynn

On Friday the 23rd of November, Live Realm proudly introduces Swindon based "Illustrations", a young upcoming Indie band, with a style all of their own.

Also performing is Chris Wynn, who describes himself as 'rustic'; a mix of original material and covers from Blues to Pop and Americana to R & B.

Headlining the evening are Sunset Service, bringing the finest in alternative country rock in the Southwest.

Tickets are £5 available from Vinyl Realm Music Shop or The Lamb Public House.

Sat 24 Nov The Brightoners

At The Devizes Conservative Club on Saturday the 24th of November it's The Brightoners. They're a mod band from Brighton playing mod hits from the 60s and 70s. Everyone's welcome, it gets under way from 7.30pm, and tickets are available from Viynl Realm, Jeffersons Cafe, the Devizes Conservative club or the Devizes Scooter Club Facebook page.

25 Oct - 4 Nov Go Bonkers with Conkers

'The Admiral' floating visitor centre located below the cafe by Lock 44 on the Caen Hill Flight, will be open every day during the October school holidays from Thursday the 25th of October to Sunday the 4th of November, from 10.30 'til 3pm.

Families are welcome to come along, make bug hotels to take home, take part in children's craft activities using conkers, explore with the Autumn Quest, or try out a nature trail. Learn about hibernation and enjoy Autumn on the canal.

For more information call Thelma Edwards 07766 336 113, pop along, or head online to canalrivertrust.org.uk

Mon 26 Nov Christmas Fayre

The annual Christmas Fayre takes place at the Police HQ Social Club on Monday the 26th of November, from 7.30pm. It's just 50p to get in, and there's set to be a plethora of tasty treats, great gifts, and festive...stuff. It's all in aid of Dorothy House Hospice, so well worth giving them your support.

Fri 30 Nov Lantern Parade & Christmas Festival

Attracting crowds of over to 3,500 and celebrating the start of the festive season, The Lantern Parade and Christmas Festival boasts one of the region’s most spectacular lantern processions. A river of hundreds of beautiful creations, made by our talented local participants wind its way through the town, collect Father Christmas en-route and arrive back in the Market Place for the Devizes Christmas Lights switch on. Christmas Markets run all day in the Market Place and the Corn Exchange to help get you into the festive spirit. Friday the 30th of November, with events taking place across town.

December

Sat 1 Dec Christmas Tree Sale & Christmas Market

On Saturday the 1st of December, Bishops Cannings holds their annual Christmas Tree Sale & Christmas Market.

St Mary's church will be packed with artisan stalls selling handmade crafts, Christmas gifts and food. Take a tour of the Bell Tower and see the extraordinary view of some of Wiltshire's finest countryside from the top! Visit Santa's Grotto, try your hand at Christmas crafts while the choir sing Christmas carols. When you're done, pick up a Nordmann Fir Christmas Tree.

If you’re feeling fit you can join in with their Reindeer Dash at 11am – a short 1km family fun run – free antlers to all who take part! Plenty of festive refreshments and all proceeds to the local community.

Saturday the 1st of December for the Bishops Cannings Christmas Tree Sale & Christmas Market.

Sat 1 Dec Blackmax & The Pirates

Come and experience the awesome fusion of Ska, 2-Tone & Punk brought to you by the one and only Blackmax & The Pirates. This awesome group of scallywags will be sailing into Devizes on Saturday the 1st of December.

Everyone is welcome, especially pirates, so feel free to wear your pirate attire! There will be plenty of rum and top tunes.

Tickets are limited and are available from Vinyl Realm Music Shop or The Lamb Public House.

Sun 2 Dec Peter and the Wolf

There's a Christmas family concert for old and young alike, presented by the Wessex Concert Orchestra.

On Sunday 2nd December at 3pm at the Corn Exchange Devizes, the WCO presents Peter and the Wolf and Christmas favourites including Sleigh Ride, Troika, a carol sing along and soprano festive arias.

This is a matinee concert for all the family, children are free when accompanied by an adult.

It is a rare opportunity to hear Prokofiev's charming tale Peter and the Wolf, fully narrated to be enjoyed by all ages.

Tickets are £12 or £10 forconcessions from Devizes Books or wco.org.uk

7-15 Dec Kidnap in Pantoland

What better way to start the Christmas Season and get into the festive spirit than by taking the family to the Wharf Theatre to discover all the songs, jokes and slapstick fun you would expect from the magical world of panto.

Come and cheer, boo and generally join in as you help discover ‘who-done-it’ in this pantomime adventure 'Kidnap in Pantoland', featuring all of your favourite fairytale characters.

Together you can catch the culprit and rescue Snow White, Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella who have all been taken hostage by someone in Pantoland. Help Detectives Maverick and Chirpy investigate the case with a little help from the goodies, including wacky washer woman Widow Twanky and silly servant Buttons.

And remember to keep a look out for the baddies - Captain Hook, the Evil Queen, the Wicked Stepmother & the Wicked Fairy are hiding out at their club house, working on their alibis.

Tickets are £12, under 16s are £10. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketsource or at the Devizes Community Hub and Library on Sheep Street.

Sat 8 Dec Christmas Bazaar

The Worton & Marston Village Hall holds its traditional Christmas Bazaar on Saturday the 8th of December, with stalls run by local village groups. Gifts, festive food, jams and preserves, toys and games all on offer, a raffle and refreshments too, with all proceeds going towards village hall funds. For more information, call 726 658.

Fri 14 Dec Common Confusion plus Dan O'Farrell & Sound Affects

Come and join Vinyl Realm for a cozy night of fantastic music.

Dan O'Farrell writes and sings songs of satirical vehemence.

Also the fabulous duo Sound Affects, a unique, highly experienced, and skilled alternative acoustic duo, which perform original material, arranged in an acoustic format, with echoes of classical and folk music.

Finishing the evening with the breathtaking toe-tapping Common Confusion from Salisbury.

Tickets are £7 in advance from Vinyl Realm Music Shop, or The Lamb Public House

January

Sat 19 Jan Rick Wakeman's KGB

Following their two sell-out dates at Ronnie Scott's earlier this year, Rick Wakeman and his KGB trio will be playing a "one off" show at the Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday the 19th of January. This will be a rare opportunity to see the unique line up of Rick Wakeman, Dave Colquhoun and Matt Pegg.

Find Longcroft Productions on Facebook, Twitter and longcroftproductions.com for more information.