Living Advent Calendar is set to open doors again

THE new organisers of the Henley Living Advent Calendar are hoping to keep the “community spirit going” when it returns next week.

The annual event, which began in 2011 and is supported by the Henley Standard, comprises performances in different locations across the town on
24 days, like an Advent calendar.

Each night will be in aid of a different charity. These include the Royal British Legion, the Nomad youth and community project and Riverside Counselling Service.

The acts will remain secret until the night. Each performance will start at 6pm.

This is the first year the town council is organising the calendar, having taken over from Richard Rodway, partner at THP Solicitors.

Daisy Smith, communications manager at the council, said: “Each evening a door, which could be at a pub, or a church or a shop, or by the Christmas tree, will open and there will be a surprise performance. That could be a classical singer, it could be a band, it could be a comedy act.

“Every night has an allocated charity and there will be a raffle or an auction or selling mince pies to raise money each night.”

This year’s event will kick off from the steps of the town hall on Monday and will conclude on Christmas Eve at St Mary’s Church in Hart Street.

Ms Smith said: “The calendar is a beautiful community venture. Loads of local charities benefit from it, it’s one of their key fundraising opportunities and about £11,000 was raised last year. It makes a difference to these charities.

“There’s a lovely community spirit created with some people coming every night.

“There’s also lots of local performers who love to do it. None of the acts are paid, they all just come to do a slot.

“There’s a real variety, from singers and community choirs to comedy acts. People really enjoy it.”

Ms Smith added: “We didn’t want to make any big changes, we just hope to keep that community spirit going and support an event that’s done a lot for the town.”

Mayor Tom Buckley said: “What makes the Henley Living Advent Calendar truly special is the way it draws everyone together.

“It encourages us to step outside, to meet our neighbours, to support local performers and to reconnect with the simple joy of shared experience.

“It reinforces our links to the charities being supported and in a world that moves quickly, these nightly gatherings offer a moment of stillness and connection.

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed — your enthusiasm and generosity light up our town each night in December.”

The venues and charities supported each night are as follows: 1 town hall steps (Royal British Legion); Angel on the Bridge (Regatta for Disabled); 3 Leander Club (the Leander Trust); 4 HAODS Studio (Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society); 5 Hart Street Tavern (Henley Youth Festival); 6 Holy Trinity Church (CAP Debt Centre); 7 town hall (Bell Surgery); 8 Christ Church Centre (Henley Music School) 9 the Old Bell (Shelter); 10 Relais (Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice); 11 Chiltern House (Riverside Counselling); 12 the Anchor (Nomad); 13 Echoes (TBC); 14 Kenton Theatre (Kenton Theatre); 15 Henley library (MyVision Oxfordshire); 16 d:two centre (d:two centre); 17 around the Christmas tree, Market Place (Rotary Club); 18 the Bull on Bell Street (the Burnt Chef Project); 19 Eyot Centre (Eyot Centre); 20 Flyte Bar (Cancer Charity); 21 Henley Rugby Club (Camp Mohawk); 22 Christmas tree in Market Place (Chiltern Centre); 23 Hof’s (Henley Gospel Trust); 24 St Mary’s Church (Mayor’s charities).

For more information, visit-henley.com/advent-calendar/