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Little Red the Oxfordshire / Berkshire (Reading) based alt-folk trio to perform in Oxford

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Little Red the Oxfordshire / Berkshire (Reading) based alt-folk trio to perform in Oxford

Little Red will be performing at O2 Academy Oxford this Friday 18th November 2016.

Little Red are an Oxfordshire / Berkshire based alt-folk trio, formed by Hayley Bell (vocals), Ben Gosling (vocals; bass; guitars; drums; keyboards; production) and Ian Mitchell (vocals; guitars). They formed in 2014 and have released four records so far. Their most recent EPs, `The Huntsman’, and a remix EP `Teeth, We Have’, featuring re-workings by the likes of Tiger Mendoza and Foci’s Left, were released last month on local label All Will Be Well Records.

Influenced by artists such as Tom Mcrae, Nick Cave, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan. Little Red perform songs inspired by traditional Folk and Americana. Tales of visceral knife crime and woodland hauntings are delivered with driving melodies in three-part harmony.

Tickets are £8.00 when purchased in advance and £9.05 on the doors.

To book tickets, click here.

Address
O2 Academy Oxford
190 Cowley Road, OX4 1UE Oxford

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Testimonials
“New track ‘Siren’s Song’ with it’s bewitching Bluegrass edge, suggests this band are just getting better and better”
– Nightshift Magazine – Nov 2016

“This hit exactly the spot I needed. I was sat in a very comfortable chair in a quiet room, listening to a trio playing acoustic Americana-tinged folk music and getting it exactly right. There’s nothing flashy here, but there’s warmth, peace, variety and just enough menace to keep things interesting. Highly recommended.”
– Calum A Mitchell – Oxjam – 2016

“Oxford’s premier dark-folk band” – Dave Gilyeat – BBC Radio

“A band well worth following” – Ronan Munro – Nightshift Music Magazine.

“Their musicianship is tight as you could want, the songwriting sharp, vocals engrossing and the lyrics striking.” Charlie Elland – Folk Words

“Little Red are definitely worth listening time and I can only recommend you take the opportunity”

Neil King – FATEA Magazine

“Sticks and Stones is a cool album with a cool groove.”

Bob Meyer – Bob’s Folk Show

“It (Sticks and Stones by Little Red) is damn fine ……There is a real atmosphere created and the songs have a surprising depth to them.”

Ed Dyer – The Ocelot

“Little Red take to the stage with warm, story-telling songs. They lull their audience with pretty harmonies”

Celina Macdonald – Nightshift Magazine

“‘What Say You’, is just charming. From a clean
finger-picked guitar figure, that has a whiff of the cosy, unflurried ’70s library music style that Trunk Records christened Fuzzy Felt Folk, closely entwined male and female vocals bob on a charming little melody, like a toy boat on a choppy duckpond. It sounds limpidly lovely, but like so many great folk tunes, the jaunty music hides a black heart, the lyrics telling of betrayal, disappointment and visceral knife crime. There is a wonderful moment where the guitar drops out to let the vocals declaim the chorus unaccompanied, that structurally seems to owe more to club bangers than any folk tradition, and in all, the song is a micro-epic, hinting at a full and macabre tale in its 1’48” running time.””

David Murphy – Music In Oxford

“Time for something a bit more restrained. Even Little Red’s name suggests timidity and they are indeed a slightly mousy folk outfit: pretty, dappled, traditional-sounding harmony-based songs that peek out from their safe little nest into the bigger, scarier world of rock’n’roll just occasionally. The threesome are at their best when they strip things down and stick to rustic wanderings and wonderings, the male-female vocal interaction keeping things fresh, though they’d do well to give Hayley Bell a more prominent role for the most part. `The Garden’ sees them bring almost surfy electric guitars to play, which suits them well, and the autumnal `Cures’ is sweet”….” we’re grateful for a few moments of simple, unpretentious music that’s hard to dislike.”

Ronan Munro – Nightshift Magazine

“Praise for the new Little Red track “The Cause”: “Ian Mitchell hands lead vocal duties to multi-instrumentalist Ben Gosling for this bittersweet ballad – his Neil Young-esque tenor blends effortlessly with Hayley Bell’s backing vocals in a way that’s reminiscent of Robert Plant’s collaboration with Alison Krauss.””

James Bandenburg – Folkgeek.net

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Windsor Great Park Illuminated Returns for Its Fourth Year with New Festive Wonders

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15 November 2024 – 4 January 2025
Tickets Available Now: www.windsorilluminated.com

The award-winning Windsor Great Park Illuminated returns for its fourth magical year, bringing a spectacular festive light trail to the enchanting woodland of Windsor Great Park. Running from 15 November 2024 to 4 January 2025, this much-loved event promises a refreshed experience with an all-new trail design and exciting new installations.

What’s New in 2024

This year’s trail introduces several never-before-seen attractions, including a floating installation debuting in the UK and impressive 8-metre stags exclusively crafted for the event. Visitors can also look forward to revamped favourites such as the Lasers, Field of Lights, and the Light Cathedral, now bigger and brighter than ever. A stunning new fountain show and additional photo opportunities ensure a memorable visit for all.

A Festive Wonderland

As you wander through the illuminated trail, you’ll encounter vibrant colours, festive surprises, and cozy rest stops. Warm up with mulled wine, hot chocolate, or toasted marshmallows by the firepit. Foodies can enjoy treats from vendors such as The Crepe Stop, Waffle Wands, Churros Hermanos, and more.

Event Details

  • Dates: 15 November 2024 – 4 January 2025 (closed Christmas Day)
  • Opening Hours: 4.30pm – 10.30pm (last entry 8.30pm; from 4.15pm after 29 November)
  • Ticket Prices: Starting at £18 for adults, £11 for children, and £51 for families (plus booking fees).
    Popular dates sell out fast, so advance booking is highly recommended.


How to Get There

  • By Car: Use postcode TW20 0UJ for navigation.
  • By Train: The nearest stations are Egham, Windsor Central, Windsor Riverside, Ascot, and Virginia Water. Taxis from these stations take approximately 15-20 minutes.


A World-Class Event

Windsor Great Park Illuminated is brought to life by IMG, the team behind iconic events like Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Hampton Court Palace Festival, in collaboration with DEAG Entertainment AG and Christmas Garden Deutschland GmbH, creators of Europe’s leading light trails.

Don’t miss the chance to experience this magical winter adventure. Secure your tickets now at www.windsorilluminated.com.

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Rising Fees Add Pressure to Reading Businesses Amid Budget Shortfall

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Reading’s cafes, restaurants, and small businesses face further financial strain as the council raises fees for pavement café licences, extra bins, and various other permits. The Labour council at Reading Borough Council introduced these increases as part of a financial recovery plan to tackle significant budget pressures in the 2024/25 financial year.

The council’s finance officers have identified an estimated £5 million budget shortfall, prompting a strategy of increasing fees and charges for a range of council-provided services. This plan aims to bridge the gap and ensure funding for essential services across the borough.

For many small businesses and independent establishments, however, these hikes come at a difficult time, as they already face rising inflation, energy costs, and supply chain challenges. Local business owners worry that the increased fees could discourage outdoor seating, reducing the appeal and accessibility of pavement cafes that have revitalised Reading’s streets since the pandemic. Added costs for waste management and extra bins could also tighten margins for businesses already managing slim budgets.

Council representatives argue that the adjustments are necessary to address rising service demands and maintain clean, safe public spaces across Reading. However, business leaders are calling on the council to consider the impact on small enterprises, which are central to the town’s economy and community character.

As the new fees roll out, local business associations are urging the council to explore alternative strategies that would support smaller operators while still meeting budget goals.

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Over 11,000 Reading residents aged 80+ may lose Winter Fuel Payments

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Over 11 thousand of those aged over 80 in Reading are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments due to the government’s cuts, the latest official statistics have revealed.

Reading Liberal Democrats, have called on the new government to “change course” in the face of these new statistics saying that ministers must “protect vulnerable pensioners” with thousands at risk of having to choose between heating and eating this winter.

Analysis of the new data shows that in Reading, over 11 thousand pensioners aged over 80 are not in receipt of pension credit and will lose their Winter Fuel Payment they were previously entitled to unless they receive other benefits. 

All those aged over 80 were previously entitled to £300 each to help with their energy bills to stay warm during the winter months but many will now lose this money.

In total, last year those aged over 80 in Reading received £3.25 million in support with £7.6 million given out to all pensioners in the constituency. This figure will drastically fall this winter following the withdrawal of support by the government for the vast majority of pensioners.

In total, just over 40 thousand pensioners in Reading do not receive pension credit and are also at risk of losing support due to the government’s cuts.

Age UK has previously said that 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments. Reading Lib Dems called on the government to “reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners” this winter. 

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Reading Borough Council, James Moore said:

Thousands of pensioners here in Reading are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter. We are especially concerned about vulnerable older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying. 

We have heard countless stories from those who now say they will have to choose between staying warm or putting food on the table as a result of this government’s decision.

Cutting these payments for thousands of my constituents, including many that are just barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.

It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners here in Reading this winter.

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