Special Interest Groups

BK - This and That is a website run by an Ascot resident. This site contains articles on various subjects, including growing on allotments, histories of allotments and of cultivation; the summer festivals in Edinburgh  and computer performance. There are articles by BK, as well  many links to other people's articles, - BK is a firm believer in the original ethos of the Internet, which is to share information. Visit http://www.bkthisandthat.org.uk/

  Old Windsor Angling Club,

In 2008, OWAC celebrated its Golden Anniversary, but has always been a friendly Members Club based on Thames River fishing, with a varied fixture list visiting many other fisheries and Clubs.
The present HQ is our Clubhouse at Home Park, Windsor, and now we are managing the fishing on Home Park on behalf of RBWM, we really are THE local Angling club. In addition, we have access to fishing at Old Windsor, Potts Field, Cookham, Clivedon, The Jubilee River, as well as seven miles of the Wey Navigation canal, 30 miles of the Basingstoke Canal, and we offer Reading and District Angling Association membership as an option.
We are pleased to accept anglers of any sex, age, or experience, and will help and encourage new anglers on request. Our meetings are on Tuesday evenings at the clubhouse, around 8.30pm, and we arrange matches on Sundays, with some Wednesday evening matches in the Summer.
Old Windsor Angling Club is a member of Angling Trust, supports the good work being done by Les Webber (“Gets Kids hooked on Fishing not drugs or crime”) at Wraysbury and is affiliated to Thames Valley Angling Association, Basingstoke Canal Angling Association and Reading and District Angling Association.

OWAC can be contacted on the website www.oldwindsorac.webs.com , Facebook page, or OWAC@hotmail.com or by phoning the Secretary, Alan Beaven, on 01628 602537 (evenings)

We meet on the morning of the first Tuesday of the month to enjoy a lecture on one of a thousand subjects within the Arts.  Actual face to face lectures are being replaced with live Zoom Webinar meetings until further notice.    It’s all there on the website – www.theartssocietyascot.org.uk  - plus anything else you’d like to know about our group.  We’d love you to join us.  Or try a free taster visit to the next lecture meeting?  Please talk to our membership secretary Alice, at alicedelima@yahoo.com   or  ‘contact us’ through the above website. 

Next Lecture Meeting | Tuesday 02 February 2021 | English furniture of the Georgian Age: 1715-1800    Ms Barbara Peacock MA FRSA 

 CLICK on this link for details of the Society  meetings . http://tas-englemere.org.uk/

The Arts Society Englemere  (Ascots evening Arts Society)

The Arts Society Englemere are now utilising ZOOM technology to encourage us all to have some fun and enjoyment ! Guests are welcome to join any event or lecture online. After the Lecture there is an opportunity to put questions to the lecturer. Participation in your first lecture is “free”. A small charge (£5) will be made for subsequent events.

To register your interest please go to the website tas-englemere.org.uk click on “contact us” and email info@tas-englemere and you will receive the link.

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The Society is  a local NADFAS group which, in normal times,  meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August & December) at : St George’s School, St. George’s Lane, Ascot at 7pm for 7.45pm
There is time for socialising followed by a lecture given by one of the highly recommended NADFAS lecturers. They cover a broad range of subjects including Art, Architecture, Sculpture, Porcelain, Silver, Furniture & Music.

We also organise a number of visits each year to places of interest such as Country Houses, Royal Palaces, Galleries, Museums & Gardens plus short tours in the UK and overseas city tours which have included St. Petersburg, Madrid  and Dresden & Istanbul.
In addition we hold a Summer and Christmas social event each year. 
This is a relatively new branch of the Society and is very friendly and always pleased to welcome new members.  If you think you may be interested in ‘testing the water’, please contact: Richard Audsley on 01344 883106

CLICK HERE for details of next meeting

You will be welcome to meet the newly formed voluntary group in Ascot & the Sunnings, which meets fortnightly and will meet next, on Monday 21st October in Silwood at 8pm The group is not only passionate about climate change in the local area but also active.

FUTURE MEETING  DATES...

AscotAreaAlzheimers is a past  Winner of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services  |Ascot Area Alzheimer's Support Group covers the catchment areas of Ascot, Windsor & Maidenhead, and Bracknell. People from Wokingham are welcome to attend, however, a small fee may be chargeable for certain services.It is are a voluntary organization, offering respite care and support to people, families and their carers who may have a diagnosis of dementia. The following services are offered;

 Ascot Brass perform concerts for charity , in partnership with top local choirs. Visit www.ascotbrass.org.uk

Ascot Brass   is well established and always happy to consider new members. Please contact Malcolm Brown 07710-296236 Committee member

ASCOT BRASS | THE FUTURE

Ascot Brass a 30 piece concert Brass Band, who are now in their 14th successful year, we are a registered charity and perform many concerts for good causes. However, the band members have agreed it is time we should be putting on our own concert, with selected soloists, and excellent choirs, so we are exploring the best method of seeking a single sponsor or a number of sponsors. Naturally, maximum exposure would be in evidence at each concert.

Any individuals, or companies that enjoy the sound of a good brass band, and can help us in our objective, please email malcolm@surefootservices.co.uk <mailto:malcolm@surefootservices.co.uk> 

To discuss its potential.

Malcolm Brown,  Sponsorship Manager, Ascot Brass www.ascotbrass.org.uk

The Ascot Bridge Club was formed in 1977 and plays in the Chavey Down Community Centre hall, directly behind St. Martin's church in Church Road, Chavey Down. There is bridge played every Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening - except on bank holidays. Whilst the Monday afternoon section of the club plays exclusively duplicate pairs bridge, the Tuesday evening section includes a teams of four evenings several times every year.
For more information please call David Calcutt on 01344-886412, or visit the web site  https://www.bridgewebs.com/ascot/ 

bridge club ascot

E-Mail Emily at ascotsinging@outlook.com

The Ascot Community Choir meets at All Souls Church, Church Road, South Ascot, on Thursdays 10.30am to 12 noon. All abilities welcome.

 Ascot Horticultural Society  |     A long established group affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, aiming to share and promote interest in all aspects of plants and the natural environment.  Monthly evening meetings (2nd Wednesday) in King Edward's Hall, North Ascot.  Activities include talks / demonstrations by expert guest speakers, discussions, quizzes, outings, competitions and 4 seasonal shows of horticultural produce, floral & culinary art, handicrafts and photography.  Experienced, novice or just interested observer - all are welcome.  For further details call 01344 622086 or log on to www.ascothorticulturalsociety.org.uk

 2020 PROGRAMME SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The events and activities are open to all. For further details log on to www.ascothorticulturalsociety.org.uk or call 01344 622086.

AHS :: Ascot Horticultural Society  

 FACEBOOK

Trains  run at the miniature railway at the Ascot Locomotive Society, on Sundays, usually from May to October) from 2.00-4.30 (weather permitting). £3.00 per person entrance fee for up to three people, £2.50 per person for families of 4 and over. Drink and a biscuit or slice of cake £1. Please donate more if you can - your donations keep us running! 

The Ascot Locomotive Society which meets alongside car park 10 of the Ascot Racecourse off the Winkfield Road (A330) currently has vacancies for new members.  When there are no public running sessions,  the group still  welcomes visitors on the first Sunday of each month from 14.00. Anyone interested is asked to contact Kirsten Hossack 01344 625604 - email ascotloco@hotmail.com

Rotary Club of Ascot | Service | Fellowship | Corporate Membership

RECENT EVENTS | 2020 Sunninghill New Year Fancy Dress Wheelbarrow Race - CLICK HERE.  CLICK HERE for info on Young Musicians Competition 

CLICK HERE to see Ascot Rotary Cuddly Toys Presentation 2019 

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The Rotary Club of Ascot principally provides support to well-known local community activities and raises money for local and international causes. With a motto 'Service Above Self'', its main objective is service - in the community, in the workplace and around the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide in 34,000 Rotary Clubs in nearly every country. It is not affiliated with any political or religious organisations.

Locally, it is particularly well-known for organising the hugely popular New Year's Day Sunninghill Wheelbarrow Race, which in 2016, raised over £8,000 to donate to the Ascot District Day Centre and other charities. (The Club has also contributed to the purchasing of two new mini buses, used for transport to the Day Centre).  See PHOTOS OF WHEELBARROW RACE winners 2017.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife.

BBOWT was founded in 1959 (as the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Naturalist Trust -  BBONT) by local ecologists who could see the extent of harm being done to the wonderfully rich natural environment of the three counties. For over 50 years we have worked with local people to make Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire richer in wildlife.

BBOWT currently has about 54,000 members and more than 1,300 active volunteers. It is thanks to our members and volunteers that we are able to keep going - we do not receive any core governmental funding. Our income comes from a range of sources including grants, legacies, business support and charitable trusts donations, but most important of all are our membership subscriptions......

 BBOWT :: logo 

 Membership Offers: Hands-on in the Spring/ Summer at the Society Apiary, Autumn /Winter programme of talks in Windsor, BBKA membership, BBKA News bi-monthly, insurance against bee diseases, mentoring

The Slough Windsor & Maidenhead Beekeepers' Society is an active society with about 100 members who come from all over the world and from all walks of life. Some are complete beginners while others have a wealth of experience, but we all share a passion for maintaining healthy bees and producing high quality honey.

Visit www.swmbks.weebly.com

The Tower Bell Ringers practise at St.Marys Church, Church Road, Maidens Green, Winkfield on Monday evenings, 7.30 -8pm for beginners, followed by Full Practice from 8 -9pm. For more information call Tony on 01344 886087. For more information visit www.winkfieldandcranbourne.org.uk  or CLICK ON THIS LINK

It only takes a few weeks to learn the basics and then you can join in with the band. 

• Ringing for services

• Social Events

• Outings to other towers

• Service to the church & the community

WEBSITE

Berkshire Archaeology | An archaeological advice service for Windsor and Maidenhead (ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale) , Reading, Bracknell Forest, Slough and Wokingham
www.berkshirearchaeology.org.uk

Get the most from your family history -  with Berkshire Family History Society - helping everyone’s family trees to flourish !

CLICK  HERE

Meetings at 7pm till 9 30pm 3rd Thursday of Sept, Oct, Nov, Feb, March and April. Plus Christmas lunch in Dec and AGM in May.

 Bracknell@berksfhs.org.uk

LET’S SHATTER TWO MYTHS ... YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE BERKSHIRE ANCESTORS TO BENEFIT... Many with no local ancestors draw actively on society products and services.... AND YOU DON’T NEED TO LIVE IN BERKSHIRE Plenty of members live far beyond its borders, some live overseas.
The society delivers resources and activities to meet the needs of people like you; people researching into families across the UK and overseas (and in Berkshire too). Would these services be useful in your research?

TWITTER   01344 782970    

COVID LOCKDOWN

From Thursday 5th November 2020, all of the BM music centres will be closed and both lessons and ensembles that usually take place in music centres will return to online Zoom lessons. The timings of most lessons will not change however your teacher will be in touch if a slight change is required.

Berkshire Maestros provides Berkshire's young people with instrumental and vocal tuition  in schools and music centres (for this area, in Windsor and Bracknell) . Established in 1982, it has nearly 8000 students it offers something for everyone, with lessons, ensembles, orchestra and everything from classical to jazz to rock. Visit www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk

 Account Administration / General Enquiries

Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9am – 5.00pm
Friday: 9am – 2pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

0118 901 2370 • admin@berkshiremaestros.org.uk

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Berkshire Maestros, 100 Cockney Hill, Stoneham Court, Reading RG30 4EZ

Find Berkshire Maestros on social media:

BRACKNELL | Bracknell Music Centre, Open Learning Centre,   Rectory Lane, Bracknell RG12 7GR

bracknell@berkshiremaestros.org.uk  Phoebe Wright, Regional Activities Co-ordinator  | 01344 782970 • bracknell@berkshiremaestros.org.uk | Currently:  Bracknell Music Centre, Ranelagh School, Ranelagh Drive,
Bracknell RG12 9DA

The centre office will continue to operate out of the Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane, Bracknell RG12 7GR until further notice.  For opening hours go to the Bracknell Music Centre page.

WEBSITE

The Berkshire Ornithological Club promotes education and study of wild birds and their conservation in Berkshire. Anyone interested in birds and bird-watching is welcome: beginner or expert, local patch enthusiast or international twitcher. There is a full programme of events, with illustrated talks, normally held  at the University of Reading from October to April, and excursions, including occasional overseas visits, through the year.

Tickets by email  tickets@bracknellchoral.org.uk

www.BracknellChoral.org.uk  for full booking details and online booking

Bracknell Choral Society performs three major concerts each year. We meet on Wednesday evenings in term time at Ranelagh School and are a very friendly crowd of some 100 singers. Come and try us! We have just ended our 50th Anniversary Year, having performed with several world-renowned soloists (eg: Dame Emma Kirkby, Andrew Foster-Williams). New singers are always welcome! www.BracknellChoral.org.uk

For full booking details and online booking, please visit the website, www.bracknellchoral.org.uk

Click HERE for further information 

The Bracknell Forest History Natural Society will hold a series of talks at South Hill Park .

The Bracknell Forest Natural History Society  http://bfnathistsoc.org.uk/meetings.html  One Monday every month,  7.30pm - 9.30pm. Recital Room at South Hill Park,  Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA.  Visitors are welcome. No booking required.

Visitors are welcome and there is no need to book.    Meet: Recital Room at South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA.
7:30pm - 9:30pm (Doors open from 7:15pm), with a break for refreshments in between.
Membership is £12 per year with an entrance fee of £1 for evening meetings – or come along as a visitor and pay just £3 for the evening.

WEBSITE

Our objectives:

• Promoting and encouraging the playing of bridge at all levels
• Supporting and assisting BBCBA clubs with any problems or issues
   

We aim to meet these objectives by:

• Organising county competitions at a wide range of levels
• Being a financially sound body which, over the medium term, retains sufficient reserves to meet one year's anticipated expenditure
• Maintaining a website for the Association
• Organising feedback from clubs on issues such as the role of clubs in EBU administration
• Supporting the Minibridge initiative in schools
• Providing information about bridge clubs and teachers
• Organising an annual 24 pairs a side Berks v Bucks match at three levels
• Financially assisting the BBCBA teams in National competitions
• Acting as shareholders, representing BBCBA interests at EBU meetings

www.ascotbridge.org.uk   www.davidcalcuttbridge.co.uk                               

Please click on the poster to enlarge

Bridge ::  Lessons

Canine First Aid runs at the Charlotte Pratt Memorial Hall, in Chavey Down Road, Chavey Down, Winkfield.

Visit http://www.cpmh.org.uk/  or http://www.charlotteprattmemorialhall.org.uk/ .

Canine First Aid | Sarah Nuttall | 07761 302010
Email: saskayalf@gmail.com

 E-mail: Shirley.brown19@hotmail.co.uk

FACEBOOK

Charter’s Friends Book Club meets in the Durning Room at Charters Library. Hot & cold drinks are available. New friends always welcome!

E-mail: sue.roche1@btinternet.com for more details.

There is a  Chat & Craft Group, open to all, meeting 2 - 4pm at St.Peter's, Hatchet Lane, Cranbourne, near Ascot, 2 -4 pm on Thursday afternoons.

WEBSITE

Chavey Down Women’s Institute meets  at St Martin's Church Hall, Church Road, Chavey Down, Winkfield,  on the 3rd Monday of the month at St Martin’s Hall in Church Road at 7.45pm..  New members welcome.  For more information about the group, contact Janey on 01344 883854.

Website -  chaveydownwi.com or emailing  - Alison Bird, President, (alisonsbird@gmail.com)

WEBSITE

Chavey Down WI meets at St.Martin's Church Hall, Church Road, Chavey Down, usually on Monday evenings. New members are welcome. The group enjoys interesting speakers, outings and social events. Call Janey on 01344 883854 or  01344 882184

Cheapside Horticultural, Handicrafts and Arts Society holds Spring and Summer Shows at Cheapside Village Hall. Anyone can enter and there is a wide variety of  classes for adults and children. The 2017 Summer Show on Saturday August 26th (exhibits to be at the Hall by 10.30am). Show opens to the public at 2.30pm . Newcomers welcome. For more details and an entry form contact the Society Secretary on 01344 624958 

Cultivating Friends at Lily Hill Park | Every Thursday, 10am – 12 noon'Cultivating Friends' meets every Thursday at Lily Hill Park, 10am - 12 noon. Meet in the North Car park, Lily Hill Road, Bracknell,  RG12 2RZ.  Get stuck in with the Lily Hill gardening team and enjoy a cup of tea afterwards. Take along your gardening gloves.
Meet: North car park, off Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, RG12 2RX.

E-Mail  rangers@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

East Berkshire Ramblers enjoy walks in the area around Ascot, Sunningdale, Sunninghill and Winkfield. For information on the Walks Programme   https://www.eastberksramblers.org/walks/walks-programme.html 

   Walks programme  for more information

There will be a 4 mile walk at Coopers Hill/ Runnymede, on Wednesday January 15th

The East Berkshire Scrabble Club meets in Crowthorne

Please click on the poster to enlarge it East Berks Scrabble Club : Crowthorne   

Do you enjoy a good game of Scrabble?  Are you looking to learn a bit more about the game? Do you want to stop annoying friends and family with arguments over whether AARRGHH is actually a word? Do you yearn to play ZYZZYVAS across two triple-word squares?

East Berks Scrabble Club is always open to new members, and we’d love to have you along to try out one of our game nights.

You’ll find all you need to know on this site, but do feel free to contact us for a chat first.

We meet on Thursday evenings at 7:30, at St Sebastian’s Pavilion by the Tennis and Cricket Clubs), just off Nine Mile Ride in Crowthorne. Our club nights are very social.  We have a few games of Scrabble, and coffee and biscuits and a chat. We also run league and knockout competitions within the club at different times of year (usually with small prizes), and we also have members who represent the club in teams in a local league or who go along to play individually at tournaments across the country.

WEBSITE

Egham Choral is a friendly and busy traditional choral society and we always welcome new members

EC meets on Monday evenings @ 7.30pm at the United Church of Egham. Reduced membership fees for students. All voices very welcome. For further details please contact chairman@eghamchoral.org

The New Egham Singers will hold a Summer Prom and Concert to raise money for the sick and premature babies Charity, First Touch (information below)

info@first-touch.org.uk
www.first-touch.org.uk
Follow us
@firsttouchnnu
@FirstTouchNNU
firsttouchnnu
Registered charity

About New Egham Singers:

New Egham Singers (NES), one of the two choirs that make up Egham and District Choral Society, is a non-audition choir of more than 120 members of all ages and musical abilities who get together once a week under the guidance of Musical Director Guy Bunce. Its aims are to make tuneful music, have fun, and while doing so, raise money for local charities. http://www.neweghamsingers.org/

About Dr Guy Bunce:

Guy Bunce (b.1980) graduated in 2001 from Kingston University where he specialised in composition and won the Kingston Composition Prize. He went on to achieve a Masters degree and PhD in composition at Royal Holloway University of London. When not composing, Guy enjoys freelancing as a professional conductor and arranger for both choirs and instrumental ensembles. New Egham Singers is one of his choirs. http://www.guybunce.co.uk/

If anyone is interested in learning the art of embroidery or patchwork please contact Stitchery at Hatchet Lane. Please phone 07747 543546

The Yateley Angling Academy operates at Trilakes Country Park, catering for all ages, providing tackle, bait and licenses. Contact  the Centre at 12 - 16 The Parade, Yately, Hampshire, GU46 7UN 01252 861955 or visit www.yacacademy.co.uk

TWITTER

Learn French with Chloe's Language Club  for toddlers on Thursdays,   in Ascot - Cranbourne and Ascot Heath Schools and Edith Rose Nursery. Please call   01344 890208.

Call: Vanessa on 07990 683647 or e-mail: vanessaduram9@gmail.com

Enjoy French lessons in the comfort of your own home .

All ages, tuition up to GCSE & common entrance or just pure freestyle conversation with some grammar thrown-in for older pupils.

Price; £40 per hour

  Cultivating Friends at Lily Hill Park | Every Thursday, 10am – 12 noon
Get stuck in with the Lily Hill Park gardening team and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee amongst friends. Tea/coffee provided. Please bring gardening gloves if you have them.
Meet: North car park, off Lily Hill Road, Bracknell, RG12 2RX.

E-Mail  rangers@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

 A Greek School runs at St.Peter's Church Hall, Hatchet Lane, Cranbourne, on Friday evenings. For more information call 01753 840 794.

Ascot Inner Wheel  celebrates its 56th anniversary in 2019, and is a member of the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs which are part of the family of Rotary.

The Ascot Inner Wheel meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday evening at Mill Ride Golf Club, in Ascot, to enjoy dinner and often, a speaker or presentation. If there is a fifth Wednesday in the month, we join with Ascot Rotary for dinner and a speaker.

The Inner Wheel organisation was started in 1924 by the wives of Rotarians, as Rotary was originally for men only.  It is one of the largest women’s service organisations in the World, with 19,000 members within Great Britain and Ireland and over 100, 000 members from more than 103 countries across the globe.

Inner Wheel is women in action, working together to make a difference and improving lives.  We work together giving humanitarian aid nationally and internationally,

We help people by extending the hand of friendship.  We work on projects that are truly life changing.  We make firm and lasting friendships.  There is no other group like it.

The objects of Inner Wheel are:-

To promote true friendship.

To encourage the ideals of personal service.

To foster international understanding.

Members of Inner Wheel achieve these goals by various ways which combine fund-raising and personal service – all with fun and friendship.

Please click on the poster to enlarge it

ascot library :: knit & natter  

A Knitting group meets at the Ascot Durning Library , upper Ascot High Street  every  Tuesday.

The Warfield Ladies Probus Club for retired professional and business women from Warfield and the surrounding areas enjoy lunch on the third Monday of the month at Mill Ride Golf Club in North Ascot.  In addition to speakers at these lunches, there are theatre outings and other social events arranged for members.  New members are very welcome.  Please see our website www.wlpclub.co.uk for further details

ascot ladies probus

The Ascot and Winkfield area are rich in architectural interest, listed buildings (including old coaching milestones) and country houses and estates.

Winkfield Parish Council has put together a comprehensive list of listed building in Winkfield, Winkfield Plain and North Ascot.

The Bracknell Forest Heritage Online Project is a website, dedicated to bringing together memories of local people. You will find an interactive map with links that take you to photographs, stories and audio clips of local peoples' memories of the area, which covers North Ascot and Winkfield. You can add your own contributions Contact: 01344 351754  or e-mail: bracknell.heritage@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

E-Mail: NorthAscotNWR@outlook.com

The National Women's Register - where women flourish, meet in North Ascot, every 2 weeks, at 8pm in members' houses. Meetings are informal with a warm welcome, whatever age or personal circumstance. Groups may arrange theatre visits and social visits,, as well as national and regional conferences. 

The New Egham Singers hold regular concerts, raising money for charity. They recently held  a Summer Prom and Concert to raise money for the sick and premature babies Charity, First Touch (information below)

About New Egham Singers:

New Egham Singers (NES), one of the two choirs that make up Egham and District Choral Society, is a non-audition choir of more than 120 members of all ages and musical abilities who get together once a week under the guidance of Musical Director Guy Bunce. Its aims are to make tuneful music, have fun, and while doing so, raise money for local charities. http://www.neweghamsingers.org/

About Dr Guy Bunce:

Guy Bunce (b.1980) graduated in 2001 from Kingston University where he specialised in composition and won the Kingston Composition Prize. He went on to achieve a Masters degree and PhD in composition at Royal Holloway University of London. When not composing, Guy enjoys freelancing as a professional conductor and arranger for both choirs and instrumental ensembles. New Egham Singers is one of his choirs. http://www.guybunce.co.uk/

The North Ascot History Group meets on the third Monday of the month at the Ascot Life centre in New Road, North Ascot

The Windsor and Eton Operatic Society can be found at www.windsor-eton-opera.co.uk