FOWL 2026 WATLINGTON WALKS CALENDAR IS ON SALE
Are you looking for the perfect stocking filler? Our FOWL Watlington Walks calendar 2026 is now available to buy at the library, the Granary Delicatessen and Watlington Fine Wines. I have to say I think it is a stunning calendar with some really beautiful images and I do hope you will like it too. The winning photographs are also on display in the library so please do come in and see. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. This is a major fundraising tool for FOWL and we appreciate so much all those who help support us by buying our calendars and notecards. Don’t forget to pick up your calendar before they all go!
FOWL HAVE WON A PRIZE!
Our calendar project as a fundraising idea has won first prize in the Fundraising category of a series of prizes awarded by The Library Campaign Charity to mark their 40th anniversary, The Library Campaign supports and champions Friends groups throughout the country so it is very exciting to have this national recognition! Our wonderful Children’s Activities arm, FOWL FA were also credited with Special Mention. Thank you to The Library Campaign for acknowledging the work we do to support and promote our community library here in Watlington.
TALKS IN THE LIBRARY
In November, we were privileged to welcome Brigadier David Innes LVO OBE DL, late RGJ for a very special talk on our county Regiment, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, during the Great War; in particular the personal stories of two of its soldiers. It was a deeply compelling, poignant talk delivered to a capacity crowd
and a moving and fitting way to honour our armed forces in the month of November. I hope you managed to join us.
This was the last talk of 2025 and now we are looking ahead to the New Year and a divers 2026 programme that we have in place to look forward to. For starters, to kick off 2026 and as an antidote to those long January evenings, we are looking forward to an entertaining evening on January 16th with local author Steve Lunn, as he tells us all about his comic murder mystery set in Oxford. ‘The Price of Dormice’ is a funny, fast-paced thriller with lots of references to Oxford that also carries a pertinent message about local politics and the environment. A great way to start off the New Year! Watch out for when tickets are available.
Looking further ahead to February, we are looking forward to welcoming Lady Aurelia Young to tell us all about her father, the sculptor Oscar Nemon. Both these talks are the beginning of an exciting programme for 2026 so watch out for more details as the year unfolds.
FOWL FA
It has been a busy time in the library for FOWL FA. We were delighted to welcome the Squirrels last month and we are looking forward to welcoming the Beavers once again in January. In the meantime, there will be plenty of crafts going on in the library during the Christmas Fair on December 6th and we will be looking forward to welcoming a certain special visitor to the library on December 20th. Also, do remember our new story sacks, toddler toys and games that are all available to while away an hour or two in the library this winter.
This month Rhymetime falls on December 2nd and16th. Lego Club will be taking a well-earned Christmas break and will be back in the New Year.
On behalf of all the FOWL Trustees and our wonderful library staff, may I take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of you who have helped FOWL support our community library this year. We wish you and yours a very happy and healthy Christmas and all our very best wishes for the New Year.
Dr Anna Tilley; Chair FOWL
This lovely photograph was taken by Simon Tilley and can be found in our Watlington Landmarks calendar
Friends of Watlington Library 