Winchester Brew - 16th October '25

Winchester takes the spotlight again with the unveiling of the brand new Jane Austen statue at the Cathedral - a fitting tribute to one of the city’s most famous residents. Meanwhile, Winchester Law Week continues with talks and events in and around the Cathedral and University, and this week there’s even a visit from baking royalty herself, Mary Berry, sharing stories from her life and kitchen.

Add in the usual mix of gigs, theatre, markets and family events, and it’s another packed week across the city and surrounding villages. As always, Winchester Brew rounds up the best of what’s happening over the next seven days, all in one easy pour.

And if you know someone who’d love to be in the loop, pass this issue their way using your referral link at the bottom of this email…you’ll earn rewards while helping Winchester Brew grow.

Our featured pick of the events this week.

📚🍽️ Join the inimitable Dame Mary Berry in conversation with Gaby Huddart as she celebrates both her 90th birthday and the release of her latest book, Mary 90, to coincide with a major new BBC TV series.

Step inside her extraordinary six-decade career as she shares personal stories, treasured memories, and the secrets behind her culinary success. From training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and the Bath School of Home Economics, to her pioneering role as cookery editor at Housewife magazine, and her rise to television stardom - Mary will bring her journey vividly to life as she talks with Gaby.

This promises to be an evening brimming with heart-warming anecdotes, practical baking wisdom, trademark humour - and absolutely no soggy bottoms. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to listen to Dame Mary’s cookery wisdom and the opportunity to put your own culinary questions to Mary herself.

Venue: Middle Brook Centre, Middle Brook Street, Winchester, SO23 8DQ 

Timings: Starts at 7:00 PM and lasts 1 hour

https://winchesterbooksfestival.com/events/an-evening-with-mary-berry/

A couple of exciting bits of news to check out in Winchester this week:

🖼️ 📚Jane Austen Statue Unveiling, Winchester Cathedral, on Thursday 16th at 3:15 PM. Come along to be one of the first to see this brand new statue. The unveiling will include a speech by the Lord Leuitenant Nigel Atkinson Esq as well as Martin Jennings the sculptor and The Reverend Canon Dr Roland Riem. https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/jane-austen-statue-unveiling/

🍻🍷 The Westgate Pub reopens on Thursday 16th at 5pm and has a Grand Opening party on Saturday 18th from 6:30pm with live music from @thehenrysuk and complimentary nibbles from their new menu! 🤩 https://www.westgatewinchester.com/

A curated list of events from the next seven days. We try to only include events that still have availability, though things can sell out quickly so best to check ahead. Cheapest adult ticket price option shown where available.

📚 Winchester Law Week, Winchester Cathedral. Events run till Saturday 18th. This year’s Law Week Festival is a mix of services, talks, and performance with a focus on how societal perceptions of crime and criminality often lack awareness or rapidly become out dated – frequently shaped by the media and political agendas. https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/law-week-festival/

🎭 The Ripper Files, Theatre Royal Winchester. Mon 20th to Wed 22nd at 7:30 PM and Wed Matinee at 2:30PM. Rumpus Theatre Company presents a spine-tingling whodunnit…The Ripper Files based on the world's most famous case £15 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/ripper-files

🎶🎈 JazzBops, The Nutshell, at 11:30 AM. Join us for our monthly lunchtime jazz concert made especially for grown-ups and their little ones (ages 0-4) - a jazz club designed with grown-ups in mind. £9 https://discardednut.co.uk/thenutshell/whatson/jazzbops-october

📚🖼️ Artists at the Arc: Lecture with Ian Dawson, The ARC, at 6:30 PM. Taking its title from Robert Smithson’s Incidents of Mirror Travel in the Yucatan (1969), this lecture reflects on artistic practice as a series of mirrored and diffracted encounters with matter, history, and technology.  https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/artists-arc-lecture-ian-dawson

📚 Criminal Conversation - L V Matthews & Abigail Dean, P&G Wells, at 6:30 PM. Join us to hear two brilliant writers of Crime novels as they discuss their latest books, how they work and what makes their books tick. https://www.pgwells.co.uk/

🎶🎤 Phil Bates - Former ELO 2 Star And Frontman, The ARC, at 7:30 PM. Phil’s connection with ELO music goes back 30 years when, in 1993, he joined Bev Bevan, Kelly Groucutt, Mik Kaminski, Lou Clark – all ELO members – and Eric Troyer, in ELO Part2. £16 https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/phil-bates-former-elo

🎶 The Nutshell Jazz Club: Andrea Rinciari Quartet, The Nutshell, at 8:00 PM. Andrea Rinciari is an eminent jazz guitarist whose tireless dedication to the traditions of bebop and straight-ahead has led him to master the essence of mid-20th century jazz. £25 https://discardednut.co.uk/thenutshell/whatson/the-nutshell-jazz-club-andrea-rinciari-29hla

🎶🎓 Ukulele Improvers, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 12:00 PM. Simply learn by playing songs in a friendly and relaxed environment and having a lot of fun. £13.50 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/ukulele-improvers

🎤🎬 Holloway: Film screening and Q&A, University of Winchester, at 7:30 PM. Shot in 2021, the film follows six women as they return to the now abandoned HMP Holloway Prison in Central London to share some of their most intimate experiences. £15 https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/event/holloway/

🎤 Barnstormers Comedy, The ARC, at 8:00 PM. Our regular comedy night at The Arc, Barnstormers Comedy presents a line-up of three top acts from the London comedy circuit and beyond: many of them Comedy Store regulars. £12.50 https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/barnstormers-comedy-oct-2025-david-ward-don-biswas-erich-mcelroy-kevin-precious

👣🎃 Spooky Winch Word Hunt, Winchester Visitor Information Centre. Enjoy taking part in the FREE trail and once completed enter a prize draw to win a Halloween-inspired hamper. https://www.winchester.gov.uk/events/45089/45089

📚🎓 Fiction Writing for Beginners Course, The ARC. First session on 18th at 10:00 AM This short course is perfect for anyone interested in writing fiction for the first time. Over six weeks, Helen Cullen will introduce you to the core elements of fiction writing that are the building blocks of all stories, all in a supportive environment. £195 https://helencullen.com/store/fiction-writing-for-beginners-in-person-winchester

🧶🍽️ Bracelets and Brunch: Macrame Bracelet Stack Workshop, The Cart & Horses, Kings Worthy, at 10:00 AM. Fancy a spot of crafting while enjoying a delicious brunch? This event is perfect for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned macrame enthusiasts. £36 https://macandweave.co.uk/products/bracelets-brunch-macrame-bracelet-stack-workshop-18th-october-2025-kings-worthy-the-cart-horses

👣🏛️ Walking Tour: Regency Scandals, Winchester Visitor Information Centre, at 11:30 AM. Have your smelling salts at the ready as we explore some of Regency Winchester's biggest scandals. £12 https://winchestertouristguides.com/

🎭🎈 Shlomo's Beatbox Adventure for Kids, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 2:00 PM. Join world record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo (they/them) who makes amazing music with just a mouth and a mic, and has performed around the world with legends like Bjork, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental. £12.50 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/book/582804

🎶 After Dark - Led Zeppelin: The Planetarium Experience, Winchester Science Centre, at 6:00 PM. Get set for an audio and visual experience like no other as the music of the iconic Led Zeppelin comes to life in the Planetarium! £20 https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/whats-on/pink-floyd-september

🎶 After Dark - Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon, Winchester Science Centre, at 7:15 PM. Immerse yourself in the original, pyschedelic, fulldome Planetarium visualisation of Pink Floyd's iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon. £25 https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/whats-on/pink-floyd-september

🎶 Fire & Rain and American Pie, The ARC, at 7:30 PM. A heart-warming, musical tribute to the great U.S. singer-songwriters of the late 60’s and early 70’s, featuring beautiful songs from James Taylor, Carole King, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Don Mclean, Crosby, Stills & Nash, America, Bread, The Byrds, Carly Simon and more. £18 https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/event/fire-rain-and-american-pie

🎤 Richard Soames: Work in Progress, The Nutshell, at 8:00 PM. Join comedy writer/performer Richard Soames for an evening of stories, songs and sketches as he road-tests some brand-new material. Expect jokes about fatherhood, films and probably some sort of personal crisis. £10 https://discardednut.co.uk/thenutshell/whatson/richard-soames

🎶 The Blackheart Orchestra, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. The Blackheart Orchestra are British multi-award winning, multi-instrumentalists Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington. They comprise a two person ‘orchestra’ playing up to 13 instruments in their unique live show. £18 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/the-blackheart-orchestra-2025-10-18

🧶🛍️ Badger Farm Artisan Market, Badger Farm Community Centre, at 10:00 AM. This market is packed with exciting artisan finds, handmade treasures, and local delights. Come for the shopping, stay for the atmosphere! https://cweventshampshire.com/markets

🎭 Pies and Prejudice, Theatre Royal Winchester Cafe Bar at 11:30 AM. An entertaining exploration of the significance of food in the letters and novels of Jane Austen. Two characters, Jenny, the new cook, and Charlotte, the lady of the house, share opinions on food, health, gardening and marriage. £14 https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/pies-and-prejudice

🧘🏼‍♀️ Evening sundown yoga with Sophie House, Elevate Fitness Studios, at 5:00 PM. Think relaxed Ibiza evenings, think relaxing yoga, think about time after class with your community. Finish your weekend by joining us for a calming yoga session followed by chilled socials. £10 https://yogasocialclub-winchester.as.me/schedule/2d91818e/appointment/80186886/calendar/12357830

🎶 Aqualine, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Aqualine fuse post-punk aggression, grunge, ethereal shoegaze with bold experimental flourishes. The band explores themes of mental stability, disassociation, and self-identity in young adulthood. £10 https://railwayinn.pub/shows/aqualine-2025-10-19

🤝 Nutshell Network: Creative Co-working, The Nutshell, from 9:45 AM to 4:00 PM. As part of our commitment to fostering creative exploration and connection, we are opening our doors on select Tuesdays for creative co-working 🖤 https://discardednut.co.uk/thenutshell/whatson/creative-co-working

📚 Read It and Weep book club, The Railway Inn, at 7:00 PM. Join us on the third Tuesday of every month in Platform 2 for The Railway Inn’s new book club, Read It and Weep, as we sink our teeth into a juicy book (and probably enjoy a glass of wine or three!) https://railwayinn.pub/shows/read-it-and-weep-book-club/2025-10-21

🛍️ Kitchen Garden Tour, Lainston House at 11:00 AM. How about a tour around our working kitchen garden? Join our General Manager at Lainston House for a fun walk and talk to see what's growing and hear insights on plot to plate in our restaurants. The tour lasts 40 minutes and you’ll get a sit-down tea or coffee as well. Delightful. £5 https://www.exclusive.co.uk/lainston-house/things-to-do/kitchen-garden-tour/

🍷 Ridge Wine Tasting, Margaux Lounge, at 7:00 PM. Experience an elegant evening at Margaux Lounge, savouring exceptional Ridge wines paired with exquisite bites in a refined, convivial setting. Perfect for connoisseurs and wine lovers alike. £69.99 https://www.margaux-lounge.co.uk/events

Got an event we should feature in the Winchester Brew? Click the button below and add your event details!

Could your home be their happy place?

Every week we’ll recommend a walking or cycling route in or near the Winchester area.

Some fun to end on…

Did You Know? For three hundred and fifty years Winchester had its own mint striking coins under royal control. The first coins to carry the mint-signature of Winchester were issued at the very end of Alfred's reign around 895.

Riddle Me This: ? Last week’s answer: A stamp

Brain Teaser: What number comes next in this sequence: 1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221, ...? Last week’s answer: Move the second full glass and pour its contents into the fifth, empty glass. Then place the now empty second glass back in its original position.

Till next time,