FOR those of you who have wondered at the absence of Kingsclere News, I have spent the last five weeks travelling daily to the Royal Brompton Hospital where my wife is recovering from major open heart surgery.

I am pleased to say that she is making a good recovery and I hope that she will be home in the very near future.

CHRISTMAS fair: The Friends of Kingsclere School are holding a fair at the school tomorrow, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Entrance free.

SLUMDOG Millionaire: The latest offering from the film club and a film you really need to see on the big screen at the Village Club on Saturday, starting at 7.30pm.

CHRISTMAS market: There will be a large number of stalls in the Village Club on Saturday, December 12, from 10am to 4pm.

The market will be opened by Katie Clemenson, the young author and illustrator (winner of Best Emerging Illustrator Award, Early Year Awards 2009) and the author of Box of Tricks and The Magic Box. The official opening is at 10.30am, when Katie will be signing copies of her books.