It’s 1942 and Richard Jenkins (Harry Lawtey) is at school in Port Talbot, caught between the pressures of an alcoholic father, a devastating war, and his own ambitions. A new opportunity beckons when Richard’s natural talent for drama catches the attention of his teacher, Philip Burton (Toby Jones). The young man thrives under Philip’s strict tutelage and the guidance of a kindly landlady, Ma Smith (Lesley Manville). But as the acting world comes within Richard’s reach, the burden of his past risks holding him back forever.

“The performances from the two leads are impressive, with Lawtey deftly charting Richard’s progress from squeaky adolescent to adored stage smoothie, complete with trademark pout and mellifluous baritone. Jones finds wrenching sadness in the role of a teacher who once dreamt of writing for the stage and sees in Richard a conduit for his own unfulfilled life.” The Times

2025 Cert 12A

Film starts 7.30; bar opens 7.00.

Tickets only £5.

No need to book - just turn up on the night.

The Ramsden Poors Allotments Committee invites all interested residents to an open meeting on Friday 17 October in the Memorial Hall at 18:00. Please come along to help plan the future of this unique asset, 10 acres of glorious Oxfordshire countryside. To help in this endeavour, guest speakers have been invited who will make brief presentations. Refreshments will be provided.

More information at Allotments — Ramsden

Monthly village prize draw, last Friday of the month.

Disillusioned teacher Tom Michell (Steve Coogan) gets a job teaching English and Rugby in a school for rich kids in Buenos Aires. It’s 1976 and Argentina is controlled by a military dictatorship, but Tom is more interested in spending time on the beach than in either his pupils or the political situation. During a weekend trip to Uruguay he rescues an orphaned penguin and smuggles it back into the school, little suspecting that this is the beginning of a personal and political awakening.

“Coogan spikes proceedings with his familiar air of deadpan irony, while Cattaneo (in one of his better outings since landing an Oscar nomination for The Full Monty nearly 27 years ago) mixes broad comic beats with a mollifying dose of yellow-filtered pathos.” Variety

“Cattaneo and Pope manage to balance the tone of a dramatic historical depiction of fascism with a charming animal story and their secret weapon is Coogan. His bone-dry delivery makes it so that the sour is never too sharp and the sentimental is never too syrupy.” Los Angeles Times

“Adapted from Tom Michell’s autobiographical book, The Penguin Lessons counters the inspirational teacher cliches with a bumbling charm that’s boosted considerably by a first-rate performance from the scene-stealing penguin. Peter Cattaneo directs, just about striking a balance between the fluffy sentimentality of the story and its hard-edged political backdrop.” The Guardian

2024 Cert 12A

Film starts 7.30; bar opens 7.00.

Tickets only £5.

No need to book - just turn up on the night.

Time to dust off your thinking caps – it’s the return of the Memorial Hall Quiz Night!

Maximum of 6 people per team. £5 per person (pay on the night) to include half-time snacks

Bar opens 7.00; Quiz starts at 7.30.

To book your place, email community@ramsdenvillage.co.uk with the number of tickets you want and the names of your team members (if known).

Places are limited so don't delay!

Monthly village prize draw, last Friday of the month.

Monthly village prize draw, : please note the earlier date for the bumper Christmas Draw.

Monthly village prize draw, last Friday of the month.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2O26, DUE TO BUILDING WORK AT THE ROYAL OAK, THE DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE RAMSDEN MEMORIAL HALL.

The Draw will be held at 6.30 as usual, but please join us earlier and stay for longer for a convivial drink.

Monthly village prize draw, last Friday of the month.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 2O26, DUE TO BUILDING WORK AT THE ROYAL OAK, THE DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE RAMSDEN MEMORIAL HALL.

The Draw will be held at 6.30 as usual, but please join us earlier and stay for longer for a convivial drink.