- Two iconic figures were out and about in Marlow town centre on Sunday to mark the launch of this year’s Late Night Shopping event. Father Christmas joined a life size version of Pokémon character Pikachu to advertise the traditional shopping event, which is organised by the Marlow and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce. This year, the event – which sees a number of charity and commercial stalls dotted up and down the High Street, which is closed to traffic - will take place on December 1.

- This year’s Poppy Dance at the Royal British Legion in Marlow will feature the group The New Honeycombs, who will be singing throughout the evening on Saturday, October 22. Doors open 7pm, admission by ticket only. The Poppy Appeal will also be launched, with food included. Members £10, non-members £12.

- Take part in a quiz night at Bisham Abbey on October 26 in aid of the Bisham Church funds. Tickets are £10 each, which includes a welcome drink and supper. The quiz will be in teams of six – make up your own team or join a team on the night. Arrive at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are available from Sheila Featherstone-Clarke on 01628 471195, Hamish Hunter on 01628 474827 or from the secretary on 01628 471409.

- Between Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 30, children visiting Notcutts Garden Centre, on Clay Lane, Booker near Marlow, can pick up a free activity sheet and follow a free spooky trail to win a ghoulish treat. After picking up some of the witch’s essentials from pumpkins to broomsticks, the whole family can relax with a wicked treat in the café which will be serving homemade scones and a selection of cakes.

- The Crowne Plaza is getting into the Halloween spirit this year with both a kids and an adults spooky party. Children can enjoy an afternoon of fangtastic fun on October 28, with Dave the Disco providing the music and entertainment, fabulous face painters, bouncy castles and a prize for the spookiest fancy dress costume. The party will go on from 4pm until 7pm and costs £15 per ticket for children aged three to 12. The adults Monster Mash Disco will take place the next day (October 29), with DJ Dave the Disco. Dress to distress and enjoy the fun from 8pm until 1am.

- A karaoke night at the Duke of Cambridge pub in aid of charity raised more than £1,000 this month. Marlow resident, Emily Holzer, enlisted the help of her friend and fellow Marlovian, actor Ben Hull and his band  3 Minute Rockstar, to host the musical evening with backyard barbecue and raffle on October 1. The event raised money ahead of Emily’s first ever London Marathon next year, which she will run for the Royal National Institute of Blind People. The event was such a success, that 3 Minute Rockstar will return to the Duke of Cambridge for another gig on Friday, October 21.

- Enjoy wines from north and east of the Adriatic, including Croatia and Slovenia, with the Marlow Wine Society on October 26. From 8pm, there will be a tutored tasting of eight fine wines on a particular theme given by an invited speaker or knowledgeable society member. The society meets on the last Wednesday of every month from 8pm to 10pm at The Pugin Rooms, St Peter Street, Marlow.

- From October 25 onwards, Marlow Bookshop on Spittal Street will be holding story time for babies to pre-schoolers every Tuesday morning. Everyone is welcome from 10am.

- Learn about the lost Saxon fort at Cookham with an illustrated talk by Colin Berks on November 3. From 2000, Marlow Archaeology has been carrying out research and fieldwork in Cookham and under the expert guidance of Colin, members believe that recently discovered features may relate to the fort. If anyone is interested in joining the current excavation, contact Joy Blake on 01628 523896. Colin’s talk will be held in the Garden Room of Liston Hall from 8pm.

- The Chiltern Camerata will perform a concert celebrating the life and music of the composer Frederick Kelly on the centenary of his death in action in the First World War on November 12. The Australian-born polymath lived at Bisham, won a rowing gold medal in the 1908 London Olympics, was a concert pianist and composer. He served at Gallipoli where he was present in the last moments of the life of the poet Rupert Brook, to whom he dedicated his atmospheric 'Elegy'. The concert includes songs and instrumental and orchestral compositions by Kelly and his associates. The performance, narrated by Andrew Green, will offer intriguing insights into Kelly and his prodigiously talented life. The concert will be held at All Saints Parish Church from 7.30pm. Adult tickets £10, call 01494 883112 for information.

- An amazing line up of local musicians will be performing “Live on Stage” in Marlow on October 30. No fewer than ten different groups will take it in turns to play for half an hour in this innovative event showcasing the wonderful amateur music scene in our area.  Admission is free with a voluntary donation requested for local charities including Karen’s Big Smiles and Age Concern Marlow. The event runs from 3pm until around 10pm at Christ Church URC on Oxford Road. More details of running order and timings at www.musicinmarlow.org.uk.