West Berkshire · England
Funeral and wake catering in Thatcham, West Berkshire
Funeral and wake catering in Thatcham: fish and chips cooked fresh in the van, and served hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Pub wakes
- Celebrations of life
Book the van in Thatcham
What a fish and chip van costs
Two events with the same numbers can cost different amounts, depending on:
- The menu and how many choices
- How easy the site is to reach
- The number of meals
- The minimum booking
Larger groups usually cost less per head, because the van, travel and set-up cost much the same either way. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
What to tell us
For a quote, it helps to have:
- The venue or postcode
- Where the van would park
- Any dietary needs and allergies
- The date and when you’d like to eat
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Tell us about your wake in Thatcham, and we will come back with availability and a quote.
About our funeral and wake catering in Thatcham
A wake needs warm, simple food. For many families, fish and chips is exactly that. We serve mushy peas, haddock and chips and sausage and chips, and we are frequently booked for anniversary memorials and a tribute meal.
Wakes in Thatcham are often at home or in a local hall. The van parks on the drive or in the car park. You will know what’s included before you book: serving times, the menu and anything else agreed.
- Where
- Thatcham (RG19, RG18)
- County
- West Berkshire
- Menu
- Cod and haddock, chips, sausages and pies
- Sides
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Quote
- Ask us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
Wakes in Thatcham: venues and practical details
Thatcham is about 12 miles north-west of Basingstoke, in West Berkshire. From the centre of Thatcham to the outskirts, we offer the same service: fish and chips fried to order, served hot and quoted clearly. Thatcham is one of 155 places in West Berkshire we cover. Our nearest city page is Reading, about 13 miles away.
Families holding a service at United Reformed Church frequently gather afterwards at a nearby hall, where the van can park. For family travelling by train, Thatcham station is about 0.9 miles away.
Here we cover the RG19 and RG18 postcode area, so your wake can be anywhere in it. Streets in the area include High Street, Station Road and Flagstaff Square, and the van can serve a wake on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Thatcham is on the A4, which makes the journey straightforward. Other places close to Thatcham we cover include Benham Hill (1 mile west), Ashmore Green (2 miles north-west), Cold Ash (2 miles north), Upper Bucklebury (2 miles north-east) and Stone Copse (2 miles north-west). Further out, we also take the van to Newbury (3 miles west), Burghfield Common (8 miles east), Speenhamland (3 miles west), Hungerford (11 miles west), Spencers Wood (12 miles east) and Calcot (9 miles east). As one of the bigger places in West Berkshire, Thatcham has lots of places where the van can park.
A little further out are Old Chapel Textile Centre (2.2 miles south-west) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (1.5 miles west). Within reach you’ll find Nature Discovery Centre.
- Schools near Thatcham include Kennet School (within half a mile east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Old Chequers Public House (less than half a mile south)
Nearby places to Thatcham
Other occasions in Thatcham
FAQs for Thatcham
We are gathering after a service at United Reformed Church: can you come?
Yes, at a home, hall or venue nearby where the van can park. Churches rarely have space for a catering van, so the food is generally elsewhere. Tell us where you’ll gather.
Is Thatcham close to London?
Roughly 51 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
What can guests choose from?
The classics: cod or haddock and chips, sausages and pies, plus mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Our menu has the details.
What if the weather’s bad?
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. It’s worth planning some cover for the queue.
How quickly can you serve everyone?
It depends on numbers, the menu and how people arrive. Give us your numbers and service window, and we will plan to keep the queue moving.
Can a friend deal with you?
Yes, many families prefer that.
How many people should we cater for?
Give us your best estimate, and we will plan with a little extra.
What if we only have street parking?
That depends on local parking rules. Off-road parking is typically simpler; for the street, check the council’s rules.
For event organisers in Thatcham
Parks, greens and streets typically need permission for a catering van. Ask the council or landowner early.
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will explain how it works. We’re happy to liaise with facilities on parking and timings.
Step by step
The van turns up at the agreed time, parks where we agreed. Once the oil is hot, the first portions go out right on schedule. In winter, it’s dark in Thatcham by about 4:00pm, so for an afternoon wake, light near the van and the door helps. In summer, there’s daylight until about 9:25pm.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive early to park and heat the fryers.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
How to prepare
- Clear the route for the van
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
- Leave room in front of the hatch for a queue
How to get a price
Every quote is worked out for your event. Start with your date, and we’ll confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Planning for dietary needs
Nearly every event has some special diets. To look after them:
- Ask your funeral director to help estimate numbers
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
- Check the hall has an urn
- Plan seating for older guests
Allow time for travel from the service, crematorium or burial ground.
Napkins and bins near the van keep things tidy.
Should I sort the food myself?
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van solves that by cooking on site.
For a small group, making your own food can work. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and you get to enjoy the day.
Planning the van’s spot
The van has to be able to get in and park safely, and a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what we look for:
- A route in without tight gates or low branches
- Flat, firm ground for the van
- A short walk from the party
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before you book.
Popular choices
- Sausage and chips
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
Food your guests will love
Cod and chips
Cod and chips is the meal most people picture when they think of a chip shop. Cooked fresh at the hatch, it is hot, crisp and generous.
Haddock and chips
Haddock is a little sweeter than cod, with a finer, firmer flake. It’s the traditional favourite in Scotland and much of the north.
Events we cater in Thatcham
It suits all ages.
Whatever brings people together, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser. We regularly serve:
- A tribute meal
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
- Memorial events and anniversaries
- Wakes at church halls and clubs
With the A4 nearby, it’s easy for family travelling by car to reach Thatcham.
What your quote should include
- How many hours the van serves
- Allergen information for each item
- What the van needs: space, access, power
- When payment is due
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch