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Yamas - Greek Christmas
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Great Food and Drink Festivals Return
24 Argos Reveal Top 10 Christmas Toys 26 Nottingham’s Light Night Returns 32 Homemade Gifts: Bath Salts 33 Homemade Gifts: Beeswax Teacup Candles 34 Stocking Fillers for Adults 36 Christmas in Nottinghamshire 38 Christmas at Chatsworth 42 Palace Theatre’s Peter Pan 75% Sold Out 44 Lincolnshire Showground Prepares for
Festive Food Fair
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Great Food and Drink Festivals Return The Great Food and Drink Festivals will return in 2017 and there is a brand new venue to visit! As well as Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey, the Great Food and Drink Festivals will be travelling to Lincoln for the very first time. In 2016, chefs from Tom Kerridge, John Torode, Nancy Birtwhistle, Michael Caines, Nadiya Hussain and others were amongst the high profile names at the shows. To keep up to date and to see who is attending the events in 2017 visit our website www.greatfoodanddrinkfestivals.co.uk The Nottingham Castle event will take place on the 27th - 29th May, Newstead Abbey will be on the 26th - 28th August and the Lincoln Castle date is to be announced in the near future. See you there! 17
Argos Reveals Top 10 Toys that your children will be asking for this Christmas
1. Zoomer Chimp, £99.99, ages 5+ Your little monkeys will love this robotic pet, which responds to voice recognition and boasts over 100 tricks! 2. Paw Patrol Air Patroller, £39.99, ages 3+ This little robopup pilot comes with his very own jet, which is complete with lights, sounds and rotating propellers. 3. LEGO City Volcano Exploration Base, £54.97, ages 8-12 Lego lovers will definitely want this! With an operation centre, valcano site, six characters and more! 4. VTech Toot Toot Gold Mine, VTech, £39.99, ages 1-5 The younger children will love this train set that comes with a mine, drop chute and a motorised engine that will allow it to climb the slopes! 5. Nerf Modulus Tri-Strike, £44.99, ages 8+ Nerf’s very first three way shooting toy! It comes with an Elite Dart blaster, the MEGA Dart Barrel Extension, and a mighty Missile Launcher Stock 6. Tiny Treasures Newborn Open Eye Doll, £39.99, ages 3+ This extremelly lifelife baby doll weighs and measures the same as a newborn baby. Not only that but it features sleepy eyes, silky new-born hair, super-soft skin and even has an authentic baby scent. 7. SelfieMic, £19.99, ages 8+ Do you have a budding popstar child? The SelfieMic will allow them to create their own music videos and comes with a microphone and ear piece, as well as a music app. 8. Design a Friend Tiffany, £39.99, ages 3+ Exclusive to Argos, this Chad Valley Design a Friend doll is all set for the red carpet in her dazzling evening dress, sparkly glitter sandals and pretty clutch bag. She also has an extra outfit, perfect for strutting her stuff on the carry-case catwalk packaging! 9. Little Live Pets My Dream Puppy, £47.49, ages 4+ With his super-soft fur, nodding head and tummy that moves when he breathes, this cute pooch will brings smiles aplenty this Christmas 10. Fisher Price Codeapillar, £44.99, ages 3-6 This motorised caterpillar can be programmed to move through obstacles, accompanied by colourful lights, music and fun sounds effects. 24
2. Paw Patrol Air Patroller
1. Zoomer Chimp
9. Little Live Pets My Dream Puppy
8. Design a Friend Tiffany
7. SelfieMic 25
Nottingham Light Night will be proudly brought to you once more by Nottingham City Council, with support from partners, on Friday 10th February 2017, celebrating its tenth year. All those years back no one had any idea how many people would take part in or be part of this event and it keeps growing, with thousands of people coming into the city for what has become a brilliant event. For 2017, we have some funding to create new art work for the streets by making lighting installations. We are also branching out into new parts of the city by creating satellite zones with their own local feel. Anyone who is part of an organisation that wants to run an activity as part of Light Night can get in touch by sending an email to Arts@nottinghamcity.gov.uk. More news about what will be happening on the night will be coming soon.
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Christmas in Nottingham Whats on in Notts over the festive period?
Christmas Trail Rufford Abbey Country Park 19th November - 23rd December
Stories with Santa Wollaton Hall Deer Park 10th December
This is a self-guided trail; Santa and his elves are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas at the North Pole, but as they came through the park they lost all their directions. Following clues, find your way through the park to the mill and collect your chocolate reward. This trail does cross grassy areas.
Join us in the Courtyard Grotto for an afternoon adventure with Santa. Listen to stories of the North Pole and sing along with the Elves! Includes a present for every child. Booking is advisable due to limited space.
The NET Winter Wonderland Nottingham Nottinghams Old Market Square 19th November - 8th January
This year Worksop College will play host to a wonderful quaint Christmas Market, and you’re all invited. Come and join us at this magical event set in the Great Hall at this prestigious venue. With a selection of local food, drinks and crafts, this is the place to be to purchase those last minute gifts for your loved ones. With arts and crafts for the little people to enjoy, and even the chance to visit Santa (fee applies), there is something for everyone.
Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland is back in Old Market Square from 19 October until 8 Jan! FREE entry, charge for ice skating and children’s rides. Thanks to sponsor Nottingham Express Transit, and media partners Capital FM and Notts TV. The NET Winter Wonderland is brought to you by Mellors Group events and Nottingham City Council, at no cost to the taxpayer. Abbey Christmas Newstead Abbey - 3rd December With foliage cut from the grounds, twinkling lights, baubles and Christmas trees, The Abbey is transformed for Christmas. See Newstead in all its splendour at this magical time of year. Visit the craft stalls in the Cloisters to pick up Christmas gifts and treat yourself to some festive fare in the Abbey café. Visit Santa to pass on your Christmas wishes (additional cost)
Christmas Market Worksop College - 11th December
Christmas Eve Walk 24 December Sherwood Forest Country Park Escape the hustle and bustle of high street shopping and the last minute Christmas rush, and enjoy a gentle stroll with a ranger through the ancient glades of Sherwood, looking for winter wildlife and discovering about this legendary forest. Some of these may incur charges. Please visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/whats-onin-nottingham for more information. 37
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The Stage is Set for A Magical Christmas at Chatsworth: The Nutcracker 5 November 2016 - 3 January 2017 The fairytale magic of the most famous of ballets will sweep everyone along into an enchanting winter wonderland at Chatsworth this festive season. Christmas at Chatsworth: The Nutcracker will see the house transformed to present the festive tale complete with lavish costumes, beautiful decorations, wonderful stage sets and a few fantastic surprises in store sure to captivate all who visit. Christmas at Chatsworth will transport everyone to a fairytale world populated by Nutcracker soldiers; elegant ballerinas and dancing snowflakes. All the cast will be on view - from the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy to the Nutcracker and Clara - to depict the story in a series of stunning tableau scenes throughout the house. In the tale, a box of performing toys charms the children and adults alike, but it is the Nutcracker doll that enchants Clara the most. As the curtain rises on Christmas Eve, visitors will be able to share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by the Nutcracker Prince to a wonderful place where the magic really begins. The Nutcracker at Chatsworth photos to download Along the way, the beautifully dressed rooms will tell the story of The Nutcracker with all the classic scenes from Clara’s dream; from the waltz of the snowflakes to the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Head housekeeper Janet Bitton said: “The Land of Sweets in the Great Dining Room will be the highlight for me. The only light will be from the chandelier, like a moon above the city with its twinkling lights through the windows, and the glow from the huge Christmas trees in each corner will be magical.” In a clever twist, the visitor will be able to experience the story as though they are both in the audience at the theatre and stepping backstage at the ballet. Guides will become stage managers and wardrobe mistresses. For a special added thrill, visitors of all ages will be invited to enter into the magic of the story with many costumes to try on. As well as the main event in the house, there is a whole host of festive themed activity. From truly magical nativity performances in the farmyard starring the farm animals, to gourmet evenings, floral workshops and wreath making demonstrations, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Or get Christmas shopping off to an early start with a visit to the Christmas market with over 100 stalls of gifts for the whole family. For more information, visit www.chatsworth.org
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Mansfield Palace’s Peter Pan Pantomime 75% Sold 3/4 of tickets hooked for swashbuckling spectacular It’s certainly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas as the days grow shorter and winter coats are dug out from closets; festive displays have been spotted in shops and the odd Christmas song has even been heard! The festivity in the air can only mean one thing for Mansfield Palace Theatre; it’s pantomime season! This year’s swashbuckling spectacular, Peter Pan, tells the timeless tale of the boy who never grew up and his adventures through Neverland, with lots of laughs, giggles, and gags along the way. With only 4 weeks to go until the opening show on Saturday 26 November, tickets are being snapped up quickly with 75% already sold for the entire run. The ever popular Christmas Eve and Boxing Day shows have even sold out, so don’t dilly-dally on securing your tickets if you don’t want to miss out on the ultimate Christmas treat! Starring Coronation Street bad boy Marc Baylis as Captain Hook, Holly Atterton from GO!GO!GO! on Nick Jr. as Tinker Bell, cheeky chappie Adam Moss as Smee, Jessica Punch as Peter Pan and comedy acrobats The Nitwits as the Pirate Crew, preparations are in full swing for this star of a panto as rehearsals are planned in, props begin to arrive, and catchy tunes are chosen. Colourful posters have been put up around the town and the Palace’s technical crew is busy building sets and designing lighting plots. Plans are being made with the cast for a special appearance at Mansfield’s Christmas lights Switch On and show rehearsals begin in just two weeks. Adam Moss even has Act 1 learnt … ish! Andrew Tucker, Cultural Services Manager says, “Peter Pan is a huge show for us and always proves popular in Mansfield. The flying sequences are thrilling to young and old and what little boy or girl isn’t excited at the swashbuckling antics of the pirates? Tickets being 75% sold already is fantastic news and we really look forward to making everyone’s Christmas that bit more special with this year’s pantomime.’ Throughout the run Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice will be collecting donations at the theatre, adding to the £21,875 raised at Palace pantomime’s over the past 5 years. This year’s show also sets apart from the crowd as it provides royalty income to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity through the rights gifted by Peter Pan author J. M. Barrie in 1929. Peter Pan runs from Saturday 26 November to Saturday 31 December. Tickets range from £16.40 - £10.00. Call Box Office: 01623 633133 or book online: mansfieldpalace.co.uk. (Booking fees apply.) 43
LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND PREPARES TO DECK THE HALLS FOR FOOD AND GIFT FAIR
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WITH less than 100 days to go until Christmas, the Lincolnshire Showground has announced that advance tickets are now on sale for the popular Lincolnshire Food & Gift Fair. In 2015, the Food and Gift Fair attracted a record 8,000 people over the weekend, with local producers and exhibitors showcasing the best that Lincolnshire and further afield has to offer. Jayne Southall, CEO of the Lincolnshire Showground, said: “We are now well into the preparations for the 16th Lincolnshire Food and Gift Fair. The Fair is a real feel good event that gets everyone in the Christmas spirit and I would encourage visitors to buy their advance tickets now. “Christmas shoppers will have the opportunity to sample delicious produce, see a selection of festive cookery demonstrations and buy brilliant hand crafted gifts for their loved ones. The new Santa’s Workshop area will provide hours of entertainment to keep little shoppers entertained. Christmas storytelling, festive baking and hands on craft activities will see children writing letters to Father Christmas, Christmas tree decoration making, crafting festive decorations and more. The area will also have specialised cookery workshops for children, led by Kiddy Cook. Children will be able to make tasty Christmas tree pizzas, Christmas pudding Rice Krispie cakes and melting snowmen biscuits. Families will be able to take a break and hear talented storytellers Rhubarb Theatre relay an animated version of the popular Stick Man story, and finally meet Father Christmas himself when he arrives in his festive sleigh. The Fair is one of several events organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society across the year and organisers are preparing for the biggest and best Christmas extravaganza to date. BeVox and Nettleham & Horncastle Community Choirs will also be performing across the weekend. The Lincolnshire Food and Gift Fair will take place with the new extended hours of 9am to 4pm on both days and offers free parking to all visitors. Advanced tickets can now be bought online or over the phone at £5 each. Under 16’s go free when accompanied by an adult. Please visit www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk or call 01522 522900 to book.
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