The Great Christmas Guide 2015

The Great Christmas Guide

The Great

Edition 1 November 2015

Christmas

Guide 2015

The Great Christmas Show comes to Wollaton Hall

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4 George’s Fish and Chip Kitchen 6 Nottingham Theatre Royal 8 Antony Coates Butchers 10 Nottingham City Transport 12 Nottingham Poetry Festival 14 Jayne Torvill – Interview 16 The Great Christmas Show comes to Wollaton Hall 18 Nottingham Hospitals Charity 19 Rainbow’s 19 Workshops at The Great Christmas Show 20 Bands at The Great Christmas Show 21 Great Christmas Choir Competition 23 #ElfNameIT 24 The Walton Hotel 26 The Old Volunteer 28 Julian Clary – Interview 30 Great Food and Drink Festivals 2016 32 Christmas perfectly captured in a candle a-lister favourite unveils limited edition collection 34 Santa ‘Paws’ Delivers Chic Gifts For Your Furry Four Legged Friends 36 What’s on over Christmas 38 Homemade Christmas Gifts The Tourist is a publication of All About Tourism: www.allabouttourism.co.uk

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Flying the flag for Nottingham – George’s Kitchen & Phillip Watts Design!

Having won the Nottinghamshire Food & Drink Awards Best New Venue category, organised by the Nottingham Post earlier this year George’s Kitchen is hoping to not stop there when it comes to winning awards!

George’s Kitchen opened at the end of last year in the stunning Grade II listed building on Queen Street that was once home to the post office where Phillip Watts Design, based locally in Wollaton designed the interior for the restaurant! Since opening, the restaurant has received remarkable reviews, and it’s not just the food that’s causing a stir!

The restaurant is a finalist in 3 separate International Design Awards, showing the calibre of this local partnership between George’s & Phillip Watts Design. Nominated for Best Restaurant

or Bar in a Heritage Building at the Bar & Restaurant Design Awards, the FX International Interior Design Awards and the Blueprint Awards in the Best Interior Design Project or Product – Leisure, nominated within the same category as Victoria Beckham’s flagship London store!

George’s Managing Director, Andrew said “To be nominated in such prestigious awards and taking on the likes of Victoria Beckham is unbelievable! It’s testament to the

unique talent and hard work the team at Phillip Watts Design have put into to making our restaurant such a special place to be, every time you visit there is a small detail that you hadn’t noticed previously. Both Phil and I are extremely proud to be representing the whole of Nottingham on an International stage!

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Nottingham Theatre Royal’s forthcoming family pantomime, Aladdin, stars Christopher Biggins and Simon Webbe.

Christopher Biggins has enjoyed a hugely successful career in television, film and theatre. His countless TV appearances include being crowned King of the Jungle on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, winner of Celebrity Come Dine with Me on Channel 4 as well as making regular appearances on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Pop sensation Simon Webbe makes his pantomime debut in Nottingham in the title role of Aladdin. Simon is best known for being a member of the charttopping boy band Blue.

Nottingham pantomime stalwart and funny man Ben Nickless returns for his third consecutive pantomime at the Theatre Royal. Ben’s talent has seen him become a firm favourite with Nottingham audiences and this Christmas he will play Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee.

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Christmas Collection

Ways to keep in touch:

Call us on 0871 423 5656 or visit our website at www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk Visit our Nottingham store: 11 The Poultry, NG1 2HW. Tel: 01159 586 610 Mon to Sat: 9:30am-5:30pm, Sun: 10:30am-4:30pm * Free delivery to UK and Ireland. See website for full details.

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Antony Coates Traditional Butchers Our traditional Alrewas shop was first established in 1867. Today the business is run by the third and fourth generation, father and son Peter and Antony Coates and we have four shops located in Wollaton, Alrewas, Borrowash and Tamworth.

For over 110 years we have prided ourselves with quality service and value for money and we strive to ensure that we cater for all our customers culinary needs. Our meat is sourced from the best local farms meaning that when you purchase from us you are not only receiving the best you can buy but you are also helping us to support the local countryside, something that as a business we are very passionate about. Our pork and poultry come from Packington Free Range, Great Taste Awards winners again in 2015.

Our shops provide you with both a traditional and continental approach to the way our meats are prepared and displayed. We also produce our own sausage and bacon as well as a wide range of homemade bakery products.

Our team of friendly, skilled butchers can cut any joint that you require.

Need a rack of lamb for a dinner party?

No problem. Want something you just saw a celebrity chef cook? We will be more than happy to come up with the right cut for your recipe.

HOG ROAST SPECIALS WE CATER FOR ALL PRIVATE PARTIES Corporate events, public functions and weddings. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff offer excellent service to tailor your needs. For further details please ring Andrew on 01159 284714.

NOW TAKING YOUR CHRISTMAS ORDERS Free Range Bronze Turkeys Packington Slow Reared Cockerel Free Range Ducks & Geese Succulent 3 Bird Roasts Wild Locally Shot Pheasants & Partridge Please visit www. coatestraditionalbutchers.co.uk to find out more and follow them on Facebook by searching ‘COATES BUTCHERS OF WOLLATON’

The Great Christmas Guide

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Less Hassle with Festive Bus Travel!

For less hassle, leave the car at home this festive season and travel with the City’s biggest transport provider, Nottingham City Transport.

Operating a comprehensive network of frequent services in to the City Centre, travelling by bus means you can avoid queuing for pricey car parks as you head into Nottingham for shopping, work or a night on the town!

On our core routes, buses run from every 6 minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes and there are regular evening and Sunday buses too! In the evenings, core routes run regularly until midnight and we have a network of late night buses every Friday and Saturday night until 3.15am.

There’s free Wi-Fi on all of our buses too, so you can make the most of your time on the bus.

Travelling by bus is great value!

With our Grouprider ticket at £4.50, up to 5 people (max 2 adults) can make unlimited journeys on any NCT bus in

Nottingham after 4pm on weekdays and all day at the weekends and school holidays (19th December through to 5th January 2016). Simply buy on the bus from the driver (remember, exact fare required) on the first bus you board.

Grouprider is ideal for a family heading to the Winter Wonderland or for a day out, as well as two adults travelling together for shopping or enjoying a drink in town.

Visit www.nctx.co.uk/grouprider for more details and a list of attractions offering discounts for Grouprider customers.

Buses for the Festive Season!

Over the Christmas holidays, we’re running our special Boxing Day buses again between 6am and 6pm on 26th December, ideal for workers as

well as those searching for a Boxing Day bargain! Visit www.nctx.co.uk/ boxingday for further details!

We’re the only local transport operator running a full Saturday service on Bank Holiday Monday (28th December), making it easier to get out and about over the long Christmas weekend.

Visit www.nctx.co.uk/christmas for all details of buses over the festive season.

On New Year’s Eve, our late night buses will be leaving the City Centre at 23:15, 00:15, 01:15, 02:15 and 03:15 to help people get home after celebrating the arrival of 2016!

For just £3 single – avoid pricey taxis at double rates and take the NightBus home. Visit www.nctx.co.uk/ newyearseve for full details

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Luxury designer boutique In the heart of Nottingham’s city center lies Gigi Bottega, a designer multi-branded boutique for men and women. The boutique is situated in the historical Flying Horse Walk, in a jaw dropping 14th Century building. The interior combines modern and vintage with white painted walls contrasting against heavy wooden beams and the black leaded windows, making it one of Nottingham’s most visually impressive boutiques and is often referred to as a mini Liberty’s.

Gigi Bottega stocks an impressive list of respected Italian and English brands such as Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Stella McCartney and Burberry to name a few. What makes Gigi Bottega stand out from other boutiques is each item has been carefully hand picked and sourced from Italy making it unique and individual. Here you will be able to find rare pieces such as a vintage selection of Gianni Versace jewellery.

Aside from the fantastic selection of stock what makes Gigi Bottega special is the fact that it is an independent family run business. Owner’s mother and daughter Debra and Gabriella Trivigno pride themselves on offering the best quality products and service remains at the heart of the company. www.gigibottega.co.uk 15 Flying Horse Walk NG1 2HN. www.facebook.com/gigibottegauk

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Gift guide for Christmas 2015 1. Stella McCartney falabella £680 2. Valentino rockstud ankle boots £795 3. Prada camo backpack £595 4. Versace medusa tie £90 5. Vintage Gianni Versace greek necklace £650

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The Nottingham Poetry Festival Nottingham Poetry Festival builds on an international reputation as a city of words thanks to poetic ancestors like Byron, D.H.Lawrence and Alan Silitoe. For two weeks and at over 10 venues, poets from across the country and the city will take centre stage in Nottingham as the curtain rises on a new national festival of poetry.

The stellar assembly includes renowned names like John Agard, Grace Nichols, Brian Patten, Lemn Sissay MBE, Atilla The Stockbroker and Luke Wright; together with a whole host of fantastic East Midlands based poets. The festival has been planned with the help of Nottingham-born poet and TV producer Henry Normal and Notts TV, together with the overwhelming support of the Nottingham literature community. We very much hope you enjoy the events.

Luke Wright

Lemn Sissay MBE

Brian Patten

Luke writes bawdy bar room ballads about small town tragedies and Westminster rogues. “One of the funniest and most brilliant poets of his generation.� Johann Hari, The Independent

One of the most revered poets of his generation, Lemn is the author of a series of books of poetry alongside articles, records, broadcasts, public art, commissions and plays. His Landmark Poems are installed throughout Manchester and London. They can be seen in the Royal Festival Hall and The Olympic Park. His Landmark Poem, Guilt of Cain, was unveiled by Bishop Desmond Tutu in Fen Court near Fenchurch St Station. Sissay was the first poet commissioned to write for London Olympics. His Desert Island Discs aired on BBC Radio 4 on 11th October.

One of the acclaimed Liverpool Poets, alongside Adrian Henri and Roger McGough their joint anthology, The Mersey Sound (1967), has been credited as the most significant anthology of the twentieth century for its success in bringing poetry to new audiences, and is now a Penguin Modern Classic.

So come along to over 10 venues from the 17th November to the 3rd of December to see the above poets and a lot more in action.

For more information visit www. nottinghampoetryfestival.co.uk.

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CEMBER 2015 17 NOVEMBER – 3 DECEMBER 2015

w national The curtain is rising on a new national d names festival of poetry. Renowned names Brian JohnPatten, Agard, Grace Nichols, Brian Patten, Stockbroker Lemn Sissay MBE, Atilla The Stockbroker of fantastic and Luke Wright join a host of fantastic . The East festival Midlands based poets. The festival help hasof been planned with the help of TV producer Nottingham-born poet and TV producer together Henry Normal and Notts TV, together port with of the the overwhelming support of the unity.

Nottingham’s We very literary community. We very vents. much hope you enjoy the events.

To purchase tickets visit: ival.com www.nottinghampoetryfestival.com

val

/NottinghamPoetryFestival @NottmPoetryFest

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Torvill and Dean do Panto!

Torvill and Dean are back, this time to put an exciting new spin on pantomime. Jayne Torvill discusses the intense preparations for their four week run at Manchester Opera House.

National treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have hung up their skates for good twice now, but the problem is the British public still can’t get enough of the legendary, ice-dancing duo. With planning for the festive season well under way at the Manchester Opera House, it has been announced that the Olympic medallists will star in their pantomime extravaganza production of Cinderella.

have always written their own rules; after the games they decided to create their own show, something which was unusual for athletes at the time “We always had the idea that we wanted to produce our own shows and tour.

Which is what we did initially, we took a year after the Olympics to get that all going together with a really good, strong group of skaters and form our own company.”

After their incredible career you’d imagine little could phase the Nottingham-born athletes, who will be playing the role of fairy godparents, but Jayne Torvill says it’s an exciting, new challenge for them both. “It’s different, we haven’t really performed much in theatre at all,” she says, “it’s a smaller space for us to work in, but the audience are closer, so that’s quite a nice feeling.”

No one could have predicted how popular their shows would prove to be and the duo toured tirelessly until 1998, when they announced retirement. Eventually they were lured back to the rink for ITV’s Dancing on Ice, although Torvill admits they never planned to actually perform on the shows.

“Initially we signed up just to coach the celebrities and choreograph, but then we were asked if we’d like to demonstrate the moves and we said yes, and then they said ‘well, can you demonstrate to music?’ and we said ‘ah, so that means we’re performing!’ Although we were nervous the first time we actually really enjoyed it and realised performing is what we enjoy most, so the performances got longer and more intense as the show progressed.”

In what is possibly first for panto, the pair will be wearing high tech rollerblades in the show, enabling them to showcase some of the incredible moves that have wowed fans for so long. Of course, this transition from blades to wheels has not been without its problems: “there are one or two different things, first of all, they’re heavier than ice skates,” says Torvill.

“For instance, when Chris is lifting me and trying to rotate and spin he can’t spin quite as fast as he can on the ice.

And when you stop on ice you skid by placing your blade sideways and you can’t do that with wheels - we learnt a couple of years ago when we tried it that if you try and stop sideways you actually fall over!”

31 years after their flawless performance of the Bolero at the Sarajevo Olympics, where they won gold and became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time, Torvill and Dean are as popular as ever. The pair

After all this time, it is clear Torvill feels honoured to be so respected by the British public.

She would like to see more young people getting in to ice skating, just as she did from a young age. “Since the first series of Dancing on Ice, we heard that around the country there were a lot more people going into the ice rinks and off the back of that we were hoping more would be built. There may have been one

or two opened but there’s certainly room for more.” And what better way to inspire an entire new generation than through the magic of panto?

Manchester Opera House’s Production of Cinderella will run from Saturday the 5th of December to Sunday the 3 rd of January. Tickets are available now. www.manchestertheatres.com/ cinderella-operahouse

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The Great Christmas Show is coming to Wollaton Hall.

The Great Christmas Show will be at the stunning location of Wollaton Hall over two weekends, November 28th & 29th and December 5th & 6th. The two weekends will be a fantastic Christmas extravaganza that will consist of schools from all around the county taking part in a charity Christmas Carol competition that will raise money for ‘Nottingham Hospitals Charity’ and ‘Rainbows’.

The Christmas Carol Competition will be held on the huge Air-IT stage, where all schools will be performing their chosen Christmas Carol or Christmas song in front of a fantastic panel. The competition has been opened to all ages throughout primary school right up to the older secondary school students.

The event, which is sponsored by, Nottingham City Transport, Air-IT and The Loom, is set to be the biggest Christmas event in Nottinghamshire this year.

X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, is a big supporter of the spectacular festival that celebrates all things Christmas and musical and has released a promotional video to support this event.

This magical Christmas experience will see a phenomenal array of food and drink stands around Wollaton Hall, with lots of fabulous craft and art stalls where you can purchase some great gifts for Christmas! There will be a host of workshops and demonstrations taking place teaching visitors how to decorate and bake cakes or how about a class on making the perfect Christmas cracker?

There will even be workshops by an expert gift wrapper too!

A huge Christmas tree will be placed in the back gardens of the hall and the illuminations it brings will really make you feel like Christmas has arrived.

This along with plenty of other Christmas festivities, will really get you in the Christmas spirit.

You can’t have a Christmas event without Santa, of course! The big man himself will be attending both weekends of The Great Christmas Show, so this isn’t to be missed for the little ones. Come visit him in his Grotto where he will be telling wonderful Christmas stories.

Get into the Christmas spirit visit www.greatchristmasshow.co.uk for all the latest information and follow us on Twitter @GreatFoodDrink.

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Edition 1 November 2015

Entrance Assessments Senior School 11+ Entrance Examination Saturday, 23rd January 2016 Junior School Entrance Assessment Monday, 25th January 2016 Infant School Entrance Assessments w/c 1st February 2016

Call 0115 845 2232 or see website www.nottinghamhigh.co.uk for application forms and further details

Taster Days Year 3 Weds 2nd Dec Year 4 Weds 18th Nov Year 5 Tues 17th Nov Years 8, 9 & 10 Tues 10th, Fri 13th, Mon 16th & Thurs 19th Nov Sixth Form Fri 13th, Thurs 19th, Fri 20th Nov

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Nottingham Hospitals Charity.

We are delighted that Nottingham Hospitals Charity (Children’s Cancer Appeal) has been chosen as a charity partner for the Great Christmas Show this year.

Nottingham Hospitals Charity is the charity at the heart of Nottingham’s hospitals. It is our aim to make a stay in hospital better, brighter and more fun for the extraordinary children we see every day at Nottingham Children’s Hospital (within Queen’s Medical Centre).

Young people with cancer from all over the East Midlands are treated at Nottingham Children’s Hospital. With the help of our generous donors and fundraisers we are able to provide the extra touches that make all the difference. For instance:

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY

PLAY SPECIALISTS

Nottingham Children’s Hospital is the only children’s hospital in the country to offer complementary therapy treatments to all its children and young people. Services like aromatherapy, relaxation techniques and massage offer pain relief, reduce anxiety and help to improve the quality of life for young cancer patients.

It can be a difficult and frightening time for young people who have to spend time in hospital. The Children’s Hospitals Play and Development service, which is supported by Nottingham Hospitals Charity, provides essential support to children – taking their mind off painful procedures and difficult experiences, helping them to communicate their anxieties, fears and worries, and making life more fun and less scary.

MUSIC & ART - We will do anything we can do to make the experience of being in hospital more normal, less scary and more fun for children.

Charitable donations fund activities like music and art sessions which make a real difference – giving therapy, helping to ease stress and providing a distraction.

TRANSFORMING FACILITIES Thanks to our amazing supporters we have been able to support the redevelopment of the children’s cancer and neuroscience wards at Nottingham Children’s Hospital this year. Charity funds helped to pay for colourful wall art, state-of-the-art air filtration and improved communal areas like play-rooms and a specific space for parents to get away from the wards.

SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT We fund specialist state-of-the-art medical equipment, which helps to assist diagnosis and treatment, to reduce waiting times and hospital stays, to increase patient comfort and ultimately to save lives.

YOUTH SERVICE The Children’s Hospital Youth Service supports young people who attend hospital with chronic illness, giving them access to a special Youth Room, a weekly youth club, positive activities to do, residential trips away and someone to talk to.

By supporting Nottingham Hospitals Charity at the Great Christmas Show you are helping to support children at every step of their treatment and care – transforming facilities, providing important extra services, funding new equipment and making sure that young people in hospital have the happiest Christmas possible.

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Rainbows Some children don’t live long enough. Rainbows is here to care for them and the people who love them most.

And as the only hospice for children and young people in the East Midlands, they need support too.

Help Rainbows be there to bring love, smiles and laughter to their children’s lives.

Just like everyone else, Rainbows children need a place to play, laugh and love life. A place where they are cared for and supported.

Since 1994 Rainbows staff have opened their doors and hearts to those children and the people who love them most. And now more than ever, they need your help to keep on bringing care and happiness to the children and their families.

Their incredible team of people helps relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, support parents and siblings through their bereavement and care for children until the end.

From carers to counsellors, medical professionals to palliative care specialists – it’s people that are at the heart of Rainbows.

Together we can give even more Rainbows cares for over 300 families every year and offers bereavement support to over twice that amount. They help children to have fun and really enjoy life through specialist multi-sensory facilities, adapted accommodation, hydrotherapy pool and a music room to name a few.

The truth is that they can’t do their work without the help of people like you – and we know that together we can bring love, smiles and laughter to the Rainbows children and families.

Workshops at The Great Christmas Show There will be a host of workshops that will get you in to the Christmas spirit over the t wo weekends at The Great Christmas Show.

FIRST WEEKEND

SECOND WEEKEND

Saturday 28th November

Saturday 5th December

11am

11am

Everything from ‘Christmas Cracker Making’ to ‘Baking Doggy Delights’ take a look below and be sure to come along on one (or more) of the days!

Susi Henson - How to make Christmas Crackers

Susi Henson - Christmas Crackers

12pm Cake Decorating Company -

Cake Decorating

12pm Cake Decorating

Company - Cake Decorating

1pm

Susi Henson - Beauty Products

1pm

Susi Henson - Beauty Products

2pm

Johnny Pusztai - Christmas Meats

2pm

Johnny Pusztai - Christmas Meats

Sunday 29th November

Sunday 6th December

11am

11am

Susi Henson - Gift Wrapping

12pm Mrs Bishops Doggy Deli -

Xmas doggy treats 1pm

Cake Decorating Company - Cake Decorating

2pm

Susi Henson - Scarves

3pm

Johnny Pusztai - Turkey

Susi Henson - Gift Wrapping

12pm Johnny Pusztai - Turkey 1pm

Cake Decorating Company - Cake Decorating

2pm

Susi Henson - Scarves

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Bands at The Great Christmas Show There will be a host of live music taking place at The Great Christmas Show, take a look below to see who you can see on stage!

Saturday 28th November

SATURDAY 5TH DECEMBER

11.00 a.m - Paul Nose

11.00 a.m - James Gooch

12.00 p.m – Q.M – Barber Shop Quarter

12.00 pm - The Idolins

3.00 p.m - Tom Mc Cartney

3.00 pm - Aggressive Ben

4.00 p.m - University of Nottingham

Brass Band

4.00 pm - Raph and the Killer Bees

SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 11.00 a.m - Billie 12.00 pm – UP – Ukulele Duo 3.00 pm - Brett Sinclair 4.00 pm - Raph and the Killer Bees

SUNDAY 6TH DECEMBER 11.00 a.m - Kalli Ashton 12.00 p.m - Brett Sinclair 2.00 pm - Bongo Bongo Choir 3.00 pm - Tom Mc Cartney Band 4.00 pm - Carlton Brass Training Band

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Schools Taking Part in the School Choir Competition at Wollaton Hall At The Great Christmas Show this year, there will be a host of schools taking part in The Great Christmas Show’s School Choir Competition.

This will take place on the ‘Air-IT Stage’ and will run from 12 (midday) till 2pm each day; take a look below to see what schools are taking part: Abbey Road Primary School

Heathfield Primary and Nursery

Richard Bonington

Barnby Road Primary School Newark

Holgate Primary School

Rosslyn Park Primary School

Bulwell St Marys Primary School

Hollygirt

Skegby Junior Academy

Cantrell Primary School

Middleton Primary School

Sneinton C of E

Carlton Le Willows Academy

National Church of England A.

Southwold Primary & Early Centre

Chetwynd Primary Academy

Plumtree School

White Hills Park Federation

Christ The King

Python Hill Primary School

Dagfa School

Ravenshead C of E Primary

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The Walton Prepares for Christmas!

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25 Following our hugely successful celebrations of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night we are preparing for one of our favourite seasons.

Come and visit us and you will find the hotel and terrace transformed into a fabulous winter wonderland.

There will be roaring log fires in the lounges and beautiful seasonal decorations. In addition to our festive décor we have mouth watering menus planned so do come along and let us welcome you to The Walton dressed for celebration.

Our festive lunches and evening meals will begin on December 1st and will continue until December 31st and we are already taking bookings. The lunches are priced at £20 per person for three courses and the evening meals are £37.50 for four courses plus coffee. Our head chef has created wonderful festive menus including favourites such as Roast Derbyshire Turkey with Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes and Rolled Blade of Beef with Oxtail Pudding and Spring Onion Mash. The desserts are equally mouth watering: Dark Chocolate Soufflé with Guinness Ice Cream and Homemade Christmas Pudding with Brandy Butter and Clotted Cream.

We will again be open on Christmas Day for a really sumptuous five course lunch with all the trimmings. The cost for Christmas Lunch will be £80 per adult and £40 per child.

The hotel is open to non-residents for breakfast from 7.00am and food is served throughout the day until 9.30pm. Our Sunday lunches are also popular and are available from midday until 9.00pm every Sunday.

We also take bookings for private dining or business functions or meetings and would be happy to discuss your requirements if you call us on 0115 947 5215 or call in to see us and have a freshly brewed coffee.

The Walton look forward to seeing you soon and in the meantime you can keep up to date with our news and events on our Facebook, Twitter and Google+ pages or on our website www.thewaltonhotel.com

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The Old Volunteer is officially the cream of UK pubs The team at the Old Volunteer in Carlton have been officially crowned as the Best Newcomers in the Great British Pub Awards.

Unveiled last night at the Hilton Park Lane, the Great British Pub Awards celebrate the best in the British pub sector.

Licensees Maggie and Andrew Dunkin were recognised as the Best Newcomers for their passion and enthusiasm, transforming a run-down pub into a thriving venue that celebrates the best in local beer and produce.

The duo, who were formerly IT consultants decided to give up the rat race and pursue their love of real ale, setting up the award winning Flipside Brewery in 2010 and then The Old Volunteer.

The pub on Burton Road in Carlton re-opened in May 2014, with Maggie and Andrew at the helm, following a joint £155,000 investment with Punch Taverns.

The refurbishment with owners Punch Taverns completely transformed the pub, from a tired run-down boozer into a contemporary and welcoming pub that is booming.

Judge James Evison said: “The Old Volunteer is a fantastic example of two new licensees turning around a pub. Their passion and desire shined through and the attention to detail was evident, a gold standard of how to begin a career in the pub trade.”

At the heart of Maggie and Andrew’s philosophy is their pride in living and buying locally. Everything in the pub is sourced locally and prepared on site in their tiny kitchen. They work closely with suppliers to develop their product range which includes Newark Pork Crackling, Cotgrave Pork Pies, Ostrich Burgers from Boston together with their famous Flipside Chutney.

Maggie said: “We’re delighted to be crowned the Best Newcomers in the UK. We love what we do and are passionate about real ale and that obviously shone through. The award is also a credit to The Old Volunteer’s manager Sarah and the rest the team, who have worked incredibly hard to create a fantastic pub that celebrates all that’s great about a British pub; we’re proud to bring this award back to Nottingham.”

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The Bold & The Beautiful National treasure Julian Clary shares his joy at writing his debut children’s book The Bolds.

“I always wanted to be a writer when I was a child,” says Clary. “I think writing for children never occurred to me until my agent suggested it. It was a rather inspired idea because it’s very much more fun than writing for adults.” And that is how the flamboyant TV personality came about creating his debut children’s book, The Bolds, a collaboration between Clary and award winning illustrator David Roberts. Mr and Mrs Bold are quite ordinary; they live with their two children in a very nice house in Teddington, they have jobs and are totally normal except for one thing: they are hyenas. The Bolds have until now lived quite a banal existence, keeping their long, spotted tails and manic laughs under wraps, but when a neighbour gets suspicious it leads to a wacky adventure unlike any other.

Clary admits his inspiration for The Bolds came from directly his own childhood “Growing up, there was a family in our road who were all quite hairy… As a child I made up stories for myself that they were hyenas, and from there came from book.” This isn’t Clary’s first foray into writing; between 2005 and 2008 he wrote a fortnightly article for New Statesmen magazine, while also penning the two novels Murder Most Fab and Devil in Disguise and his touching and frank autobiography A Young Man’s Passage.

He explains how writing for children is a very different process to his precious endeavours.

“You must contact your inner child, which we all have. My inner child as a comedian is quite present all the time so it’s just flipping to thinking like a child and your imagination takes over, you can just go with the flow.” Clary found it to be a creatively liberating experience: “with an adult book you’d think, ‘well that’s a little unbelievable,’ whereas that doesn’t apply with children’s literature.”

Prior to his work as an author, Clary began his comedy career on the 80s cabaret scene and credits his time at university for giving him the

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confidence to perform. “I was doing cabaret with a girl who was on my course and in fact when we left university we carried on, that’s how we got our equity cards. Eventually she got an acting job so I started doing it on my own. I wouldn’t have had the nerve to do it alone to start with!” His outrageous stage shows soon earned him a sufficient fan following to make the jump from stage to screen and since the late 80s, Clary has been a staple of British television.

Rarely resting on his laurels, 2015 is set to be a busy year for the comic. After promoting The Bolds he will go straight into preparing for pantomime season, where he will appear alongside Lee Mead and Marti Pellow in Aladdin at the Birmingham Hippodrome. With all his TV and stand-up comedy success there must be something about pantomime that draws him back to the boards year after year? “What I love is being part of this big company with chorus girls and chorus boys and lavish costumes

and proper production values. There’s a different aspect to showbiz than from being on my own, normally as a stand-up you’re on your own sitting in a dressing room whereas there’s the whole theatrical life with panto. I find I don’t mind entertaining children, they’re very sweet so that’s what I enjoy about it.”

Julian Clary’s The Bolds paperback is published by Andersen Press and is suitable for children 8+.

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The Great Food and Drink Festivals for 2016!

The Great Food and Drink Festivals will be doing more events than ever before in 2016, opening up in a couple of new locations and having extra special guest chefs doing demos at all the events.

To keep up to date with the celebrity chefs and other things that will be taking place make sure you follow them on Twitter: @GreatFoodDrink or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/greatfooddrinkfestivals.

Prestwold Hall

April 30th – May 2nd The Great Christmas Show will make its first appearance at the stunning location of Prestwold Hall in April and May of 2016. Located in the heart of the Midlands with easy access by road and rail, Prestwold Hall is the ancestral home of the Packe-Drury– Lowe family, who are delighted to share their home for a wide variety of events, managed and catered for by Maverick Venues, the elite hospitality company.

Nottingham Castle May 28th – 30th

Nottingham Castle will host The Great Food and Drink Festival for the second year running. Over 10,000 people attended its first year. Situated on a high rock, Nottingham Castle commands spectacular views over the city and once rivalled the great castles of Windsor and the Tower of London.

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Newstead Abbey August 27th – 29th

The Great Food and Drink Festival at Newstead Abbey will also be in its second year just like Nottingham Castle.

With once again with over 10,000 people attending the first year. A beautiful historic house set in a glorious landscape of gardens and parkland within the heart of Nottinghamshire. Founded as a monastic house in the late 12th century, Newstead was home to the poet Lord Byron between 1808 – 1814.

Calke Abbey

3rd – 4th September Calke Abbey will join The Great Food and Drink Festival circuit, with the event debuting at the abbey in 2016.

With peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, Calke Abbey tells the story of the dramatic decline of a country house estate. The house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story.

Wollaton Hall

(Great Christmas Show) –

26th/27th November & 3rd/4th December The Great Christmas Show is part of The Great Food and Drink Festivals and will join Newstead Abbey and Nottingham Castle in their second year as part of the event. See all things Christmassy from Santa Claus to great food, drink and craft stall ready for them extra special present. Wollaton Hall is was designed by Robert Smythson and built by Sir Francis Willoughby between 1580 and 1588 for his family.

Now a prominent Grade One listed building, the stunning Hall houses the city’s Natural History Museum along with reconstructed room settings.

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Christmas Perfectly Captured In A Candle A-Lister Favourite Unveils Limited Edition Collection Nothing beats walking into a wonderfully scented room aglow with flickering candles and this winter A-lister favourite Kenneth Turner London has added a nostalgic touch with the launch of a limited edition Christmas Collection that perfectly captures the spirit of the season and the brilliance of the celebrity florist who first created the range almost 30 years ago.

Three fabulously festive and exquisitely scented candles draw on the heritage of Kenneth Turner’s illustrious career, each capturing a memorable moment in his life or an event created by the man himself and his team. Presented in beautiful packaging, each candle tells the story of how the scent came to be and lifting the lid on the box reveals an uplifting message to set the festive mood and scene.

After 18 months spent redesigning the entire Kenneth Turner range, the Christmas Collection, which also includes Room Cologne and Tealights, is the first in a series of seasonal limited editions to be revealed by the iconic British candle, home fragrance and accessory company. Mirroring the intuition, expectation and principles that have earned the company a

notable following of celebrities, dignitaries and VIPs, each scent is available as a Scented Candle in Posy Vase (£42), Scented Candle in Stem Vase (£90) and Room Cologne (£22).

Winter Berries is also available as a box of 12 Tealights (£25).

Kenneth Turner candles are renowned for their exceptional scents that throw off intense, long-lasting fragrance. In hand-blown glass vases and colours that reflect the ingredients inside, candles will burn brightly and release their fabulous fragrance for up to 95 hours to warm and fill homes with their welcoming festive scent.

Superior mineral wax and British perfume blends ensure the candles burn evenly and cleanly, and once the wax has burned down the glass vases can be re-used to hold pillar candles, tealights or flowers.

MASQUERADE: Inspired by a glitz-fuelled masked winter’s ball in Staad, Switzerland, complete with diamonds, fur, champagne, caviar over crushed ice and an abundance of gorgeous petrol blue and black roses, the flowers of the moment, the original glamour. The band plays, dancing until dawn, a hint of mystery and seduction in the night air. Fragrance notes: A heady blend

of black rose, black pepper and dark cassis nourished with ginger, myrrh, patchouli and amber.

WINTER BERRIES: Remembering a seasonal celebration in a private house in Houston, Texas with no expense spared on the traditional floral decoration. A beautiful home decorated for the season, a blazing log fire, a table laden with fabulous food and the intoxicating scent of mulled wine, berries and goodwill.

Fragrance notes: A rare vintage of sweet red berries, satsuma and cinnamon in harmony with iris and vanilla.

MIDWINTER Memories of a special Christmas in France, walking the dogs before lunchtime. It’s Boxing Day, footprints in the frost and breath cutting threw the air, trees laden with lime-green Mistletoe, cold air on faces and the warmth of family and friends.

Fragrance notes: A crisp winter fantasy of mint, mistletoe and pine with ozonic floral notes, rosemary and thyme propelled by sparkling musk.

The Kenneth Turner Christmas Collection is available from Fortnum & Mason, selected independent retailers and department stores and from www.kennethturner.com.

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MORE PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO STUDY AT CENTRAL FIND OUT WHY

CENTRALNOTTINGHAM.AC.UK/CHOOSECENTRAL

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Santa ‘Paws’ Delivers Chic Gifts For Your Furry Four Legged Friends Deck the halls with boughs of holly and get set for tails to be wagging and festive felines to be purring in delight on Christmas morning when they uncover the ‘paw’some 2015 festive range from Lily’s Kitchen (www.lilyskitchen.co.uk).

Created especially for your furry four legged family members (with lots of yuletide love!), these specially selected and crafted ‘exclusives’ for dogs and cats sit alongside some trusty ‘paw’some favourites ‘back by popular demand’ – all bursting with goodness to help your pet join in this most magical time of year.

Yuletide Delights Dog Treat Selection Box, 180g £12.95 On the first day of Christmas, my best friend gave to me …a beautiful hand tied ribboned selection box , overflowing with four different decadent,100% natural treats. There are crunchy ones, chewy ones, trusty favourites and some brand new exclusives chosen by Lily herself!

• Shiny Coat Baked Biscuit Treats, 50g – so your dog will be ready to impress at all times during the party season.

• Venison Sausages with apple cider vinager and blackberries, 44g – deck the halls with these tasty sausages • Fishskin Parcels , 50g - providing brain boosting stamina for festive family trivia time • Red Berry Boost Superfood Snack Bar,36g - bursting with chicken liver with healthy anti-oxidant Cranberries, Raspberries, Goji Berries & Rosehips.

Advent Calendar For Dogs, RRP £9.95 Back by popular demand with a new whimsical design and a tasty, hand-

baked treat awaiting behind every window, December mornings will be as exciting for your dog as they are for the rest of the family! All 24 treats are naturally low in fat, free from artificial additives and preservatives – and they’re utterly yummy, too.

Three Bird Feast for Dogs, 400g tin RRP £2.49 Succulent freshlyprepared turkey, goose, and duck are combined with parsnips, Swiss chard, carrots, cranberries, apples and thyme for an irresistible and wonderfully nourishing, grain-free canine Christmas lunch… without a Brussels sprout in sight, that’s guaranteed to tantalise the tastebuds of even the most discerning doggy diner!

Christmas Turkey Feast For Cats, 400g, £2.49 Shh, don’t tell the dogs, but felines need a festive fuss made over them too!

This tasty complete recipe is grain free and made with a very high organic meat content to leave them purring with delight throughout the holiday season.

At Lily’s Kitchen, we make proper pet food for pets. A delicious range of recipes made

with the finest natural and organic ingredients like freshly prepared meat, vibrant veg and beneficial botanical herbs, all sure to keep your pet happy.

Available from September in Waitrose, on Ocado, online at www. lilyskitchen.co.uk and in more than 700 independent pet shops.

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Education Visits by the National Centre for Citizenship and the Law

Interactive activities at the Galleries of Justice Museum:  Mock Trials and Debates  Courtroom Workshops  Object Handling

Interactive activities at the City of Caves:  Creating the Caves  Cave Detectives  Cave Explorers

And much more!

Memorable group learning experiences to educate and inspire Ideal for schools, colleges, home education, youth groups and others www.nccl.org.uk

learning@nccl.org.uk

@NCCLinspiring

NCCL, Galleries of Justice Museum and City of Caves are trading names of The Egalitarian Trust.

Registered Charity: 1030554 Company Registration: 2866265

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What’s on over Christmas!

Take a look at everything that is taking place in Nottingham over the festive period! There is all sorts you can get involved in at the wonderful time of year.

28th/29th November & 5th/6th December The Great Christmas Show

The Great Christmas Show is taking place at Wollaton Hall over two fantastic weekends. The beautiful back drop, mixed with the fabulous array of food, drink, crafts, Santa’s Grotto, a school choir competition and more, there is something for everyone!

3rd December

Christmas Ghost Stories Get the Christmas season off to a chilling start in the Great Hall at Newstead Abbey with an indoor theatre production from ‘The Best Cellar’.

4th

December onwards

Neverland

Meet a particularly cheeky Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, grumpy Mr. Darling, and of course a certain Captain Hook as we are whisked across the sky to a world of transformation and enchantment... With catchy songs, humour and some Christmas magic, Neverland has something for all ages – little ones, mums, dads, grandparents and family friends. Start your Christmas celebrations with a trip to Neverland...

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11th December

Meet The Ghosts Of Nottingham Castle From the first Wooden Nottingham Castle built in 1068 to the Second oldest museum and art galllery in England, Nottingham Castle has stood proudly over Nottingham.

Some of its past residents still remain and events over the past 1000 years have left their imprint on its very stones. Through underground caves and basement rooms come and meet the Ghosts of Nottingham Castle...

12th December

Festive Family Fun Join us for Christmas activities and to buy plants, Christmas trees and gifts from the Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop.

15th December

Christmas Flower Arranging Workshop Jane Walden from the Nottingham Flower Club will be holding a Christmas flower arranging workshop at Nottinghamshire Hospice on 15th December. Jane will be showing you three simple ideas for Christmas and you can choose one to make.

She will have Oasis foam for you to purchase plus the dishes for hangings.

Everything else is up to you, bring along your own foliage and items to include. It will be a fun evening with everyone leaving with a great festive arrangement.

19th December

Xmas Biscuit Baking Bake some biscuits in the shape of Xmas decorations. They promise to be tasty treats for both children and adults!

For more things that you can do over the festive period, go to http://goss.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/

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