Tel: 01623 707017
November 2018
Extra n-ice Christmas celebration THIS year’s Christmas celebrations in Mansfield will begin with the annual Big Switch On event for the town’s festive lights.
The family fun event in November will be followed by a month-long festive market and an ice rink, which will be launched in Mansfield for the first time in December. The Big Switch On, to be held on Sunday, 18th November, will feature a variety of music acts — including Mansfield-born professional opera singer Alexandra Stenson, with pupils from her old school, All Saints’ Catholic Academy; Gary Barlow tribute act Dan Hadfield and Nottinghamshire-based rock/pop duo Brotherhood — children’s entertainment, panto stars and Father Christmas before a laser show and fireworks display. The day, which marks the beginning of the month-long Christmas Market, will include a marching band and festive activities in the Four Seasons Shopping Centre.
Other festive events include Mansfield Palace Theatre’s pantomime, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Christmas artisan markets, late-night shopping, the Four Season’s grotto, a three-day Christmas market in Mansfield Museum, and more. The Mayor of Mansfield, Kate Allsop, said: “The Christmas lights switch-on event is well known for being a spectacular family show. This year it marks the start of an even bigger programme of entertainment. The ice rink will be a real spectacle and I hope people have a go.” The ice rink is funded by Mansfield District Council and sponsored by One Call. The month-long Christmas Market on West Gate is organised by Mansfield BID with financial support from the council. The Switch On event is organised and funded by the council with support from Mansfield 103.2 and the Four Seasons Shopping Centre. l FOR timing details of the switch on event go to page 16.
Grant suits clothing charity A CHARITY that provides emergency clothing, shoes and bedding from a new base in Sutton has received a £20,000 boost. Sharewear Clothing Scheme will use the money from the People’s Postcode Trust to buy a van and support staffing at its new Ashfield and Mansfield Children’s Referral Centre at New Cross Community Church, Sutton. Sharewear chief executive Louise Cooke said: “The need for clothing in the community continues to increase and we want to be able to grow with the demand and make our services even more efficient, more specific to client needs, and develop our network of services. “The unnecessary cost of clothing is an
expense that can be avoided when families are juggling the cost of food, rent, fuel and debt arrears. “There are plenty of clothes ‘in the system’ to go around and, with many people wearing clothes very few times, these can easily be re-used by those in need — at no cost. “With our clothes, people have been able to access job interviews and get back into work. Likewise, children have returned to the classroom after non-attendance due to lack of shoes, coats or uniform.” The charity, run entirely by volunteers and based in Nottingham, has clothed 3,000 people so far in 2018.
THE stars of this winter’s panto at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield. PHOTO: Roger Grayson
Panto time again... oh yes it is
THE stars of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, this year’s festive pantomime at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield, gathered to launch the show as tickets sales continue to rise. Comedian Adam Moss is returning yet again to lead the fun and games, playing the jester Muddles. Adam, who made national headlines when he proposed to his now-wife, Karen, during a performance of Peter Pan at the theatre two years ago, said: “I love coming back and playing here. Everyone is so friendly and gets the pantomime feel.” Sue Holderness, who starred as Marlene in television’s Only Fools And Horses, is the Wicked Queen in the production, which starts on 1st December. For tickets go to www.mansfieldpalace. co.uk
E G E L L O C S T T O WEST N OPEN EVENING
Thursday 22 NOVEMBER l 5.30-7.30pm Derby Road campus, NG18 5BH
www.wnc.ac.uk