21 minute read
A Local Christmas
2 ALocal Christmas
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Where better to go Christmas shopping than in your local area? We round up where to find quality, locally made treats, from food and drink to gifts, trees and decorations – and everything in between…
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Here in the Shire region, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to local produce. In a relatively small geographical area, we have coastal, mountain and moorland terrain, incorporating a variety of soil types and weather systems. This amazing landscape offers a home to everything from the hardiest to the most delicate, resulting in locally made food and beverages by which we are truly blessed… Looking for amazing dairy products, bread, meat, poultry and game? Head for Ludlow Farmshop, where farming, a passion for great food and retail come together to create an award-winning experience. The beef, lamb and Gloucester Old Spot pork come from the farm, along with the milk used to make the cheese and dairy products. Visit www.ludlowfarmshop.co.uk. Aiming to source the very best cheeses,
charcuterie, gourmet foods and hard-to-find ingredients for customers, Porter’s is a family-run delicatessen in Llangollen, where FOOD locally produced foods, wines and beers feature highly. It’s open every day until Christmas and specialises in bespoke gift hampers and artisan cheeses. Visit www.portersdeli.co.uk or call 01978 862990.
take a butcher’s
Whether you prefer turkey, beef, goose or lamb, Jamie Ward’s Traditional Family Butchers in Chirk can provide you with a delicious Christmas dinner, and can put together hampers too. All meats are sourced locally, supporting the surrounding farming industry. Call 01691 772602 to request the Christmas brochure or visit www.jamiewardsbutchers.co.uk. “We are spoiled Lord Newborough, owner of the Rhug Estate near Corwen, has been a passionate for choice when supporter of organic farming since the 1990s. “Rhug Estate organic turkeys and geese are it comes to free to venture out every day on to clover-rich local produce” organic pasture, and feed on the finest organic oats grown on the farm,” he says. “Stress-free animals produce the highest-quality meat.” To order your Rhug organic turkey or goose, visit www.rhug.co.uk. Gearing up to produce its special Christmas hampers, Daisy & Tilly’s in Bayston Hill near Shrewsbury has an extensive selection of locally sourced fruit and veg, fresh meat and fish, sausages and hams, a large selection of butters, cheeses, milk and eggs, as well 5 as fine wines, beer and cider. There’s also find a large selection of vegan and gluten-free produce. Visit www.daisyandtillys.shop. If you’ve ever driven through Nesscliffe, Shropshire, you may have seen Brisbourne Geese – the birds are reared free range on fields adjacent to the old A5. On collection, each goose is oven-ready, complete with cooking instructions. Order yours at www.brisbournegeese.co.uk or call 01743 741672. The Shropshire Hamper Company is run by the team that organises the award-winning Shrewsbury Food Festival. Using its connections with the finest artisans in the county, it brings 1. Brisbourne Geese together the best independently produced 2. Ludlow Farmshop products available – and as a result, the company’s 3. Shropshire Hamper Company Christmas hamper is filled with fabulous locally 4. Daisy & Tilly’s produced festive food and drinks. Check them 5. Porter’s Deli out at www.shropshirehamper.co.uk.
ALocal Christmas Drink
1. Celtic Spirit 2. Ludlow Gin 3. Hencote 4. Pant Du 5. Three Wrens
Whether you want a warming liqueur, a refreshing cider, an aromatic gin or a celebratory wine, you can source it locally.
Celtic Spirit, officially the oldest spirit company in Wales, is now based on the beautiful isle of Anglesey, having previously been located in south Wales. It shares its Llanfaethlu premises with Condessa Welsh Liqueurs, which specialises in the production of award-winning liqueurs and spirits. Visit the new distillery shop, the Copper Pot, to see its great selection of drinks, gifts and hampers, and sample the companies’ ever-growing range of tipples at the boutique bar. For more information, visit www.celticspirit.co.uk.
Ludlow Gin uses the finest natural botanicals, and absolutely no artificial colours or flavours, to produce its six gins and three liqueurs. If you’re looking for a real winter warmer, its limited edition Mulberry, Damson & Winter Spice Gin Liqueur is produced using mulberries from the owner’s garden and damsons from the National Trust Brockhampton Estate in Herefordshire as well as gardens across Shropshire. For more information, visit www.ludlowgin.co.uk.
Three Wrens was launched from a small woodland distillery in Cheshire, with its gins made by hand in a 50-litre copper pot. The gins are all single-shot distilled, meaning a concentrate is never used, and each one has a strong focus on natural ingredients – none are artificially flavoured. You can find Three Wrens Gin on sale at Castle Farm, Cholmondeley, as well as at the online shop at www.threewrensgin.com.
Shropshire is renowned for its superb cider. Hare Moon Cider is made from apples grown, pressed and bottled at Wigginton Farm in St Martins. Apple varieties such as Dabinett, Langworthy, Kingston Black and Yarlington Mill are grown in the orchards, free of sprays and fertilisers, and traditional and fruit ciders are available. Visit www.haremooncider.com for more information.
heard it on the grapevine
Modern British wine may still be in its infancy, but if the Romans could grow vines here there’s no reason we cannot rival France, given time. There are already a number of vineyards in our region. In 2009, Andy and Dora Stevens, owners of a small private estate at Hencote in Shropshire planted a hobby vineyard comprising 160 vines. By 2015 it had expanded to 24,000 vines, producing a delicious selection of award-winning red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. For more about the vineyard, visit www.hencote.com.
Pant Du in Caernarfon, meanwhile, is a family-run vineyard and orchard, established in 2007 by Richard and Iola Huws. Nine acres of vines and 18 acres of apple trees have been planted on the former farmland, transforming the slopes of the Nantlle valley. There are six different varieties of vines, specifically chosen to work well with the soil and climate in north Wales, producing white, red and rosé wines, while the 3,200 apple trees help to make five types of cider. If soft drinks are more your style, Pant Du also produces three varieties of apple juice. There’s a small on-site shop or you can buy online at www.pantdu.co.uk.
2 1 DID YOU KNOW?
The number of UK distilleries grew by 124 in 2020 – up 28% on 2019 – doubling the number of distilleries in the UK in just four years
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ALocal Christmas GIFTS
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It’s as much fun buying presents as it is giving them – or so we’re told! And when you can choose from so many wonderful, original, artisan, locally made gifts, it’s a pleasure indeed.
Having selected products from the best artists and craftspeople, the shop at Mostyn Gallery in Llandudno has a new seasonal focus, Gifts from Wales & the Borders, which runs until 2nd February. The shop sells an eclectic range of gifts and treasures, including woodwork, knitwear, jewellery, glassware, artworks, limited-edition prints and a beautiful mix of handcrafted contemporary items to suit every budget. Mostyn supports hundreds of independent makers, and any income generated by the shop is invested back into the gallery’s exhibition and community programmes. Visit www.mostyn.org for details. Located near St Asaph in Denbighshire, Tweedmill Shopping Outlet brings together everything you need under one roof: women’s and men’s clothing, a farm shop, garden centre and cafés! The farm shop has an incredible choice of Welsh produce – a wonderful selection of artisan foods including handmade cakes,
we’re told! And when you can choose from so many wonderful, original, artisan, locally made gifts, it’s a pleasure indeed.
Having selected products from the best artists and craftspeople, the shop at focus, Gifts from Wales & the Borders, which runs until 2nd February. The shop sells an eclectic range of gifts and treasures, including woodwork, knitwear, jewellery, glassware, artworks, locally baked bread, fruit limited-edition prints and a beautiful mix of handcrafted and veg, preserves and pickles, contemporary items to suit every budget. Mostyn supports dressings and sauces. You can find hundreds of independent makers, and any income generated decorations, cards and wrapping paper by the shop is invested back into the gallery’s exhibition and in Christmas shop, then refuel in the café, community programmes. Visit where Christmas lunches are served from mid-November. See www.tweedmill.co.uk for opening times. “MOSTYN supports Cosy up for Christmas with Trefriw Woollen Mills in Conwy Valley where you hundreds of can buy traditional Welsh tapestry bedspreads, independent makers travel rugs and tweeds woven on site. Its fabrics are made into throws, cushion covers, in its retail spaces” capes, hats, caps, bags and purses, and it also stocks a wide range of bought-in pure wool knitwear and accessories, sheepskin goods and gifts. Check opening times at www.t-w-m.co.uk or call 01492 640462.
Handcrafted treats
If you’re looking for antique and handcrafted gifts, make a trip to Afonwen Craft & Antique Centre near Mold. This independent, family-run business is located in a beautiful rural location in a building steeped in history. There’s something for everyone in its huge collection of antiques and vintage treasures, cabinets stocked with crystal and china, and furniture (big and small) from the Victorian era to the 1970s. Take a look at www.afonwen.co.uk to plan your visit. Moo & Boom in Whitchurch, meanwhile, brings sustainable lifestyle and wellbeing to the high street. All its products are sourced with sustainability in mind, and it also upcycles furniture and uses old fabrics to make cushions, bags and aprons. This Christmas, it has a special stock of woolly hats, socks, candles, jewellery, ceramics and food, as well as beautiful and sustainable Christmas decorations. It is also running a series of festive workshops – visit www.mooandboom.com for details. How about buying a gift where you can also go and see where the raw materials came from? Mulberry Alpacas, based in Higher Penley near Wrexham, has a small, prizewinning herd of alpacas from which it produces quality alpaca fibre in a variety colours. It processes only the finest fleeces into yarn – much of which will carry a label with the name of the alpaca it came from – and knitwear. The company currently has special offers on socks, duvets and pillows. You can visit the farm to shop and see the alpacas, or browse and order online at www.mulberryalpacas.co.uk.
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1. Mostyn Gallery 2. Tweedmill 3. Trefriw Woollen Mill 4. Mulberry Alpacas 5. Moo and Boom
DID YOU KNOW? The average British adult spends around £475 on Christmas presents each year
ALocal Christmas TREES & DECORATIONS
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There’s nothing like a real Christmas tree, and along with ivy, holly and mistletoe they’re grown throughout the Shire region, so everything you need to decorate your home for the holidays can be found right on your doorstep.
A Christmas tree farm, with the scent of the trees filling the air, is the perfect place to start the Christmas season and get you in the mood for the festivities. Trees at Winston Farm in Ellesmere, Shropshire, range in size from 3ft to an amazing 30ft, and variants include Scotch pine, noble, blue spruce, Nordmann and Norway spruce. The farm will also supply free netting and log bases for your chosen tree, and while you’re there don’t forget to meet – and feed – the reindeer! Winston Farm’s Christmas tree farm opens on 30th November. To check times, call 01691 622316 or visit www.winstonfarm.co.uk.
You’ll certainly enjoy the magic of preparing your home for Christmas when choosing your tree and wreaths from the Woodworks Garden Centre in Mold. Premium Nordmann trees are available from 27th November, with prices starting from £36 for cut trees and £45 for potgrown ones. And if you get chilly while choosing your tree, the Woodworks Café has added a flavour of Christmas to its menu, and tasty treats can be enjoyed by the log fire in the cosy garden café. You can add the finishing touches to your festive scheme with a beautifully decorated, handmade noble fir Christmas wreath; these can be ordered to suit any festive style, with prices from £29.99, and are available from 1st December. For more information, visit www.woodworksgc.com or call 01352 752555.
Direct from the farm
one-stop shop
Looking for a store that has everything you need for Christmas under one roof? Gordale in Burton on the Wirral has everything you need to decorate your home for the holidays, with inspirational displays, room settings and festive themes to help TuRN to page 85 you select the best products for your home. for Shire’s handy Here you’ll find baubles, tree trims, tinsel, wreaths, swags, ornaments, candles, Christmas guide to the trees of all shapes and sizes, fairy lights for indoors and outdoors, animated figures, crackers, best types of Christmas cards, advent calendars, Christmas christmas tree tableware, napkins and tablecloths. It’s one of the biggest displays in the North West! For opening times and details of the products available, visit www.gordale.co.uk/seasonal/christmas. 1. Winston Farm 2. Gordale 3. Woodworks Garden Centre 4. Carlton Garden Centre
If you’d like to buy your Christmas tree from the grower, the Backford Christmas Tree Farm near Chester is open daily from 20th November between 8am and 8pm, and has a wide selection of trees on display. It has Nordmann, Fraser and lodge pole pine varieties on site, as well as noble firs available on request; all are needle-retaining varieties. It also sells the traditional Norway spruce and a selection of pot-grown trees. To keep your tree looking good for as long as possible, it also stocks waterholding stands and a selection of containers and tree skirts.
Complementary decorations available include a selection of handmade wreaths, table centres and grave pots, which can be made bespoke to order. If you can’t make it to the farm, you can arrange delivery. All the details of how to do so can be found at www.backfordchristmastreefarm.co.uk.
Independently-run family business Carlton Garden Centre, located in Llay near Wrexham, was established nearly 50 years ago. Its range of products has expanded over the years and it now boasts a vast selection of garden centre products, building and pet products. Carlton is a garden centre for all seasons and has a wide range of gift products, as well as seasonal items such as fresh and artificial trees, wreaths, grave pots, Christmas lights, decorations and festive gifts. You can also pick up a bag of logs for that cosy fireplace to gather around. For more information, call 01978 852896 or visit www.carltongardencentre.co.uk.
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ALocal Christmas VOUCHERS & EXPERIENCES
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Agift that offers something to look forward to is to look forward to is a brilliant way to make sure the Christmas cheer continues into a brilliant way to make sure the Christmas cheer continues into the new year, and there are vouchers to suit a host of recipients. the new year, and there are vouchers to suit a host of recipients.
Whisky lovers will be thrilled to get the opportunity to look Whisky lovers will be thrilled to get the opportunity to look around Penderyn Distillery, which produces award-winning Penderyn Distillery single-malt whiskies and spirits in Brecon and Llandudno, and single-malt whiskies and spirits in Brecon and Llandudno, and hosts tours and masterclasses in both locations. The hour-long hosts tours and masterclasses in both locations. The hour-long tour takes you around the mill, mash tun and single copper-pot tour takes you around the mill, mash tun and single copper-pot Penderyn still, and you can also sample some of its products Penderyn still, and you can also sample some of its products in the Tasting Bar. The distillery masterclasses, meanwhile, in the Tasting Bar. The distillery masterclasses, meanwhile, offer a fully interactive experience including a tour and a blind offer a fully interactive experience including a tour and a blind nosing activity. Book vouchers at www.penderyn.walesnosing activity. Book vouchers at .
If pampering or relaxing is more your style, Lion Quays Resort If pampering or relaxing is more your style, near Oswestry has a fantastic selection of vouchers available for near Oswestry has a fantastic selection of vouchers available for spa days and individual treatments, overnight or weekend stays, spa days and individual treatments, overnight or weekend stays, and afternoon teas. Check them out at www.lionquays.co.uk.and afternoon teas. Check them out at
Want something a tad more active? Adventure Parc SnowdoniaWant something a tad more active? has an inland surf lagoon, pump track and climbing walls, as well has an inland surf lagoon, pump track and climbing walls, as well as a glass-fronted Surf Side bar, diner and deli, the Wave Garden as a glass-fronted Surf Side bar, diner and deli, the Wave Garden Spa and Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia. Vouchers can be Spa and Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia. Vouchers can be 4 ordered at ordered at www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com.
1. Shropshire Distillery 2. Adventure Parc Snowdonia 3. Chester Gift Card 4. Plas Menai 5. Lion Quays
Cards can be bought online from www.chestergiftcard.com or at Chester’s visitor information centre.
Finally, the perfect gift for gin lovers can be found at the Shropshire Distillery in Ellesmere: a gift voucher to experience one of its new gin school and distillery tours, led by Emma Glynn, one of the UK’s few female distillers.
“Our tours give gin lovers an exclusive look at the hard work that goes in to producing small batches of quality gin, while the gin school provides a novel hands-on experience,” says Emma. “There are plenty of opportunities to sample our delicious gins as well!”
During the gin school experience, participants can create their own bespoke gin using a copper still and botanicals of their choosing, and can take their own wax sealed bottle home with them. To book, visit www.theshropshiredistillery.co.uk/events.
City-wide spending
If the person you’re buying for is more city than country, the Chester Gift Card is the perfect solution. It’s accepted in more than 100 places across the city, from clothing and beauty services to cafés, fine-dining establishments and hotels. Chester Gift
DID YOU KNOW? More than half (50.3 per cent) of people redeem their gift cards within a month of receipt
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Calling all Christmas gift-seekers!
Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre provides the ultimate in outdoor adventure experiences, offering the largest selection of outdoor activities and courses in UK. It caters for everyone, from children as young as eight to sessions specifically for seniors, regardless of experience or ability. If you know someone who wants to try something new, would like to develop their skills or is simply always looking for their next adventure, there is bound to be a session or course to suit. Adventure Weeks and Adventure Days can be designed for anyone looking for an unforgettable experience. There are also half-day activity sessions, family adventure weekends and week-long youth adventure holiday camps.
Plas Menai has a huge range of epic activities and technical courses on offer, from sailing and windsurfing to powerboating and sea kayaking, as well as instructor training courses throughout the year. Plas Menai is also offering jet ski training, snorkel skills and more in 2022. It’s always best to learn from a qualified instructor, and Plas Menai has the very best.
If you know you want to buy someone an experience, but can’t decide which activity they’d like, leave it up to them and give them the gift of choice with a Plas Menai open options gift voucher. To see the vast choice of activities for yourself and to purchase an unforgettable gift, visit www.plasmenai.wales.
ALocal Christmas Markets & events
1. Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre 2. Derwen College 3. Apley Farm Shop 4. Enchanted Grotto 5. Tatton Park
Nothing gets you in the festive spirit more than browsing around a Christmas market, watching a seasonal spectacular or taking the little ones to visit Santa.
This year, Derwen College near Oswestry is pulling out all the stops to put on its biggest and best Christmas fayre yet – three days of jolly, festive cheer, including a guest appearance from Santa Claus himself, from 26th to 28th November. Some of Shropshire’s top artisan producers will be there, alongside merchandise from Derwen College’s own garden centre and gift shop, Christmas trees, seasonal plants, handmade wreaths, decorations, poinsettias, cards and hampers. For more information, visit www.derwen.ac.uk.
The beautiful town of Nantwich has three Christmas markets: a mini version on 19th November running alongside its Christmas lights switch-on, and the Nantwich Artisan Christmas Market on 20th November and 11th December, featuring local specialist makers and traders. See www.nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk.
You can also stock up at West Kirby Christmas Market on 18th December, from producers who grow, rear, cook, ferment, make and bake the best-quality, freshest and most interesting local produce. Visit www.westkirbyfarmersmarket.co.uk.
yuletides of yore
Love history? Step back in time at Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre at Ludlow Castle on 27th and 28th November, where you’ll find more than 100 stalls selling Christmas gifts and unique treats. You can also see thrilling entertainment featuring jesters, fighting knights using swords, mace and quarter-staffs, storytellers
and a fire show – and try your hand at archery and axe throwing. Booking is required; visit www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk.
Visit Apley Farm Shop in Shifnal on 27th and 28th November for its Christmas market, which promises to be full of local craft stalls, food and drink tastings and Apley stalls. Santa will also visit the shop every weekend before Christmas from 27th November. Booking is essential; check dates at www.apleyfarmshop.co.uk or call 01952 581002.
If you’re visiting Chester between 26th November and 24th December, head to the Enchanted Grotto, a magical winter wonderland experience in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre. Every child gets a gift from Father Christmas – straight from the North Pole via Weasel & The Bug,
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Chester’s independent toy shop. SEN sessions are available Chester’s independent toy shop. SEN sessions are available for children with additional needs. To book your spot, visit for children with additional needs. To book your spot, visit www.experiencechester.co.uk/event/santas-enchanted-grotto.www.experiencechester.co.uk/event/santas-enchanted-grotto
Down on the grotto
As part of Father Christmas at the Farm at Tatton Park, Knutsford, you can see Santa and his elf helpers in their festive grotto, enjoy you can see Santa and his elf helpers in their festive grotto, enjoy roaming entertainers, live music and the Christmas Café, and make roaming entertainers, live music and the Christmas Café, and make your own magical reindeer food to take home. Wrap up warm your own magical reindeer food to take home. Wrap up warm for Tatton Park’s One Snowy Night: A Percy the Park Keeper Christmas Garden Tale, and toast marshmallow by the fire before Christmas Garden Tale, and toast marshmallow by the fire before heading off to see Percy’s surprise present by the Christmas heading off to see Percy’s surprise present by the Christmas tree. Advance bookings are required for all these events. tree. Advance bookings are required for all these events. See www.tattonpark.org.uk for dates and times. www.tattonpark.org.uk
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A forerunner to today’s Christmas markets, the December Market in Vienna was fi rst recorded in 1298
