PostChristmas

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Entertainments

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Competitions

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Festive Food & Drinks

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Recipes

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Crafts

PostNewspapers

Win Leisure Treats

Win Picturedrome vouchers and Butlins tickets with our fabulous competitions

Christmas Recipes

Including gingerbread pancakes, roasted duck legs and festive cocktails

Family Fun Games

From a reindeer nose dive to a visit to Lapland all for low costs and lots of fun

Post Newspapers Ltd | Christmas Edition | December 2017

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Bognor Regis & Chichester Post Newspapers’ It’s been a fantastic year for all of us at Post Newspapers and we wanted to celebrate the festive season with something extra special.

We hope you enjoy our selection of recipes, activity ideas, competitions and much more in our very first Christmas magazine.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers and advertisers!

Get in touch...

63 London Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1DF Tel: 01243 908506 news@sussexpost.co.uk Editorial Kevin Smith Kelly Wickham Fiona Callingham Design Alex Katzenbach

Contents

p15

p7

5..........................Welcome page 6 & 35.................Competition Time

Win Picturedrome cinema tickets and a family ticket to Butlin’s.

9-10 & 36..........Charities at Christmas

Spreading the goodwill and finding out how you can help those in need at Christmas time

7, 33 & 39............Festive Food

Follow our simple guide to delicious Christmas makes and bakes

13........................Creative Ways to Wrap

Easy and exciting ways to disguise and package gift cards

15-16...................Seasonal Decorations

Low-budget and fun ideas to make your home sparkle

19........................Christmas Wines

Post wine columnist Martin Lury brings you the best in seasonal wines

All our stories and features are available to read online and you can also download all of our previous weekly newspapers.

19........................Beat the Festive Bloat

Post health and beauty columnist Denise Kelly helps tackle the seasonal slump

21........................Christmas Cocktails

Shake up a treat with our delicious and easy to make Christmas drinks selection

23-24...................Seasonal Entertainment Guide

Our perfect guide to the best in shows and pantomimes this Christmas including an exclusive interview

27........................Yuletide Puzzles and Games

Try your hand at our special Christmas puzzles including mazes, word searches and matching pairs

29-30...................Christmas Around The World

Find out how others celebrate the big day and build up with our interesting guide around the world at Christmas

31........................Christmas Eve for the Kids

www.postnewspapers.co.uk www.issuu.com/postnewspapers5

PostChristmas 2017

How to entertain the children and give them a good night's sleep on the night before Christmas

34-35...................Party Family Games

If you still can't find the missing pieces to that old board game, follow our manual on alternatives

3

Thank you for your support POST Newspapers began last year to provide a printed weekly alternative to the established newspapers.

We are an independent company based in London Road in Bognor Regis, formed 18 months ago to provide a first class post. And we have done just that with YOUR support.

We have decided to build on our success with our first Christmas magazine. We hope you enjoy looking through reading its pages – and we hope you return to enjoy us week after week as we head into 2018.

This magazine maintains our commitment to delivering the best content in a top quality package.

That policy has served us well in our initial months and it is one we will maintain during the coming year.

It has seen our newspaper quickly gain backing and support from of our many advertisers and readers.

We will seek to provide an unbeatable FREE package of news and advertising for Bognor Regis and Chichester for more of the same next year.

A warm welcome to our first magazine WE at Post Newspapers wanted to mark this special time of the year with a publication which brings you the best in festive fun.

There’s plenty of seasonal ideas, games, recipes, information and entertainment

Editor in Chief - Adam Cunard

Sight & Sound

OPTICIANS & HEARING AID AUDIOLOGISTS

news to provide a mass of enjoyable reading material. We also wanted to thank everyone who has supported us in our first full year for making it such a success.

Our two newspapers in Bognor Regis and Chichester are going from strength to strength – and that is due to all those who have helped us.

Our advertisers provide us with the financial support to publish the tens of thousands of copies each week which have quickly made us the area’s most read free newspaper. And our contributors supply us with a never-ending flow of news to inform you, our readers, who pick us up every week and support those who advertise with us.

So, we have plenty to celebrate this Christmas and we hope you do too. There are many ways to have fun at this time of year and the big days are getting closer as the nights get longer.

We hope you have a Merry Christmas with all your wishes fulfilled and hope that 2018 is a good year for you. We’re looking forward to your company during the coming 12 months.

shing all o r Wsi tomers a veu r cu

y

Happy

Christmas

10% OFF with this advert in our Bognor practice on complete spectacles and on new hearing aids. until 31st December 2017

5 High Street, Bognor Regis PO21 1RQ | Tel: 01243 823144 | www.sightandsound.org.uk | f @EyesEarsBognor

PostChristmas 2017

5

WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS

MEAN TO YOU?

Ho Ho Ho It's Santa here!

I need a favour little ones! Post Newspapers have contacted me to ask all you little elves to get creative for Christmas.

The lovely people at Post Newspapers are offering a special new year treat with three top prizes on offer for your magical creations.

You could win Picturedrome cinema gift vouchers of £100 for first prize, £50 for second prize and £25 for third prize.

All you have to do to enter is get creative!

Post Newspapers are looking for any creation you can make to show them what Christmas means to you. It can be any handmade item you can come up with such as a poem, a story, a picture, a model, a photo collage, a painting or anything else.

Good luck!

Entries are available to those 12 years and under and must be sent in with your name, age, address and contact number.

Winners will be picked in the new year so to find out if you have won, keep your eyes open and grab a copy of The Bognor Regis Post and Chichester Post newspapers throughout January.

The deadline for the competition is December 31, 2017, and entries must be taken into or sent to: Post Newspapers, 63 London Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 1DF. You can also email entries to: competitions@sussexpost.co.uk

Ingredients R

R R

8-10 pink and yellow boiled sweets 115g butter, softened 55g golden caster sugar

R

R

180g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tablespoon milk

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/ gas 4. Cut pieces of baking paper to fit on two large baking trays. Next put the pink and yellow sweets in separate plastic food bags and use a rolling pin to crush the sweets a few times, so they break up into small pieces about 1cm big.

2. Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until creamy. Sift the flour into the mixture and add the milk. Use your hands to mix into a ball of dough.

3. Sprinkle a little flour over a work surface. Split the dough into two pieces and roll out one piece with a floured rolling pin until it is about 5mm thick. Using biscuit cutters (about 8cm x 4cm), cut out Christmas shapes and carefully cut circles out of the middle of each of the biscuits. Carefully move the cookies to the trays with a fish slice. Repeat with the remaining dough, then re-roll the trimmings to make more biscuits, about 25-30 in total. Put a different coloured sweet piece into the middle of each biscuit hole. The sweets melt while the biscuits bake to form ‘stained-glass’ windows.

4. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the biscuits are just golden. If you’re giving these as presents to hang on the tree, make a small hole near the top of each one once cooked and still warm.

5. Cool on the trays, then transfer to a wire rack. (Make sure the sweets have set hard before removing from the trays.) Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to five days. Thread ribbon through the holes when cool.

Ingredients R R R

500g plain flour 250g butter or margarine 140g icing sugar

R R

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 tablespoon milk

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 160 C / Gas 2 ½.

2. Place the flour, butter and sugar in a bowl and rub together with your fingers until it has the consistency of fine breadcrumbs.

3. Add the vanilla extract and a little milk until the mixture sticks together.

4. Combine all together to form a dough. You can put it in the fridge for a while if you prefer.

5. Place on a floured surface and roll out to about 5mm thick (¼ inch).

Cut out star shapes using different sizes and place on a baking tray with some baking parchment or non stick cooking sheets.

6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 to 15 minutes and then place on a wire rack to cool and harden.

7. Once cooled, you can decorate each star with royal icing and silver balls. Simply stack the stars on top of each other in size order and at angles to create a tree shape

PostChristmas 2017

Recipes

7

at St Wilfrid’s Hospice ST Wilfrid’s Hospice is a very special place all year round and at Christmas time that continues, with staff going ‘the extra smile’ to provide a festive treat for patients and their loved ones.

Working some St Wilfrid’s ‘magic’ is something staff and volunteers take very seriously. If they can fulfil someone’s last wishes, they will pull out all the stops.

Last Christmas, a patient wanted to see snow for the last time, so the nursing and fundraising team tracked down a snow machine and created a wonderful snow scene for her and her family. The resulting Facebook Post reached over 33,000 people and volunteers show just as much commitment.

Last Christmas Eve, two volunteer drivers, Dusty and Roger, went the extra mile when collecting patient Graham Easton, from his appointment at St Richard’s Hospital. Wearing

Christmas hats, they drove him to see the Christmas lights in Chichester before bringing him to the Hospice for admission over the yuletide season.

Special memories were also created for Mike Simonds the year he came into St Wilfrid’s Hospice in December. He said he was overwhelmed by the care that he received. On Christmas Day the staff arranged a surprise visit for his family to join him for lunch, something he never expected. Mike returned home in the middle of January where he was able to spend precious time with his family and friends before he sadly died some weeks later.

Once again this year, St. Wilfrid’s will be running its Christmas appeal.

To make a donation, please visit our website at www.stwh.co.uk/christmas or call 01243 755827.

Remember with us Sunday 3rd December 2017 | 6pm

at Chichester Cathedral This service of traditional carols and readings involves lighting a candle in memory of your loved one, which you can take home if you would like to.

Sunday 17th December 2017 | 4-6pm at Hotham Park, Bognor Regis Come along to ‘light’ and display an LED candle in memory of a loved one. Other attractions include St Wilfrid’s very own choir, Spirit FM, stalls and Hotham Park’s Café.

stwh.co.uk/christmas | 01243 755827 Registered charity in England and Wales No. 281963

PostChristmas 2017

Charity

9

a forever home CHRISTMAS will soon be here and work here at the Centre does not stop just because it is Christmas all of our animals have to be cared for 365 days year and we will have been busy organising our Christmas Events.

We do like to enjoy the festivities at the Centre with Christmas decorations, staff in fancy dress for our viewing days and on Christmas Day the cats will enjoy some turkey whilst the rabbits and the guinea pigs have special treats that they would not normally have throughout the year.

We do not re-home animals just before Christmas but there is still plenty of time to settle in a furry friend.

Currently at the Centre we have over 200 cats/kittens, over 30 rabbits and 20 guinea pigs all looking for their forever homes.

Are you ready to adopt? Then please call the Centre on 01243 641409 during the week between 9am - 4pm and we can arrange a home visit. We re-home 7 days a week. If you are looking for a rabbit or guinea pig, why not come along to one of our Bunny and Guinea Pig viewing days held every Sunday between 2.00pm and 3.30pm no appointment required.

Still just thinking about getting a cat? Give us a ring or visit us on our viewing days every fourth Saturday of the month. The last viewing day for cats before Christmas has now sadly passed, but we will be open again in the new year for viewings.

Would you be able to donate some of your time over the Christmas period? We are looking for volunteers to help clean and feed the animals on Christmas Day & Boxing day if you would like to come and spread some Christmas cheer for the animals at the Centre then please call or email: info@crrc.co.uk.

Its always nice to have our volunteers visiting the Centre to help on Christmas day which makes the day just that bit more special.

10

Charity

PostChristmas 2017

NAYEB

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Come and try our freshly homemade traditional delicious Persian meals.

Free Delivery on orders over ÂŁ10 within a 5 mile radius

We are here: 160 London Road, Bognor Regis PO21 1BD (opposite car park)

Wishing all our customers a very merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year

We are open 7 days a week: 1pm - 11pm | f @nayebbognor | Call us on 01243 697900

01243 884144

WHATS SANTA BRINGING YOU

this Christmas We wish all our customers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year

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finance on all new Honda Motorcycles up to 125cc

Unit 7, Chichester trade centre, Quarry Lane, Chichester, PO19 8ET 01243 884144 | email: rob@southcoasthonda.co.uk | www.southcoasthonda.co.uk

a gift card

GIFT cards can be a really great way of giving a much wanted present to people who don’t want anything particular for Christmas. It can, however be a bit bland to pass on just an envelope and anti-climactic to the recipient. Have a nosey at our guide on different ideas for wrapping up gift cards.

Photo frame gift cards Find a really pretty or fancy photo frame. Blu-tac the gift card inside the frame where the photograph would usually sit (maybe find some colourful paper to use as a backing) and print the words around it saying “break glass in case of shopping emergency”. The recipient can use the frame once they have spent the voucher.

or using Sharpies to decorate. Place the card inside the box and hey-presto it’s disguised.

Snow Globe Providing you don’t leave the gift card swimming in water for too long this can be a really unique and Christmassy way to send a gift card to somebody.

All you need is an old jam jar but make sure its water-tight! You just need to use a hot glue gun and stick the gift card to the lid. Fill the jar with water, glitter, baubles or anything else you want in it. screw the lid on and tie a ribbon round the lid. If you’re really concerned about the water, you could always fill with fake snow instead!

Sweet Jar surprise Grab a ready-bought jar of sweeties or re-use an old jam jar and fill with your own choice of sweets. Bury a gift card inside the jar so it’s hidden. You may be frowned upon as slightly stingy at first, but once they get peckish and the card is revealed, they will soon remember how generous you actually are.

Balloon Surprise Grab hold of a balloon and pop your gift card inside. Add in confetti, glitter or anything else. Blow up the balloon and secure with a knot in the end. Then add a post it note to the balloon saying something like “pop me”.

Recycled pin boxes Quite often push-pins can be purchased in sturdy, transparent plastic boxes the same size as a gift card. These can easily be spruced up with either glue and glitter, collaging pretty wrapping paper

Wallet You could spend a few extra pennies and buy the recipient of the gift card a wallet or purse. You could slot the gift card in one of the spaces for credit cards. Alternatively, why not make your own wallet or coin change purse?

PostChristmas 2017

Arts & Crafts

13

The Affordable Quality German Kitchen Largest German kitchen retailer in the U.K Supply only or fully installed Free design service Factory built rigid carcases Finance options available Award winning Designers with over 20 years experience Kütchenhaus Chichester 5-7 Ambassador’s House, Crane Street, Chichester, PO19 1LL 01243 780087 showroom@chichester.kutchenhaus.co.uk

WISHING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A PROSPEROUS

ear Y New

For more detailed information about kütchenhaus kitchens: www.kutchenhaus.co.uk

instagram.com/kutchenhaus_chichester facebook.com/kutchenhauschichester

to give your house an extra Christmas sparkle

IT’S THAT time of year, where you go to the loft and pull out the Christmas decorations. The mix match of old Quality Street tins with smashed baubles, ragged Santas with matted beards, and those little wooden ornaments with torn ribbon hangers or missing a ski or worse still, a whole arm.

Have a look at our cheerful and simple way to add some Christmas to your home without breaking the bank.

Pine cones Get the kids and head down for a wintery walk in the woods and collect some pine cones. Dip the pine cones in gold paint (either partially or all of the way) or use a mixture of water, glue, and glitter for a sparkling effect or simply grab a can of gold spray.

Place on side tables or use to fill baskets and bowls. For a more luxurious effect, twist wire around the pine cones and secure on some fresh green foliage.

Glittery baubles These baubles are sure to catch your eye and add some sparkle.

Take a clear ornament, add some clear floor wax or glue, pour in glitters of your choice, shake and enjoy! Either hang on the tree or on the mantelpiece or in bowls. You can always also add nail polish to the outside in swirly designs. To do this, simply grab a

PostChristmas 2017

mug and fill with water and gently pour nail varnish in. You can add more colours to the centre. Then simply dip your bauble in the water and the nail varnish will stick to the decoration.

Cinnamon Candles Wrap cinnamon sticks round a candle or candle holder by either gluing them directly or tying them together with a pretty festive ribbon. Not only does it give a warm Christmas look, but also it will send a gentle aroma around the room.

Arts & Crafts

15

Sweet Glasses Grab some pretty cocktail glasses and add granulated sugar to the rim. Fill the glasses with pretty candy and sweets and place around the house for guests and kids to help themselves.

Simple Snow Table Runner Get down to your local fabric or craft shop and have a look for some offcuts or buy a length of felt in a Christmas red or green.

Then get the kids to make some paper snowflakes, just the same method as always, by folding up circles of paper or white fabric and let loose with the scissors. Simply glue or pin the snowflakes along the fabric and use as a table runner or full table cloth.

at your window. You can cut snowflakes out of paper or fabric and string together with cotton or thread.

Christmas Tree Buttons Step 1: Trace around a wooden Christmas tree shape on to your green and brown felt and cut out the required number of pieces. You will need two green tree fronts and one brown trunk for each ornament. If you use a light green felt combined with bright buttons it gives a really modern feel to the project. Should you prefer a more traditional theme, simply use a darker felt and scarlet buttons.

Step 2: Place the buttons into a pleasing arrangement and then stitch securely using matching thread.

Step 3: Using green thread stitch around the tree shape, inserting a burlap loop at the top and the brown trunk piece at the bottom.

Step 4: If you are making a free standing version, colour a craft stick with brown felt-tip pen and insert along with your stuffing.

Step 5: Insert the craft stick into a large wooden bead or wooden sewing bobbin.

Snowflake Curtain Long gone are the days of having beaded curtains on the back door, but why not use the same concept for a snowflake curtain

Step 6: That’s it! Now simply give your new handmade ornament pride of place amongst your other decorations!

‘you can find me at: The Royal Oak, Pink Pub car park’

We can create CHRISTMAS WREATHS

‘Flowers for that magical touch’

TABLE DECORATIONS

PLANTS LOCALLY SOURCED

Available till Christmas Eve telephone: 07391150113 | email: jenna@enchantedfloristsussex.co.uk | www.enchantedfloristsussex.co.uk

16

Arts & Crafts

PostChristmas 2017

Christmas at The Lion Deep fried brie with cranberry compote Homemade chicken liver pate with toast Baked Portabello mushrooms with blue cheese and chutney Farmhouse country soup (v)  Roasted Sussex turkey with all the trimmings Slow roasted pork belly with sausage meat stuffing Poached salmon with hollandaise sauce and new potatoes Roasted vegetable & greens pasty with ratatouille and salad (v)  Christmas pudding with brandy sauce Chocolate caramel brownie Lemon meringue pie Crème caramel Selection of ice cream  Coffee and mince pies to finish

2 Courses £15 | 3 Courses £20

Wishing all our customers a very

Merry Christmas & a prosperous new year !

NYETIMBER LANE, PAGHAM, BOGNOR REGIS, PO21 3JX  EMAIL: THELIONPAGHAM@AOL.CO.UK  TEL: 01243 262149

Cheers to a bubbly and merry Christmas

by Martin Lury Christmas comes but once a year, so why not try some festive cheer?

A white, a red, a bubble or two all form part of this Yuletide brew!

THE Bard lives on, but the might of Bacchus must prevail - so let us plan some Christmas tipple.

As Christmas dinner would not be the same without a bottle of white Burgundy, let us commence festivities with a Mâcon Villages from Marks & Spencer of southern Burgundian provenance.

This wine is of a rich straw colour indicating a grape from mature vines and admirably exudes nutty and peach flavours and, being unoaked, is refreshingly clean on the palate and a great apéritif.

Next it is time for a touch of bubbly pre-prandially and I recommend an erstwhile old favourite of mine, namely an Australian Seaview Brut - a mere £6.99 from Lidl - and you can savour the light

yeasty nose of baked apple, apricot, pear, lemon and the excellent mousse.

There is nothing like the real thing, as the adage goes, so on we go to two different types of Champagne, beginning with Aldi’s remarkably - priced Monsigny Brut with its good bubbles, creaminess and flavours of baked apple and brioche and all for just £10.99.

However, if your guests are in full Champagne mode, then look no further than a Louis Vertay Brut - Marks & Spencer. This particular Champagne is often on offer and has good fruit flavours with peach and apple to the fore and a slight creamy finish. I have selected it, however, for its very fine, crisp and persistent bubbles and thus one you can have several glasses of, if you so desire, without feeling bloated or engaging in any form of flatulence.

Postprandial drinks could involve red wines, so I have selected two for your delectation and I begin with the D.V.

Catena 2015 Argentinian Malbec which is stunning as regards its smoothness and subtlety and features black fruits with hints of black pepper and vanilla culminating in a long velvety finish - sublime and available at Sainsbury’s for between £10 and £12.

The final red is an Italian gem in the form of a 2012 Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico - £12.99 Lidl - whose lush dark berry flavours ending in a complex savoury finish tinged with spice and chocolate should enable you to nod off duly replete!

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!

Festive overindulging

by Denise Kelly Why is it that Christmas just gives us the green light to eat and drink ourselves into oblivion until we are rolling around on the floor reaching for the Gaviscon?

Ever wondered why you feel so tired after that turkey feast? Don’t blame it on the bird. It’s an old wives tale that the amino acid tryptophan in turkey makes you tired. Turkey is so high in protein, which makes you feel alert, that it cancels out the groggy effect of this amino acid.

The real reason is because you overindulged and ate too much! When you do this, more of your blood is diverted to the digestive system instead of to the heart and lungs, hence why you need to take a nap!

But there’s no reason to skip those traditional Christmas meals. In fact, many of your favourite festive foods are packed with nutrition.

Turkey is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and overall fat, and it provides nearly 50 percent of the RDA for folic acid, which helps protect against birth defects, various forms of cancer, and heart disease.

Cranberries are an excellent source of free-radical scavenging antioxidants like

PostChristmas 2017

vitamins C and E, the berries may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

Peas are an ample source of fibre (both insoluble and soluble) Brussels sprouts are a great source of potassium, fibre, folic acid and vitamin C. These are important in healing wounds, protecting cells and maintaining a strong immune system.

Clementines are rich in vitamin C, containing over 60 per cent of your recommended intake in one large fruit.

They are in season from November and are a great snack for when you want a time-out from the Christmas treats.

Chestnuts are low in saturated fats and a good source of fibre if cooked and peeled. A high-fibre diet can help you feel full, control your appetite and can help to reduce cholesterol.

Whatever your choices this Christmas, moderation is key if you don’t want an uphill struggle in the gym come January.

But remember if you chose more of the good stuff you will feel more energetic, less grumpy and full of energy...ready for the next meal...Enjoy!

Festive Columns

19

Bespoke Christmas gift ideas with Emsworth wine merchants ESTABLISHED in 2010, The Solent Wine Experience was set up to enable wine enthusiasts to discover more about how wine is made and the different flavour and aroma characteristics of the many different grape varieties used.

To understand how the wine trade works and the pricing structure of wine, giving you the confidence to explore different wines and purchase wines you know for sure you will enjoy.

Based at their wine shop VIN Wine Merchants in Emsworth Hampshire, the team offers corporate and private tasting events, team building, wine courses and wine experience days.

Owner, Jonathan Rogers said: “Wine is all about personal tastes so we aim to explore the vast array of different styles that wines produce around the world.”

Discover more with the Solent Wine Experience

The shop in Emsworth offers a range of different wines for everyone’s taste and budget

VIN Wine Merchants (pronounced VAN) was established in 2016 and is an independent family run business supplying a growing selection of wines, beers and spirits from smaller producers around the world.

Jonathan, who is passionate about offering a unique experience to all of his customers, said: “Our aim is to source interesting small parcels at competitive prices giving you both quality and value for money.

“We have wines to suit every budget from entry level everyday drinking to the more high end luxury wines. If we don’t have what you want, there is a big chance we can get it for you.”

VIN Wine Merchants have plenty on offer this Christmas from gift vouchers, wine experience days which prove to be a fantastic day out discovering wines of the world with a two course lunch and vineyard tour.

They also offer a five week wine course where you can discover how wine is made, wine faults and how to taste wine by looking at flavours and aromas.

The merchant’s motto is ‘Learn, visit, taste and buy’ as they like to remind customers they are not just a wine merchants.

“We also offer wine courses, free instore tastings, corporate and private tasting events and vineyard tours in the UK and throughout Europe through our wine school “ said Jonathan.

“By providing a complete wine experience you are able to discover how wines are made and why they taste the way they do.

“You will be able to experience different styles of wine through tastings and sensory evaluation, which enable you to learn which styles you prefer, giving you confidence to choose wines you know for sure you will enjoy in the future.”

THE SOLENT WINE EXPERIENCE

VIN Wine Merchants, 6 Queen Street,

Emsworth, PO10 7BL

T: 01243698838 E: thesolentwinex@gmail.com www.thesolentwineexperience.co.uk 20

Advertising

PostChristmas 2017

Mulled pear & cranberry punch

Rudolph’s fizzy nose cocktail

Ingredients:

Ingredients

R R R R R R R

1litre pear cider 1litre pear (or cloudy apple) juice 1litre cranberry juice good handful fresh or dried cranberries 150ml sloe gin 2 cinnamon sticks 2 vanilla pods, scored lengthways

R R R R R R R R R

Method:

R

1. Put all the ingredients into your biggest saucepan or casserole dish. When you’re ready to serve, heat to just below simmering point, then ladle into glasses.

Jack Frost Winter Cocktail Ingredients R R R R R R R

1 tbsp light corn syrup or simple syrup ¹/3 cup shredded coconut for garnish 3 cups of ice. For a thicker drink, use 4 cups 1 cup pineapple juice ½ cup vodka or light rum ½ cup Blue Curacao ½ cup cream of coconut (not coconut milk)

10 cranberries 6 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 fluid ounces gin 1 cup cranberry juice 3 fluid ounces sweet vermouth ½ cup ice cubes 1 cup Champagne 2 marshmallow 4 cloves 1 toothpick

Method:

Method:

1. On a small plate, add shredded coconut.

Wet the rim of a glass with corn syrup (can also use simple syrup, but it won’t hold the coconut as well) and gently dab the top of the glass in the shredded coconut, coating the rim. Set glass aside.

2. Add ice, pineapple juice, vodka, blue curacao, and cream of coconut to a food processor. Pulse until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Pour Jack Frost Winter Cocktail into prepared glasses.

4. Serve immediately.

1. Mix up 8 of the cranberries and 2 of the rosemary sprigs in a shaker. Add the gin, cranberry juice and vermouth and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into 2 chilled cocktail glasses. Top each glass with Champagne.

2. To garnish, place the remaining 4 rosemary sprigs into 2 marshmallows to create antlers. Break the toothpick in half and insert into front of the marshmallow and attach the remaining cranberries to create the noses. Then, place the 4 cloves between the noses and antlers to create eyes. Cheers!

Everything for Christmas Trees, Decorations, Cards, Games, Toys and many many more

14 East Street, Chichester PO19 1HE R OPEN Everyday 9am - 6pm

PostChristmas 2017

Seasonal Drinks

21

Visit our newly refurbished showroom in Bognor Regis, where we have a HUGE selection of flooring, beds & sofas on display.

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Tel: 01243 823999

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A whole new world of panto in Bognor Regis IT’S PANTOMIME season again, oh yes it is!

So to the only venue offering a magical flying carpet ride: the Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis.

Audiences can expect fantastic family entertainment with this year’s festive farce Aladdin.

The team at Spillers Pantomimes is set to return to Bognor Regis with everything we all know and love about their shows from exciting choreography and music to their beautiful sets and costumes. And, of course not forgetting the non-stop jokes, slapstick humour and classic pantomime lines such as “he’s behind you”, “oh no we’re not” and “boo!”

For the cast of Aladdin the panto season really is the most wonderful time of the year.

They believe that pantomime can truly be enjoyed by everyone from toddlers to grandparents and that no other Christmas entertainment is quite like it.

Renowned pantomime dame Christopher Marlowe is looking forward to

treading the boards of the Alexandra as Widow Twankey.

He said: “I haven’t played here before, but I have seen shows here and what I love about the place is that it is just so friendly and welcoming. It makes such a difference.”

Join Christopher and his cast mates for what promises to be yet another spectacular pantomime show, filled with all your favourite heroes and villains, singing, dancing and side-splitting humour.

And after the success of last year, the theatre are pleased to announce that they will be holding another relaxed performance on December 16 at 11am.

The sound levels in the auditorium, plus some aspects of the show, will be altered slightly to create a more laid-back atmosphere.

This performance welcomes groups and families with children on the autistic spectrum, sensory and communication disorders, learning disabilities or anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment.

Christopher Marlowe as Widow Twankey and Lee Bright as Aladdin

Aladdin is on from December 12-January 2 at The Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis. Call 01243 861010 or visit www.alexandratheatre.co.uk for tickets.

The Spectacular Pantomime Adventure

BRITAIN’S PREMIER COMEDY DUO

‘MIRREN AND LEMETTI’

CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE

WIDOW TWANKEY

ALEXANDRA THEATRE BOGNOR REGIS 12th December to 2nd January 2018 PostChristmas 2017

BOX OFFICE

01243 861010

BOOK ONLINE

WWW.REGISCENTRE.CO.UK Entertainment

23

A classic tale told anew DIRECTOR Dale Rooks talk to us about working on the newest Christmas show at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

DALE Rooks is no stranger to the winter season at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

As the theatre’s education director she has worked alongside the Chichester Youth Theatre on several occasions on their always anticipated Christmas productions.

Now she is helming an exciting new production of the beloved story Beauty and the Beast.

“It’s brilliant to be back at the Chichester Festival Theatre,” says Dale.

“The story boasts such a wealth of wonderful themes such as family, friendships and not judging people on the outside.”

“This show is a brand new adaptation.

The writer, Anna Ledwich, has gone back to the original story from 1740 when it was first published.

“This has given us the chance to go back to the roots of the story, exploring the ideas of family and the sense of heart behind it.”

“The thing about going back to the original story is that we can play with it a bit.

“We have children as narrators who conjure up the story between them.”

George Bailey and Hal Darling get into character

24

Entertainment

For Dale and the team it’s also important that the Chichester Youth Theatre play a key part in the show.

She says: “We want to give young people an opportunity to perform if they haven’t already.

“The young people involved are admirable. They are committed, young professionals who take it very seriously.

“We have been rehearsing three evenings a week as well as a full day on Sunday right up until the performances.”

“The lead roles have all had to be confident actors as they are big parts.”

Not only is this production a world première but Anna has written the show specifically for the Chichester Festival Theatre with its youth members considered.

Dale explains further: “30 members of the youth theatre actually helped develop the play.

“We have also been working around the text and trying out lots of improvisations which is a good way in.

“The actors need to understand what they are delivering and the ideas around it.”

With a staggering number of 55 named characters in the play Dale and her team saw over 230 youth theatre members during the casting process.

Dale says: “There are so many new characters in this adaptation which is really exciting.

“However, it is the Beast concept that I particularly love. It will be such a surprise for the audience.”

Dale acknowledges that the impressive staying power of the fairytale is unsurprising due to its universal

Dale Rooks is excited to be directing at the Chichester Festival Theatre again

messages.

“The story boasts such a wealth of wonderful themes such as family, friendships and not judging people on the outside.

“It also explores the ideas of jealousy, vanity and betrayal in great detail,” she says.

Beauty and the Beast is on from December 16-31 at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Call 01243 781312 or visit www.cft.org.uk/christmas for tickets.

Let it show, let it show, let it show TOP ten other Christmas shows for the whole family to enjoy 1. Snow White Kings Theatre, Portsmouth: Dec. 5 - Jan. 1 2. The Snowman and Paddington Bear’s First Christmas Portsmouth Guildhall: Dec. 22 3. Elf JR. The Windmill Entertainment Centre, Littlehampton: Dec. 15-16 4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Worthing Pavilion Theatre: Dec. 1-Jan. 1 5. Bognor Regis Concert Band: Christmas Concert St Wilfrid’s Church, Bognor Regis: Dec. 10 6. The Big Christmas Singalong Brighton Dome Theatre, Dec. 15 7. Santa in Love The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant: Dec. 2224 8. Christmas Concerts Chichester Festival Theatre: Dec. 5-9 9. Slava’s Snowstorm Mayflower Theatre, Southampton: Dec. 5-9 10. The Nutcracker Connaught Theatre, Worthing: Dec. 5, 21 & 26

PostChristmas 2017

CHRISTMAS AT CFT Whether you want to book a festive family outing, treat yourself and a friend to a night out, or search for inspiration for Christmas gifts, we’ve got plenty to offer!

Chichester Festival Youth Theatre present

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

A new adaptation from the original fairy tale Book by Anna Ledwich Music and lyrics by Richard Taylor

Tickets from £10 Ages 7+

16 – 31 December

FAMILY T ICK AVAILABL E*TS E

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS 5 – 9 December

Tickets from £15

GIFT VOUCHERS

A wonderful gift for the theatre-lover

MOSCOW CITY BALLET

THE JUNGLE BOOK

3 – 7 January

25 January – 3 February

Tickets from £15

Tickets from £10 Ages 6+

FRIENDS MEMBERSHIP

A perfect present for those who love to support the arts

01243 781312 cft.org.uk/Christmas *Buy a full price ticket and up to four Under 16s go half price. T&Cs and exclusions apply.

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CHRISTMAS MAZE Help Santa find his way to his lost reindeer to deliver his sack load of presents!

SUDOKU

1 8 3 8 2 6 2 7 2 6 7 3 1 8 9 8 4 5 6 9 1 2 8 7 1 3

WORD SEARCH L B Q Q Q H P L O D U R A K F

E H N A M W O N S S N X T R A

G B E O T E L T S I M N N F M

N E L O P H T R O N S W A C I

A L E O N C R A C K E R S H L

S N O I T A R O C E D B H R Y

M H S E L D N A C U M W T I R

G N I V I G D E K A M Z H S E

K D W B E R L S T F I G G T E

B G I N G E R B R E A D I M D

E Z F V B D Y L L O J W E A N

L K Z R P V L M E R R Y L S I

L K A R E G N A M W U M S F E

S T G W T S O R F K C A J R R

E Q I P D L H I C H I M N E Y

Find the words from below in the grid!

Words may be forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonal.

WORD LADDER

WORD LIST: angel bells candles celebrate chimney Christmas crackers decorations

family gifts gingerbread giving jack frost jolly manger merry

DEER

mistletoe Noel North pole reindeer Rudolph Santa sleigh snowman

BEAK

WORD WHEEL

FIND THE ONE HAS NO PAIR Santa has done his washing. Help him match his pairs of stockings to find the odd one out.

4

K C

12

9 3

14 11

8

2

You have 10 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the wheel. Each word must use the hub letter and at least 3 others. Letters may be used only once. You cannot use plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. There is at least one 9-letter word to be found.

15

6

1

You have been given a start word and an end word. In order to win the game, you must change the word progressively, creating an existing word at each step.

You must only change a single letter on each step.

U E F

T I

R A

10 7

5

13 SOLUTIONS 4 9 5 1 8 7 6 3 2

1 3 2 9 4 6 8 5 7

7 8 6 2 5 3 4 1 9

9 2 1 5 3 8 7 4 6

8 7 3 6 2 4 5 9 1

6 5 4 7 9 1 3 2 8

2 6 9 3 7 5 1 8 4

5 1 8 4 6 2 9 7 3

3 4 7 8 1 9 2 6 5

L B Q Q Q H P L O D U R A K F

E H N A M W O N S S N X T R A

G B E O T E L T S I M N N F M

N E L O P H T R O N S W A C I

A L E O N C R A C K E R S H L

S N O I T A R O C E D B H R Y

M H S E L D N A C U M W T I R

G N I V I G D E K A M Z H S E

K D W B E R L S T F I G G T E

B G I N G E R B R E A D I M D

E Z F V B D Y L L O J W E A N

L K Z R P V L M E R R Y L S I

L K A R E G N A M W U M S F E

S T G W T S O R F K C A J R R

E Q I P D L H I C H I M N E Y

PEER PEAR PEAK BEAK DEER

FIND THE SOCK HAS NO PAIR 9 (1-8, 2-14, 3-7, 4-10, 5-11, 6-15, 12-13) WORD WHEEL This is the 9 letter word: FRUITCAKE

PostChristmas 2017

Puzzles

27

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around the World CHRISTMAS presents, days off work, trees indoors, turkey, rich fruit cakes and Santa Claus. Just a few of the things we associate with that special, festive season at the end of the year, but how do other countries fair up to our traditions.

Japan THE Japanese are not that hot on the Christmas tradition with few Christians in the country and Christmas Eve being more celebrated than Christmas Day. The Japanese swap roast turkey for fried chicken, and restaurants like KFC take bookings and orders in advance. The traditional Christmas food in Japan is Christmas cake, but unlike the rich, fruit version we are accustomed to consuming, the Japanese version is a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and fresh cream.

Brazil IN Brazil, Santa Claus is known as Papai Noel. Sometimes children leave a sock by the window and if they’re lucky, Papai Noel will exchange the sock for a present.

It is also common in Brazil for people to get a 13th salary at the end of year – in December workers will receive twice the normal amount of pay for that month! The tradition has been featured for so long that people don’t even question it anymore.

Egypt THERE are not many Christians in Egypt, so Christmas is often celebrated as a secular holiday.

Christmas Day doesn’t fall on the 25th December in Egypt but instead on 7th January. For the 43 days of advent, Christians have a special fast called the Holy Nativity Fast where they do not eat anything from an animal, so basically a vegan diet.

Poland FAMILIES traditionally gather for a meal on Christmas Eve, which is known as Wigilia. They will start eating when they see the first star in the night sky. The meal has 12 courses, which will traditionally include carp - a type of fish. It will also include the family sharing a special bread wafer called Oplatek, which symbolises forgiveness. The grown-ups will give presents to each other on Wigilia, but children might receive presents earlier in the month.

PostChristmas 2017

Travel

29

Iceland CHILDREN in Iceland have to wait until the Christmas Eve meal is finished before they are allowed to open their presents. Traditionally, the main dish of the meal is called Hangikjot, which is a leg of roast lamb. They actually have 13 Father Christmases, called Yule Lads! These mischievous characters are said to live in the mountains and visit towns one by one in the 13 days leading up to Christmas. Children leave shoes out for the Yule lads, who will leave presents in them if they’ve been good, or rotten potatoes if they’ve been bad. There is a tradition that says everyone must receive a new piece of clothing for Christmas. If they don’t, they might be eaten by a giant Christmas cat who belongs to the Yule lads’ mum called Grýla!

Czech Republic: unmarried women stand by a door and throw a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe is pointing towards the door when it lands, they will get married within the next year.

Slovakia: The most senior man of the house take a spoonful of loksa pudding and throws it at the ceiling – the more that sticks, the better!

Italian children wait for Befana, a friendly witch who delivers sweets and toys on the fifth of January instead of Santa Claus.

Venezuela: In Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, revellers travel to earlymorning church services on roller skates throughout the festive period.

The roads are even closed off specially.

Greenland: If you think sprouts are bad, you should try one of Greenland’s Christmas delicacies. Mattak - raw whale skin with blubber - is one. Another is kiviak, which is when an auk (a small bird) is wrapped in seal skin, buried for several months, and then eaten once decomposed.

Gift Vouchers Treat your loved one to a new adventure this Christmas!

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT Woods Gift Vouchers are the perfect Christmas present.

Available in any denomination, vouchers can be redeemed against anything booked with the Woods Travel Group.

Denominations from £1 - £100 towards any Woods product

For more information or to make a purchase call

01243 868080 30

Travel

Products include Day Excursions by Coach (from local pick up points) UK & Continental Coach & Air Holidays (with door to door taxi transfers), Coach Hire, Cruises, Package Holidays, Car Hire, Hotel Bookings, Theatre Bookings and much more.

You could even hire the seven seater luxury Mercedes (with chauffeur) to take you out!

PostChristmas 2017

ideas for the kids

CHRISTMAS is the most magical time for children of all ages, but why limit it to just one day? Getting the children involved in the build up to festivities can not only cut your jobs in half, but it can also help entertain the kids, make the season feel more enchanting and help them to learn about the traditions and meanings of Christmas.

Once you’ve roped the little ‘uns’ in to decorating the tree, baking the biscuits, setting the table, and sticking the stamps on the Christmas cards, why not give them an extra special (slightly early) treat with our Christmas Eve ideas…

Make the children believe Santa came down the chimney Even if your fireplace isn’t real or you’ve convinced the kids that Santa has a skeleton key to access the back door for households lacking a chimney, then why not give the nippers some proof that he does visit? Simply sprinkle some flour, talc or icing sugar on the floor and use a boot or a shoe to make footprints. You can make the trail as big or short as you like depending on your floor covering or patience of hoovering the next morning! You can even make your own snow by mixing bicarbonate of soda with shaving foam. You’ll need about four parts baking soda to shaving foam. The more bicarbonate of soda, the more powdery the snow so add the shaving foam in small amounts until the consistency you desire is reached.

Re-use and re-decorate Are you tired of your children accumulating more and more cuddly toys than you can find space to store them? What happens when Christmas comes round, and the kids ask for a cuddly reindeer or

PostChristmas 2017

elf? Just nip to the local pound store or supermarket and pick up some reindeer antler, Santa hats or other festive dress-up items and simply adorn their existing cuddly toy collection.

Decorate a runway for Santa and his reindeer A really easy way to help the children’s innocent belief in Santa and his eight reindeer, is to help them know they can find your house in the dark. Use a sandwich bag or jar and fill with oats and glitter and tell the kids its special reindeer food to sprinkle on the lawn for the reindeer. Then using some outdoor fairy lights or battery-operated tea lights make two long strips to map out the perfect runway for the sleigh.

Magical Edible Plants A special and exciting way to encourage the kids to get greenfingered, use up any leftover sweeties and fuel their excitement is to plant a sweet. Simply get the children to fill a small plant pot with compost and plant a tic-tac or smartie, or any other sweet of your choice. Get them to water it for a few days while you submerge a candy cane under the soil. Each day pull out the candy cane increasingly until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and the children can see what’s grown!

Magical Mystery Light-Up Tour If you’ve got a baby or young kids that won’t settle from excitement, then why not take them on a Christmas lights tour around the neighbourhood? The baby will be rocked to sleep with the gentle car movements and the younger ones will delight in the Christmas wonderland trip!

Entertainment

31

Please book early to avoid disappointment Orders to be received one week prior to dining

Festive

AVAILABLE from Fri 1ST December - Sat, 23RD December 2017 inclusive. (Except Sundays)

MENU

2 courses £18.95 3 courses £21.95

 Starter 

 Main 

Homemade Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup with Roll & Butter

Traditional Roast Crown of Turkey Homemade Steak, Mushroom & Stilton Pie Grilled Lamb Rump Steaks with a Port & Rosemary Sauce

Breaded Whitebait Tartare & Salad Garnish

Grilled Tuna Steak with Garlic Butter & Lime

Chilli & Ginger Chicken Goujons, Coleslaw & Salad Garnish

Homemade Spinach, Feta & Cherry Tomato Tarts

Chicken Liver Pate & Toast

All served with a selection of potatoes and

Mini Vegetable Samosas with Raita dip & Salad Garnish

seasonal vegetables, unless stated

 Dessert  Triple Berry Amore (3 Berry mouse on a biscuit base) Gluten Free

Homemade Spiced Apple Crumble

Traditional Christmas Pudding

Chocolate Orange Truffle Tart Gluten Free

Mince Pies

Cheese & Biscuits

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to Everyone!

The Royal Oak, North Bersted, Bognor Regis, PO21 5JF | Tel: 01243 821002 | www.thepinkpub.co.uk

Homemade Eggnog With

Ingredients R R R R

R

4 cups of milk 5 whole cloves ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 12 egg yolks

R R R R R

1 ½ cups of sugar 2 ½ cups of light rum 4 cups of light cream 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Method 1. Combine milk, cloves, ½ teaspoon of vanilla and cinnamon in a saucepan, and heat over lowest setting for 5 minutes. Slowly bring milk mixture to a boil.

2. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until fluffy. Whisk hot milk mixture slowly into the eggs. Pour mixture into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes, or until thick. Do not allow mixture to boil. Strain to remove cloves, and let cool for about an hour.

3. Stir in rum, cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and nutmeg. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Ingredients R

4 to 8 goose legs or 8 to 20

R

Salt

duck legs

R

Duck fat, butter or lard

Method 1. Pat the duck or goose legs dry with paper towels. If you have store-bought duck legs, prick the skin of the duck all over with a needle or the point of a sharp knife. Do not pierce the meat itself.

Piercing the skin gives the fat a place to seep out. Salt your duck legs well and set them aside, skin side up. Let them come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 90 minutes.

2. Put the legs in a small casserole dish. How small? You want the casserole dish to be just big enough to hold the legs. Now you need some fat. If the legs themselves are fatty, you will only need to pour a thin sheen of oil or melted duck fat on the bottom of the casserole, then place the duck legs close together, but not overlapping. If the legs are skinny, add enough fat to come about ¼ inch up the sides of the dish.

3. Put the casserole in the oven and turn it to 300°F; if you have a fan oven, you could even go down to 285°F. Do not preheat the oven.

Every duck has a different level of fat, so the level it is cooked to is more an art than a science. But it will take at least 90 minutes, and probably two hours, and even 3 or 4 hours won’t hurt them.

After 90 minutes, check the duck: It should be partly submerged in melted fat and the skin should be getting crispy.

4. When the skin is starting to look crispy, turn the heat to 375°F. Check after 15 minutes. You’re looking for a light golden brown.

Remove the casserole dish from the oven and let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before eating. Save the accumulated fat for cooking vegetables, other meats or for keeping your skin shiny. I strain the fat through a paper towel, but you really only need to do this if you are saving the fat for several weeks or months; strained, it will keep for 6 months tightly covered in the fridge. Well wrapped, the duck meat itself will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

PostChristmas 2017

Recipes

33

games for all the family

DON’T struggle for entertainment this Christmas, follow our easy guide for fun games suitable for everyone.

I went to Lapland and I took...

This is a festive variation of the game ‘I went to the moon...’ where every guest comes up with a Christmas-related word from A to B, adding an extra word as they go along.

So the first person might say ‘an angel’ then the second would say ‘an angel and a bauble’ and the third would say ‘an angel, a bauble and a carrot for Rudolph’ and so on until you reach Z. The Amazing Holiday Maze Here is a great way to get your child’s party started. Purchase a ball of string or yarn for each child who will be attending the party, and tie a small prize to the end of each one. Hide the prize somewhere, and then unwind the ball of yarn completely around the room, passing it behind furniture, under table legs, and around banisters as needed. Tie a pencil to the remaining end of the string. Repeat this process for each ball of yarn that you have, crossing the strings amongst one another. When the children arrive, hand each one of them a pencil (with the string attached), and let them know that, at the other end of the string, there is a prize. They should wind the string around their pencil until it leads them to the end.

Deck The Balls Deck the Balls is another game for teams of two. Using an empty wrapping paper tube, the first player uses suction from his mouth to lift an ornament with the tube, and transfer it to the second player.

The second player must receive the ornament in the same fashion (with a wrapping paper tube and suction), and then hang it on an awaiting string (hung in a clothesline fashion).

To win this game, players must hang three ornaments using this method in a minute or less.

Candy Cane Relay This is a festive Christmas game that involves only candy canes!

Players are given one minute to use a candy cane to pick up as many candy canes from an individual bowl as possible. However, the catch is that they must use their mouth to hold the main candy cane. The player who collects the most candy canes before time is up wins.

Reindeer Nose Dive This is a fun game for all ages. Before the game starts, tie a large red pom-pom to a length of red ribbon. To get the player ready, they should don reindeer antlers (this is optional but really adds to the spirit of the game) and dangle the ribbon with the attached pom pom from their mouth.

Put a little dab of petroleum jelly on their nose. When the timer starts, they must swing the pom-pom to land and stick on their nose using only their mouth and body - no hands.

Face The Gingerbread Man Sit down and lean your head back; place a gingerbread cookie on your forehead and move it to your mouth using only the muscles in your face. Don’t touch the cookie with your hands!

The best part about this game is that, if you’re successful, the prize is already built in.

For a tougher game, try a less festive slice of cucumber.

34

Entertainment

PostChristmas 2017

Name That Christmas Song Break the ice at your Christmas party by dividing your guests into 2 to 3 teams for the perfect holiday guessing game. This competition challenges teams to write down the name of a Christmas tune after you say one line of the song out loud or maybe the intro to the song. Remember to keep your answers handy as you’ll want to verify which team accumulated the most answers with the correct song.

Christmas Card Couples This is a great icebreaker – especially when some of your guests aren’t acquainted with each other.

Here’s how it works: Gather up old Christmas cards and cut each illustrated cover in half until you have as many card halves as guests.

Mix the halves up in a basket and keep the basket by the front door or near the drinks.

Have each guest select a card-half from the basket.

Armed with their card, they’ll ask each person they meet to see their card-half until they finally locate their “other half.”

Once everyone has arrived, announce that the holders of the first three cards to get matched up will win a small prize.

Party game tips Having spent a fortune on Christmas already, you don’t need to break the bank with a new board game every year.

Why not try one of our suggestions or even play old fashioned games which can be fun for all the family - like pass the parcel, charades or even whistling or humming songs.

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a family ticket to Bognor Regis Butlin’s!

To enter this competition, all you need to do is answer the following question:

In what year did Sir Billy Butlin receive his knighthood?

A)1954

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Sponsored by To enter send your answer, name, address and phone number to: competitions@sussexpost.co.uk or post to: Competitions, 63 London Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 1DF The closing date is December, 31, 2017. Winners are picked at random and will be notified by telephone in the new year.

PostChristmas 2017

Entertainment

35

not just for Christmas MOUNT Noddy Animal Re-homing Centre is a separately registered charity and one of around 160 branches that supports the local work of the RSPCA. They are completely self-funded and rely on donations, fundraising and kindness to operate this large re-homing centre.

Santa in a Camper returns to Mount Noddy on Saturday December, 2 between 10am - 3pm with free parking and entry.

Bring your dog or child to meet Santa and get a goody bag. Enjoy loads of Christmas stalls, food, beverages and entertainment. All profits stay at the animal centre to help care for the dogs and cats.

Mount Noddy are in need of donations of food for Christmas day to give the dogs and cats a Christmas ‘dinner’ - so donations of chicken, salmon, tuna, turkey etc. that they can cook for them and give them a nice lunch would be really appreciated.

The staff are there 365 days a year, and are working to keep the animals safe, clean and fed all over the festive period

too and that includes Christmas Day! The Mount Noddy shops also need constant donations in the run up to Christmas and all the shop staff work hard to be raising much needed funds to feed the animals in their care over Christmas.

For more information please email: info@rspcamountnoddy.org.uk or call: 01243 773359

Mount Noddy Animal Centre, Blackmill Lane, Eartham, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0LL Opening hours: Mon – Sun : 11am – 4pm Wed: Closed

Have a very

Merry

Christmas 36

Charity

PostChristmas 2017

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Wishing all our customers a very merry Christmas & a prosperous New Year regisrenovationsltd@outlook.com | www.regisrenovationsltd.co.uk

What better way to wake up to Christmas with

Ingredients R R R R R R

150g self-raising flour ½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp golden caster sugar ½ tbsp maple syrup, plus extra to serve

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R R

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1 egg, beaten 200ml full-fat milk or semi-skimmed milk vegetable oil, for frying 100g pitted dates, chopped, to serve 100ml crème fraîche, to serve

Method 1. Put the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and sugar in a large bowl with a pinch of salt. Combine the egg, maple syrup and milk in a jug.

Gradually add to the dry ingredients, whisking until a smooth, silky batter forms.

2. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large, non-stick pan over a medium heat and ladle 2-3 small rounds into the pan. Cook for 1-2 mins until bubbles start to appear on the surface, then flip over and cook for a further 1 min until fluffy. Do this in batches until you have 10 pancakes.

3. Serve in a stack, with extra maple syrup, a blob of crème fraîche and dates scattered over.

4. For an even bigger Christmas feel, why not transfer the batter to a squeezy bottle and draw out the pancakes in the pan in the shape of Christmas characters such as Rudolf, Santa, snowmen or maybe holly or bells etc.

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PostChristmas 2017

Recipes

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