7 minute read
Christmas ideas
❆ ❆ ❆ Christchurch High Street is adorned with festive illuminations and a large tree
❆brings Christmas cheer to the precinct. Much of the town is aglow, with lights twinkling against the backdrop of historic stone and wooden beams. Among the pantos is The Glad Rag Production Company, back with its Christmas Spectacular from 18-24 December , in which Santa and his elves realise that there’s not enough Christmas Spirit to fly the sleigh. They take a trip to Christchurch to spread Christmas cheer but a mix up results in the town’s Scrooges ending up in Christmastown. It promises to be a cracker of a family show. 2pm. Tickets £18 www.regentcentre.co.uk 01202 499199 That other Christmas favourite, The Snowman, will see eyes wide with wonder at the Priory as a massive backprojection screens the much-loved animated story with a live orchestra, a superb narrator and of course, Walking In The Air performed by a Chorister.
❆The chef at The 29029 Broadstone, known for his trademark dishes based on regional Indian and Nepalese cuisines, has come up with three alternative festive menus reflecting his fusion cooking style. Think mint and lemongrass salad and Christchurch Mulled wine, popcorn and other festive treats will add to the festive feel.
❆23 December, 2.30, 4.30 & 6.30pm. Tickets from £6-£10 adults and £4-£6 under 16s. www.christchurchpriory.org 01202 485804 (ext.4) We all love an advent calendar – so, how about a living, breathing one? The Christchurch Living Advent Calendar opens to a new entertainment surprise every day. Open the windows online and discover what pop-up gig is being held where each night until 24 December.
Goan Beef; Nepali-style cod and cinnamon poached pear; tandoor grilled salmon or Gurkhali lamb. There’s even turkey with stuffing, but it’s not just any turkey, this version’s
❆stuffed breast with kidney beans and fried African green bananas, ‘dazzled’ with a red wine and cranberry sauce and Broadstone ❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆❆ It’s feeling a lot like Christmas in... Nepali spices and served with a side of Darjeeling egg-fried rice. And not a Brussels sprout in sight. the29029broadstone.co.uk
Shimmering stars and twinkling light
❆canopies are just part of the festive cheer as the shops and the Ferndown Centre light up for the Christmas season. At Lakes Bakery they’re getting into the spirit with a range of yummy creations, including iced and decorated
❆whole Terry’s Chocolate Oranges –one’s a sweet polar bear resting on a giant chocolate coin – and batches of six fun Elf-on-the-Shelf, Santa Clause the Movie and Father Christmas’s Gonk cupcakes. Kids will love them and they’ll even personalise them, if you ask nicely. Fun is on offer at Ferndown Post Office as they invite children to post their letters to Santa at the North Pole. As well as telling the jolly old man in red how good they’ve been all year and wishing for that special gift, perhaps they could do him a drawing or ask
❆how Mrs Clause is keeping or whether the elves are helping? If you enclose a stamped and addressed envelope, you’ll also get a reply, so get your child to pop their Christmas correspondence in the special post box inside the branch and then just wait for the postman. Last posting day to Santa is Friday, 10 December because after that he’ll be far too busy sorting out presents!!
❆It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Fordingbridge, where a number of seasonal events are about to take place in the town. On Saturday, December 11 there will be Fordingbridge Events Group’s
❆Christmas Glow Afternoon. The event takes place at Roundhill, from 2.30pm7pm and is perfect for families, with stalls, food and drink and activities, including an appearance from Santa. Roundhill will be closed from 10.30am on the morning of the event. On the same day there will be Carols at Fordingbridge Farm Shop with the Mighty Hyde Band, from 2.30pm3.30pm where they will also be firing up the grill for sausages, burgers and mulled cider. Forres Sandle Manor School are holding their Christmas Market tomorrow, December 4, and St Laurence church, in nearby Downton, is staging its Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday and Sunday December 11 and 12, starting at 10am on both days. Fordingbridge Scouts have also restarted their Christmas Post service, with a postbox at the town’s Information Office where you can also buy the 30p stamps. Christmas cards can be sent to all the areas listed on the box and last day of posting is Wednesday, December 8.
Ferndown
Fordingbridge ❆ ❆ ❆
There’s still a festive feast of things to do in the coming weeks in Ringwood. ❆ Sunday, December 5 (and also on December 12) sees a Christmas Reindeer Workshop at Moors Valley Country Park. The sessions run from 1.30pm-2.30pm ❆ and tickets can be booked at moorsvalley.co.uk/event/ christmas-reindeer-workshop. On Friday, December 10, look out for the Christmas Fair at The Stables, Bisterne, which supports adults with learning disabilities. The three-hour event kicks off at 1.30pm and stalls will include artisan crafts and gifts, handmade sock toys, a tombola raffle and plenty of yummy fare. At 2.30pm Poppy Neame will be leading carols in the courtyard. Later that day, at the Forest Forge Theatre building in Crow Arch Lane, there will be a wreath-making masterclass from 7pm9pm. Lead by artist and maker Jemma Corbin,
Ringwood the class costs £20 per person which includes materials. Visit forestforge theatre.co.uk or call 01425 470188. And the biggest event of all is Christmas Eve in The Market Place. The beloved event – which has been going since the 1950s – is back! Run by Ringwood Rotary, the event starts with Carols at 6pm and then the arrival of Santa in his horse-drawn vehicle. As is the custom, children give him a present, to distribute to children less fortunate.
A warming winter welcome awaits in Wimborne. ❆ Here are just some of the things going on this month: Light fantastic Wimborne becomes a winter wonderland ❆ after dark, as Christmas lights light up. Along with twinkling festive street lights, landmarks like Wimborne Minster and Kingston Lacy are ablaze with colour as the Minster is a stunning canvas for an exciting, uplifting and free light show while Kingston Lacy’s grounds turn into a fairy-tale landscape where ethereal lighting guides visitors along an enchanting trail (tickets: children £14 and adults £26/£18 for National Trust members). Get Kingston Lacy info from the National❆Trust website or call 01202 883402 The big parade The Save the Children Christmas parade –started by Margery Ryan when she was mayor in 1989 – is back on December 11. Much missed last year, it will once again start from Cobham’s in Brook Road at ❆ ❆ ❆ around 2-2.15pm. Alison Preston, who organises the team of helpers said: “It probably won’t be quite as big as previous years, but we are encouraged by the response so far.” There will, however, be steam vehicles floats and walking groups. “A fun fair, a ukulele band and dance groups are organised for entertainment in the square,” says Alison, who’s been organising the event for around 15 years. A crafty Christmas The town’s shops are full of goodies and if a bit of crafty gift shopping’s your bag, check out the free, two-day Dorset Team Christmas Fair at the Allendale Centre (Saturday/Sunday, December 4 and 5, 104pm) where designer-makers, vintage sellers and craft suppliers will be showing their wares. theallendale.org or 01202 887247 Walford Mill’s staging craft/festive evenings with food, live music and a market to get you in the festive spirit. Fridays from 6-9pm. walfordmillcrafts.co.uk 01202 841400 And if you prefer to do your own crafting, head for the Museum of East Dorset, for a whole programme of festive-themed activities such as making your own Christmas decorations. museumofeastdorset.co.uk 01202 882533
Wimborne Santa’s story Santa’s bringing his big, red sleigh to the Coventry Arms this month to tell his story of the village of Yole followed by photos with the children and a special memory keeper and audio book for them to can enjoy their story over and over again. £5 per Child 01258 858704 Fancy a family panto? ‘Oh yes we do!’ It’s time for wands, villains and tiaras as Sleeping Beauty shimmers into town, accompanied by Prince Louis of Lytchett. Princess Briar Rose (aka Sleeping Beauty) is cursed at her christening by the evil Carabosse who foretells that before the princess’ 18th birthday, she’ll prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die! Can Fairy Snowflake help the princess rewrite her fate? Oh yes she can! Will the prince break the curse with true love’s kiss? Will Thelma fit through the door with her outrageous frocks? You’ll need to head to the Tivoli to find
❆out! This is being flagged-up as the theatre’s most spectacular and magical show yet, with stunning scenery, amazing illusions, toe-tapping music and more than a sprinkling of Christmas magic. December 17 to 3 January 3, 2022. Tickets from £14. tivoliwimborne.co.uk.
Christmas
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