Month: November 2023

Hatton Country World is pulling out all the stops to bring visitors of all ages an unforgettable experience again this Christmas – starting this weekend.

From Christmas Shopping ‘As It Should Be in the Village’ to magical visits with Father Christmas in the ‘Enchanted Christmas Kingdom’, watching festive films at the new ‘Drive-In Cinema’ and seeing a spectacular Christmas Light Trail.

The highly successful ‘Enchanted Christmas Kingdom’ returns for a second year every weekend on the run up to Christmas, when Hatton is transformed into a Winter Wonderland.

It includes a 3D Glowing Forest, where both adults and children immerse themselves in a magical world of lights and festive figures, and an interactive North Pole postal station for sending letters to Father Christmas. Visitors can also look forward to visiting Father Santa in his cosy Grotto,  as well as enjoying Mr. Holly’s Magic show, gingerbread decorating with Mother Christmas, reindeer food making, Father Christmas’s secret toy shop and the return of the Create-a-Bear experience.

The ‘Christmas Light Trail’ will take place on selected dates from 30th November-30th December when visitors can meander along a mile of over 40 dazzling light displays including light tunnels, and infinity squares. After marvelling at the lights, visitors can get cosy in their cars and watch a Christmas film under the glittering stars.  The Drive-In Cinema runs on selected dates between 1st-23rd December with showings at 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Audio can be provided by either headphone or FM radio transmitter. Films will include Frozen, Bad Santa, Deck the halls, Jingle all the Way, Santa Clause, Jack frost, Elf, Arthur Christmas, The Polar Express, The Holiday, Nativity, Gremlins, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Grinch and The Nightmare before Christmas.

Johnnie Arkwright, owner of Hatton Country World said, “This year, Hatton Country World is set to deliver a magical, fun-filled holiday season for everyone and a Christmas celebration like no other! Our Christmas events will delight visitors of all ages with new, exciting offerings, making Hatton a must-visit location this Christmas.

“Visitors can create cherished memories with their family and loved ones and capture the perfect holiday selfie that will last a lifetime.  The Christmas Markets will be bursting with festive gifts and unique presents. Grab your scarf and gloves, wrap up warm and visit Hatton for a memorable and magical experience this Christmas!”

For more information, ticket bookings, and updates please visit the website here

Festive family magic is returning to Alcester with St Nicholas Night celebrations next month.

Taking place on December 6^th, this year will see the return of Santa’s Grotto to the High Street for the first time since 2019, courtesy of members of Alcester and Bidford Rotary Club.

Youngsters are invited to meet Father Christmas between 4-7pm, next to St Nicholas Church, where he will also be handing out gifts with the help of his elves. And to keep mum and dad warm, there’s a mulled wine and mince pie stall next door!

Rotarians are also represented in the foot parade, from 5.30pm, which finishes at the church, at the top of the High Street. It is led by the Child Bishop who will then also light the Church Tower and tree.

Crowds will be entertained by live music and dance routines performed by local schoolchildren and there will be a host of local charity stalls along High Street. The event’s climax will take the form of a fireworks display which can be viewed from Stratford Road at 8.45pm.

The rector of St Nicholas Church and chair of St Nicholas Night Committee, Katie Cross, said: “We are looking forward welcoming Alcester town and surrounding villages to the relaunch St Nicholas Night on 6^th December, the festival sate of the patron saint St Nicholas. It will be a fun-filled evening with parade, stalls, Santa’s grotto and finishing with fireworks.”

The grotto costs £5 for one child, £9 for two children or £12 for three children. Proceeds from the grotto and stall will go to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign.

Kay Blake, spokesperson for Alcester and Bidford Rotary Club, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the return of St Nicholas’ Night in Alcester which of course came to an abrupt halt with the Covid pandemic in 2020. We welcome it back complete with Santa’s Grotto, including gifts for the children and the popular mulled wine and mince pies, with all profits once again going to a fantastic cause.”

To find out more about the work of Alcester and Bidford Rotary Club contact: alcesterbidfordrotary@gmail.com.

To learn more about the Rotary’s work with the End Polio Now campaign, visit here

Local residents are being invited to buy a Christmas present with heart this Christmas at a new charity craft fair. A local community centre and a Woodloes resident are banding together to put on the fair to raise money for two Warwick charities, helping terminally ill kids, and people needing company to avoid ill health due to loneliness.

Being held at The Gap Community Centre close to the Chantry Shops on Spinney Hill in Warwick on Saturday 2^nd December from 1.30 to 4.30 pm, proceeds from the fair will go to Molly Ollys and The Gap Charity. There will be 18 stalls with an exciting variety of handmade Christmas gifts by local crafters, plus seasonal refreshments, and a raffle with great prizes donated by local businesses.

The event is the brainchild of Emma Joyce Smith, who organises annual charity craft fairs as a way to give back to the community, and this year she is working in collaboration with The Gap.

Moved by the story of Molly Ollys founders Tim and Rachel Ollerenshaw, who set up the charity for children with life threatening illnesses following the sad death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly, Emma decided to fundraise for their cause. She is also helping people of all ages avoid ill health due to lack of company and loneliness, which can be as debilitating as smoking and obesity, by fundraising for community togetherness activities run by The Gap Charity.

Emma said: “I’ve been putting on craft fairs for the last ten years as it’s a hobby and I love organising them. In the past I’ve fundraised for national charities, but this year it’s been fantastic to work alongside two local charities who both do amazing work in the community.

“I’m really excited about the stalls we’ve got lined up, there’s everything from homemade jams and chutneys to Christmas gnomes, wooden gifts, jewellery, and samosas! Thanks also to all the amazing local businesses who’ve generously donated fabulous raffle prizes including vouchers, hampers, and event tickets.”

For the past few months, two over 60’s social groups at The Gap community centre, also the venue for the craft fair, have been making things to sell. The Knit ‘n’ Natter craft group has been making cosy, warm knitted bobble hats, perfect for the chilly winter weather, and the Live Life wellbeing group has been making lavender bags, Christmas crackers, calendars and more.

The Gap’s General Administration Manager Mandy Burford said: “It’s been great fun working with Emma and we can’t wait to host the fair on the first Saturday in December. Many people don’t realise The Gap’s a charity working to bring people together at the community centre to help end loneliness, and social and financial isolation in Warwick, and we’re independently funded. It’s a great fundraising initiative by Emma and we’re so pleased to support her as well as helping Molly Ollys, another brilliant Warwick charity. Please put the date in your diary and spread the word. It’s all for a good cause.”

Molly’s Mum and the charity’s Co-Founder, Rachel Ollerenshaw, said: “This craft fair is a great way to raise awareness that Molly Ollys is here for local and UK families who may be coping with a child aged 0-18 years who has a life-threatening illness. We share our story about our daughter Molly’s cancer battle to show people we understand and we’re here to help. Molly Ollys grants wishes, helps with cost-of-living support, provides Olly the Brave Lion cuddly toys, books for children and young siblings about being in hospital, and more.”

The craft fair will take place at The Gap community centre at 39 Oakwood Grove, CV34 5TD, across the green from the Chantry shops, and easily accessible on the number 1 bus route. For more information about the fair and activities at The Gap community centre contact Mandy on 01926 494200 or visit www.thegapwarwick.org. For more information about Molly Ollys visit www.mollyolly.co.uk.