Families Cheshire Issue 38 Nov-Dec 2015

Edition 38 • Nov/Dec 2015

The local magazine for families with children 0-12 years www.familiescheshire.co.uk

@FamCheshMag facebook.com/familiescheshire

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! > Panto’s & family shows > Shopping fairs and gift ideas > Where’s Santa?

Covering: Poynton, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Prestbury, Macclesfield, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Sandbach, Northwich, Winsford, Crewe, Nantwich, Tarporley, Waverton, Chester and surrounding areas

Welcome In this issue 02: Parents’ place 04: Education 07: Clubs & classes 08: Parties 09: Where’s Santa?

13: Christmas shopping 16: Panto’s & family shows 18: What’s on

Hello!

Is it just us, or is time moving faster and faster? It seems crazy to already be thinking about Christmas, when the summer holiday memories haven’t quite faded and our children are only just getting into the swing of school again.

Of course, we’re not helped by the early display of Christmas paraphernalia in the shops – and we confess we succumbed to the delights of our first mince pie in early October. That doesn’t bode very well for the hips!

As usual you’ll find there’s loads to see and do around the area during this time – and we’ve pulled it all together for you as best we can. Of course, not everything is available when we need it, so keep checking our online what’s on calendar for updated info – www.familiescheshire.co.uk Cheers! to a very happy festive season.

Caryl Hall

Jayne Keep

Next issue: Jan/Feb 2016

Design: Paul Wilson Graphic Design, Congleton.

Tel: 07743 111 694, www.withpaul.co.uk

Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Cheshire are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Cheshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Cheshire, 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiescheshire.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiescheshire.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiescheshire.co.uk @FamCheshMag

facebook.com/familiescheshire

Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk Families Cheshire is part of Families Magazines Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cheshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher.

We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributors can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences.

All babies to be protected against meningitis

A new vaccine to protect babies against meningitis B has been introduced for all childhood vaccinations for babies aged two, four and 24 months.

Since September 2015, all babies have routinely been given the meningitis vaccine at their regular vaccination

appointments. The scheme was delayed by cost disputes but is now the first national, publically funded programme against this deadly infection in the world.

It should protect babies and children against 90% of meningococcal group B bacteria. This can affect babies under the age of one and can be caught up to around the age of five years. If left untreated, it can cause damage to the brain and cause blood poisoning. It can also kill.

The Men ACWY vaccine will also be offered to all 17 and 18 year olds who are starting university this year.

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Families’ choice of top titles for different ages

By Justine Crow, parent of three and co-owner of her own bookshop, The Bookseller Crow on Hill (www.booksellercrow.co.uk) Baby & Toddler Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood Macmillan RRP 5.99 This sweet board book from the author of Wow! Said the Owl, is an introduction to shapes delivered with the same bold, robust flourish as the previous book.

Age Three to Five years Please Mr Panda by Steve Antony Hodder RRP 6.99 We grown-ups are very good at demanding manners from our little people but how do we teach them? Bribery, that’s how and Panda is on hand with an awful lot of naughty doughnuts. But nobody gets any until they say: “Please!”

6 - 8 years The Not So Little Princess, Where’s Gilbert? by Tony Ross & Wendy Finney Andersen RRP 5.99 The Little Princess did great work for us parents in the potty training, bedtime and pets departments. Now she is older, she stars in a new Early Reader series along with the original cast of bonkers characters from the palace. Though she has lost her teddy, she has lost none of her zest.

Age 9+ Magnus Chase & the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan Penguin RRP 14.99 Our pint-sized protagonist’s Pop knocks things down on purpose - both buildings AND people - but as George Biggs says: life isn’t about how you get knocked down, it’s how you get back up again. With hilarious illustrations by Sara Ogilvie.

Jamie’s Sugar Rush inspires sugar cuts

Jamie Oliver’s groundbreaking TV programme Sugar Rush, which explored the relationship between obesity in kids and the hidden sugars in everyday foods, has led to many City councils calling for a ‘sugar tax’.

Brighton and Hove council is introducing a 10p surcharge on sugary

soft drinks and is putting the proceeds towards a children’s health and food education trust.

They are also supporting the introduction of healthy vending machines in schools and food education classes in primary school classrooms.

The council is responding, like many other bodies across the UK, to the celebrity chef’s investigations into the quantities of sugar hidden in food. England has one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Europe and teenagers may be eating up to three times the recommended sugar intake every day.

Jamie Oliver has also introduced a sugar tax in his restaurants and the proceeds are going towards the Children’s Health Fund.

Smoking banned in cars with kids From this Autumn, smoking in a car when there are children in it has been banned. The new law has come into force in England and Wales where drivers could face a fine of £50.

Anti-smoking groups have welcomed

the law, pointing out the potential harm passive smoking can cause to children.

However, spokespeople for the police have said that they will advise parents not to smoke rather than enforcing fines.

They say that it is not a major road safety issue.

Parents’ place CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Christmas Cookie Tree Decorations

These delicious shortbread stars will look great on the tree – but we suspect they won’t be there long! This is such a simple recipe, with only three ingredients and it is quick and easy to make but shortbread is always a favourite. They’ll only take about half an hour to make (including baking time).

Ingredients • 200g Plain flour • 100g Cool butter • 50g Caster sugar • White, green and red writing icing, (great for drawing lines and shapes) • Silver, red, green, gold or white decorations

Equipment • Large bowl • Sieve • Flat baking trays • Star cookie cutters (or other festive shapes) • Clean pencil • Silver, gold, white, green or red ribbon Method 1. With your child, measure the flour and then let your little one spoon the flour into the sieve, held above the bowl. Sift the flour.

2. Add the sugar.

3. Add the butter, cut into cubes.

4. With clean hands, show your child how to rub the butter into the flour. Keep rubbing then kneading and it should come together into a ball.

5. Without over-working the dough, roll it out on a flat surface, dusted with flour.

6. Using the cookie cutters, help your child stamp out star shapes and place them on the baking tray. Use the blunt end of the clean pencil to make a hole at the top of one of the points for the ribbon.

7. Bake at 320F/160C/Gas 6 for 12-15 minutes until golden. When cool, decorate with writing icing and any other decorations you like, such as sugar balls. Hang on the tree and see how long they stay there!

Make a Marvellous Snowy Owl

By Susie Price, Little Marvellous Craft Parties (www.facebook.com/littlemarvellous)

These little owls make a wonderful festive craft for children of all ages, and you can have fun gathering your pine cones in the beautiful countryside with your family. Enjoy!

What you’ll need: • PVA Glue • Pine cone • Cotton Wool • White Pipe Cleaner • Brown Pipe Cleaner • Silver Glitter • Scissors • 2 Goggly Eyes (we like using 2 different sized eyes for a kooky look!)

1. Make sure your pinecone is clean and bug free. You can do this by gently cooking in the oven for 20 minutes. The drying process will kill any bugs and dry the sap, leaving your cone clean and open (leave the cone overnight before crafting).

2. Stuff your cone with lots of fluffy shredded cotton wool.

3. Cut your white pipe cleaner in two, and bend each one into a wing shape. Dab a bit of glue onto the end of each wing and press into a crevice of the cone to secure.

4. Cut your brown pipe cleaner into a 2cm piece and bend into a beak shape. Dab a bit of glue onto the end and push into the cone to make a face.

5. Add a couple of goggly eyes above the beak with glue and sprinkle a touch of silver glitter to create the perfect frosty Christmas owl!

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY?!

WIN a month’s family Health & Fitness membership!

Here’s the perfect way to work off those Christmas excesses! The Tytherington Club is a very family-orientated club, one that prides itself on being the perfect place for you and your family to socialise and meet like-minded people. The blend of a relaxed and friendly clubhouse environment and extensive facilities mean that there is something for everyone at The Tytherington. As well as excellent Golf facilities, they have a state-of-the-art Health and Fitness club, a huge timetable of Studio Gym Classes, Swimming Pool, Relaxation Spa, and Beauty treatment rooms.

There are loads of activities for children and teenagers as well as an OFSTED approved onsite crèche, so your younger children can have fun while you look after yourself! As a member, you can benefit from discounted prices for partners, so why not get your husband or wife to join the gym or golf with you? Speak to the Membership Team today on 01625 506 000 for more information on Partner Discounts. www.thetytheringtonclub.com To enter the competition for your family (2 adults, 2 children) to make use of all the health club facilities FREE for a month, just head over to www.familiescheshire.co.uk. The competition closes Friday 18 December.

WIN with Kids being Kids Yvette is a dedicated location-lifestyle photographer, based at Castle Park art Centre in Frodsham, catering exclusively for youngsters and their families and animals. She specialises entirely in outdoor location shoots, creating naturally beautiful photographs of children and families in their favourite locations, which results in lively, fresh and exciting images.

Yvette is meticulous about the presentation of her products and is constantly searching the North West to find inspirational locations for her shoots as well as developing new, tasteful and unusual ways to present the images.

You can win a fabulous photoshoot package worth £400 – see below for details! www.kidsbeingkids.co.uk

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 3

Education Dealing with dyslexia

By Kelly Barrett, Impact Tuition Centre, Urmston

Lilly has been a pupil of mine since 2012 and despite being a very bright girl and a gifted mathematician, really struggled with all aspects of literacy.

Lilly’s mum, Val, was extremely frustrated that very little seemed to help Lilly in this aspect; she’d tried Toe By Toe,

Word Wasp, Word Shark and other programmes designed to help dyslexic pupils but not only did Lilly dislike them, she didn’t make a really significant improvement and felt demoralised.

Last year Lilly completed the Cellfield Dyslexia Intervention Programme and

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immediately saw dramatic improvements.

Lilly really enjoyed completing the programme and enjoyed the fact that she could feel the benefits quickly; she began to read fluently instead of just decoding and began to enjoy books – much to her family’s amazement! Lilly was assessed before and after the intervention programme and we have reassessed her at 6 months and one year. Lilly has sustained and improved on the progress she made during Cellfield.

What is Cellfield?

Cellfield is a unique intervention programme based on neurological research which helps people break through the barrier to their learning caused by dyslexia and related processing issues. A computer-based multi-sensory approach, the programme is carried out over 10 days at our centre in Urmston, Manchester, following full reading assessments and eye tests. A follow on phase of ten weeks reinforces the new skills learned during the initial ten days. Assessments are repeated at the end of each phase and full support from trained professionals is available throughout the programme.

Cellfield achieves quick and sustainable results. Average gains of 2 years in reading

age can be achieved after just 2 weeks and the gains continue to improve over time.

Cellfield works for both adults and children.

For more information, please visit the Cellfield UK website at www.cellfielduk.com or our own website www.impacttuitionurmston.co.uk/ dyslexia. Or call 0161 747 1819.

“My daughter attended the Cellfield programme in August 2014 and she absolutely loved it. The most amazing aspect of all is that at the end of the programme she read books all weekend for pleasure.

Weeks before she would have done anything to avoid reading. The benefits at school have been phenomenal; she has shifted from a reading age of 7 to a reading age of 12 in one term [Lilly is 11 years old]. The teachers had to re-mark her paper three times as they didn’t believe the transformation. This programme is fantastic; it builds confidence and improves performance.

A great big thank you from us both.”

Val D (Lilly’s mum) Lymm, Cheshire 2015

Education Education Secretary calls for schools to provide childcare Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has said that schools should take “reasonable steps” to provide childcare for the whole length of the working day during term time and the school holidays too.

As part of this move, parents are to be given the right to request that their children’s schools put this care structure into place. However, the funding for this has not been agreed.

Head teachers have said that this idea would have to be looked at “extremely carefully to ensure it is not just a popular gimmick.”

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the

National Association of Head Teachers, has responded to say that while giving care for children while parents are working is a good idea, there are several reasons to be wary of the Government’s promise. Budget cuts and recruitment issues are just two of the reasons why schools might not be able to provide care from early in the day until after parents finish work.

He continued: “Parents can ask but the government must guarantee that a school’s decision is respected. Otherwise, it is merely going to provoke conflict between schools and their communities and would undermine the decision-making of head teachers.

Shortage of teachers a “crisis” A Head Teacher has warned that a shortage of teachers and a rising number of pupils will create “a perfect storm” for English schools.

Allan Foulds of Cheltenham Bournside School has said at the Conservative Party conference that the schools system is near breaking point.

Mr. Foulds is president of the Association of School and College Leaders, which says that there are too few teachers currently going through training to be able to meet the numbers needed. A low birth rate in the late

1990s means fewer graduates now available and choosing to go into teaching. This is compounded by the number of school children under 16 being set to rise to a peak of 7.85 million by 2020.

Mr Foulds said: “There is a real danger that a system which is already under severe strain will reach breaking point and that schools will be forced to drop more courses and increase class sizes further.

“This situation puts in jeopardy the huge progress that has been made by schools and undermines the drive to further raise standards.”

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Education

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Clubs & classes CLUBS & CLASSES CLASSIFIEDS Explore Learning Maths & English tuition centres for 5-14 year olds. Children become members and attend once or twice a week for sessions that last approximately 1¼ hours. Every centre is open 7 days a week, no advance booking necessary.

Altrincham: 0161 241 0006 Cheadle Hulme: 0161 669 8140 Chester: 01244 343 433 Heaton Park: 0161 669 4839 Warrington: 01925 747123 www.explorelearning.co.uk Jabberjacks A fun activity pre-school class which helps develop social and physical skills for children aged between 6 months* and 4 years. Using a unique combination of puppets and music, against a backdrop of drama and play we ensure all activities delivered in our classes are stimulating and interactive supporting EYFS. Whilst playing and having fun, children: Engage their senses / Explore their Imagination / Develop co-ordination skills / Socialise and communicate with confidence / learn to listen and follow direction / Experience caring and sharing! To find out more or book a place contact wendy@jabberjacks.co.uk or call 07519 238263.

Kinder Swim Academy Fun and stimulating lessons for birth – 15 years, giving both children and their parents confidence in the water. Kath / Sharon: 07907 263423 / www.kinderswim.co.uk Kumon Kumon’s unique programmes complement the school curriculum and provide far more than just maths or English tuition. They cater for your child’s individual needs, allowing them to study at a rate that is just right for them and eventually to take responsibility for their own learning.

Helsby & Frodshan – Karen: 01565 734478 Knutsford – Sue: 01565 621142 Nantwich – Sarah: 01270 780810 Northwich – Amanda: 01606 76468 Wilmslow – Ian: 01625 532529 www.kumon.co.uk​

Pointe Works Royal Academy of Dance Ballet lessons held weekly in Tarporley & Eaton. Suitable for Children aged 3+.

Classes split into academic years. ISTD Modern Jazz lessons suitable for Children aged 5+. For more info please contact Nicolle – 07900 303966, nicolle@pointeworks.co.uk or visit www.pointeworks.co.uk Tennis Tykes An educational tennis play and skills programme for children aged 2-5 years old. All classes are run by qualified and trained staff, use specially adapted equipment with personal achievement charts for every child.

Classes across South Manchester and Cheshire. Jonny: 07760 254118 / www.tennistykes.co.uk

Tiddly Boppers Fun movement classes for toddlers (walking to age 4). We explore rhythm, co-ordination and have giggles along the way. We aim to build the boppers confidence in an environment where they can express themselves through movement. Boppers learn and develop many skills including.....listening skills, large motor skills, balance, co-ordination…and fun! Contact Helen on 07964 138482 or email hjt19@hotmail.com or visit us at www.facebook.com/tiddlyboppers and Twitter @TiddlyB

Pearson Sports Academy, Tytherington After school (3 - 5.30pm, term times) sport academy offering a full range of sports for ages 4 - 11. Also offers a collection service for each child from their school.

07720 629690 / www.pearsonsportandfitnesscoaching.com

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Parties Perfect party planning

Chocolate heaven

By Jayne Keep

Hands up who likes chocolate? Ok, it might be easier to ask who doesn’t!

For a party solution to please everyone from tots to grown-ups you can’t go far wrong with a party all about chocolate.

For Isabella’s 7th birthday we visited Oliver Dunn at his Chocolate Party Room in High Lane (Stockport) to celebrate in sticky, scrumptious style. To get the kids started there was some chocolatier hat decorating so everyone looked the part.

Then it was on to the serious business

of designing some amazing chocs. All the children made chocolate mobile phones, flowers, rabbits and lollies which they got to take home and enjoy.

Oliver literally kept the chocolate flowing with an amazing supply of liquid white and milk chocolate working its way around as the children piped their designs into the moulds. Oliver even gave us a special treat – chocolate moustaches piped straight on to us (yes I got one too!); messy but yummy. And the party was perfectly rounded off with an amazing personalised chocolate cake.

Oliver can adapt his parties for any age, the options with chocolate seem to be endless, from chocolate pizza parties for little ones, though to truffle making for teens. He is also available for adult parties.

Parties can be held at the exclusive venue in High Lane, or at a venue of your choice. For more info visit www.oliverschocolateparties. co.uk/the-chocolate-room, call 01663 762 056 or email info@olichocparty.co.uk

Jam & Jelly children’s party planners take care of all the little details of your child’s special day, so all you have to do is relax and be a part of the fun.

Nowadays it can be so daunting to plan the perfect party. Entertainment, food, party favours, decorations…there’s so much to think about. How nice to actually be able to simply sit back and enjoy your child’s birthday and share in their joy and happiness! Well, with Jam & Jelly that is exactly what you can do.

First, you pick the theme, (or, as is often the case, your child picks the theme!), and then they do the rest. They’ll help you pick locations, send your invitations, arrange any entertainers, put together all the party favour bags, and ensure that everything is just picture perfect. Balloons, centrepieces, decorations and table settings are only the start. Jam & Jelly really do go the extra mile – all elements are decorated, from cupcakes and the cake to

fruit shoots, whatever your theme, it will be incorporated throughout. You truly have nothing to worry about!

What really makes a party is food, and nothing excites hungry party guests more than a table laden with a feast for little eyes. Jam & Jelly will create individual menus with you that will truly tantalise the tastebuds! Of course, even we grown-ups like a bit of feasting, so they’ll cater for little and big kids alike.

It’s your child’s party, and it can be filled with whatever wonders you like, so dream big and let Jam & Jelly make those dreams come true.

07969 229573 / www.jamandjelly.uk

A celebration for all: How to have a children’s Christmas party whilst being sensitive to other faiths

By Emma Oliver

In today’s society, our children grow up surrounded by other faiths; definitely a reason to celebrate. Together they learn about diversity and race and can unite for the good of the community.

But how do you hold a party at Christmas and remain sensitive to one another’s needs?

Be informed - It’s not only the Christian faith that has a holiday at a similar season as Christmas: Hanukah and Divali are also celebrated. A growing number of other faiths and families have created unique Christmas traditions, making it easier to encourage everyone to join in.

Learn from one another - Being sensitive

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to all needs is important but so is avoiding segregation, which can be divisive. Ultimately as a parent, you want to teach respect. Children are accepting and good at embracing the multi faith experience – we can learn a lot from them.

Celebrate - Whatever their faith, parents share values. Keep the focus on what unites people and makes us the same: laughter, love and friendship – catering for all with a happy time.

Emma Oliver is a journalist who has worked for various magazines and websites, mainly covering travel and parenting. She is also a mum to two young girls. When she’s not off gadding she can be found blogging: WritingLifeAsItIs.blogspot.co.uk

Parties PARTY VENUES

Awesome Walls, Stockport, Stoke on Trent & Liverpool. www.awesomewalls.co.uk Barnaby’s Playbarn, Northwich A stimulating environment where children can burn off all that energy! A range of party options available.

01606 301321 / www.barnabys-playbarn.com Battlefield Live, Knutsford Do you want an action packed party with a difference? Become a Marine for the day and challenge your friends to the ultimate battle. Playing in exclusive woodland and using the very latest infra-red gaming guns as used by the Military for Combat Training, you will fight alongside your team in defeating the enemy. Will you be the hottest Sniper in your Squadron? Ideal for Birthday Parties for all ages from 7+. www.battlefieldliveknutsford.co.uk Battlefield Live, Manchester The ultimate outdoor laser combat game for ages 7+. No pain, paint or impact - parties and mission based group sessions in an enclosed wood with bunkers, trails and hideaways. 07956 557653 / www.battlefield-manchester.com Bollington Health & Leisure Soft play parties for under 5s, Swimming parties for all ages. 01625 574 774 / www.bollingtonleisure.co.uk Brio Leisure, West Cheshire, Swimming, bouncy castle, football, multi-sports and dance mat parties at various venues. www.brioleisure.org Brookside Pottery, Poynton The Potter’s Wheel experience offers pottery painting and a train ride on the miniature railway. You supply the food, they supply the rest. 07946 637499 / www.brooksidepottery.com Cheshire Craft Workshops, Northwich Paint-a-pot, candle dipping and badge making. 01606 301269 / www.cheshirecraftworkshop.co.uk Chill Factore, Urmston Parties for all ages from 2+ in breathtaking surroundings with exhilarating activities.

0161 749 2222 / www.chillfactore.com Dizzy Rascals, Poynton Indoor play centre with deluxe party rooms and various party package options. Separate toddler play area and indoor kart track. 01625 404301 / www.dizzy-rascals.com Faktory Studios, Great Barrow, Chester A professional recording studio with a twist. Parties for all ages: Birthday, Hen, Stag, Christmas etc. A unique party experience includes full Disco with karaoke, professional group recordings including mixing and mastering, a CD of your recordings for everybody and full use of the dining area. 07581 117884 / www.faktorystudios.co.uk Fun4All, Chester & Macclesfield A variety of party options in a spacious indoor venue. Laser, Bear making, Sports, Karaoke, Dance, Themed and VIP parties available.Chester: 01244 379458 Macclesfield: 01625 440044 / www.fun4all.co.uk Funky Monkey Café, Nantwich Great craft or cupcake decorating parties with lots of play and fabulous food.

Homemade food also available for parties in your home/venue of choice. 07846 296882 Funkytown, Chester Indoor Adventure Play & Party Centre with a Sensory Room based right in the heart of Chester. Various party options available to suit all budgets. 01244 377229 / www.funkytownplay.co.uk Funsters, Crewe Indoor play centre for children up to age 12 with standard or Gokart parties available 7 days a week. A variety of balloons also available for sale. 01270 500525 / www.funstersplaycentres.co.uk The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall. The Ice Cave, private party rooms, outdoor activities (week days only) and playbarn. The Loft - state of the art games room for older children. Party food available or bring your own. 07570 774491 / www.cheshirefarmicecream.co.uk Kids Go Karting, Stockport Go karting in a safe environment on a purpose built track for ages 3 – 10.

Exclusive use of venue during the party.

07544 424212 / www.kidsgokarting.uk.com Jump Nation, Trafford Park Europe’s largest indoor trampoline area. Unique parties for every occasion - food and drinks included.

0161 710 2360 / www.jumpnation.com

Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester Full use of all activities as well as a private party room, food and cake. 0844 844 8181 / www.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk Little Big Heads, Wilmslow Fairy Tea Party, Belle of the Ball, Princess&Pirates or Disco Diva options hosted by friendly staff. Party bags and a special gift for the birthday girl. 01625 548326 / www.littlebigheads.co.uk MAC Multi Activity Centre, Macclesfield Custom built roller rink with skate hire. Themed party room, customised parties for just £10 per head. www.facebook.com/MACActivityCentre Manchester Museum Celebrate your birthday with Stan, the T-Rex & friends. Birthday parties for ages 0 - 6 and 7 - 11 that are full of hands-on activities. Max 15 children & 15 adults.

Available Sat & Sun 10am or 2pm. Bookings must be made at least one month in advance. 0161 306 1779 / www.manchester.ac.uk/museum My Little Pony Parties, Adlington American miniature horses with the perfect temperament for children’s parties. Dress the ponies with bows and ribbons and paint their hooves with glitter, take them round an obstacle course and walk to the river. Return to the farm for party food and cake. Indoor party options also available. 01625 569004 / www.mylittleponyparties.com / www.facebook.com/MyLittlePonyParties Oliver’s Chocolate Parties, Stockport Exclusive party room with a magic al red and white circus theme for fabulous parties that are all about chocolate. Available for all ages – party food and cake options also provided. 01663 762 056 / www.oliverschocolateparties.co.uk Polar Palace, Winsford. 5 party options that can be themed, with an additional option of a visit from your child’s favourite Character.

01606 863623 / www.polarpalace.co.uk Quadraphoenia, Adlington Children’s quad bike parties for ages 6 – 12. 01625 871384 / www.childrens-quadbike-party.co.uk Rope Race Climbing Centre, Marple Kids rock climbing (age 5+) or archery (age 8+) parties.

0161 426 0226 / www.roperace.co.uk Shots Football, Cheadle Hulme Championship, Premier League, Champions League & World Cup party options for your football mad youngster at a great indoor location! 0161 488 4118 / www.shot5.co.uk Silver Blades Ice Rink, Altrincham An icy party including skate hire, invitations, food and party bags. 08700 85 29 29 / www.altrinchamicedome.co.uk Speckled Hen Children’s Parties, Holmes Chapel Baking and Cupcake Parties including a traditional party tea or lunch. Baking Parties for ages 6+, Cupcake Parties for older children. All ingredients and materials provided.

01477 537583 / www.speckledhenparties.co.uk The Spotty Pig Craft Café, Chester. Ceramic painting, cupcake decorating, decopatch or Wild Wood parties. Exclusive party room for 10+ guests.

01244 311318 / www.thespottypig.com Vernon Park Gymnastics Club, Stockport Exclusive use of the gym and party room. Qualified gymnastics coach on hand. £100 for up to £25 children. 0161 406 0488 / www.vernonparkgym.com

PARTY CLASSIFIEDS

Jabberjacks Looking for a unique and special party that will keep the children and parents talking for weeks? Playmates parties especially for 2, 3 & 4 year olds. Be amazed as the children discover the puppets, bubbles, teddies, games and activities all hidden in a treasure box. Juniors parties designed for 5, 6 & 7 year olds. Crazy dancing to the latest tracks, Wacky Games, Funky prizes and party bags! Jabberjacks provides a hassle free party package! If you would like to know more, simply visit www.jabberjacks.co.uk/chester Or contact Wendy on 07519238263.

Advertise in Families Cheshire Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or email advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk

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Where’s Santa?

Send your child a ‘Letter from Santa’ and support the NSPCC

Santa can be spotted all over Cheshire!

Don’t miss your opportunity to get up close and personal with the big man himself...

Alton Towers Elves’ Emporium Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec, Fri 18 – Wed 23 Dec Meet Santa and his Elves as they prepare for their busiest time of year! Selected theme park rides and attractions open including CBeebies Land, Sonic Spinball, Cloud Cuckoo Land, Mutiny Bay and SeaLife. 20% discount if booking before 9 November.

Under 2s go free. www.altontowers.com

To help share the magic of Christmas the NSPCC has teamed up with Santa to send personalised letters out to children.

Each of Santa’s letters come with beautiful illustrations and stories that are tailored to specific age groups. Parents can choose whether the letter is signed by ‘Santa’ or ‘Father Christmas’, and each letter comes with an age appropriate game for children to play.

You can now add a unique Post Script

message and you will also receive a complimentary pack with games, recipes and activities. Plus, there’s the option to choose to send a special poem written to celebrate Baby’s First Christmas – a keepsake to treasure for years to come.

For a suggested donation of only £5 parents can delight their own children whilst helping others who are less fortunate.

Request your Letter from Santa up until 22 December at www.nspcc.org.uk/santa

Who needs reindeer when you’ve got Shire Horses?!

In true festive spirit, Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre near Tarporley is offering free entry to the centre on Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December.

Make sure you turn up in your finest Christmas Jumper– there’s the chance to win a prize if yours is the best!

You can meet all of the huge Shire horses close up (they’re the largest breed of horses in the world); six of the mares will be in foal, with the first two due in January.

There are also some smaller equines in the form of super cute ponies who love a good brush by the children.

Stretch your legs taking a wintery walk around the Wildlife Watch Trail before warming up by the log burning stove in the Lakeside café while you enjoy some tasty food.

There’s also the chance to have breakfast with Santa (booking essential for this).

For more information call 01829 760506 or visit www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk

10 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich Santa Cruise Weekends from Sat 5 – Sun 20 Dec and from Mon 21– Thurs 24 Dec. 10am – 3pm, Booking essential A 50 minute trip along the River Weaver, including stories and activities with Mr & Mrs Claus, as well as a gift for every child. 01606 786777 / www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/anderton-boat-lift Arndale Centre, Manchester Thurs 19 Nov – Thurs 24 Dec. £4.50 (off-peak) or £5.50 (peak) per child (plus booking fee) – includes a gift.

Pre-booking advised.. Santa will be waiting to greet you in his towering Christmas tree star grotto in Halle Square. www.manchesterarndale.com Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre, Holt Village, Wrexham Christmas Launch Evening Fri 27 Nov, 6 – 8pm Arrival of Father Christmas and his reindeer, Santa’s Grotto, late night shopping, food tastings, mulled wine, festive music and children’s activities. The reindeer will stay at the centre all weekend until 4pm Sunday 29 Nov.

Santa’s Grotto Every weekend from Fri 27 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, 11am – 4pm. £4.50 (includes gift). All proceeds in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

01829 2703021 / www.bellisbrothers.co.uk Bents Garden Centre, Warrington Santa’s Tea Parties Weekdays Tues 1 – Fri 18 Dec, Mon 21 & Wed 23 Dec Age 3 – 10 / £15.95 (includes gift), early booking essential. Join Santa for a meal with balloons and party games. 01942 266300 / www.bents.co.uk Blakemere Village, Northwich Christmas Woodland Every weekend from Sat 21 Nov – Sun 20 Dec A fantastic interactive family experience: outdoor theatre and performances as you go on your journey to find Santa in his woodland hideaway. Enjoy a ride on the Santa Express and traditional carousel, meet Snowy the Owl, warm festive drinks for adults while the children enjoy activities.

Breakfast with Santa Sat 19 & Sun 20 Dec 8.15 – 10.30am / £10.95 per person (includes a small child’s gift) / Booking essential Banquet with Santa Fri 18 Dec 4.30 – 6.30pm / £16.95 per person (includes a small child’s gift) / Booking essential 01606 883261 / www.blakemerevillage.com

Where’s Santa?

Brookside Garden Centre, Poynton Santa’s Grotto Every weekend from Sat 21 Nov – Sun 20 Dec 11am – 4pm. Also every Wed & Thurs in Dec, and Fri 18 Dec 2 – 6.30pm, Mon 21 – Wed 23 Dec 11am – 6.30pm, Thurs 24 Dec 11am – 3pm. Last train half an hour before the Grotto closes. £8 per child (£4 for under 2’s), includes a ride to the Grotto on the miniature Santa Special railway and a gift. £2 for accompanying adults. £6.50 for Grotto visit only, £1.80 for train ride only. 01625 872919 / www.klondyke.co.uk/ brookside-garden-centre-poynton Cheshire Reindeer Lodge & Christmas Tree Farm, Cheshire Oaks Santa’s Grotto& Reindeer Lodge Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, Mon 21 – Thurs 24 Dec. Adult £6.95, Child 7.95 (incl gift), Booking essential. Meet Santa and his Elves, feed the Reindeer, get your photos taken in a traditional sleighs, have a donkey ride, look through the huge range of Christmas Trees and grab yourself a festive coffee or hot chocolate.

01244 646 045 / www.cheshirereindeer.co.uk Chester Zoo Father Christmas Story Time Mon 16 Nov, 11am, 2.15pm or 3pm / Under 7s / £6.99 (in addition to zoo admission), booking essential Father Christmas will be reading stories in the beautiful Oakfield House, helping little ones make a gift for local wildlife, plus every child will get a gift to take home. The experience lasts about 20 minutes.

Lantern Magic Fri 4 – Sun 6 Dec, Fri 11 – Sun 13 Dec, Fri 18 – Wed 23 Dec Keep a look out and give a Christmassy wave to Santa at this unforgettable, magical night time journey through the zoo. Varying price options depending on requirements – see website. Pre-booking essential.

01244 380280 /www.chesterzoo.org The Chestnut Centre, Chapel-en-le-Frith Christmas Grotto Every weekend from Sat 5 Dec – Sun 20 Dec, Daily from Mon 21 – Thurs 24 Dec Come and meet Father Christmas and his animal helpers in the Grotto. Each child receives a gift and can explore the park, meeting some of Santa’s helpers along the way. Booking essential 01298 814099 / www.chestnutcentre.co.uk Chill Factore, Trafford Quays Santa’s Snow Kingdom Weekends from Sat 7 – Sun 29 Nov, Daily from Tues 1 – Thurs 24 Dec. 10am – 7.30pm (last session 7pm) Revel in the magic that is Santa’s Snow Kingdom, surrounded by real snow, sparkling trees, glistening lights and chattering elves! Feel the crunch of the real snow below your feet and be stunned by the magnificent castle that is Santa’s home right up until Christmas Eve. Santa will be joined by special friend Peppa Pig at various intervals on Sat 14 & Sun 15 Nov and Sat 21 & Sun 22 Nov. 0843 596 22 33 / www.chillfactore.com Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre, Tarporley Breakfast with Santa Sat 5 & Sun 6, Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec Free entry to the centre on these two weekends to meet Santa and the Shires, Pony grooming, Christmas Quiz and games, Christmas Shopping, and a winter walk around the Wildlife Watch Trail.

Best Christmas Jumper competition with prizes for both adults and children. Breakfast booking essential.

01829 760506 / www.cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk Crewe Lyceum Santa’s Breakfast Club Sat 28 Nov, Thurs 3, Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec Children £15, including breakfast, gift and soft play. Adults £5 including breakfast bap and unlimited tea or coffee.

Meet Santa in his grotto.

Best for under 7s.

01270 386242 / www.crewelyceum.co.uk

Event City, Trafford Park Winter Wonderland Santa Meet and Greet Sat 12 Dec – Sun 3 Jan Meet and greet Santa at this indoor winter wonderland of fun and entertainment. Not a full grotto experience, but it will be an efficient meet and greet system. www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com Glebe Farm, Astbury Christmas Light Switch On Sat 28 Nov, 4 – 8pm Lights switch on at 6pm. The evening will continue until 8pm in the company of a very special visitor!

Late night shopping, Christmas tractor rides, Santa’s Grotto, Hot food and mulled wine, balloon modelling, Face painting and much more!

Breakfast and Late Lunch with Santa Weekends from Sun 29 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, also Mon 21 Dec £12.95. Chat with Santa during breakfast and visit him in his grotto to get your gift when you’ve finished. Decorate a gingerbread man while you wait your turn, take a ride on Farmer Rob’s tractor and feed the animals after you’ve seen him. Gingerbread decoration, gift, tractor ride, animal pellets and reindeer dust (to take home) included in price.

Grosvenor Garden Centre, Chester Santa’s Arrival Fri 27 Nov, 5 - 9pm. Fireworks and musical extravaganza. Food and drink, free candyfloss and facepainting. Breakfast with Santa! Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, Mon 21 – Thurs 24 Dec £10.95 per person, Booking essential. Santa will visit every table to take down present orders, have photographs and to deliver special gifts.

Tea with Mrs Claus Each Thurs & Fri in Dec from Thurs 4 – Fri 18 Dec £8.95 per child, Booking essential. Join Mrs Claus for a tea of finger sandwiches and cakes. Sing Christmas songs, decorate a festive gingerbread and then write your letter to Santa for Mrs Claus to deliver for you! A Christmas book will be given to every child to take home.

Santa’s Grotto 10am – 4pm (2pm on Christmas Eve) £6.95 per child. A visit to our new and exciting Santa’s Grotto, with our very own Santa’s Farm, including Mr Darcy, the Donkey! Plus we have reindeer, sheep and our loveable goats, Jack & Vera!

01244 625200 / www.grosvenorgardencentre.co.uk Gulliver’s World, Warrington Breakfast with Santa Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, Wed 23 & Thurs 24 Dec. Includes a festive show and a gift Santa Send Off Thurs 24 Dec. Special shows throughout the day to celebrate Santa’s time at Gulliver’s World before he makes his way around the world.

01925 444 888 / www.gulliversfun.co.uk Hamleys, Trafford Centre Meet Father Christmas Sat 21 Nov – Thurs 24 Dec, 10am – 5pm (hour sessions).

Join Father Christmas and his lovable elves in the party room for fun, magic and theatre at this very special time of year. Activities, delicious snacks and a special gift bag to take home. Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Tea sessions available. www.hamleys.com/explore Heald Green Village Hall, SK8 3JL St Ann’s Hospice Christmas Fair Sun 29 Nov. 12 – 3pm, £1 entrance, accompanied children free. An afternoon of family fun, shopping and a chance to see Santa. www.sah.org.uk Knutsford Reindeer Parade 4pm. Santa brings a team of his Reindeer along King Street and into Canute Place before he says hello to his fans! www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk Lyme Park, Disley An Audience with Father Christmas Weekends from Sat 5 – Sun 20 Dec 11am – 4pm, Child £9 (normal admission applies). Visit Father Christmas in the house and receive a special gift.

Children’s ticket included entry to the festive garden trail for all the family. Booking essential (fee applies).

0844 2491895 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ lyme-park

National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port Santa Cruises Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec, Sat 19 – Thurs 24 Dec 0151 355 5017 / www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Quarry Bank Mill, Styal A Victorian Christmas at the Mill Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec, Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec. 11am – 3pm, Free, normal admission applies. The Quarry Bank workers and apprentices have to finish their jobs before Christmas can begin. Can you help them get to the Christmas party? Meet Victorian characters and find out about customs from the past. You can also visit Father Christmas and tell him what is on your list.

End the day with carols by the tree and a mince pie.

Featuring illustrations by Catherine Jackman the artist behind An Apprentice Adventure. 01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank St George’s Church, Stockport St George’s Christmas Tree Festival Wed 25 – Sun 29 Nov, various times (see website) Adults £2, Children free. Father Christmas will be available to receive young visitors on Saturday afternoon.

Musical performances, refreshments, a children’s grotto with Christmas craft, a Prayer Trail and many beautiful Christmas trees.

0161 440 0408 / www.stgeorgestockport.org.uk Stockley Farm Stocktots Wed 9 Dec, 10am – 12pm and 12.30 – 2.30pm £8.50 per child, booking essential. Take a festive tractor trailer ride down to the farm for a festive singalong. Make some Christmas Crafts, meet the animals and visit Father Christmas in the grotto to receive an early gift.

Christmas Elf Adventure Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec. Make decorations for the Christmas Tree, find the ingredients for Mother Christmas’ cookies and help the Elves tell the story of Christmas in the live nativity play complete with animals. Meet Father Christmas in his Grotto and receive a special gift. Brunch options available.

01565 777 323 / www.stockleyfarm.co.uk

Tatton Park, Knutsford Christmas Lantern Parade & Father Christmas at the Farm Lantern Parade: Friday 27 Nov, 6pm. Meet Father Christmas: Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, 11am – 4pm, Adult £6, Child £6 (includes gift) Father Christmas arrives at Tatton with Prancer and Dancer as part of a festive lantern parade on 27 Nov. You can meet him at the Farm every weekend until Sun 20 Dec. Normal entry charges also apply.

The Old Sunday School, Macclesfield Victorian Christmas Sat 19 Dec, 10am – 2pm. Crafts, storytelling, hands-on activities and meet Father Christmas! Drop-in Crafts: £2 per person. Meet Father Christmas with gift: £4 per person. Other activities: free 01625 613210 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk Wheelock Street, Middlewich Middlewich Christmas Fayre & Lights Switch On Sat 28 Nov/ A special Yuletide Market, Santa’s Grotto & Reindeer! Also your favourite Christmas Carols played by local brass bands and special guests from the local pantomimes. Christmas parade 4.30pm and lights switch-on 5pm. www.middlewichdiary.com Woodford Park Garden Centre, Stockport 3D Cinema Grotto Experience Dates TBC at time of going to print. Child/Adult: £4.99, Family £15. Watch a 12 minute 3D ‘Rocket The Reindeer’ movie followed by a group visit to Santa himself, including a personal ‘Rocket The Reindeer’ book.

Booking recommended.

Tea & Breakfast with Santa A fun, interactive experience, combining yummy food, with storytelling and a small gift from the special man himself! Booking essential. £11 per child.

0161 4390745 / www.notcutts.co.uk

The Trafford Centre (Barton Square) Sat 7 Nov – Thurs 24 Dec Child £6, Adult £3, Booking essential (booking fee applies). Join Santa and his merry helpers to get ready for the big day, and meet the big man himself. www.intu.co.uk/traffordcentre Tarvin High Street Tarvin Christmas Festival and Street Market Sat 5 Dec, 5 – 9pm. Father Christmas will be in his Grotto, craft and food stalls, music by The Sue Reid Trio. A perfect start to the run up to Christmas! www.tarvinonline.org

Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys intu Trafford Centre!

21 November – 24 December

Each session is 1 hour long, sessions available on select dates.

• Breakfast: 10am – 11am • Pre-School Brunch: 12pm – 1pm • Brunch: 12pm – 1pm • Lunch: 2pm – 3pm • Tea: 4pm – 5pm

Join Father Christmas and his lovable elves at The Finest Toy Shop in the World! for fun, magic and theatre at this very special time of year.

I Met Father Christmas at Hamleys! is an extra special experience where children will enjoy up to 1 hour with Father Christmas, take part in seasonal activities, enjoy delicious snacks and receive a special gift bag from Father Christmas to take home.

During this group session each little guest will hear magical stories of Christmas, sing festive songs, enjoy Christmas games, write their own Christmas wish list and enjoy special time with Father Christmas himself all surrounded by the finest toys in the world!

Book Online now – www.hamleys.com/explore

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 11

Where’s Santa?

ALL ABOARD THE SANTA EXPRESS All-In-One Garden Centre, Knutsford Santa Express and Santa’s Grotto Every weekend from Sat 28 Nov until Sun 21 Dec 11am – 4pm. £6.99 for a ride on the miniature train, a chat with Santa, and a gift. Donkey rides also available.

01565 722567 / www.allinone.co.uk Brookside Miniature Railway, Poynton Santa Specials Ride on the miniature railway to see Santa in his grotto.

See “Where’s Santa?” for dates and prices.

01625 872919 / www.klondyke.co.uk/ brookside-garden-centre-poynton Churnet Valley Railway Santa and Steams Specials – A Victorian Christmas Celebration Wed 9 & Wed 16 Dec. Weekends from Sat 5 – Sun 20 Dec. Tues 22 – Thurs 24 Dec. Quality gifts for every child, mince pie and sherry for adults. Entertainment, traditional decorations and attractions at Cheddleton and Kingsley & Froghall Stations.Special offer for Sat 5, Sun 6 & Wed 9 Dec: youngest child free with every two adults. Booking essential 01538 758491 / www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk East Lancashire Railway, Bury Santa Specials Every weekend from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec and daily from Mon 21Dec – Thurs 24 Dec. Meet the jolly man and his host of happy elves as they hand out presents for the kids and a mince pie and festive drink for the adults. Beautiful decorations on both the carriages and in the station, enjoy Christmas carols and live brass bands. Booking essential. 0161 764 7790 / www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

The Snowman Tour – a music box of delights!

Kirklees Light Railway

Foxfield Railway, Stoke on Trent Santa Specials Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec, Wed 23 & Thurs 24 Dec. Wind through the scenic Staffordshire countryside for a 5½ mile round festive train ride!

Chocolate, a drink and a quality present from Santa for children, mince pie and sherry for adults.

Booking essential. Special offer for Sat 29 & Sun 30 Nov: one child free with every 2 adults.

01782 396210 / www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk Kirklees Light Railway Santa Specials Weekends from Sat 28Nov – Sun 20 Dec, Tues 22 – Wed 23 Dec, Fri 4, 14 & 18 Dec – Twilight Specials Ride the train to Shelley Station to see Santa in his grotto and get a gift. Mince pie and festive tipple for adults, biscuit and juice for kids while waiting in the heated marque. 01484 865727 / www.kirkleeslightrailway.com Ribble Steam Railway, Preston Santa Specials Weekends from Sat 5 – Sun 20 Dec, Mon 21 Dec Light refreshments and gifts for the children. Booking essential. 01772 253731 / www.ribblesteam.org.uk

12 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

© Snowman Enterprises Ltd 2015

Make sure you don’t miss out on a unique and special event that’s suitable for all ages – a screening of the much-loved film, The Snowman, projected onto a large screen accompanied by a live, 26 piece professional orchestra.

The highlight for many is the evocative ‘Walking in the Air’, sung by a

young soloist. The show was number two in The Guardian’s “Top 10 things to do at Christmas” last year! And at the same time you can enjoy the world premiere of animation by Tom Scott to accompany Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite”. Also featured in the concert is a Festive Guide to the Orchestra, where the instruments are presented in a fun and approachable way, offering the children the valuable experience of seeing - and hearing - the instruments individually. These include seldom seen instruments such as the celeste, cor anglais and bass clarinet. Popular favourites tend to be the harp and the very naughty drummer!

With other Christmas crackers – including a visit from a surprise conductor – it truly is a memorable experience for all the family.

Performances will be held on Saturday 5 December at Chester Cathedral, Tuesday 15 December at the Victoria Hall in Bolton and on Sunday 20 December at Parr Hall, Warrington.

Christmas shopping Help the local economy on Small Business Saturday

Will you support your local small businesses this December?

Why not pledge to purchase your Christmas shopping within the Cheshire

area this year, and help your local economy at the same time! What better time to start than Small Business Saturday, which this year will be on 5 December.

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

To see how you can get involved or for details of businesses close to you which are taking part go to www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com.

One Stop Shopping at Christmas Card Shop

Take advantage of the wide range of charity Christmas cards and the eclectic and quirky selection of gifts and stocking fillers in the annual

pop-up Christmas card shops at the Wilmslow, Altrincham, Macclesfield, Sale and Hale Libraries, and also at Curzon Cinema, Knutsford.

Every penny spent on the cards goes back to the participating charities, which include St Ann’s Hospice, The Christie, Independent Age, Wilmslow Wells, NSPCC, the British Heart Foundation, UNICEF, RNLI and the Together Trust.

The shops are open until early December, and orders can also be placed online. For more info, go to www.Christmas-cards.org.uk

Pick your own Christmas Tree

Ivy Cottage Tree Farm in Wilmslow is a long established (over 30 years!) go-to for quality Christmas Trees, with hundreds of trees to choose from – spruce, fir or pine.

You can even choose the Norway Spruce while it’s still growing in the ground to either have cut and taken that day, or you can reserve it for a date that suits you in the run up to Christmas. Nordman Fir, Fraser Fir or Lodgepole Pine trees are grown at other plantations but sold in Wilmslow.

And for the ultimate in recycling, just return your tree to them and they’ll shred it

Shopping directory Bizzybods Boutique, Nantwich Clothes, toys and gifts.

Hospital Street, Nantwich CW5 5RJ 01270 610667 / www.bizzybods.com Brookside Pottery, Poynton Make your own gift!

London Road North, Stockport, SK12 1BY 07961 838753 / www.brooksidepottery.com Cheshire Toy Shop Specialising in traditional and educational toys for children from 12 months to 8 years old.

Glebe Farm, Peel Lane, Astbury, Cheshire, CW12 4RQ 012760 277184 / www.cheshiretoyshop.co.uk Everything Dinosaur The name says it all. Dinosaur models, toys, prehistoric animal themed soft toys, clothing and games.

From museum quality, scale replicas to pocket money dinosaur gifts. Based in Middlewich.

01606 841068 / www.everythingdinosaur.com DaisyZoo.com Online store but based in Knutsford.

Great organic, quality baby gifts and toys.

01565 650433 / www.daisyzoo.com Giddy Goat Toys, Didsbury Traditional toy shop and online store.

2 Albert Hill Street, Didsbury M20 6RF 0161 445 1097 / www.giddygoattoys.co.uk Hamleys, Manchester The Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8AA 0371 704 1977 / www.hamleys.com Hobbycraft Chester Retail Park, Chester CH1 4RY Grand Junction Retail Park, Crewe CW1 2RP The Peel Centre, Stockport SK1 2HH 0845 051 6530 / www.hobbycraft.co.uk John Lewis, Cheadle Wilmslow Road, Cheadle SK8 3BZ 0161 491 4914 / www.johnlewis.com Kids Exchange, Wilmslow Pre-loved but excellent quality clothing, toys and equipment. Manchester Road, Wilmslow SK91BG 01625 537664 / www.kids-exchange.co.uk Kooky Kids Online store but based in Macclesfield. www.kooky-kids.co.uk Molly Mumbles, Holmes Chapel High quality baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment.

Parkway, Holmes Chapel CW4 7BA. 01477 532234 / www.mollymumbles.co.uk

Mootiful, Macclesfield Specialists in design led handmade gifts and cards.

Queen Victoria Street, Macclesfield SK11 6LP 01625 500613 / www.mootiful.com Spotty Pig Craft Café Paint your own pottery, wood and even fabric or decorate something with decopatch.

St James Street, Chester CH1 3EY 01244 311318 / www.thespottypig.com The Entertainer, Chester 78-92 Foregate Street, Chester CH1 1HB 0844 693 1464 / www.thetoyshop.com Tiddleywinks, Northwich Handcrafted children’s clothing and gifts for children 0 – 10 years. Blakemere Village, Sandiway CW8 2EB 01606 888 969 / www.tiddleywinks.co.uk Toycraft – Chester Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LB 01244 342706 / www.toycraft.co.uk Toys R Us Chester Retail Park, Old Seals Way CH1 4RY Peel Centre Trading Park, Stockport SK1 2HH www.toysrus.co.uk Toymaster Hollins Ln, Marple, SK6 6AW 0161 427 2099 / www.toymaster.co.uk

into chippings which are spread on the ground around the next year’s crop of trees!

Freshly made holly and fir wreaths are also available, and the Christmas shop with lights and decorations will be open from 20 November until 24 December.

01625 531609 / www.ivycottagetreefarm.co.uk

Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk 13

Christmas shopping Gift & Craft Fairs Sat 14 Nov – Mon 21 Dec

Sat 7 & Sun 8 and Sat 14 & Sun 15 Nov

Tatton Park, Knutsford Christmas Gift Fair 10.30am – 5pm, Free entry (normal admission applies). An early chance to look for those special Christmas gifts for all the family and ideas for presents not usually found in High Street shops.

01530 834056 / www.countrywide-events.co.uk

Mon 9 & Tues 10 Nov

Arley Hall And Gardens Christmas Shopping Spectacular Mon: Champagne Reception 6–10pm Tues: 9.30am–5pm Over 70 hand-picked stalls from all corners of the country offering delicious food and stunning gifts and treats for all, from stocking fillers to that extra special present. Special Men’s Den this year to help you find the perfect gift for the man in your life!

0161 6100168 / www.arleyhallshoppingspectacular.co.uk

Fri 13 Nov

St. George’s Church, Stockport Moonlight Market Craft Fair 3pm – 9pm 0161 440 0408 / www.stgeorgestockport.org.uk

Fri 13 – Sun 15 Nov

Lowry Outlet, Salford Enchanted Christmas Market All the fun and magic and sparkle of the festive season on the outdoor plaza. Carousel, Giant snowglobe, Frozen experience and live music. www.lowryoutlet.co.uk

Manchester Christmas Markets Over 300 stalls offering gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes, toys and an array of food and drink from all over Europe. A truly international event with a uniquely Mancunian flavour.

Trail map available on website, but venues include Albert Square, M2 5RT Brazennose Street, M2 5AS St Ann’s Square, M2 7JB Exchange Street, M2 7DH King Street, M2 4LQ New Cathedral Street, M1 1AD Exchange Square, M3 1BD Market Street, M1 1PL Corn Exchange, M4 3TR Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG www.visitmanchester.com/Christmas

Tues 17 Nov

Chester Racecourse The LoveChristmas Fair 9.30 – 3.30pm / Adult £5, Child Free A unique and exciting shopping experience in aid of Turn-to-Us, Chester Hospital’s BabyGrow Appeal and Nightingale House Hospice. A fabulous selection of stalls from exciting new independent boutiques across the UK and some old favourites. Find the perfect gift for someone special

Thurs 19 Nov – Sun 20 Dec

Chester Town Hall Square, Library Square, St Werburgh Street and other central locations.

Chester Christmas Market 10am – 6pm (8pm on Thurs, 7pm on Frid & Sat) Over 70 traditional wooden chalets wrapped around a 40ft sparkling Christmas tree. Quality giftware, clothing and food and drink. Great kids’ entertainment. www.christmasinchester.com

Fri 27 Nov

Bellis Brothers Farm Shop & Garden Centre, Wrexham Christmas Launch Evening 6 – 8pm. Arrival of Father Christmas and his reindeer, Santa’s Grotto, late night shopping, food tastings, mulled wine, festive music and children’s activities. All money raised from the grotto is for Nightingale House Hospice.

01829 272031 / www.bellisbrothers.co.uk

14 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov

Capesthorne Hall Christmas at Capesthorne Fri 5 – 9pm, Sat/Sun 12 – 5pm. Entrance fee applies.

Take a tour around this stately home with live musical entertainment and a special visit from Santa. Then head out to the marquee for the Craft and Gift fair.

01625 861221 / www.capesthorne.com

Fri 27 – Sun 29 Nov

Tatton Park, Knutsford Tatton’s Christmas Gift Fair Fri: 12 – 7.30pm, Sat & Sun: 11am – 4.30pm. Innovative and unusual present ideas for friends and family.

Free admission to Fair – normal park entry applies.

01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sat 28 Nov

Dialstone Lane Methodist Church, Stockport Christmas Craft & Gift Fair 10am – 2pm. With entertainment and a special appearance from Father Christmas. 0161 456 1454 / www.dialstonelanemethodistchurch.co.uk

Sat 28 Nov

Middlewich Middlewich Christmas Fayre & Lights Switch On A special Yuletide Market, Santa’s Grotto & Reindeer!

Also your favourite Christmas Carols played by local brass bands and special guests from the local pantomimes. Christmas parade 4.30pm and lights switch-on 5pm. www.middlewichdiary.com

Sat 28 Nov

Stockport Town Hall Jewellery & Craft fair 10am – 3pm, free entry An array of handcrafted toys, jewellery and gifts.

0161 474 3451 / www.stockport.gov.uk/townhall

Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov

Princess Street, Knutsford Knutsford Christmas Market A fantastic selection of stalls selling a range of fine foods and gifts, mulled wine and hot food. www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Sun 29 Nov & Sun 20 Dec

Market Square, Macclesfield Treacle Market 10am – 3pm, Free. Loads of gift and food stalls, live music, and entertainment. www.facebook.com/TreacleMarket

Sun 29 Nov

Aquaduct Marina, Church Minshull, Nantwich Christmas Fair 11am – 4pm. A wide selection of Christmas crafts and gifts.

01270 525040 / www.aqueductmarina.co.uk

Sun 29 Nov

Heald Green Village Hall, SK8 3JL St Ann’s Hospice Christmas Fair 12 – 3pm / £1 entrance, accompanied children free An afternoon of family fun, Christmas gifts, Children’s toys, Santa, Entertainment, Refreshments and more. www.sah.org.uk

Sun 29 Nov

Crewe Lyceum Christmas Craft Fayre 11am – 3pm / Free entry. Browse unique Christmas gifts and decorations to buy, enjoy delicious festive food and drink and explore Santa’s Grotto.

01270 368242 / www.crewelyceym.co.uk

Sat 5 Dec

Prestbury CE Primary School SK10 4JJ 1.30 – 4pm / Adults £2, Children Free Craft stalls, cakes, hot and cold food, loads of kids activities including a giant snow globe and Father Christmas to welcome you with a small gift!

01625 383033 / www.prestbury.cheshire.sch.uk

Sat 5 Dec

Tarvin High Street Tarvin Christmas Festival and Street Market 5 – 9pm. Father Christmas will be in his Grotto, craft and food stalls, music by The Sue Reid Trio. A perfect start to the run up to Christmas! www.tarvinonline.org

Sat 5 Dec

Bollington St Johns Primary School SK10 5LY Christmas Fair 2 – 4pm. £1 adult entry, kids free! Father Christmas, music, raffle, tombola, craft stalls, cakes, mulled wine, minced pies, craft activities and games.

01625 572025 / www.fcsfed.com

Sat 19 Dec

Wheelock Street, Middlewich Christmas Market www.themakersmarket.co.uk

Christmas shopping Families Gift Guide Here are a few ideas for every member of the family to kick start the Christmas Gift thinking process....

For Babies

For Mums Glass Christmas Angel Bauble, £10 My 1st Years (www.my1styears.com) With a beautiful angel inside, this glass bauble is a great gift for baby’s first Christmas. Engraved with a message over three lines with up to 20 characters on each line.

Pirate Ship Personalised illuminated Canvas, from £55.95 Illuminated Canvas (www.illuminatedcanvas.co.uk) A picture for your baby’s nursery wall but with a twist; not only can you have your child’s name on the canvas but it lights up, showing an illuminated window in the ship and on the masts.

Five Piece Bath Fun Toy, £12.99 Brother Max (www.brothermax.com) Bath time can always be fun with this neat set of bath toys that not only amuse your baby but help to get her clean too. There’s a sprinkler scoop with a chunky colourful handle, a wash mit with a shaker in the middle, a brush to practice hair grooming, a rattle and a wearable wrist toy. They are all BPA, PVC and phthalate free.

Christmas Pudding Leggings, £11 Blade and Rose (www.bladeandrose.co.uk) How cute will your baby look crawling around on Christmas Day in these seasonal striped leggings with their cheeky Christmas pudding on the tush.

They’re made from soft fabric with a thick waistband for comfort and you can add matching socks, a bandana bib and a hat.

For Children Fairy Door, £19.99 Cheshire Toy Shop (www.cheshiretoyshop.co.uk) Pick a special place to leave your fairy door and stepping stones and leave the magic key beside it. If the magic key has gone in the morning, your fairy has arrived. Register your fairy’s name and unlock a world of imagination from Fairy Valley.

Luxury Mummy Spa Kit, £39.99 Love Boo (www.loveboo.com) The ultimate home pampering kit. With three products inside – Bosom Buddy, Body Wash and Miracle Oil, they will leave skin glowing and firmed and they can help prevent stretch marks. They are safe for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Mini Indoor Herb Garden, £24.95 Gifts Direct (www.giftsdirect.com) With the increase in popularity of gardening and cookery programmes on the television, this sweet little garden will help you create your very own tiny allotment. It comes with three tiny plant pots with drainage holes that fit neatly in the fence. Inside the shed are tiny snippers, soil pellets and a packet of three kinds of seeds; coriander, basil and oregano. The shed can be used to store more seeds for next time.

Bespoke Chocolate Keepsake, from £9.99 Chocolates Etc (www.chocolatesetc.co.uk) Bespoke chocolate gifts beautifully presented in individually sourced glass or metal containers, so even when the chocolates are long gone, mum will be left with a beautiful keepsake.

Handbag Organiser £12.99 Periea (www.periea.com) So you have more than one handbag and when you want to swap quickly from one to the other, it’s such a chore swapping over all the things you just can’t do without. But no more! This handy organiser has 11 pockets to keep everything in just the right place and it’s black, so will suit the inside of any bag. There’s even a clip for your keys and it’s machine washable.

For Dads Haig Club Scotch Whisky, £44.95 Haig (www.haigclub.com) If he fancies himself as a David Beckham type, this will be his tipple of choice. From Scotland’s oldest whisky distillery, this is smooth and pleasing on the palate and looks great too.

Bon Bon Bear, £30 Hamleys (www.hamleys.com) Every child needs a teddy as a best friend, so treat your little one to a bear from the World’s most famous toy shop. Bon Bon has glossy cream fur, a hand-embroidered face and the Hameys name embroidered on the sole of one foot. For Christmas, he also sports a fetching red bow tie.

Leather And Brass Book Cover iPad Case, £33.95 Zazzle (www.zazzle.co.uk) If you love old leather bound books and the look of PaperBlanks notebooks, this iPad case is great. In several different designs these are custom made with premium book cloth and finished with a glossy laminate. They hold the iPad securely and have rubberized edges so it doesn’t slip.

Constructive Eating Cutlery Set, £14 The Great Gift Company (www.thegreatgiftcompany.co.uk) Fussy eater? You’ll soon find your child likes to eat when you encourage them to play with their food! There’s a fork shaped like – of course – a forklift, a spoon that’s a front-loader truck and then there’s a bulldozer to help your child push food onto the fork or spoon. Just add truck noises!

A Gentleman’s Guide to Beard and Moustache Management, by Chris Martin, £5.99 Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk) If he’s gone all trendy Hoxton Man with a bushy beard and tufty moustache, make sure he knows how to groom with this tongue-in-cheek book. It does actually have some great tips on trimming, waxing and maintaining facial fuzz as well as a guide to famous hair celebrities from Marx to Des Lynam!

Frozen’s Olaf Money Bank, £21.75 The Rustic Rabbit (www.therusticrabbit.co.uk) The fans of Disney’s Frozen will love being able to save their pennies in this fabulous Olaf Money Bank.

Dimensions: 9.8cm x 12.8cm x 25cm, for ages 3+

Dad Dictionary Definition Personalised Mug, £9.99 The Gift Experience (www.thegiftexperience.co.uk) Define your dad with this Personalised Dictionary Definition Mug, contains both the real definition and in addition contains the additional roles a Dad may take on including, Taxi Driver, Bank Manager, Handy Man and general dogsbody.

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Panto’s & family shows A Christmas Carol Stockport Plaza Wed 4 – Sat 7 Nov. A brilliant, faithful musical adaptation of the classic story. 0161 477 7779 / www.stockportplaza.co.uk

Father Christmas Needs A Wee Parr Hall, Warrington Sat 21 Nov. A fabulously funny and brilliantly bouncy musical adaptation of Nicholas Allan’s much loved book.

01925 442345 / www.pyramidparrhall.com

The Snow Dragon Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Sun 8 Nov. Story-telling, comedy and songs create a magical, mysterious world for everyone aged 3+.

0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

Manchester Glee presents Northern Soul Z-arts, Hulme Sat 21 Nov. From Manchester’s Oasis hot footing it to Newcastle’s Billy Elliot via the Blood Brothers of Liverpool, Manchester Glee will take you on a musical journey celebrating all things northern. With pop, indie and show tunes don’t miss out on this one night only extravaganza! For all ages.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org

Our Teacher’s a Troll Z-arts, Hulme Sun 8 Nov. Two terrible twins with a talent for turmoil rule their school with terror and tyranny. That is, until the arrival of a new head teacher with green scaly skin, sharp gnarly fangs, and a long spiky tail.

Can the twins save the school from the child-eating troll? Can they get ‘Brussels sprouts in peanut butter’ taken off the school menu? And most importantly, can naughtiness prevail? For ages 7+ 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org The Falcon’s Malteser by Anthony Horowitz Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Mon 9 Nov. A hilarious family film noir pastiche following the adventures of the hopelessly inept private detective Tim Diamond and his sharp witted brother Nick. For ages 8+.

0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscentre.co.uk Christmas is Coming!

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Fri 11 Nov. Christmas music and carols with favourites for all the family to sing with all proceeds going to St Ann’s Hospice.

0161 907 9000 / www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Shiny The Lowry, Salford Sun 22 Nov. Join dancers from Turned On Its Head for their dazzling interactive show Shiny for ages 0 – 4 years. Watch and play as all that glitters unfolds before your very eyes.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com The Nutcracker Stockport Plaza Sun 22 Nov. Presented by the Russian State Ballet And Opera House, Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is an enchanting feast for the eyes.

0161 477 7779 / www.stockportplaza.co.uk Miracle on 34th Street Opera House, Manchester Mon 23 – Wed 24 Nov. One of the most popular films of all time comes to the stage, this heartwarming tale is one for all the family.

0844 871 3018 / www.atgtickets.com/manchester The Nutcracker Crewe Lyceum Theatre Wed 25 Nov. Presented by the Russian State Ballet and Opera House, this is one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions, and perhaps the most popular ballet in the world.

01270 368242 / www.crewelyceym.co.uk

Our Teacher’s A Troll Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton Fri 11 Nov. An outrageously entertaining show by the award-winning writer of the West End show Matilda the Musical. For ages 7+.

01298 72190 / www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk English Youth Ballet: The Nutcracker Buxton Opera House Sun 13 & Mon 14 Nov. Tchaikovsky’s much loved ballet is given a dazzling and colourful makeover as six professional dancers take on the principal roles with up to 100 local youngsters performing as soloists and corps de ballet.

01298 72190 / www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Romeo and Juliet The Palace Theatre, Manchester Thurs 26 – Sat 28 Nov. English National Ballet brings the world’s greatest love story to the stage.

0844 071 3019 / www.atgtickets.com/manchester

The Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie The Lowry, Salford Sun 15 Nov. Roll up; roll up, for the most magnifical, tremendible and fantasticulous experience in town!

The caravan of curiosities and its crew of mysterious misfits have arrived to entertain, amuse and beguile you.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com The Mermaid in the Gherkin Jar The Lowry, Salford Sun 15 Nov. This alluring piece of Physical Theatre tells the story of Christopher, a boy with a disability, struggling to find his place in the world. A charming, modern, award-winning fairy tale.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com You Can’t Stop The Beat Stockport Plaza Sat 21 Nov. An all singing, All dancing musical showcase by Kennedy’s School and College of Performing Arts.

0161 477 7779 / www.stockportplaza.co.uk

Sorry, Christmas is Cancelled...Katie Saves the Day! The Lowry, Salford Sun 29 Nov. An interactive seasonal treat! Help Father Christmas save Christmas for everyone.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com Christmas Carol Concert The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Mon 30 Nov & Tues 1 Dec. Join in singing traditional carols for all the family with choirs from hospitals in Manchester and surrounding districts who will be joined by choirs from Primary Schools around the area. In aid of CLIC Sargent.

0161 907 9000 / www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

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Our Gang 2015 Daneside Theatre, Congleton Mon 30 Nov – Sat 5 Dec. A “must see” musical extravaganza two years in the making. 100 young people and their leaders from the Scouts and Guides of Congleton bring to Daneside a unique action packed production full of colour, music, singing, dancing and comedy with something sure to appeal to all ages.

01260 271095/ www.congletongangshow.co.uk Salford Arts Theatre Barton Theatre Company Thurs 3 – Sun 6 Dec. A show packed with comedy, fun and laughter and a real fairy tale romance brought to you by Barton Theatre Company.

0161 925 0111 / www.salfordartstheatre.com Snow Queen Z-arts, Hulme Thurs 3 – Sun 6 Dec, Thurs 10 – Sun 13 Dec An experience that combines the everyday miracles of technology with puppetry and spirited human performances. For ages 7+.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org Dick Whittington The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester Fri 4 – Wed 30 Dec. A traditional Christmas Panto from Tip Top Productions.

01244 341296 / www.chesterpanto.org.uk Inkheart Library Theatre, Manchester Fri 4 Dec – Sat 9 Jan. A funny, thrilling and actionpacked UK premiere for families. For ages 8 – 14.

0161 200 1500 / homemcr.org/theatre

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Stockport Plaza Fri 4 Dec – Sun 10 Jan. Mirror Mirror on the wall…. where is the greatest panto of them all?! Starring Dean Sullivan (Brookside) and Kim Hartman (‘Allo, ‘Allo).

0161 477 7779 / www.stockportplaza.co.uk

© Tom Bangbala 2015

The Snowman Chester Cathedral Sat5Dec.The timeless film will be shown on a large screen accompanied by a live, professional orchestra. Plus the world premiere of animation by Tom Scott to accompany Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and a fun, Festive Guide to the Orchestra. A truly memorable experience for all ages, and a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to create lasting memories.

01244 324756 / www.chestercathedral.com Nantwich Civic Hall Santa’s Rusty Robot Sat 5 – Wed 9 Dec. A colourful show with lots of familiar songs for you to join in and children will even receive a present from the Big Man himself! www.nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk Cinderella Opera House, Manchester Sat 5 Dec – Sun 3 Jan. This classic rags to riches story sees Cinderella transformed from a put upon maid to her horrid Ugly Sisters, to the belle of the ball, with the help of her Fairy Godmother. Starring Torvill and Dean!

0844 871 3018 / www.atgtickets.com/manchester Beyond the Barricade at Christmas Buxton Opera House Sun 6 Dec. West End stars, along with their own ensemble of talented musicians, will recreate hits from shows including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Blood Bothers and many more.

01298 72190 / www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

The Hallé: Christmas Family Concert The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Sun 6 Dec. A fun-filled festive family concert, full of sing-alongs, jingle-alongs, seasonal surprises, orchestral antics and audience amazement.

0161 907 9000 / www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk Letters Through Your Door Lion Salt Works, Northwich Sun 6 Dec. The brand new family show from the 23-year-old BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominated musician and songwriter David Gibb. Packed full of catchy and toe tapping numbers, David takes an unusual look at everyday life through the medium of song, with themes ranging from the everyday to the surreal. 01606 275040 / www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk Moominland Midwinter Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Tues 8 Dec – Sat 2 Jan. The Moomins come to life on stage this Christmas in a show starring Moomintroll, Little My, Too-Ticky, The Hemulen, Snork Maiden and Moominmamma! Heart-warming, humorous and spell-binding, this is a wonderful Christmas show for all the family to enjoy together. For ages 5+ 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscentre.co.uk Hetty Feather The Lowry, Salford Wed 9 Dec – Sun 10 Jan. The Olivier Award nominated West End smash hit tours the UK following its sold out run in London. Thrillingly brought to life with live music. songs and circus skills.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com Mother Goose Wilmslow Guild, SK9 5HD Wed 9 – Sat 12 Dec. Wilmslow Guild Players’ Christmas pantomime is the best kept secret in Wilmslow - until now! But those in the know keep coming back year after year.

So join them this year - bring the family along to boo the baddies and cheer the goodies. It’s the best way to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit!

01625 520126 / www.wgp.org.uk Giselle The Dancehouse, Manchester Thurs 10 – Sat 12 Dec. This romantic ballet tells the story of a peasant girl, who dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another.

The Wilis, a group of supernatural women who dance men to death, summon Giselle from her grave and target her lover for death.

0161 237 9753 / www.thedancehouse.co.uk Mr Popper’s Penguins The Lowry, Salford Thurs 10 Dec –Sun 10 Jan. With songs, puppets and a family of performing penguins, this is a delightful musical adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater’s popular book. For ages 3+.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com Aladdin The Brindley, Runcorn Thurs 10 Dec – Thurs 10 Jan. A fantastic festive Pantomime starring Dean Gaffney (Eastenders and I’m A Celebrity) 0151 907 8360 / www.thebrindley.org.uk Aladdin Stiwt Theatre, Wrexham Fri 11 – Wed 30 Dec. Enough magic, sparkle and panache to keep everyone wanting more, with striking sets, sparkling costumes, and a laugh a minute script that will have you rolling in the aisle.

01978 841300 / www.stiwt.com Sleeping Beauty Salford Arts Theatre Fri 11 Dec – Sun 3 Jan. Come along to boo and hiss at the evil fairy godmothers she tries to thwart the handsome prince. Presented by the Salford Theatre Company. 0161 925 0111 / www.salfordartstheatre.com

Panto’s & family shows

Aladdin Buxton Opera House Sat 12 Dec – Sat 2 Jan. An upbeat, feel-good, family treat with Kelsey Beth Crossley (Emmerdale/ The Voice) as Princess Jasmine and James Holmes (Clive from Miranda) as Widow Twankey.

01298 72190 / www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Northwich Memorial Court Sat 12 Dec – Sat 2 Jan. Northwich’s biggest panto is back for a 5th year! With Edwina Currie as Wicked Queen Morgana, Bruce Jones (Coronation Street), Austin Armacost (Celebrity BB), and pre-recorded footage of Russel Grant as The Man In The Mirror. £1 off all tickets when you use the code SNOW WHITE FAMILIES! 0333 666 33 66 / www.antonbensonproductions.com Peter Pan The Grange Theatre, Hartford Sat 12 Dec – Sat 2 Jan. Big Brother Legend Nikki Grahame will take Northwich audiences to Neverland this Christmas in the role of Tinkerbelle, alongside X Factor singing sensation Christopher Maloney as the menacing Captain in Hook and premier pantomime performer, Danny Mill’ as the outrageous Mrs Smee.

0333 666 3366 / www.thegrangetheatre.com Cinderella Crewe Lyceum Theatre Sat 12 Dec – Sun 3 Jan. With Gareth Gates as The Prince. An abundance of comedy, stunning sets and fabulous costumes.

01270 368242 / www.crewelyceym.co.uk The Nutcracker Parr Hall, Warrington Sun 13 Dec, Presented by Vienna Festival Ballet, this fabulous ballet is a Christmas treat like no other.

01925 442345 / www.pyramidparrhall.com Warrington Male Voice Choir – Christmas Voices, Christmas Brass Parr Hall, Warrington Fri 18 & Sat 19 Dec. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the annual get together of the voices of Warrington Male Voice Choir, the brass sound of the world famous Leyland Band and audience participation in some traditional Christmas carols. With music to suit young and old, families and friends.

01925 442345 / www.pyramidparrhall.com

Santa’s Christmas Cracker Fri 18 & Sat 19 Dec This is the must-see show for families this Christmas!

0151 907 8360 / www.thebrindley.org.uk Dick Whittington And His Cat The Dancehouse, Manchester Fri 18 Dec – Sun 3 Jan. It’s Christmas and the road to The Dancehouse is paved with Panto Gold!

0161 237 9753 / www.thedancehouse.co.uk The Snowman Parr Hall, Warrington Sun 20 Dec. The timeless film will be shown on a large screen accompanied by a live, professional orchestra. Plus the world premiere of animation by Tom Scott to accompany Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” and a fun, Festive Guide to the Orchestra. A truly memorable experience for all ages, and a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to create lasting memories.

01925 442345 / www.pyramidparrhall.com The Snowman The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Tues 22 & Wed 23 Dec. A big screening of The Snowman, the animated classic by Raymond Briggs.

The film will be accompanied live by the Hallé performing Howard Blake’s beautiful score.

0161 907 9000 / www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk Snow Child The Lowry, Salford Tues 22 Dec – Sun 3 Jan. A wonderland of poignant, inventive storytelling to enchant children and families.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com Dick Whittington Parr Hall, Warrington Sat 2 – Sun 6 Jan. A fantastic family pantomime which is sure to delight kids and adults alike.

01925 442345 / www.pyramidparrhall.com Jack and the Beanstalk MADS Theatre, Macclesfield Wed 6 – Sat 9 Jan www.prestburypanto.org Babes In The Wood Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Fri 8 – Sun 10 Jan, Wed 13 – Sun 17 Jan A traditional family panto brought to you by Sale Nomads.

Full of Goodies to cheer and Baddies to boo and hiss.

0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscentre.co.uk Dick Whittington The Carver Theatre, Marple Fri 8 – Sat 16 Jan (excel Mon 11 Jan). From the sewers of London to the shores of Morocco...join our hero Dick Whittingon in this traditional family pantomime.

0161 449 8363 / www.carvertheatre.co.uk

Breaking The Ice Z-arts, Hulme Fri 18 & Sat 19 Dec. A show inspired by the true story of the unlikely friendship between a wild polar bear and a Husky. Be part of Team Polar Bear or Team Husky and watch as the animals learn to play together. Then get involved in the fun yourself by interacting with projected images that mirror your movements. For ages 2 – 5.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org

Keeping warm at the Chill Factore

Cinderella Daneside Theatre, Congleton Sat 9 – Sat 16 Jan. Jam-packed with music and dance, fun and laughter, a beautiful girl, a fairy godmother, a handsome prince, a glass slipper and, of course, two ugly sisters! Come see it – you’ll have a ball!

01260 271095 / www.danesidetheatre.co.uk

Now that the weather’s getting colder and wetter and the days are shorter, we’re all looking for indoor activities to amuse the family. Families team member Claire Hampson took her family along to the Chill Factore to see what was on offer at the Snow Park (the no skills just thrills area)…

We arrived excitedly at the alpine village to get togged up and ready for some fun. The artificial snow on the slopes, the chill in the air and the alpine mountain scenes on the walls make it feel like a real ski slope. There’s no need to worry about warm clothing as it’s all available to hire, and entry to the snow park gives you 60 minutes of awesome activities. There‘s the Luge Slip ’N’ Slide, where Callum aged 11, had a blast whizzing down the twists & turns of this slide built entirely from ice! Downhill Donuts was 9 year old Tilley’s favourite, riding the bumps of the tubing lanes in huge rubber rings, spinning around as she

sped down the slope. Sledge ‘O’ Mania was the adults’ highlight, with our family racing & wiping each other out on sledges to the bottom of the slope. We all laughed so much it hurt!!! The Snow Park is for ages 4+ (children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult). Mini Moose Land is designed for under 4’s, with an arctic adventure playground, where little ones can explore the hidden tunnels in the snow, find their way through the snow maze & whoosh down the slopes in mini inflatable rings. Also for older kids (age12 +), there’s snow scooting, combining snowboarding & BMX biking. It’s the latest craze!

After all that activity, we had delicious pizza & drinks which were reasonably priced, whilst sitting at the foot of the slopes watching beginners learning to ski & snowboard; great if you want to get your children interested in a winter holiday. The Snow Park provided us with a fabulous trip out that the whole family enjoyed together.

0843 596 2233 / www.chillfactore.com

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What’s on

Remember to check our What’s On Calendar on www.familiescheshire.co.uk regularly, as not all event information is available at the time of going to print.

BONFIRE & FIREWORKS DISPLAYS

Daily until 3 Jan

The Trafford Centre (Barton Square) Victorian Carousel Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm, Sun 11am – 6pm / £2.50 A real treat for children of all ages. www.intu.co.uk/traffordcentre

Daily from 1 November

National Football Museum, Manchester Pitch to Pixel: A World of Football Gaming 10am - 5pm / Free. Special Exhibition: An immersive gaming experience for all ages at the National Football Museum. Play the history of football games, and get closer to the games behind a global obsession. 0161 605 8200 / www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Wed 4 Nov & Wed 2 Dec

Thurs 5 Nov

Sat 7 Nov

Barrowmore, Chester Bonfire lit 6.30pm, Fireworks 7pm

Betley Court Farm Gates open 4pm, Bonfire lit 6pm, Fireworks 7.30pm. Funfair, food & drink. www.betleybonfire.com

Bowden Club Gates open 6pm, Children’s display 7pm, Bonfire lit 7.20pm. Main display 8pm, Grand Finale 8.45pm. Also amusements, children’s rides, BBQ’s and Licensed Bars. 0161 928 1358 / www. bowdenclub.com The Tytherington Club Gates open 5.30pm, Bonfire 6.30pm, Fireworks 7pm Funfair, foodstalls & refreshments.

01625 506000 / www.thetytheringtonclub.com Trafford MV RFCC 6pm. Bonfire, firework display, food & drink and a BBQ in a great family friendly atmosphere. www.pitchero.com/clubs/traffordmv Woodford Community Centre Gates open 6pm, Bonfire lit 6.30pm, Children’s display 7pm, Main display 8.45pm. Food, drink and a fairground.

0161 439 1651 / www.woodfordcom.com

Fri 6 Nov Elton Parish Field, Chester Gates open 6.45pm / Free entry. Bonfire lit 7pm, Fireworks 7.30pm. Tea, coffee, burgers and hot dogs for sale. www.1stinceandelton.org.uk/fireworks Prestbury Golf Club Bonfire lit 5.30pm, Fireworks 7.30pm Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port Gates open 4.30pm / Free but collection bucket at entrance. Funfair, entertainment, music, refreshments and stalls.

Chester Racecourse £5 (under 7s free) Fireworks, live music and a fun fair. Gates open 5pm, Toddlers display 6.45pm, Main display 7.30pm.

01244 304600 / www.chester-races.co.uk Congleton Park Gates open 5pm, Torchlight Procession and Bonfire lit 6pm, Children’s display 6.30pm, Main display 7.30pm. Fairground rides, stalls & refreshments.

Dodleston, Chester Lakes Gates open 5.30 pm, Bonfire lit 6.45pm, Fireworks from 7.15pm Huge marquee, bar and fairground attractions.

Haslington Cricket Club Gates open 6pm, fire lit 7pm. Full bar & catering available. www.haslingdencricketclub.co.uk Henbury Millennium Green, Macclesfield Gates open 5pm, Fire lit 5.30pm, Fireworks 6.15pm www.henburyvillage.org.uk Lymm Rugby Club Funfair rides for all ages, countless catering outlets, music, and a smaller, less noisy display for children earlier in the evening. www.lymmroundtable.co.uk Oulton Park, Tarporley A spectacular fireworks display after the Neil Howard Stage Rally, with plenty of off-track family-friendly entertainment throughout the day.

Under 13s free. www.oultonpark.co.uk

National Awareness Days Look out for some great local activities across the region in November and December and show your support where you can:

Road Safety Week Monday 23 – Sunday 29 November www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

Anti-bullying Month Monday 2 – Friday 27 November (Anti bullying week Monday 16 – Friday 20 November) www.antibullyingweek.co.uk

National Tree Week Saturday 28 November – Sunday 6 December www.treecouncil.org.uk/Take-Part/National-Tree-Week

BBC Children In Need Friday 13 November www.bbc.co.uk/corporate2/childreninneed

Wallace and Gromit’s Big Bake Monday 7 – Sunday 13 December www.wallaceandgromitcharity.org/event/ wallace-gromits-big-bake

Universal Children’s Day Friday 20 November www.un.org/en/events/childrenday

Festival of Winter Walks Sunday 20 December – Monday 4 January www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/festival-of-winter-walks

18 Families Cheshire | www.familiescheshire.co.uk

The National Football Museum, Manchester Tiny Team Talk 10.30am / Under 5s / £2 per child, booking advised A fun interactive story session developed especially for under-5s and their grown-ups. Each story includes puppetry and the chance to explore the museum.

0161 871 8145 / www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Thurs 5 Nov & Thurs 3 Dec

The John Rylands Library, Manchester Toddler Tales 10.30 – 11.30 / Under 5s / Free, drop in. Pull up a cushion in the cosy corner for great stories, songs and and other fun activities. 0161 306 555 / www.manchester.ac.uk/library/rylands Stockport Museum Arts & Craft Club 3.30 – 4.30pm / Ages 5 – 9 / £2, Booking essential Spend an hour after school being creative. www.stockport.gov.uk

Sat 7 Nov

Albert Square, Manchester Christmas Lights Switch On Free party to officially open six weeks of festive celebrations and attractions. www.visitmanchester.com Blacon High School, Chester CH1 5JH Big Baby & Children’s Market 10.30am – 12.30pm Admission Adults £1, Children Free www.cheekimonkeys.co.uk Wilmslow United Reformed Church, SK9 1PR East Cheshire NCT Nearly New Sale 11.15 – 1pm (11am for members) / £1 Good quality, lightly used children’s and baby’s toys, books, equipment and clothese at bargain prices. No pushchairs or bags. whatson@eastcheshire-nct.org.uk

Sat 7 Nov & Sat 5 Dec

The John Rylands Library, Manchester Children’s spookily gothic tour 11am – 12pm / Age 5+ / Free, Booking essential A fun behind-the-scenes tour of The John Rylands Library. 0161 306 555 / www.manchester.ac.uk/library/rylands

Mon 9 & Mon 23 Nov

National Football Museum, Manchester Let’s Play Toddler 10.30 - 11.30am / £3 per child - booking advised Physical activity and imaginative movement with songs.

The sessions are suitable for toddlers who are confident at walking up to 4 years. 0161 871 8145 / www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Thurs 12 – Sun 15 Nov

Event City, Manchester The Ideal Home Show at Christmas Everything you could possibly need for the yuletide season, from over 300 exhibitors showcasing Christmas shopping inspiration, a variety of celebrity and expert appearances and a range of festive features, including a Christmas bandstand sponsored

by Gocompare.com hosting live entertainment.

0844 209 7366 / www.idealhomeshowmanchester.com

Thurs 12 & Thurs 26 Nov

National Football Museum, Manchester Baby Moves 1.30pm / £3 per baby – booking advised. Get your little kickers into training with fantastic dance and movement sessions! Incredibly popular session for non-walking babies 0-12 months (and their grown-ups).

0161 871 8145 / www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Thurs 12 Nov – Sun 3 Jan

New Bailey, Manchester M3 5EN Ice Rink Mon – Fri: 3 – 9pm , Sat & Sun 10.30 – 9pm Open daily except Christmas day. Situated next to Spinningfields, New Bailey is the new home of the city centre’s biggest ice rink and a hub of festive fun, including fairground rides, family entertainment and tasty food offerings. 0161 8209718 / www.manchestericerink.co.uk

Sat 14 Nov The Tytherington Club, SK10 2JP Baby & Children’s Market 10am – 12pm / £1 (children free) Grab some bargains at our nearly new sale. An opportunity to purchase top quality pre loved baby and children’s items. Local businesses also attending showcasing their unique products and services for babies and children. For details of our 2016 markets in Sandbach & Macclesfield follow us on Facebook!

07834 686414 / Susanne@babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk / www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk

Sat 14 Nov

Glebe Farm, Astbury Christmas Food & Drink Festival 10am – 4pm/ Showcasing all the best local Christmas Fayre, this is a great opportunity to sample the best food and drink on offer locally and order your Christmas goodies! 01260 273916 / www.glebefarmastbury.co.uk

Sat 19 Nov

Lyme Park, Disley Xplorer orienteering Family fun exploring the park, find the markers and complete the challenge! Using a simple map, families can be active in the outdoors, be closer to nature and learn new skills too! 01663 762023 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park

The Old Sunday School, Macclesfield SK11 6UT Victorian Christmas 10am – 2pm / Drop-in Crafts: £2pp / Meet Father Christmas with gift: £4pp / Other activities: Free!

Discover the welcome of a Victorian Christmas with crafts, storytelling, hands-on activities and of course meet Father Christmas himself!!

01625 613210 / www.silkmacclesfield.org.uk

Sun 8 Nov

Fri 20 Nov

Trentabank Ranger Centre, Macclesfield Forest Bodge it at Trentabank 12 – 3pm / All ages / Free, drop in. Learn about the traditional craft of wood turning using a pole lathe.

01625 383700 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) Experitots: Things that Move 10.30am – 12pm / £1 (1 adult, 1 child), £2 per additional adult/child / Booking advised Creative activity sessions for under 6s using puppets and storytelling to help toddlers get the most out of the hands on science gallery, Experiment!

0161 833 0027 / www.mosi.org.uk

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiescheshire.co.uk Sat 21 Nov

Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Newstead Gallery) Samurai Saturday 2 – 4pm / Age 4 – 12 / Free, drop-in. Make an origami Samurai helmet, a Samurai peg doll, and your own Samurai sword. 0300 123 8 123 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sun 22 Nov

Winnington Park Recreation Club Northwich NCT Nearly New Sale 1.30 – 3pm (members 1pm) / £1 admission Quality, used children’s (0-11 years) and babies’ clothes, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, cots, prams/ pushchairs and nursery equipment.

08442436207 / midcheshire@nct.org.uk

Mon 23 Nov – Sun 20 Dec

Tatton Park, Knutsford Ding Dong Merrily Mansion 11am - 4pm / Adult £9.50, Child £5.50, Car park entry also applies. Spectacular displays reflecting different traditional Christmas carols, live classical music and tasty bakes.

01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sun 29 Nov

Morley Green Club, Wilmslow Mess Around Mega Mess Party 10.30am / Age 6 mnths – 5 yrs / £6.50 (siblings up to age 10: £3.50). Multi-sensory, tactile play experiences for 6 months - 5 years old. Big Kids Create & Make Corner for older siblings. www.messarounduk.com/cheshiresouthmcr Oakwood Farm, Styal SK8 4HY Meet the Longhorns 2 – 4pm / Free but advance booking essential A unique chance to meet Bollin Valley Partnership’s Longhorn cattle – all the bulls, cows and calves at close quarters in their winter housing. Find out how and why Longhorns are used to manage country parks. Children must be accompanied.

01625 374790 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Thurs 3 & 10 Dec

Hat Works, Stockport Mad Hatters Arts & Crafts Club 2 – 3pm / Under 2s / £5 (2 adults free with each child), Booking essential. An action packed hour of arts and crafts for young ones.

0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Chester (starts from Forum Shopping Centre) Winter Watch Parade 7pm / Free. A spectacular event based on Chester’s 15th century tradition of ‘Setting the Watch’, when the city leaders handed over the keys of Chester to the City Watch – the early police force – after processing around the city to ensure it was secure. Colourful costumes and a collection of characters provide a popular festive event. Celebrate Christmas with the Lord of Misrule, devils and dragons, dancing and sword fights, and a spectacular fire-breathing finale. 0300 123 8 123 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sat 28 Nov

Sat 5 Dec

Fri 27 Nov

Macclesfield Christmas Lights Switch on www.visitmacclesfield.co.uk Knutsford Christmas Lights Switch On & Reindeer Parade Kicking off the Christmas season in style with a fantastic assortment of community entertainment.

Reindeer Parade at 4pm bringing Santa along King Street into Canute Place. www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk Eaton Bank Academy, Congleton CW12 1NT Big Baby & Children’s Market 10am – 1pm / Adults £1, Children Free www.cheekimonkeys.co.uk Nantwich Civic Hall, CW5 5DG Big Baby & Children’s Market 10am – 12pm / Adults £1, Children Free www.cheekimonkeys.co.uk Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Newstead Gallery) Winter Watch Workshop 2 – 4pm / Age 4 – 12 / Free, drop-in. Make an Oni, a hideous, ogre-like Japanese devil with horns and wild hair, and then take part in Chester’s famous Winter Watch Parade on 3 and 10 December. 0300 123 8 123 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Prestbury CE Primary School SK10 4JJ Christmas Fair 1.30 - 4pm / Adults £2, Children Free. A fun afternoon for children and adults – shopping, games, tombola’s, festive food and drink as well as a giant snow globe and a little gift from Santa for each child.

01625 383033 / www.prestbury.cheshire.sch.uk Knutsford Lantern Parade Setting off just after dusk the streets will be lined with an array of lanterns lighting up the night sky as the parade processes through the town centre.

Competition for the best designed lantern! www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk St Michael’s Church, Chester Christmas at St Michael’s 11am – 3pm / Free drop-in. Carols, mince pies, hundreds of photographs to browse through – including a special display of Chester in winter – and lots of nostalgia! Also lots of children’s puzzles, a glittery card-making activity, and the chance to delve into your family history. 0300 123 8 123 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec

Lion Salt Works, Northwich Victorian Christmas 10.30am – 5pm / Free drop-in. Fun for all the family.

0300 123 8 123 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sat 5 & Sun 6, Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal A Victorian Christmas The Quarry Bank workers and apprentices have to finish their jobs before Christmas can begin. Can you help them get to the Christmas party? Meet Victorian characters and find out about customs from the past.

You can also visit Father Christmas and tell him what is on your list. Featuring illustrations by Catherine Jackman the artist behind An Apprentice Adventure.

01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank

Sat 5, 12 & 19 Dec

Chatsworth House, Bakewell Evening nativities in the Farmyard 6pm / Booking essential. Take the whole family along to farmyard nativity plays, starring Chatsworth’s own farm animals. Children (must be accompanied) who wish to dress up and participate can sign up for their parts on arrival.

01246 565300 / www.chatsworth.org

Wed 9 Dec

Grosvenor Museum (Lecture Theatre) A Victorian Christmas 7.30 – 9.15pm / £10, £8 concessions. A fun and festive celebration of the Yuletide in the time of our ancestors.. Join Blast from the Past for some of your favourite carols (with songsheets provided) as well as some lesser known but no less beautiful festive songs from the 19th century.

Includes a complimentary glass of wine and a mince pie for adults. 01244 972112 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Fri 11 Dec

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) Experitots: Celebrations 10.30am – 12pm / £1 (1 adult, 1 child), £2 per additional adult/child / Booking advised. Creative activity sessions for under 6s using puppets and storytelling to help toddlers get the most out of the hands on science gallery, Experiment!

0161 833 0027 / www.mosi.org.uk

What’s on Sat 12 Dec – Sun 3 Jan

Event City, Manchester Winter Wonderland Manchester Under 12s / Booking essential The UK’s largest Indoor Christmas Theme Park returns this year with new rides. Your ticket gives you four hours of non-stop fun and entertainment with all attractions included in the price. www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com

Sun 13 Dec

Prestbury Village Christmas Street Party 4 –7pm. Food, drink, shopping and loads of fun.

Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Macclesfield, SK10 2SL Christmas Crafts for Kids 11am – 1pm / Ages 5 – 11 / £3, advance booking and payment essential. A great family event making a variety of Christmas crafts with no tinsels or baubles in sight! Make mini reindeer and stars to hang from your Christmas tree. 01625 374790 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Thurs 17 Dec

Grosvenor Museum, Chester (Newstead Gallery) Saturnalia Parade Lantern Making 5.45 – 6.30pm / Free. Chester is back under Roman control for the night as the Roman legion lights up the streets with a torch-lit parade. Make your own lantern and join Roman Tours/Deva Victrix legion in a parade around the city to celebrate this festival Parade starts from Grosvenor Museum at 6.30pm 0300 123 8 123 / www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sat 19 Dec

Manchester Cathedral Family Carols Concert 7.30pm / Adult £10, Concession £8. Join the Manchester Cathedral Voluntary Choir for this concert of Christmas Carols, with a mix of both old and new music. The ticket price includes a glass of wine or soft drink and a mince pie.

0161 833 2220 / www.manchestercathedral.org

Sun 20 Dec

Tatton Park, Knutsford Stableyard Carols 3pm / Free, Car park entry applies Join in the Christmas carol singing with the King Edward Musical Society Band and choir in the festive setting of Tatton’s Stableyard. Shops will be open for last minute Christmas shopping and the Gardeners Cottage tea room and Stables restaurant will be open for coffees, lunch and afternoon teas.

Salt Line, Hassall Green CW11 4YB National Tree Week – Winter Tree Wander 10am – 12.30pm / Free but advance booking essential. Join the Salt Line Ranger for a walk along the Salt Line and around the Borrow Pit Meadows to explore facts, fiction, myth and legends surrounding many of the UK’s best known (and some lesser known) tree species. Children must be accompanied.

01260 297237 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Weekends from Sat 28 Nov – Sun 20 Dec

Lyme Park, Disley Christmas in the courtyard 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal entry applies Experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of a magical Christmas at Lyme in the beautiful courtyard.

Enjoy a Christmas trail around the garden. Listen to choirs, enjoy a cup of mulled wine and taste seasonal favourites from the shop.

01663 762023 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park

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