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EVERY TUESDAY VISITOR DAYS Waterworks Museum, Hereford Broomy Hill, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 0LJ. Whatever the weather, we have something to offer all visitors including family groups with children. The Waterworks Museum traces the history of drinking water from the cave-dwellers up to the present day through wonderful working engines, superb display panels, guidebooks and films and the knowledge shared by the Museum’s volunteers. Classified by English Heritage as “a site of clear national importance”, the Museum is home to the oldest working triple-expansion steam engine in the UK and probably has the widest range of working pumps and engines. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks are available from the cafe. Dogs may be admitted to the Museum grounds on a leash, but for the safety of other visitors this is always at the discretion of Museum staff. Dogs are not permitted in the Museum buildings or the Noel Meeke Heritage Water Park (with the exception of Assistance Dogs). £5

UNTIL 17 DECEMBER SANTA TRAINS Let the festive magic begin! It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Santa is coming to the Severn Valley Railway – plus, mischievous elves Jingle and Jangle are joining him for more festive fun! Meet a pair of Christmas characters at our beautifully decorated station at Kidderminster, then travel by vintage steam train in reserved seats to Arley and see your favourite characters in an all-new pantomime. After being entertained by Jingle, Jangle and friends, you’ll re-board the train where a present for each child awaits. Suitable for all ages. Your ticket includes: Steam train ride in your reserved compartment / table from Kidderminster to Arley and return Access to our all-new pantomime, featuring Santa, elves Jingle & Jangle and NEW character. Sweet treat for all passengers Travel mug and hot drink for adults Cold drink for children Premium gift for every child Festive activity book for all children. www.svr.co.uk

UNTIL 23 DECEMBER VISIT SANTA AT OAKCHURCH Children of all ages and their families are invited to visit Santa in his grotto in the run up to Christmas at Oakchurch Farm Shop, Staunton-on-Wye. With the help of his friends from Hereford Lions Club Santa will be arriving at Oakchurch Farm Shop on Saturday 19 November and will be in residence there every weekend between 11am and 4pm and every afternoon during the week before Christmas, right up to Friday 23 December. There’s no charge to visit Santa but visitors are welcome to make a small donation which will go to local charities supported by the Hereford Lions Club. Appointments to see Santa can be booked on the Oakchurch website at www.oakchurch.net. You will be asked to make a refundable £5 payment per family to guarantee your time slot. Pre-booking is essential. Oakchurch Farm Shop is at Staunton-on-Wye, just 10 minutes from Hereford on the A438 Brecon Road, open 7 days a week with lots of free parking for cars, sleighs and reindeer.

UNTIL 24 DECEMBER THE GRINCH LIVE SHOW & SANTA’S GROTTO Enchanted Kingdom, First Floor, Maylord Shopping Centre, Hereford, HR1 2DT. After 4 years… THE GRINCH IS BACK! Step into the Enchanted Kingdom this Christmas for what is set to be our biggest and baddest experience yet. Join The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and Max The Dog - on an all singing, all shouting (at anyone that enjoys Christmas) adventure. If you enjoy fun, frolics and a spot of verbal abuse from everybody’s favourite meany… Then this is the experience for you. After the show you will have the chance to meet the characters, before heading through one family at a time for that all important magical moment with Santa Claus. All children will receive a special gift. THIS EVENT WILL BE A SELL OUT - All 4000 tickets were sold out by the end of October last year and with this being our final farewell at the Enchanted Kingdom we really advise booking early to avoid disappointment. www. enchantedkingdomhereford.co.uk

UNTIL 02 JANUARY IT’S CHRISTMAAAS! AT HANBURY HALL This Christmas, we’re turning back the clock for a nostalgic trip to the late twentieth century, inspired by rumours of wild and vivacious house parties at the Hall in the 70s and 80s. Get a blast from the past as you explore the house dressed for the Christmas we all remember: a riot of colour, with bright lights, baubles and tinsel galore! And whilst you’re here why not have a reminisce over your favourite toys from the era or dander around listening to all the Christmas number ones? You never know, you might spot Father Christmas having a snooze in front of the television! Admission prices apply to this event, free for National Trust members.

UNTIL 03 JANUARY FAMILY NATIVITY TRAIL Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR1 2NG. Pick up a free leaflet from the Welcome Desk at Hereford Cathedral, as you arrive and follow the trail around the cathedral to find the different parts of the nativity story. Answer the questions as you go around, take the highlighted letters from your answers and you will be able make a festive word at the end of the trail! Once you’ve found the answer, take your sheet to the Cathedral Shop or Welcome Desk to claim your sticker!

01 - 04 DECEMBER WORCESTER VICTORIAN FAYRE The Victorian Fayre was first started back in 1992 by traders from picturesque New Street and Friar Street. The Fayre may have grown a lot but it has stayed true to its traditional roots with plenty of Victorian themed characters, festive treats and a wonderful atmosphere. This year there will be almost 200 stalls across the city centre, selling local arts and crafts, delicious street food and gifts. As well as a wonderful array of stalls, we are looking forward to a fantastic programme of entertainment. Look out for Victorian characters in Gin Lane, lofty entertainers on stilts, brilliant musicians on our stages and buskers on every street corner. There really is something for everyone and we hope you have a wonderful time! Come along and see all the fun festivities for yourself, support local businesses and take part in one of the highlights of the Midlands’ festive calendar.

PAINT-YOUR-OWN-POTTERY Museum of Royal Worcester, Severn St, Worcester WR1 2ND. Bring the kids or come along with friends and enjoy creative festive fun in the Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio. Choose from a festive range of bisque, such as baubles and decorations, money boxes, mince pie plates, mugs, bird boxes, and picture frames, to make personalised gifts. We are open every week Thursday to Sunday and over Christmas and New Year. Discover our festive opening times and book at www. museumofroyalworcester.org

02 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS IN THE LINK Join us from 4pm-7pm for an evening of late night shopping with a warm glow of Christmas spirit.The community of Malvern Link warmly invites you to celebrate Christmas in the Link, an evening of carols singing, Santa’s Grotto, festive stalls, late night shopping with local independent businesses, children’s craft activities, charity tombola and a Christmas tree light switch on.Local choirs and groups with be spreading festive joy and all are welcome to sing along!The United Reformed Church Hall will offer facilities and host various activities to keep you entertained, so please pop in and say hello! Malvern Link, your local independent shopping and service hub, we are here all year round…not just for Christmas!

FATHER CHRISTMAS FRIDAYS Forge Mill Needle Museum. £5 a child to include a gift from Father Christmas. Have a go at a Christmas craft, complete our Christmas trail around the site and visit Father Christmas in his grotto. www.forgemill.org.uk

02 - 04 DECEMBER CRAFTWORKS Elmslie House, WR14 3AG. An exhibition and sale of jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass and metalwork created by twenty local designermakers. Opening times Friday: 4pm – 7pm, Saturday: 10am – 5pm. Sunday: 10am – 4pm

BROMYARD CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL St Peter’s Church Church Lane Bromyard HR7 4DZ. A fantastic display of Christmas Trees creatively decorated by local businesses and community groups in the beautiful surroundings of St Peter’s Church in

Bromyard. If you would like to sponsor a Christmas tree to be part of a display in the aisles of St Peter’s during a weekend of colour, music, mulled wine and more! The trees, available in two sizes (2-3ft and 4-5ft), can be adorned with your chosen themed decorations. There are prizes for the best decorated trees. Once the Festival is over you can choose to keep your tree or allow it to be sold to raise further funds for the causes. 3.30pm -6pm. Children £9.50, Adults £2.00

03 DECEMBER TENBURY TOWN BAND CHRISTMAS CHARITY CONCERT Regal Tenbury Trust49 Teme StreetTenbury Wells, WR15. Tenbury Town band presents its annual Christmas concert where we give the proceeds to charity. Come along and get your Christmas season off to the very best start with a fabulous mix of Christmas music with a few additional acts to entertain you. 7pm-9:45pm.

THE MISTLETOE FESTIVAL Come along for the traditional crowning of the Mistletoe Queen, stalls, music, Mistletoe ceremony, workshops and more. Don’t miss this free family day out. 10am. FREE. www.tenburymistletoe.org

COLWALL MISTLETOE FAIR Colwall Mistletoe Fair will be outside Colwall Provisions (Walwyn Road) all morning with our mulled apple juice, cakes and mince pies offering: mistletoe in decorated bunches and balls; wreaths, holly and fir cones; all manners of jams, jellies and chutneys (and some honey); Colwall Apple juice and preserves; lip balms and gardener’s hand balm; fruit leather and dried apple rings; various handmade crafts (robins, snowflakes, lavender bottles etc). Do come and stock up with presents for your friends and relatives. Another opportunity to buy preserves and juice and other orchard related cards and books.

FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL Kingtons annual food and drink festival features the very best of what the borders has to offer, With this annual festival hitting its 15th year we can now boast over 100 stalls hand picked to give the best variety of producers from charcuterie to patisserie to fresh meat including lamb, pork and goat to chocolate, to oil’s and then find the perfect kitchen wear to cook it in. This years festival is spread over 5 different venues from the market hall and coach house to the kington centre at the opposite end of the high street and this year we are lucky enough for one of the venues will be sponsored by the now famous White Heron cassis based just a few miles up the road with their pop up cocktail bar certainly one to visit to keep those December chills away. With a fabulous festive feel and atmosphere, great music and vibe, this winter foodie delight is spread over five venues. For more information contact kingtonfoodfest@gmail.com or telephone 01544 231202

03 & 04 DECEMBER H. ART CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION Christmas Exhibition at 2 Stable Cottages in Bromsberrow, Ledbury HR8 1RT. Jewellery, Paintings, Mosaics, Textiles, Sculptures, Papier Mache, Miniature Teddy Bears. Work by Helen Crawford, Anita Davies, MissFire, Ardyn Griffin, Victoria Harrison, Janis Waldron. 11am-4pm Refreshments available

VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS Barton Court, Colwall Herefordshire WR13 6HN. Father Christmas will be staying in The Clock Tower at Barton Court this December, and would like to meet as many children as possible. Meeting Father Christmas is by appointment only (he’s a busy man). You and your child will get a private audience with Father Christmas in the sitting room and the chance to meet him up close. The Clock Tower is very small so a maximum of 4 – 2 adults and 2 children – can go in at the same time. Each child MUST be accompanied by an adult. The cost of meeting Santa is £10 for 1 child and includes a photo opportunity, a small gift chosen at random from his sack and a satsuma. £10.00 for 1 child, £17.50 for 2 children

03 - 16 DECEMBER SANTA’S GROTTO St Michael’s Hospice, Bartestree, Hereford HR1 4HA. Visit Santa’s Grotto at St Michaels Hospice, the journey starts in the Christmas Café where children can collect a fun quiz sheet before families descend the twisted slope down to the grounds below and get their first glance of the Winter Lights. The fairy-lit path takes families to the Naughty Elf Garden, Sleigh store, Reindeer stables – complete with singing reindeer, and Gingerbread village. As you pass through the light tunnel you’ll meet the elves, who will exchange quiz sheets for gold coins. The elves will escort you to the Grotto where Santa will be waiting to meet you and hear your Christmas wish list! The entire family are welcome to say hello and a photographer will be taking professional pictures that are available for you to view on the St Michael’s Hospice Facebook page. After you meet Santa you’ll enter the toy

For more information on all classes contact: Debbie on 07969 065414

www.steppingupperformingarts.co.uk

store where each child will be able to choose from a vast array of gifts; there really is something for everyone. Slots are limited! Book early to avoid disappointment.

04 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS SPARKLE CONCERT Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR1 2NG. Begin the Christmas season with the return of Christmas Sparkle at Hereford Cathedral, an organ concert performed by Peter Dyke, featuring all the festive favourites on Saturday 3 December. Admission is free, with a retiring collection. All proceeds from donations will aid Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust and the maintenance of the Father Willis Organ. Please book online via the website or contact events@ herefordcathedral.org 01432 374251 Accessibility Information: If you require details on accessibility, please contact events@herefordcathedral.org

07 & 14 DECEMBER YEAR OF PRAYER LANTERN WORKSHOP Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR1 2NG. In partnership with Hereford Diocese, Hereford Cathedral will be holding three family lantern making workshops in preparation for the Diocesan Year of Prayer launch, which takes place in January. Using willow and paper mache you will construct and decorate lanterns to be used in the Festival of Light service which takes place on Saturday 7 January 2023 at 4.30pm at the cathedral. Children must be accompanied at all times. 08 – 11 DECEMBER PAINT-YOUR-OWN-POTTERY Museum of Royal Worcester, Severn St, Worcester WR1 2ND. Bring the kids or come along with friends and enjoy creative festive fun in the Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio. Choose from a festive range of bisque, such as baubles and decorations, money boxes, mince pie plates, mugs, bird boxes, and picture frames, to make personalised gifts. We are open every week Thursday to Sunday and over Christmas and New Year. Discover our festive opening times and book at www.museumofroyalworcester.org

09 DECEMBER FATHER CHRISTMAS FRIDAYS Forge Mill Needle Museum. £5 a child to include a gift from Father Christmas. Have a go at a Christmas craft, complete our Christmas trail around the site and visit Father Christmas in his grotto. www.forgemill.org.uk

10 DECEMBER WYO & WYSO WINTER CONCERT St Martin’s Church, London Road, Worcester, WR5 2ED. Concert by Worcestershire Youth Orchestra and Worcestershire Youth String Orchestra, showcasing a variety of music performed by our talented Severn Arts young musicians. Tickets will also be available on the door: Adults - £5.00, students, over 65 years, unemployed – free 5:00pm – 7pm We want as many Worcestershire children as possible to benefit from taking part in musical activity. This is why we are building a music fund for families who can’t afford the full cost of music lessons and instrument hire. Donations LABELS FESTIVE FAMILY FUN DAY Labels Shopping, J4 M50, Ross on Wye. Making December one to remember with a day full of fun for all the family, the last of Labels events for 2022 in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance. Christmas Market, Breakfast with Maac & Film* Gift Wrapping Service in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance Wreath Decorating* – book in-store FREE Kids Craft Letters to Santa Jessica Rose Photography*

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET Leominster Tourist Information Centre, 11 Corn Square, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 8YP. Step back in time and join us for a truly Dickensian adventure at the Leominster Victorian Christmas Market on 10 December 2022, 10am-4pm. Corn Square, Broad Street and the town centre will be filled with stalls selling handmade and locally produced gifts, food and drink for your loved ones. Enjoy street food, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts or why not go for a horse and carriage ride around the town. Let yourselves be entertained by Punch and Judy, Morris dancers, live seasonal music, fairground organs, the sound of traction engines and don’t be surprised if you spot real Victorians in the streets and alleyways.

12 & 13 DECEMBER CATHEDRAL ESCAPE ROOM Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR1 2NG. Hereford Cathedral are excited to announce the launch of their new Escape Room: an immersive clue-cracking and decoding game, hosted in the Old Chapel in the Cloisters. The Escape Room was developed as part of the Eastern Cloisters Project which was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other donors. Get a team together and book a session to test your skills. The experience lasts 1 hour and is suitable for groups of up to six people, costing £45 per session. Groups of under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is available on selected days throughout the year. It is 1890. You have been accused of embezzling money from the Vicars Choral funds. The police have been called and they are on their way. You have been shut in the Old Chapel until the police arrive and you have just one hour to work out who has committed the crime. If you can successfully convince your guard that you are innocent, you will be released before the police arrest you… Can you prove that you are innocent? £45.00 per group. Also taking place on 16th & 20th December.

14 DECEMBER WINTER WALKING TOURS Join us for a guided walking tour of the Clent Hills this winter. Discover nature, beauty and history at the Clent Hills on a guided wintery walk with one of our experienced volunteer guides. You’ll learn some of the fascinating stories and traditions of the Clent Hills and what wildlife and plants call it home. Adult£5.00 Child £2.50 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Christmas is a magical time of the year, and the best part of Christmas, we think, is the gift of giving. Here’s our top gifts on our Santa wish list.

‘Inspired by the Archive’ Stocking-fillers If you love art and design, you’ll want to take a look at the Museum’s NEW exclusive gift range of stationery products featuring designs from the Museum’s archive of pattern designs and factory artist sketches and drawings. Premium quality products include hardback journals, notebooks, picture magnets, shopper pads, and bookmarks as well as a series of six notecards. These unique gifts showcase the design skills of Royal Worcester artists, from botanicals and flowers, to cats and art deco vases.

Hot chocolate mugs Who doesn’t love a new Christmas mug, especially one that’s filled with hot chocolate. The Museum shop holds a large collection from Wrendale, adorned with the cutest creatures, from the Christmas Kisses hare to a beautiful red breasted robin. Perfect for the animal lover in your life.

Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Kits Why not order a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Kit with a seasonal bisque, paints, brushes, sponges and instructions. All you need to do is paint your design and then return it to the Museum to be glazed and fired. You can also paint pots at the Museum itself, and if you book before the 12th December you’ll have your item back in time for Christmas.

A bedtime story for grownups and children Why not treat your favourite book worm. Choose from a range ‘Stuff every Coffee Lover should know’’ for budding baristas, ‘The Philosophy of Tea’ and ‘Hello Design’ for creative youngsters.

Christmas vouchers Tricky to buy for? Maybe a stunning embossed voucher for an amount of your choice could be perfect. Vouchers can be used in the Museum shop for vintage and contemporary Worcester porcelain and for Museum entry and experiences, such as Paint-Your-Own-Pottery or afternoon tea served on Royal Worcester.

FESTIVE LATE NIGHT STUDIO OPENING The Fold, Bransford. Come along to The Fold’s festive late night studio openings for mince pies, mulled wine and special late night festive offers.Shop for unique, handmade, eco-friendly gifts from local artists, designers and makers at The Fold. All welcome! 5pm – 8pm.

15 – 18 DECEMBER PAINT-YOUR-OWN-POTTERY Museum of Royal Worcester, Severn St, Worcester WR1 2ND. Bring the kids or come along with friends and enjoy creative festive fun in the Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio. Choose from a festive range of bisque, such as baubles and decorations, money boxes, mince pie plates, mugs, bird boxes, and picture frames, to make personalised gifts. We are open every week Thursday to Sunday and over Christmas and New Year. Discover our festive opening times and book at www. museumofroyalworcester.org

17 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS FOR THE KIDS Whitbourne, Worcester, WR6 5SG. This December, wrap up warm and head into Longfield Wood for an enchanting Christmas experience. Follow our magical trail to find Santa’s grotto in a secret glade and discover our farm friends along the way. Head into our cosy, candlelit grotto as a family and enjoy an intimate meeting with the big man. Each child will receive a thoughtful gift. Filled with Christmas joy, head back to Crumplebury to warm up. The fire will roar, chef will be cooking delicious farm treats over flames on the Sunken Terrace, the bar will be open and there will be homemade cocktails and local ales a plenty. In the Grand Hall, you will find a fabulous Christmas market with gifts, homemade decorations and edible treats galore. 3pm - 9pm. Crumplebury will be open to all guests from 3pm., Tickets are required for all guests on the woodland walk and Santa experience. Dress up in warm waterproof clothing. It can be so chilly in the woods. Those guests, who would prefer to skip the woodland adventure are welcome to head straight to Crumplebury and enjoy the indoor festivities. £30.00. www.crumplebury.co.uk/event/ christmas-for-the-kids/

CHRISTMAS FAIR Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR1 2NG. Over forty stallholders will be in Hereford cathedral on Saturday 17 December for their annual Christmas Fair. Featuring homemade produce, handcrafted items and plenty of gift ideas. At 12 noon there will be carol singing in Cathedral Close. Free Entry. 17 & 18 DECEMBER HAY CASTLE CHRISTMAS FAIR Hay Castle Oxford Road Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DG. Handmade Christmas Fair with over 40 stalls full of everything Christmas. Come along and join in the merriment, enjoy a glass of mulled wine, and visit the Snow Queen in Hay Castle on the 17 & 18 December. Free Entry to the Castle. For all stall booking inquiries, please contact claire@showcasing-wales.co.uk

18 - 21 DECEMBER POWICK COMMUNITY CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERTS Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Jennet Tree Lane, Callow End, WR2 4TY. Powick Community Choir will be joined once again by the fantastic string chamber orchestra led by Shulah Oliver. Concerts take place in the chapel at Stanbrook Abbey hotel. Bring your family and friends to make this the most fabulous start to the Christmas season. There will be a retiring collection for charity. Tickets £12.

21 DECEMBER CATHEDRAL LEGO CLUB Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR1 2NG. Test your skills at creating crazy constructions and super structures with Lego. Enjoy this freestyle Lego session in the South Transept with thousands of bricks and hundreds of mini figures, learn building techniques and make new friends! This after-school session lasts 1 hour and is free to attend. Cathedral Lego Club is appropriate for anyone aged between 8 and 14. Free Event.

22 - 24 DECEMBER PAINT-YOUR-OWN-POTTERY Museum of Royal Worcester, Severn St, Worcester WR1 2ND. Bring the kids or come along with friends and enjoy creative festive fun in the Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Studio. Choose from a festive range of bisque, such as baubles and decorations, money boxes, mince pie plates, mugs, bird boxes, and picture frames, to make personalised gifts. We are open every week Thursday to Sunday and over Christmas and New Year. Discover our festive opening times and book at www. museumofroyalworcester.org. Event also takes place 27 December - 1 January.

06 – 15 JANUARY ST MICHAELS HOSPICE CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION If you’re buying a real tree in 2022, St Micheals Hospice are taking the pain and hassle out of recycling it this January and are doing the hard work. Done to support the local community and any donations given on collection, helps to pay for essential patient care at St Michael’s. Contact them for the postcode collection day.