Upcoming events, things to do and businesses to support in Lymington and the New Forest
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Budgeting for Christmas
In the aftermath of this week’s Budget and as the ensuing debate and discussion continue, the Christmas season is also suddenly upon us. With it arrives also the annual urgency to choose Christmas cards (I’ve already received my first!), buy pretty Christmassy stamps before they run out, and start planning gatherings and gifts.
Most of us will overspend on Christmas, of course. But in an effort to keep costs under control, tomorrow’s Lymington Charter Market is a great place to begin — and so are the stalls at the Christmas Tree Festival. This wonderful and increasingly popular annual event is not only perfect for soaking up the atmosphere of the 'enchanted forests' of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, but also for picking up inexpensive decorations, lovingly made by members of the Friends of St Thomas’ Church.
The festival began yesterday and runs throughout today and tomorrow, with late opening this evening coinciding with the other Big Event taking place in town between 4 and 8pm: the eagerly anticipated Christmas Lights Switch On organised by Lymington and Pennington Town Council. Lots of local shops will be staying open for us, alongside stalls providing entertainment, food and drink - and the chance to meet Santa, of course. Lymington Town Band will be playing outside the United Reform Church, and here's a reminder of timings outside St Thomas Church:
- 4:30pm – 4:50pm Swish of the Curtain Theatre School – Lymington
- 5:00pm – 5:30pm Highcliffe Charity Players - Christmas medley
- 5:40pm – 6:00pm Lymington Choral Society – Community carols and blessing the crib
- 6:00pm – Christmas Lights Switch-On with the Town Mayor
- 6:00pm – 6:15pm St Thomas Church bell ringers
- 6:15pm – 7:00pm - The Fifinellas bring Christmas with a vintage twist
- 7:15pm – 8:00pm Christmas Jazz with Sarah Bolter
Photo credit above to the A&T ("one we did earlier" for those who remember Blue Peter). That's the crowd and the atmosphere to expect this evening - and the weather seems today to be set fair!
It (the weather) is however sadly playing havoc with some of our local Christmas events; having considerably dampened bodies as well as spirits at last weekend's Victorian Evening in Beaulieu, forecast heavy rain and strong winds are now responsible for the cancellation of tomorrow's Lions Club of New Milton & District Christmas Festival & Parade. There will though be a gathering around 4.45 under the Canopy at Boots, when Carla Rudkin-Guillen (local young Karate Champion) will switch on the Town Council lights.
And I'm told the winners of the New Milton and Lymington 'Best Dressed Windows' competition organised by the Lions are about to be announced; Lymington's 1st placed winners are being presented this evening just before the lights switch-on!
Whatever the weather though, Sunday's Festive Gift Fair at Chewton Glen should be safe - it's indoors...
And There's More...
I had the great pleasure last night of attending the first performance of this year’s Wild West–themed Pilley Panto, Pilley the Kid. It's absolutely hilarious - and also a complete sell-out. So I won’t go on about it now, because unless you’ve already got a ticket, I’m afraid you’re going to miss out!
There are lots of Christmassy events coming up though which are NOT yet booked up, not only those listed below but also many more on the full Events Calendar: do have a good scroll through them all!
Added this week to the Events Calendar for the two weekends before Christmas is BattleZone: The Great Grinchmas Heist with New Forest Activities: 'in a festive holiday clash, the Grinch has pulled off his most mischievous stunt yet, crash-landing Santa's sleigh and scattering his precious presents across the BattleZone! The invitation is extended to team up with Santa's merry band of Elves to recover Santa's gifts and rescue his sleigh to save Christmas, or side with the Grinches goons, determined to keep the loot and turn your holiday 'Grinch-tastic' green!'
A reminder if you're willing and able to 'dash' (at whatever speed) around next Sunday dressed as Father Christmas, to sign up for the Oakhaven Santa Dash!
And a reminder if you're inclined to make and bake and participate in some local village fundraising fun, to plan your entries for the East Boldre Christmas Show on Saturday 13 December - you can pick up entry forms at Chapel Stores. Also on 13 December there's a very special Golden Musical Gala in the historic setting of Beaulieu Abbey Church, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Countryside Education Trust, founded by Lord Edward Montagu in 1975. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by local musicians and singers, performing popular songs, instrumentals and poetry recitations.
Meanwhile next Monday is the first of Oakhaven's annual Light Up A Life services, including new venues Beaulieu and Brockenhurst, with each service promising a very special pre-Christmas hour of serenity and reflection in a beautiful setting. Details below.
Until next week then!
Best wishes Jane
Read the rest of this week's newsletter here
And check out What's On in the Diary of Upcoming Events!
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