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Monthly Archives: November 2009

Ness Gardens Lights up for Christmas: IllumiNESS

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Posted by Paul on November 20, 2009 – 5:09 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

The University of Liverpool’s Ness Gardens is inviting visitors to ’see the gardens in a different light’ this December as it celebrates Liverpool’s Year of the Environment. Solar powered lights, bio-fuel generators and a series of specially designed illumination displays will be used to light up the 64-acre award-winning gardens on the Wirral peninsula for an enchanting festive experience for the public to enjoy.

The displays will utilise the principles of ‘green technology’ by using solar powered lights and bio-fuelled generators to power the displays. In addition, some of the installations will use audio-visual displays to project images from over 100 years of the Ness Gardens archive. The event will also feature a 3-metre-high water curtain and dancing fountain.

IllumiNESS promises to be a spectacular finale for the Year of the Environment celebrations. It will run from 5.30pm – 9.30pm every night from Saturday 5 December to Sunday 13 December 2009. Tickets for IllumiNESS are only available to buy via the hotline 0845 241 7868; Advanced tickets: adults £12, concessions £10, child £8, family ticket £38 under 3 years are free.

Visitors can also stock up on Christmas dinner luxuries, stocking fillers and unusual gift ideas a Christmas market offering the best of Cheshire and Wirral produce as well as seasonal refreshments will be hosted alongside the stunning light show creating a very special night out.

Packed Christmas programme for Edinburgh

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Posted by Paul on November 20, 2009 – 4:59 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

Christmas in EdinburghEdinburgh’s Christmas is gearing up for a bigger, better and more exciting programme than ever before. In addition to the much loved ice rink, giant wheel and fairground, the city will come alive in an explosion of light, colour and sound with dancing fountains, a massive snow globe, balletic acrobatic displays performed inside a giant inflatable dome and appearances from electroglide angels and an extraordinarily realistic lifesize animatronic polar bear.

Edinburgh’s Christmas 2009 kicks off at 10am on 26th November 2009. All new and existing attractions will be open all day launching this year’s extensive festive programme:

Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets

Traditional German Christmas Market
• Mound precinct
• Thursday 26 November – Thursday 24 December
• Open 10am everyday

Traditional Highland Village Christmas Market
• East Princes Street Gardens
• Thursday 26 November – Monday 4 January
• Open 10am everyday;
• Christmas Day – Closed; Boxing Day 11am; New Year’s Day 12pm

The Ethical Christmas Fair
• Castle Street
• Saturday 12 December – Sunday 20 December, Opening times 10am – 7pm daily (except Sunday, 10am – 5pm)

Edinburgh’s Farmers Markets
• Castle Terrace
• Every Saturday, 9am – 2pm (except 26 Dec, 2 Jan)

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland Ice Rink & Bungy Snowdome
• East Princes Street Gardens
• Thursday 26 November – Monday 4 January
• Open 10am every day
• Except Christmas Day – Closed; Boxing Day 11am; New Year’s Day 12pm

The Edinburgh Wheel & Christmas Fair (Flying Carousel, Carousel, Helter Skelter & Kids’ Fair)
• Princes Street Gardens, by the Scott Monument
• Open 10am every day except Xmas day – Closed

PLUS, BRAND NEW FOR 2009: Sparkle into Christmas

Sparkle into Christmas is the four day extravaganza launching this year’s Christmas programme.

Info below is relevant unless stated:
• Princes Street
• Thursday 26 November – Saturday 28 November
• From 10am every day

The Edinburgh Sparkles Fountains – Every 15 minutes – NEW
Bursting into action every fifteen minutes with movement and light synchronised to music – a stunning spectacle to literally bring Princes Street to life.

The Edinburgh Sparkles Snow Globe – NEW
Get yourself in the picture with this totally snow-tastic giant snow globe. With snow swirling around inside, you can throw some snowballs and have your memento picture taken in the coolest place in town.

Forth One Live Broadcast between 10am and 2pm – NEW
A real treat for music fans when the popular Forth One will broadcast their mid-morning show live from Princes Street on the first morning of Edinburgh’s Christmas.

26 November only
A Bear Called Bjorn – performances at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm – NEW
Beautiful animated life-size puppetry brings to life Bjorn the polar bear with realistic sounds and movements. This is a show to amaze children and adults of all ages.

Big Rory – performances at 11am, 2pm, 6pm – NEW
The ever popular Big Rory, a 10ft high Scotsman, will be stepping out to do a bit of Christmas shopping and keeping up the festive cheer on the streets.

Lost Elves – performances at 10am, 12pm, 4pm – NEW
Two cheery chaps with their own reindeer and some witty banter will be wandering around the streets looking for Santa and the way back home.

Lighting Edinburgh’s Norwegian Christmas Tree – 5.15pm
• The Mound

Norwegian Carol Concert – 7pm
• St Giles’ Cathedral

27th November only
Enchanted Snow Globe – Tumbellina – performances at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm – NEW
This beautiful and romantic performance of snow, light and dance takes place within a giant snow globe on Princes Street – a stunning performance by professional dancers.

Hark! – performances at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm – NEW
These Angels have been wowing audiences wherever they go and they really are the perfect Christmas act. With beautiful movement, fully illuminated costumes and absurd humour, The Angels Dave, Jeff, Lee and Wayne make any event unforgettable.

Saturday 28th November only
Homecoming 2009 Art Car Parade – NEW
• 3pm on display at Parliament Square
• 5pm depart 5.40pm (approx) arrival at St Andrew Square Garden

A first for Scotland, this electrifying spectacle will feature illuminated customised vehicles of all shapes and sizes being pushed, pedalled and driven from the Royal Mile to St Andrews Square Gardens.

Sunday 29th November only
Nativity Carol Concert
• St Andrew Square Gardens
• 4pm lasting approx 40 minutes

Nativity Scene
• St Andrew Square Gardens
• Sunday 29 November – Monday 4 January

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa!

This year the gardens will open from 10am on 12 December in readiness for Santa’s arrival in the evening after the Lantern Parade. After that the gardens are open every day, with regular visits from our favourite bearded friend.
• West Princes Street Gardens
• 12th December-23rd December, 10am-6pm
• Daily visits from Santa 1pm and 4pm from 13th December.

The popular Igloo Café will operate daily.

Royal Blind Children’s Lantern Parade – Free Event – NEW
• Ross Bandstand
• 12 December, Gather 3.30pm, parade leaves 4.30pm
• In support of Royal Blind and its ongoing work to Light up Lives

New this year is a delightful opportunity for children to welcome Santa with an atmospheric and illuminating Lantern Parade. Starting at the Ross Bandstand, the parade includes children from Edinburgh’s schools who have created their special lanterns.

The Lantern Parade is free to watch or you can come and collect a glow stick to take part. The event is in support of Royal Blind and its ongoing work to Light up Lives. www.royalblind.org

Additional entertainment on the day:
Balloonatic – NEW
These mischievous elves decorate people with incredible hats, giant costumes and make hilarious balloon toys that get everyone laughing. They are a charming and wonderful balloon-art act that will help transform any event into a bright and exciting place to be.

Hoop La La – Santa’s Spectacular – NEW
A hoop extravaganza perfectly themed for Christmas celebrations, the trio perform their amazing acro-balance and hula hoop act with classic Christmas songs, many original moves and comic touches. A high-energy, technically skilled, tongue-in-cheek number performed in cheeky Santa costumes.

The Great Scottish Santa Run
• West Princes Street Gardens
• Sunday 13 December 11am, registration opens from 10am
• Charities – When You Wish Upon a Star and Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids

Flooding in Kendal, Cumbria

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Posted by Paul on November 20, 2009 – 4:27 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Kendal floodAs many of you know, UKseries.com HQ lies in the auld grey town of Kendal. And, if you didn’t know where that was… you probably do by now if you’ve been watching the news at all. It’s a wonderful town on the edge of the Lake District in South Cumbria and we’ve been getting more than our fair share of rain lately. There was significant flooding yesterday as the River Kent burst its banks. Today, although we’ve had some rain, has seen the river level fall a little but we have a very interesting 24 hours ahead as the Met Office is a predicting a clear night followed by heavy rain throughout Saturday and heavy showers on Sunday.  Wish us luck!!!

Picture of the day: Cheddar Caves and Gorge

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Posted by Jennifer on November 20, 2009 – 9:00 am
Filed under Attractions

 

Today’s picture of the day is of the Cheddar Caves and Gorge in Somerset.  Visitors will find two beautiful caves; Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave.  They are illuminated which enhances the breathtaking colours and you can listen to audio-guides whilst you explore the fascinating sights.  You can also take a walk underground, visit Cheddar Mount and the Cannibals museum.  Humans were said to occupy the caves for over 40,000 years.

Britain’s 10 greenest cities

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Posted by Paul on November 19, 2009 – 9:38 am
Filed under Miscellaneous

Newcastle-upon-Tyne has come out on top in Forum for the Future’s annual study which looks at the sustainability of Britain’s 20 biggest cities, measuring factors such as air quality, wildlife and quality of life.  Bristol, which topped the list last year, was pushed down to second place and Brighton and Hove came third. Here’s the top 10:

  1. Newcastle
  2. Bristol
  3. Brighton and Hove
  4. Leicester
  5. London
  6. Leeds
  7. Edinburgh
  8. Nottingham
  9. Sheffield
  10. Cardiff

Useful links:
UK hotels
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Picture of the day: Blackpool Grand Theatre, Lancashire

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Posted by Jennifer on November 19, 2009 – 9:00 am
Filed under Attractions

Today’s picture of the day is of Blackpool Grand Theatre in Lancashire and is one of the most historical buildings in the North West.  It is open all year and offers drama, opera, dance, comedy, musicals, variety and pantomime.  Visitors can also enjoy an interesting guided tour.

Christmas magic in Maritime Greenwich

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Posted by Paul on November 18, 2009 – 3:11 pm
Filed under Events

A magical lantern procession and Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 27th November 2009 will kick start an exciting programme of festive events in Maritime Greenwich as the World Heritage Site takes on a special atmosphere.

Explore the famous market and quirky shops, packed full with Christmas treasures; meet Santa and his helpers in their grotto; enjoy a Christmas concert or superb musical pantomime and see a new ‘window’ opening each day as the living Advent Calendar is revealed. Or simply relax and unwind in the many pubs and restaurants around the town, many now serving special Christmas menus.

Greenwich Lights Up

The fun starts in Greenwich Market with a backdrop of live music, free family entertainment and children’s workshops from 3-7pm on the 27th. Santa and his elves will be in their grotto with a Christmas gift for every child from 12.30-7.30pm (£3 at the door) and you can enjoy a warming glass of hot mulled wine and mince pies while shopping and waiting for the lantern procession to arrive – a stunning event not to be missed.

Everyone is welcome to dress up warm and join the procession, which will be led by the cast from Greenwich Theatre’s Mother Goose pantomime, the Mayor of Greenwich Councillor Allan MacCarthy and a brass band. It departs from the Old Royal Naval College in the town centre at 4pm but be sure to arrive by 3.50pm latest. The lantern procession will weave its way through the town centre with lights magically appearing overhead as it proceeds to Greenwich Market for the grand finale and eagerly awaited ‘lights switch- on’ at 4.30pm by the pantomime cast.

Greenwich Market & Santa

Greenwich Market is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5.30pm. In addition from Wednesday, 9th December 2009 there will be a special Christmas Market trading every day right up to Christmas Eve and on 27th, 28th, 30th and 31st December (closed 1st January 2010). The 3rd and 9th December will also be special late night shopping evenings with extra treats for everyone, when the market and shops will remain open until 9pm on the 3rd and 7pm on the 9th. Shoppers can soak up the special atmosphere while browsing the stunning array of stalls all offering unique and interesting gift ideas; the market is also home to a quirky collection of interesting and unusual shops open seven days a week with 8pm closing for many on Thursdays. Choose from jewellery, handbags, fashions, beauty treats, collectors’ items, speciality food gifts and arts and crafts made by local designer makers.

Santa will also be in his magical grotto at 5b Greenwich Market over the weekends of 5 – 6, 12 -13 and 19 – 20 December from 11.30am to 5.30pm, apart from occasional breaks to feed Rudolph and his other reindeers.

Living Advent Calendar

For the third year St Alfege Church is behind the creation of a living Advent calendar in the town centre. Shops, homes, schools and pubs will be brought alive by 24 unique Advent windows in the lead up to Christmas, based on this year’s theme, ‘Cast Away the Dreams of Darkness’. A newly decorated window will be ‘opened’, on each day of Advent (1st to 24th December 2009) in different parts of Greenwich and remain on view until 2nd January 2010. The Greenwich Tourist Information Centre at 46 Church Street is launching the programme on 1 December offering mince pies and mulled wine throughout the day.

The church will also be hosting a Christmas Nativity Play for the entire family from 10am on Sunday, 20 December while the same evening from 6.30pm all are invited to join the congregation for the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Pantomimes, Concerts and Star Gazing

Reuniting last year’s cast, Greenwich Theatre’s annual pantomime ‘Mother Goose’, will run from Tuesday, 1 December to Sunday, 3 January 2010 with Andrew Pollard writing another superb script and taking part as The Dame. The hilarious, all singing all dancing show will delight adults and children alike. Contact the box office for performance times and to book tickets, which start from £10; family tickets are £55.

Events at the Old Royal Naval College include a Christmas concert in the Chapel on Sunday, 6th December 2009 (7-10pm) in support of Save the Children. All are invited to come along and join in the festive carol singing with the Chapel Choir, James Grainger (organ) and brass directed by Sean Farrel. Tickets from £10.

From Saturday 5th to Wednesday 23rd December, enjoy a cosmic Christmas at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich where London’s only planetarium will be running a ‘Christmas Stars’ show. Explore the planets, stars and constellations visible in the December night sky or, for an unusual experience, book a ticket for a festive stargazing session.

Finally, wherever you are in Maritime Greenwich keep a look out for a Golden Egg treasure hunt voucher, which you can take along to any participating shop to collect a delicious choccy golden egg. And remember to enter the Christmas competition to win tickets to Mother Goose, a planetarium ‘Christmas Stars’ show or a Christmas hamper packed full with seasonal goodies.

Christmas in Hastings and 1066 Country

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Posted by Paul on November 18, 2009 – 3:02 pm
Filed under Events

With only 36 shopping days until Christmas, now is the time to shun the crowded high street stores and head down to Hastings & 1066 Country in East Sussex for some original gift hunting in beautiful surroundings. Here’s just a taste of what’s on offer this Christmas time.

Affordable antiques and collectables are a speciality of picturesque medieval Rye and a new Antiques Trail leads you to some of the best. On your way round you can judge for yourself which shop window is best dressed for this year’s theme of ‘Pantomime’. The astounding success of last year’s Christmas festival is bound to be repeated when it bursts into life with ‘A Magical Event’ on 5 December. Father Christmas arrives led by the children’s lantern procession and the evening culminates in the lighting of the tree at The George Hotel, accompanied by a spectacular firework display. Celebrate this special evening with a glass of bubbly at the new champagne bar in the Rye Lodge Hotel. For more quiet contemplation, visit the church of St Mary the Virgin to gaze at the stained-glass image of the Wise Man by Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones, which appears on this year’s 90p Christmas stamp.

In the shadow of Battle Abbey, built on the site of that most famous of skirmishes in 1066, the shopkeepers of historic Battle dress up for their evening of late night shopping on 10 December, welcoming customers with mulled wine, hot mince pies and carol singing. Festive Falconry at Battle Abbey on the 21 & 22 November and 12 & 13 December re-creates the role of royal falconers and hawkers at Christmas time in Plantagenet England. As is the case in Rye, even the local council scrooges get into the Christmas spirit with free parking during some weekends in council-run car parks in Battle too.

A distinct lack of chain stores is also a feature of beautiful Hastings Old Town. Here you’ll find culinary delights such as home smoked fish at Rock-a-nore Fisheries, Sussex cheeses at Penbuckles or mouth-watering organic pastries at Judges Bakery, run by Green & Black’s Craig Sams and Jo Fairley. You can spend hours browsing through fun, quirky collectables and works by nationally and internationally acclaimed local artists, while further along the seafront, Norman Road, St Leonards is rapidly becoming known as Portobello on sea. The Queen’s Square open-air ice rink in Hastings town centre will keep the children occupied.

Venture further afield and you’ll find yourself transported to a traditional Edwardian Christmas at Bateman’s, the former home of Rudyard Kipling, where visitors are welcomed every weekend in December. Great Dixter House and Gardens opens the gates of its magnificent property for its fourth spectacular Christmas Fair, held for the first time in the medieval Great Barn. These are two unique opportunities to see the gardens of both properties out of season and cross a few more gifts off your list into the bargain.

During each December weekend, picture-book Bodiam Castle offers the chance to meet the Snow Queen, Jack Frost and, of course, Santa in his medieval grotto. The castle comes to life during two Saturday twilight sessions with festive music and twinkling lights. At the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, all the family can enjoy ‘A Grand Night Out with Wallace and Gromit!’

1066 Country is the perfect place to find gifts for those special people in your life, while treating yourself to a well-deserved break at one of our many five star gold accommodations. There are plenty of top quality restaurants and teashops too for when you feel the need to take the weight off your feet. And, if it all gets too much, you can always escape for a brisk walk along the beach.

Famous Scottish village under threat

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Posted by Paul on November 18, 2009 – 1:39 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

A Scottish coastal village made famous by the cult film ‘Local Hero‘ is under threat of a landslide.  The village of Pennan featured in the 1983 Burt Lancaster film and receives a steady stream of visitors wanting to see the pub and phonebox that featured in the film.  But now a 25m fissure has appeared on the clifftops above the village and there are concerns that a landslide could follow. A section of the cliff may have to be removed and residents of the village have been told to pack their bags in preparation for an evacuation. Only two years ago, Pennan was hit by mudslides.

Picture of the day: Hunstanton Beach, Norfolk

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Posted by Jennifer on November 18, 2009 – 9:00 am
Filed under Attractions

Today’s picture of the day is of Hunstanton Beach in Norfolk.  It is nicknamed “Sunny Hill” because of the stunning sunsets that can be seen here.  Visitors can enjoy an array of attractions which include donkey rides, amusements, sports, crazy golf and a funfair.