Biddy Prepares for Christmas

• Pudding made. Check. 

• Cake made. Check. 

• .......And that’s about as far as I’ve got. 

I am certainly not one of those organised souls with presents bought and wrapped by Halloween.

However, the Christmas plans in Newbury have clearly been underway for some time as there is a multitude of exciting events about to start. 

First off is late-night shopping in the town on Thursdays from 28 November – ideal for me as once we hit December, I like to shop midweek and avoid the Saturday crush. And to make the weekend of 28–30 November even more special, the Racecourse Newbury will be in Northbrook Street with entertainment for the little ones and something liquid for the grown ups – and a chance to win tickets for the Hennessy Festival.

Saturday 30 November is extra special this year – not only is Santa Claus coming to town to switch on the lights but what I am even more excited about is the prospect of the Christmas Market in Newbury, opening in Victoria Park on the same day. I’ve been to the Christmas Market at Winchester several times and loved it, so to have one in Newbury will be an absolute joy. I can almost smell the gingerbread and mulled wine ... now that really is a good way to get into the Christmas spirit! Beyond that I’m not going to give the game away ... if you haven’t been to a Christmas Market before, it really is something you need to go and experience for yourself.

Other late-night shopping Thursdays promise lots to look forward to as well: several shops will be offering special incentives and discounts on 5 December, and others will provide a luxury gift-wrapping service; on 12 December, championed by Newbury Building Society, there is going to be a ‘festive sing-out’ when choirs will be performing around the town centre, and everyone can join in; and on 19 December there will be ice sculptors in town, which is sure to be a really unusual and seasonally chilly spectacle on the last late-night Thursday – just perfect in the lead up to big day.

A couple of added bonuses – the pedestrianized areas will be pedestrianized longer on late-night Thursdays, up until 8pm, so you can stroll and enjoy the shops without having to worry about traffic. And there will free parking at several of the carparks from 5–8pm too (Parkway, Camp Hopson, Kennet Centre and Northbrook multi-storey). Which I think leaves all the more to spend on a little Christmas treat for ... me!

Biddy x