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Primary Times Leicestershire Winter 2017

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54,000 copies for families of<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> School Children<br />

<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />

& Rutland<br />

Celebratory 100 th Issue<br />

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR<br />

27 NOV <strong>2017</strong> - 28 JAN 2018


Dear Reader<br />

Welcome to the Christmas Issue<br />

of <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong>.<br />

It’s our 100th Issue and it’s that most wonderful time of the year too, so<br />

there’s lots to celebrate! It’s an exciting time of year and there is plenty<br />

to do to keep you entertained. You’ll find lots of fantastic events and<br />

activities in our What’s On Guide, many of them are free, so pop along<br />

and join in the fun.<br />

Santa is making many appearances around the region, so why not visit<br />

him at Sunnyside Garden Centre, Beaumont, or Tropical Birdland? We’ve<br />

made a list of where Santa will be before Christmas Day so finding him<br />

couldn’t be easier!<br />

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a Panto or a play and you’ll<br />

find something to entertain the whole family in our Box Office listings.<br />

Whether you go to see Robin Hood, Beauty And The Beast or Dickens<br />

classic A Christmas Carol, you’ll have a of fun. Oh yes you will!<br />

As usual there are some amazing competitions to enter as well. You<br />

could win Family Tickets to see Robin Hood at Loughborough Town<br />

Hall, or Beauty and The Beast at De Montfort Hall, or tickets and socks (!)<br />

for Boost Trampoline Parks. Crivens! Be sure to enter and you could be<br />

a winner!<br />

Finally, everyone at <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> wishes you all a joyous festive time,<br />

and a wonderful 2018. We’ll see you next year for more fun ideas, events<br />

and competitions!<br />

Don’t forget, to let us know if there’s something<br />

exciting happening at your school, you can<br />

email us at sam@schoolspublishing.co.uk<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Team<br />

4-5 News<br />

6-19 WOW<br />

14-15 Christmas Crackers<br />

20 Box Office<br />

22 Competitions<br />

Calling all<br />

families<br />

and teachers!<br />

Remember to send in<br />

your news for our news<br />

pages – we would love<br />

to hear from you!<br />

Don’t forget<br />

to visit us<br />

online at<br />

www.primarytimes.net<br />

/leicestershire<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />

Leicester<br />

...the UK’s biggest, free ‘what’s on’ magazine for parents!<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> <strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland, Schools Publishing Limited, Unit 1A,<br />

Thamesview Industrial Estate, Newtown Road, Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG9 1HG.<br />

Tel: 01491 411848 Fax: 01491 411416 www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

Editor: Marion McAdam marion@schoolspublishing.co.uk<br />

Assistant Editor: Sam Shepherd sam@schoolspublishing.co.uk<br />

Sales: Helen Pattinson ptleics@schoolspublishing.co.uk Tel: 01491 411848<br />

Production: Niki Ince-Green productionpt@schoolspublishing.co.uk<br />

Design: Nathan Pretlove nathan@winterhilldesign.co.uk<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> is independently published and distributed free through national primary schools in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland. It aims<br />

to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses, attractions and give teachers, pupils<br />

and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or by joining in the competitions. It is NOT our<br />

intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically biased material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which<br />

we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of your children. <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> would like to<br />

thank all of the schools in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland for their assistance in distributing the magazine and or their contributions to its<br />

contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported the publication and therefore made it possible. Please<br />

support their endeavours when and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced<br />

by our studio remains with <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> or with the relevant contributor. <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> is currently publishing 59 titles and over<br />

2.7 million copies per issue under franchise licenses throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. All advertisements are accepted<br />

in good faith and on the same basis that the advertised goods and services are as stated in the advertisement.<br />

CONTENTS<br />

Every year <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> asks children to create the picture for our<br />

Christmas Card. This year we received a sack full of wonderful entries<br />

and we would like to thank you all for taking the time to draw, colour,<br />

paint and glitter your designs for us!<br />

The overall winner of the<br />

competition is Holly Zheng’s,<br />

aged 6 from Garnetbank<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> School in Glasgow who<br />

will receive 50 Christmas cards<br />

made up in her design of Santa<br />

next to a Christmas Tree.<br />

We were so overwhelmed by<br />

the standard of entries that<br />

we have also decided to award<br />

two runner up prizes who will<br />

also receive 50 copies of their<br />

designs made into cards, they<br />

were:<br />

(Igloo) Sahaib Parvez, aged 10<br />

from Cambuslang, Glasgow<br />

(nativity) Florence Holt,<br />

aged 6 from Radley <strong>Primary</strong><br />

School, Abingdon.<br />

Everyone that entered was a winner.<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 3


LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND NEWS<br />

leicestershire&rutlandnews<br />

It’s our. . .<br />

Do you have news to celebrate? We’d love to hear! Email sam@schoolspublishing.co.uk<br />

100 th Edition!<br />

Thank you<br />

all for your support<br />

and we look forward to the next 100!<br />

Boost Trampolines Parks Leicester is<br />

opening its doors at the Mercury Place<br />

building in the city centre late <strong>2017</strong><br />

The old Print Hall where the newspaper was made for many years has<br />

been transformed into the newest attraction for Leicester; ready to<br />

welcome everyone. Boasting an Interactive Climbing Wall, Basketball<br />

Hoop, Trapeze, Wipeout, Battle Beam, Cardio Wall, Extra Large Foam<br />

Pit and loads of trampolines for<br />

you to enjoy. We also have an<br />

extensive café viewing area and<br />

an under 5’s soft play unit too!<br />

Are you ready?<br />

Take a peek at our new funhouse at www.boosttrampolineparks.<br />

co.uk or www.facebook.com/boosttrampolineleicester/<br />

Wear a Funky Scarf Day is Charity Link’s<br />

annual dress up day<br />

Simply funk up your scarf and give a donation to help improve the<br />

lives of individuals and families in need across <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. The<br />

day is designed to be great fun but also has a serious message - as<br />

many of the people that Charity Link helps can’t afford to keep<br />

warm over winter. The day is perfect for schools, workplaces, or<br />

for groups of family and friends to join in. Cake sales, raffles or fun<br />

scarf themed activities all add to the spirit of the day. Charity Link<br />

has balloons, leaflets and school and workplace packs for those<br />

interested in supporting the day.<br />

Visit www.charity-link.org/funkyscarfday<br />

Loughborough Santa Fun Run <strong>2017</strong> –<br />

3 December<br />

Run, walk or stroll with over 1500 Santas in this 5K fun event - starting<br />

and finishing in the town centre.<br />

Join the tide of spectacular Red Santas & special guest Leicester City<br />

Football Club Blue Santas<br />

• Free Santa suit & medal for all finishers<br />

• Fund raise for your chosen charity<br />

• Best dressed festive dog competition<br />

• Live music & Panto characters<br />

£13 adults / £6.50 children<br />

Kindly sponsored by Loughborough Building Society and supported<br />

by Charnwood Borough Council & Love Loughborough.<br />

Enter online --> www.santa-fun-run.co.uk<br />

4 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


Brocks Hill Country Park<br />

& Centre<br />

Washbrook Lane, Oadby, LE2 5JJ<br />

Tel: 0116 2572888<br />

Come and enjoy the great outdoors with den<br />

building, dedicated play areas, orienteering<br />

and great walks. Warm up and fill up back<br />

inside in the cafe. www.brocks-hill.co.uk<br />

https://facebook.com/BrocksHillCountryPark<br />

The<br />

Reading<br />

Shop<br />

...helping children to<br />

success since 2001<br />

Skilled one-to-one<br />

tuition for children<br />

who need extra<br />

help in reading<br />

and spelling<br />

For further information<br />

about classes telephone<br />

0116 2720005<br />

07973 952879<br />

www.thereadingshop.co.uk<br />

“<br />

Free entry and parking<br />

Brocks Hill<br />

Country Park<br />

We saw it<br />

in <strong>Primary</strong><br />

<strong>Times</strong><br />

“<br />

Please mention to our<br />

advertisers that you saw<br />

their advert or listing in<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong>!<br />

Created by Freepik<br />

ig – a healthy eating story<br />

‘ig’ is a children’s book where healthy eating is at the<br />

heart of the story. It was created by Jake Attree and<br />

Matthew Callaby, two<br />

friends who believe<br />

that books can be good<br />

for children’s bodies as<br />

well as their brains.<br />

Successfully crowdfunded<br />

through<br />

Kickstarter where it<br />

was named one of the<br />

site’s ‘Projects We Love’,<br />

the book follows the<br />

story of a giant called Ig<br />

who’s too big to live in<br />

the woods that he has<br />

to live on top of them<br />

instead. But he’s not up there by himself. Living on top<br />

of him, in a town on his tummy, are his pals the Igglees.<br />

When Ig wakes up<br />

feeling a bit under the<br />

weather one morning<br />

the Igglees need to<br />

pull-together to work<br />

out how they’re going<br />

to make him better, but<br />

can they do it before he<br />

sneezes the town into a<br />

big mess..?<br />

The book comes free<br />

with a recipe card so<br />

that children can make<br />

the same tasty, healthy fruit smoothie (plus two more)<br />

that the characters do in the story. It’s available from<br />

igthebook.co.uk and NotOnTheHighStreet.com.<br />

Competition winner from our October edition<br />

Kai Swanson won the Abbey Bonfire and Fireworks competition<br />

Light up a Life gives people the chance<br />

to remember loved ones at special<br />

service held at LOROS this Christmas<br />

The event, which is this year taking place on Sunday 3rd<br />

December, gives everybody, regardless whether they<br />

have experienced LOROS or not, the chance to come<br />

together and remember someone.<br />

Visitors have the opportunity to sponsor a light on the<br />

Hospice’s Christmas tree, with the lights being switched<br />

on at the service. While the service will be taking place on<br />

the Hospice grounds, outside, the Hospice will be open<br />

for those that wish to visit the chapel.<br />

Those wanting to sponsor a light can now donate online<br />

up until 27th November, if they want their loved ones<br />

name added to the Remembrance Book too.<br />

As well as a light being lit up in memory of loved ones,<br />

the name of that person will be added to our Book of<br />

Remembrance, which will be placed in the LOROS chapel<br />

for visitors to view over the festive period.<br />

This year’s event takes place on Sunday 3rd December,<br />

in the Hospice grounds, the service starts at 4.30pm.<br />

About the National<br />

Child Measurement<br />

Programme<br />

Children in Reception and Year 6<br />

will soon have their heights and<br />

weights measured by a trained health<br />

professional as part of the National Child<br />

Measurement Programme (NCMP).<br />

Your child doesn’t have to take part,<br />

but it’s important that as many children<br />

as possible do participate, as the<br />

information helps inform decisions about<br />

local leisure and health services.<br />

Children are sensitively measured in a<br />

private area at school, wearing their own<br />

clothes. The results aren’t shared with<br />

members of school staff or with pupils.<br />

A few weeks afterwards, the results are<br />

sent to your home address in an envelope<br />

marked ‘private and confidential’.<br />

With one in three Year 6 pupils and one<br />

in five Reception pupils being classed as<br />

either overweight or very overweight,<br />

it’s hard for parents to recognise that<br />

their child is overweight – after all,<br />

they may look similar in build to their<br />

friends. However, children who are very<br />

overweight in primary school can struggle<br />

to maintain a healthy weight as adults,<br />

and will be at greater risk of devolving<br />

health problems such as type 2 diabetes,<br />

heart disease and certain cancers.<br />

If your child is overweight or very<br />

overweight, you’ll be sent some<br />

information about small lifestyle changes<br />

you can make as a family, plus details<br />

of local Family Lifestyle Club (FLiC)<br />

programmes you can join. Most children<br />

who are underweight for their age are<br />

perfectly healthy, but there will be a<br />

contact number you can call with any<br />

concerns.<br />

For more information, including some<br />

frequently asked questions, visit the<br />

parents section of www.healthforkids.co.uk<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue


WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

If you are looking for more inspiration,<br />

there are many more events on our website<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

27 Nov - 23 Dec<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland<br />

Rand Farm Park LN8 5NJ<br />

www.randfarmpark.com<br />

Rand Farm Park transforms into a beautiful<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland from 25th November.<br />

Meet Santa, train in Elf Academy, walk through<br />

the Enchanted Forest, see real reindeer and so<br />

many more magical activities. Only £15.95 per<br />

Child, booking essential!<br />

27 Nov - 24 Dec<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland<br />

Bosworth Water Park CV13 6PD<br />

www.christmas-tree-farm.co.uk<br />

Friezeland’s Enchanted Walk Brand New for<br />

<strong>2017</strong>! Take a wonder through our magical<br />

forest walk, meeting Santa’s friends along<br />

the way. Reindeers, the gingerbread family<br />

& more will greet your family along<br />

the wintery path whilst you make<br />

you way to the man himself!<br />

Bring your camera, there will be<br />

opportunities for an amazing<br />

festive family photo along the<br />

way. At the end of the walk your<br />

children will be greeted by Father<br />

Christmas in his warm grotto for a chat and of<br />

course a gift, but it reserved only for the ones<br />

that have been good boys & girls this year!<br />

Don’t forget to<br />

say you saw<br />

it in <strong>Primary</strong><br />

<strong>Times</strong>!<br />

Father Christmas at Beaumont<br />

Beaumont Shopping Centre LE4 1DS<br />

www.beaumontshopping.net<br />

Once again we are bringing the magic of<br />

Christmas to Beaumont with Santa’s grotto and<br />

his team of elves. Bring your little ones to meet<br />

Father Christmas himself and receive a special<br />

gift from him and his helpers. Pre-booking is<br />

available or you can attend by visiting on the<br />

day - please note that the grotto is likely to<br />

be busy throughout the Christmas period, so<br />

arrive early to avoid disappointment.<br />

Gates Garden Grotto<br />

Gates Garden Centre LE15 7QB<br />

www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk<br />

Santa visits Gates Garden Centre every year<br />

from the end of November right up until<br />

Christmas Eve and, once again, Santa has<br />

brought along his live Christmas reindeer for<br />

you to meet! Stroll through a magical winter<br />

wonderland before visiting Santa in his<br />

Grotto, where all good girls and boys will be<br />

invited to meet the Elves and choose a special<br />

Christmas gift.<br />

The Christmas Experience<br />

West Lodge Farm NN14 2SH<br />

www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk<br />

Visit Father Christmas in his magical<br />

workshop, receive a gift to tide<br />

you over until the big day, walk<br />

through the elves village, make<br />

magical reindeer food to take<br />

home, take a ‘donkey selfie’ with<br />

our two gorgeous donkeys Arthur<br />

and Donny, take part in the live<br />

Nativity play, star alongside the farmyard<br />

animals and sing our favourite Christmas<br />

carols, plus all the usual fun at the farm.<br />

29 Nov<br />

Fatstock Show<br />

Market Place, Uppingham<br />

LE15 9QH<br />

www.discover-rutland.co.uk<br />

The fantastic Fatstock Show! Champion pigs,<br />

sheep and cattle are primped and preened for<br />

this event held in the Market Square. Rutland<br />

farmers proudly showed off the best of their<br />

stock with the aim of encouraging people<br />

to buy British and support the industry. One<br />

of the most prestigious events in the town’s<br />

calendar and is without a doubt “a jewel in<br />

Rutland’s crown”.<br />

29 Nov - 03 Dec<br />

NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters<br />

Loughborough University Tennis Centre<br />

LE11 3GG<br />

www.wheelchairtennismasters.com<br />

Come and see all the best players from around<br />

the world coming to compete, including<br />

Paralympic medallists and Grand Slam<br />

champions, and the event will be streamed<br />

live by the BBC.<br />

1 Dec<br />

Christmas Lights Switch On<br />

Melton Mowbray Town Centre LE13<br />

www.melton.gov.uk<br />

Santa’s will be parading down Nottingham<br />

Street at 4.00pm with Trumpton before he<br />

takes residence in his magical grotto in the<br />

Market Place until 8.00pm.<br />

Switch On at 6.45pm with the cast of Melton<br />

Theatre’s panto followed by a firework<br />

spectacular.<br />

Continued on page 9...<br />

100 th Issue<br />

6 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


Merry Christmas<br />

and a Happy New Year<br />

from all of us at<br />

<strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />

WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

WINTER WONDERLAND<br />

Join us this December for lot’s of festive fun. Grab a lantern and take a magical stroll down to Santa’s Grotto<br />

visiting all of his fairy friends along the way, visit our amazing Snow Queen in her Ice Cave plus much, much more…<br />

ADMISSION £1.50 each Under 2’s FREE • VISIT SANTA £7.50 Per Child with Present<br />

2nd, 3rd,9th,10th,16th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd December <strong>2017</strong> 4-8PM<br />

EXTRA CHARGES APPLY TO SOME ACTIVIES LIKE THE SNOW QUEEN<br />

Please note this event is not Pre-Bookable<br />

And don , t forget our Fairy Walk To Santa<br />

If you aren’t keen on the hustle and bustle of queues, take a look at our pre -bookable<br />

fairy walks to Santa, various dates throughout December www.tropicalbirdland.com<br />

TROPICAL BIRDLAND, LINDRIDGE LANE, DESFORD, LE9 9GN 01455 824603<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 7


8 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


1 Dec - 3 Dec<br />

Melton Victorian Fayre<br />

Melton Mowbray Town Centre LE13<br />

www.victorian-fayre.co.uk<br />

This years entertainment includes: Morris<br />

dancers, Town crier, Victorian street beggars,<br />

Falconry, Shire horse, Pinxton puppets, rare<br />

breed animals, Ice Sculptor sponsored by The<br />

Melton Building Society, Snow Queen, Plus<br />

much much more<br />

1 Dec - 5 Dec<br />

Christmas Tree Festival<br />

St Mary’s Parish Church LE13 1AE<br />

www.melton.gov.uk<br />

This is the largest Christmas Tree Festival in the<br />

country with over 220 organisations taking<br />

part and over 1340 magical trees. Close to all<br />

the town parking, refreshments served in the<br />

Church. Groups Welcome<br />

1 Dec - 24 Dec<br />

Christmas at Belton<br />

Belton House NG32 2LW<br />

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton<br />

Visit Father Christmas in his winter grotto or<br />

enjoy breakfast or supper with him in the Ride<br />

Play Café during December. Please note that<br />

it’s essential to pre-book tickets to meet Father<br />

Christmas at Belton.<br />

The elves have been busy creating a<br />

comfortable winter grotto for families<br />

to visit Father Christmas at Belton.<br />

No visit, of course, is complete<br />

without first saying hello to<br />

Mother Christmas<br />

1 Dec - 26 Jan<br />

Roller Skaters Club<br />

Catmose Sports Centre<br />

LE15 6RP<br />

www.skatersclub.btck.co.uk<br />

Every Friday - Skaters Club Weekly Roller<br />

Skating Session and Disco. FREE TUITION<br />

provided if needed. Any age welcome.<br />

Fantastic Family Fun.<br />

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or pro<br />

skater, or maybe just looking for a different<br />

spin on a good family time, Skaters Club a<br />

non-profit making organisation in your local<br />

community is here to entertain you! Skaters<br />

Club are proud to offer a unique combination<br />

of skate tuition and roller disco to form a fun<br />

exercise activity for everybody regardless of<br />

age and ability. Please mention <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />

<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />

2 Dec<br />

By The Light of the Moon<br />

Beaumont Leys Library LE4 1DS<br />

www.thesparkarts.co.uk<br />

3pm - Who ever heard of a cat afraid of the<br />

dark, or an owl that isn’t wise? By the Light of<br />

the Moon is a beautiful story about magic and<br />

wonder, and a friendship formed in the face<br />

of difference.<br />

Join Full House Theatre on a crisp winter’s<br />

night for an uplifting family story told under<br />

the light of the silvery moon.<br />

By The Light of the Moon<br />

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre<br />

LE4 6LF<br />

www.thesparkarts.co.uk<br />

11am - Who ever heard of a cat afraid of the<br />

dark, or an owl that isn’t wise? By the Light of<br />

the Moon is a beautiful story about magic and<br />

wonder, and a friendship formed in the face<br />

of difference.<br />

Join Full House Theatre on a crisp winter’s<br />

night for an uplifting family story told under<br />

the light of the silvery moon.<br />

Rudolph The Red<br />

Nosed Reindeer was<br />

originally going to be<br />

called Reginald and have<br />

a blue nose.<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> wonderland<br />

Hicks Lodge Visitor Centre LE65 2UP<br />

www.lrwt.org.uk<br />

With Heart of the Forest Wildlife Watch<br />

Group - <strong>Winter</strong> wonderland. All things winter,<br />

animals in winter, hibernation, frost, snow,<br />

trees, shapes/ colours / patterns in nature.<br />

Wildlife Watch groups are suitable for children<br />

aged 5 -12 years. Children aged under 8 must<br />

be accompanied by an adult. Please book<br />

online by the Monday before the event so that<br />

volunteer leaders can plan and prepare.<br />

Candlelit Carol Concert<br />

Tattershall Castle LN4 4LR<br />

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tattershall<br />

Join us for an evening of carols alongside a<br />

local brass band. Starting inside the Castle<br />

parlour, the concert will move on to the<br />

beautiful interior of Holy Trinity Church<br />

next door.<br />

Start inside the Castle with some festive<br />

ditties then travel over to the Church where<br />

you will have chance to enjoy some mulled<br />

wine and a mince pie before the lights are<br />

extinguished and carols sung by candlelight.<br />

2 Dec - 03 Dec<br />

Christmas Craft Fair<br />

Leicester Guildhall, LE1 5FQ<br />

www.visitleicester.info/museums<br />

Get in the festive spirit and enjoy a fun<br />

filled afternoon in the beautiful<br />

Guildhall, with a roaring fire,<br />

mince pies and mulled wine.<br />

A great performance suitable<br />

for everyone, a family friendly<br />

show!!<br />

Guildhall Christmas Craft<br />

Fair<br />

Leicester Guildhall, LE1 5FQ<br />

www.visitleicester.info/museums<br />

A brilliant opportunity to buy special gifts and<br />

enjoy a festive atmosphere with a real fire, a<br />

real Christmas tree in the historic Courtyard.<br />

Children can enjoy trails, crafts and face<br />

painting throughout the day.<br />

Food Gusto Ashby Christmas Fair<br />

Lower Market Street LE65 1AF<br />

www.foodgusto.com<br />

This years Ashby Food Gusto Christmas Fair<br />

promises to be the best yet with an even<br />

larger range of exhibitors and enhanced<br />

entertainment through both days. With local<br />

exhibitors bringing amazing hot and cold<br />

food and drink, along with artisan gifts, the<br />

weekend will be perfect for some Christmas<br />

Shopping! We have got a jam packed<br />

entertainment programme, as on Saturday<br />

we move from local choirs to a One Direction<br />

Tribute band. There will also be a range of<br />

childrens ride for the little ones and even<br />

Santa will be visiting!<br />

2 Dec - 23 Dec<br />

Audience with Father Christmas<br />

Bolsover Castle S44 6PR<br />

www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsover<br />

Join in the festive fun with the man himself<br />

at Bolsover Castle this Christmas. Meet Father<br />

Christmas as he tells tales of Christmas<br />

past amidst the yuletide decorations. Lucky<br />

visitors will even get a festive treat from him!<br />

Additional charge of £4 applies to see Father<br />

Christmas for all children aged 0+ (subject to<br />

availability). Small present included. Booking<br />

is essential.<br />

Continued on page 12...<br />

WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 9


WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

2 Dec - 23 Dec<br />

Christmas weekends at Calke<br />

Calke Abbey DE73 7LE<br />

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke<br />

Celebrate the lead up to Christmas during<br />

the festive Advent period at Calke. Peer<br />

through the Christmas windows and sneak<br />

around doors to get a glimpse of bygone<br />

Christmases at Calke.<br />

As darkness falls, experience Calke in a all its<br />

twinkling glory. Let the lanterns lead the way<br />

to the candle-lit church and see the tunnels<br />

dazzle in festive lights. Celebrate the Advent<br />

period and see what’s behind our Christmas<br />

windows and doors.<br />

Afternoon Tea with Santa<br />

Sunnyside Garden Centre LE67 6HL<br />

www.sunnysidegardencentre.co.uk<br />

You and your child will be greeted by one of<br />

Santa’s helpers, shown to your table and given<br />

an activity pack. When all guests have<br />

arrived food will be served. Each<br />

child can decorate and enjoy a<br />

festive biscuit or cake. Guests<br />

will then be taken to the<br />

Santa Express Train ride. Each<br />

child will then see Santa in<br />

his grotto and receive a quality<br />

present.<br />

Mince pies used<br />

to be made from<br />

actual meat.<br />

Roller Skaters Club<br />

Parklands Leisure Centre LE2 5QG<br />

www.skatersclub.btck.co.uk<br />

Every Saturday - Skaters Club Weekly Roller<br />

Skating Session and Disco. FREE TUITION<br />

provided if needed. Any age welcome.<br />

Fantastic Family Fun.<br />

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or pro<br />

skater, or maybe just looking for a different<br />

spin on a good family time, Skaters Club a<br />

non-profit making organisation in your local<br />

community is here to entertain you! Skaters<br />

Club are proud to offer a unique combination<br />

of skate tuition and roller disco to form a fun<br />

exercise activity for everybody regardless of<br />

age and ability.<br />

Rutland Water Parkrun<br />

Rutland Water Reservoir LE15 8HD<br />

www.parkrun.org.uk/rutlandwater<br />

What is Rutland Water parkrun? It is a 5km run<br />

- it’s you against the clock.<br />

When is it? Every Saturday at<br />

9:00am. What does it cost to<br />

join in? Nothing - it’s free! but<br />

please register before your<br />

first run. How fast do I have<br />

to be? We all run for our own<br />

enjoyment. Please come along<br />

and join in whatever your pace!<br />

Tropical <strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland<br />

Tropical Birdland LE9 9GN<br />

www.tropicalbirdland.com<br />

Join us this December for lts of festive fun;<br />

grab a lantern and take a magical stroll down<br />

to Father Christmas’s grotto, visiting all of his<br />

fairy friends along the way. Visit the amazing<br />

Snow Queen in her ice cave plus much, much<br />

more!<br />

2 Dec - 24 Dec<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland @ Conkers<br />

Conkers DE12 6GA<br />

www.visitconkers.com<br />

Arrive at Waterside <strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland, where<br />

Santa’s Chief Elf and his team of elves will lead<br />

you through the Enchanted Forest and the<br />

Valley of Christmas lights to Santa’s Woodland<br />

Grotto. Meet the reindeer, take a trip on the<br />

Santa Special train through the tunnel of<br />

discovery, meet the balloon modeller and<br />

watch our Christmas show. Don’t forget to take<br />

full advantage of the Christmas lights book an<br />

evening visit - it looks fantastic!<br />

Santa’s Grotto<br />

Wistow Rural Centre LE8 0QF<br />

www.wistow.com<br />

Father Christmas is coming to Wistow, come<br />

and meet him and his friendly elves. Every<br />

child gets a present and the Adults are FREE.<br />

Situated in Ken Bailey Garden Centre within<br />

the Wistow Rural Centre. Weekends from the<br />

2nd December, daily from the 16th December.<br />

11am - 4pm. 10am - 2pm on Xmas Eve.<br />

2 Dec - 27 Jan<br />

Melton Mowbray Junior Parkrun<br />

Melton Country Park LE13 1HX<br />

www.parkrun.org.uk/meltonmowbrayjuniors<br />

What is Melton junior parkrun? It is a 2k run<br />

for juniors only (4-14 year olds). If you are not<br />

a junior please try one of our weekly Saturday<br />

parkrun events instead.<br />

When is it? It is held every Sunday at 9:00am.<br />

What does it cost to join in? Nothing - it’s<br />

free! but please register before your first run.<br />

How fast do I have to be? The aim is to have<br />

fun. Please come along and join in whatever<br />

your pace!<br />

Aylestone Junior Parkrun<br />

Aylestone Recreation Ground LE2 7ND<br />

www.parkrun.org.uk/aylestone-juniors<br />

What is Aylestone junior parkrun? It is a 2k run<br />

for juniors only (4-14 year olds). If you are not<br />

a junior please try one of our weekly Saturday<br />

parkrun events instead.<br />

When is it? It is held every Sunday at 9:00am.<br />

What does it cost to join in? Nothing - it’s<br />

free! but please register before your first run.<br />

How fast do I have to be? The aim is to have<br />

fun. Please come along and join in whatever<br />

your pace!<br />

3 Dec<br />

Baby Disco<br />

Attenborough Arts Centre LE1 7HA<br />

www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/<br />

attenborougharts<br />

(ages 0-6) Baby Disco returns for a fun filled<br />

dance experience! Boogie babies, tap-dancing<br />

toddlers and mini disco-divas are invited to<br />

dance their way on a journey through sound<br />

and movement.<br />

Our Princess Diana Hall is transformed into a<br />

multi-sensory environment with disco lighting<br />

and thematic video projection taking you on a<br />

journey through sound and movement. Come<br />

in fancy dress to really get the most out of<br />

your experience!<br />

Ashby Santa Fun Run<br />

Baths Ground LE65 1TW<br />

www.rainbows.co.uk<br />

Lace up your trainers, get your friends and<br />

family together and take part in one of the<br />

Santa Fun Runs. Each run gives you the chance<br />

to run, walk or jog for a good Claus, while<br />

spreading the Christmas cheer in your Santa<br />

suit.<br />

12 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


Recycled Christmas<br />

Braunstone Town Civic Centre LE3 2PP<br />

www.lrwt.org.uk<br />

Make decorations & cards from recycled<br />

materials. Wildlife Watch groups are suitable for<br />

children aged 5 -12 years. Children aged under<br />

8 must be accompanied by an adult. Please<br />

book online by the Monday before the event so<br />

that volunteer leaders can plan and prepare.<br />

Santa Fun Run<br />

Market Place, Loughborough LE11 3EB<br />

www.santa-fun-run.co.uk<br />

This great festive event promises fun for all<br />

the family right in the heart of Loughborough<br />

City Centre. Sign up online to receive your free<br />

Santa Suit and join thousands of other Santas<br />

for some festive family fun on this 5km fun<br />

run. You can run, walk or stroll alongside more<br />

than 1,500 Santas and take in the atmosphere<br />

as we kick off Christmas <strong>2017</strong>. On the day,<br />

there will be family entertainment and a best<br />

dressed dog competition too!<br />

4 Dec<br />

Christmas Activity Morning<br />

Leicester Grammar Junior School LE8 9FL<br />

www.leicestergrammar.org.uk<br />

Prospective parents are invited to bring their<br />

children aged 2 to 6 years to join in the fun:<br />

Nativity performance by Foundation Stage<br />

children. Refreshments & Christmas craft<br />

activities. Christmas songs & stories. For more<br />

details or to book a place please contact Lorna<br />

Friel: friell@leicestergrammar.org.uk<br />

LOROS Christmas Concert<br />

Leicester Cathedral LE1 5DE<br />

www.loros.co.uk<br />

An evening of festive music and fun in aid of Loros<br />

5 Dec - 07 Dec<br />

CHRISTMAS SING A LONG NIGHTS<br />

West Lodge Farm NN14 2SH<br />

www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk<br />

From 4.30 - 7.30pm, special nights for<br />

the whole family to enjoy.<br />

Visit Father Christmas, receive a gift,<br />

carvery supper, carols and Christmas songs<br />

around the tree, finishing off with our live<br />

nativity play.<br />

6 Dec<br />

University Choir Christmas Concert<br />

Cope Auditorium Loughborough<br />

University, LE11 3EB<br />

www.lboro.ac.uk/newsevents<br />

A great start to the festive<br />

season! The University<br />

Choir hosts a number of<br />

concerts throughout the<br />

year and is widely enjoyed<br />

by those who attend.<br />

The choir is conducted<br />

by Eleanor Graff-Baker and<br />

is made up of staff members,<br />

students and the local community who<br />

have a great enthusiasm for singing. This<br />

concert is guaranteed to put you in the<br />

mood for Christmas with festive songs and<br />

refreshments.<br />

Loughborough Carol Concert<br />

Emmanuel Church LE11 3NW<br />

www.rainbows.co.uk<br />

In aid of Rainbows: Enjoy the magic of<br />

Christmas with performances from popular<br />

adult and school choirs, with festive<br />

refreshments and the chance to sing your<br />

favourite carols.<br />

Santa’s address is:<br />

Santa/Father Christmas,<br />

Santa’s Grotto,<br />

Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ<br />

Make sure you send<br />

your letters before 8th<br />

December!<br />

7 Dec<br />

Christmas in Uppingham<br />

Uppingham LE15<br />

www.theuppinghamtownpartnership.<br />

org.uk<br />

Festive family fun with a traditional skating<br />

rink, street entertainers, face painting, choirs<br />

and music, food stalls, shows and activites,<br />

live reindeer and of course the man in red!<br />

7 Dec - 10 Dec<br />

Medieval Christmas Market<br />

Lincoln - see website for travel LN1 3AA<br />

www.lincoln-christmasmarket.co.uk<br />

A contemporary cathedral city with<br />

over 2,000 years of history,<br />

Lincoln is the perfect place to<br />

visit over the festive period.<br />

Take a trip back through<br />

time and stroll along the<br />

cobbles the cultural quarter<br />

of the city. The medieval<br />

square between the<br />

impressive Norman castle and<br />

magnificent gothic cathedral is<br />

the perfect backdrop for the Christmas<br />

Market. Lincoln Christmas Market has<br />

developed dramatically since it began with just<br />

11 stalls. The Christmas Market gives visitors<br />

and residents a truly festive experience, with a<br />

traditional, high quality event for all the family.<br />

8 Dec<br />

Children’s Carol Concert<br />

De Montfort Hall LE1 7RU<br />

www.demontforthall.co.uk<br />

In support of Menphys; Choirs of Catholic<br />

Schools from the city and the county<br />

come together to perform traditional and<br />

contemporary carols, starting the Christmas<br />

season with messages of hope and joy,<br />

raising funds for Menphys, the local charity<br />

supporting <strong>Leicestershire</strong> children and young<br />

people with disabilities and their families.<br />

8 Dec - 09 Dec<br />

<strong>Winter</strong>’s Eve Fair<br />

Beaumanor Hall LE12 8TX<br />

www.beaumanorhall.co.uk<br />

Local food, drink, crafts and unique gift<br />

stalls; decorated for the season and full of<br />

festive cheer with live Christmas music and<br />

demonstrations. For the youngsters there will<br />

be a special trail in the passages underground<br />

to find Father Christmas and free Victorian<br />

Christmas activities. Proceeds from our raffle<br />

will go to Rainbows Childrens Hospice.<br />

9 Dec<br />

Brocks Hill Badgers<br />

Brocks Hill Country Park Visitor Centre<br />

LE2 5JJ<br />

www.lrwt.org.uk<br />

Find out all about the animal that the country<br />

park is named after. Wildlife Watch groups<br />

are suitable for children aged 5 -12 years.<br />

Children aged under 8 must be accompanied<br />

by an adult. Please book online by the Monday<br />

before the event so that volunteer leaders can<br />

plan and prepare.<br />

Continued on page 16...<br />

WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 13


CHRISTMAS CRACKERS<br />

Christmas<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> activity workshops at <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Craft Centre<br />

Christmas Button Pictures (adult course by children 7+ welcome),<br />

4 Dec, 14.00 - 15.30, Our classic Button Pictures workshop with<br />

a Christmas twist! Raid our huge button stash and make a festive<br />

button canvas for your home.<br />

Children’s Crafty Christmas Makes (7+), 16 Dec, 10.00-12.00,<br />

A short course for kids – drop them off while you finish your<br />

Christmas shopping. They’ll have fun and come home with some<br />

great Christmas makes.<br />

Machine Sewing for Children (7+), 16 Dec, 14.00-16.00, Sew<br />

a Christmas stocking in this 2 hr workshop. No prior sewing<br />

experience is needed!<br />

Edible Christmas Decorations (5+), 22 Dec, 10.00-11.00, A fun<br />

hour making popcorn garlands, sweet trees and lots of other edible<br />

treats just in time for Christmas!<br />

For more info visit www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Wonderland Evenings at Tropical Birdland<br />

2nd December – 23rd December <strong>2017</strong>.<br />

Fancy a bit of magic this Christmas? Then why not bring the family<br />

down to see Santa at Tropical Birdland in Desford, <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. Enjoy<br />

a walk through our magical woodland fairy walk before meeting Santa in<br />

his outdoor Grotto. Come see our<br />

beautiful snow queen, enjoy some<br />

festive entertainment and hot<br />

food! You can even treat the kids<br />

to a pony ride.<br />

Please visit www.tropicalbirdland.com for more details including a<br />

full list of dates or telephone Tropical Birdland on 01455 824603.<br />

Get Christmas all wrapped up<br />

This festive season take a ride<br />

on our magical festive train,<br />

through the enchanted woods,<br />

the land of the Gonks and into<br />

an ice world, before heading on<br />

to Santa’s workshop to see his<br />

Elves busy at work! Be sure to<br />

see Rudolph and his friends in their stables before disembarking the<br />

train and heading to see Santa in his grotto where each child will<br />

speak to Santa and receive a present.<br />

Full details and to book visit our website:<br />

www.sunnysidegardencentre.co.uk<br />

Jubilee Square Ice Rink, 9 December – 8 January<br />

Get your skates on and come down to Jubilee Square for some<br />

festive fun on ice!<br />

A huge ice rink – with real ice and clear roof – will make Christmas in<br />

Leicester extra magical this year. Feeling a bit wobbly? Skating aids will<br />

be available for younger skaters to hire, making the ice rink safe and fun<br />

for all the family. Look out for special theme nights that will add to fun<br />

every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6pm.<br />

Groups of four or more people will save 10% on standard prices, with a<br />

15% discount available to groups of 11 or more people. Advance tickets<br />

are available to purchase online or get tickets in-person at the Visit<br />

Leicester Information Centre.<br />

Further details and ticket prices at visitleicester.info.<br />

A magical Christmas Experience at<br />

West Lodge Farm<br />

The Christmas Experience at West Lodge Farm is where wonderful<br />

memories are made with visitors returning year after year. You can<br />

visit Father Christmas in his magical workshop and receive a gift, make<br />

reindeer food in the elves village and take part in the live Nativity play,<br />

starring alongside the farmyard animals and singing your favourite<br />

Christmas carols. Combined with the usual farm activities including their<br />

amazing heated indoor adventure area, undercover animal petting and a<br />

welcoming, cosy family restaurant, there’s no better way to celebrate the<br />

arrival of Christmas! Make sure you book as soon as you can.<br />

W: www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk<br />

14 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


Crackers<br />

An out of this world Christmas<br />

Join us for a very special pre-Christmas Small Space day, including<br />

a visit from a very jolly chap on route from the North Pole! Our<br />

friends at NORAD are getting ready to track Santa as he heads<br />

off, delivering gifts to all the children around the world. He will be<br />

making a scheduled stop at the National Space Centre for a special<br />

Small Space day for all our youngest astronauts.<br />

Come along and enjoy a special Christmas Small Space Day, with<br />

songs, stories, games and the whole Centre for the under 5s to<br />

enjoy. If you want to drop in to see Santa, tickets are available on<br />

the day, for a small additional charge (including a gift).<br />

www.spacecentre.co.uk<br />

Festive fun at 360 Play<br />

The 360 Christmas Party is back again this year, with festive fun for<br />

children of all ages. Saturday 16th December <strong>2017</strong> from 6.30pm -<br />

8.30pm.<br />

With a delicious hot buffet for adults and children, loads of fun and<br />

games, the 360 Disco and a sweet treat for all little ones.<br />

Prices are as follows: Children £10.50, Adults £5.50, Children under 1<br />

are free.<br />

360 Play is the one stop family entertainment venue for creative,<br />

active, stimulating fun whatever the weather.<br />

Enjoy soft play on our huge play frames; giant wave slides, aerial gliders,<br />

interactive ball zone, assault race track, aerial swings, cargo nets and<br />

tunnels, roundabout and much, much more.<br />

Remember our Carousel and Dodgems are included in the admission<br />

price, so you can ride all day long at no extra charge.<br />

Our 360 café prides itself in providing fresh food, from a snack to a full<br />

meal. Order at the counter then sit back and we will deliver your freshly<br />

prepared food to your table. We serve<br />

fresh food – not fast food.<br />

360 Play is great for birthday<br />

parties. We understand the work<br />

involved when you want to organise<br />

that special family event and want<br />

everything to be just right.<br />

360 Play, unlimited play, unlimited fun<br />

Visit us at http://360play.co.uk<br />

• SEWING<br />

• CRAFTING<br />

• ART<br />

• PARTIES<br />

• CRAFT KITS<br />

• FOR ALL<br />

AGES<br />

<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Craft Centre • 10a High Street<br />

Market Harborough • LE16 7NJ<br />

Phone 01858 466692<br />

www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

create@leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

The UK’s best trampoline park<br />

Boost Trampoline Parks Leicester has an Interactive Climbing Wall,<br />

Basketball Hoop, Trapeze, Wipeout, Battle Beam, Cardio Wall, Extra<br />

Large Foam Pit and loads of trampolines for you to enjoy.<br />

Our under 5’s soft play area is<br />

located within our extensive café<br />

viewing area – offering full view of<br />

the park while your children play<br />

safe.<br />

This is the perfect venue for your<br />

kid’s party with our 5 exclusive party rooms.<br />

We offer fitness sessions, sensory sessions and have corporate, schools<br />

and club packages; or just a free jump session.<br />

Take a peek at our new funhouse at www.boosttrampolineparks.<br />

co.uk or www.facebook.com/boosttrampolineleicester/<br />

Christmas Grotto<br />

Once again, Santa will be bringing his Christmas magic to<br />

Beaumont. Come and meet Santa and his elves in his fairy tale<br />

grotto this Christmas and have a magical time from 4th November<br />

to Christmas Eve. Prices start from £3.50 and include a special<br />

gift. It’s a very busy time for Santa, so why not book in advance at<br />

beaumontshopping.net<br />

Beaumont is located just off the A46 and offers great shopping with<br />

stores including Tesco Extra, Next, and Boots, as well as a range<br />

of eateries like McDonalds and Costa Coffee. With 1,500 parking<br />

spaces available, free for up to four hours, your visit to Beaumont<br />

couldn’t be easier.<br />

beaumontshopping.net<br />

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 15


WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

Ofsted<br />

registered<br />

9 Dec<br />

Christmas Craft Fayre<br />

Coalville Library LE67 3EA<br />

www.leicestershire.gov.uk<br />

Free entry into our Christmas Craft Fayre.<br />

Fun for all the family with local craft stalls,<br />

refreshments, Santa’s grotto and Hermitage<br />

FM radio. We will also be joined by three<br />

school choirs: All Saints School Choir<br />

performing at 10.30am, New Swannington<br />

School Choir performing at 12.15pm<br />

and Viscount Beaumonts Schools Choir<br />

performance 1.45pm<br />

10 Dec<br />

Dec’ the Halls<br />

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre<br />

LE15 8BT<br />

www.lrwt.org.uk<br />

With Rutland Water Wildlife Watch Group.<br />

Make festive decorations with nature’s bounty.<br />

Wildlife Watch groups are suitable for children<br />

aged 5 -12 years. Children aged under 8 must<br />

be accompanied by an adult.<br />

Please book online by the Monday before the<br />

event so that volunteer leaders can plan and<br />

prepare.<br />

CALM LITTLE SORE THROATS WITH<br />

THROATY SOOTHE<br />

Sore throats are not fun and can<br />

impact children’s (and parents) eating,<br />

sleeping and moods. Thankfully, there<br />

is a new sore throat treatment range<br />

for children, Throaty Soothe, which<br />

combines natural ingredients, free from<br />

artificial colours and provides parents<br />

and carers with a safe and effective<br />

option to help treat sore throats and<br />

dry and productive coughs.<br />

Sugar free, Throaty Soothe syrup, can be used from 12 months and contains<br />

Icelandic moss and mallow in a cherry flavoured syrup. Available in a strawberry<br />

flavour, Throaty Soothe lozenges, for children aged 4 years and older contains<br />

Icelandic moss and calcium pantothenate. Calcium pantothenate supports<br />

the soothing effect of Icelandic moss. www.throatysoothe.co.uk<br />

Kid’s Craft Club<br />

The Crafty Treasure House LE67 3EP<br />

www.facebook.com/<br />

kidscraftclubcoalville<br />

Christmas Cards - The Kid’s Craft<br />

Club is a new club which will<br />

be held in The Crafty Treasure<br />

House on Hotel Street,<br />

Coalville. We are fully DBS<br />

checked and offer children a<br />

safe and friendly environment<br />

to create different crafts and<br />

learn new skills. Booking essential,<br />

pay on day. 2-3:30pm<br />

9 Dec - 13 Nov<br />

Christmas at Kenilworth<br />

Kenilworth Castle CV8 1NG<br />

www.english-heritage.org.uk<br />

Immerse yourself in all things festive with our<br />

weekend of Christmas fun for all the family.<br />

Enjoy crafts and storytelling and for all those<br />

who have been good this year, come and meet<br />

our very special guest in his grotto.<br />

9 Dec - 10 Dec<br />

Victorian Christmas Event<br />

Stonehurst Farm LE12 7AA<br />

www.stonehurstfarm.co.uk<br />

As usual there will be a feast of Christmas<br />

cheer and Victorian atmosphere in the farm<br />

yard with the glowing log brasiers and Brass<br />

Band playing. Come and see Father Christmas<br />

in the Victorian Farmhouse, Live Nativity,<br />

Traditional Childrens Fairground, and lots<br />

of exciting food, drink and gift stalls in the<br />

Christmas market and fair, Choose your fresh<br />

cut Christmas tree and Order your free range<br />

turkey or cockerel ready for the big day.<br />

9 Dec - 23 Dec<br />

Santa & Mollys Xmas Story<br />

Manor Farm Park LE12 6LU<br />

www.manorfarm.info<br />

Visit SANTA in his cabin, join in our woodland<br />

fun and cook toast on our campfire. NEW<br />

this year, join Molly the Donkey to hear her<br />

Christmas Story, join in the Christmas songs<br />

and meet Molly’s friends, Barry & Betty the<br />

sheep, Charlie & Mac the Llamas, County the<br />

goat. Visit our Christmas craft room to make<br />

something to take home. (Small extra charge<br />

£2.00 to meet Santa, gift Included)<br />

9 Dec - 08 Jan<br />

Get Your Skates On!<br />

Jubilee Square LE1 3LY<br />

www.facebook.com/leicesterfestivals<br />

A huge ice rink – with real ice – is coming to<br />

the centre of Leicester and whether you fancy<br />

yourself a professional or are more like Bambi<br />

on ice, this Christmas is the perfect time to<br />

give skating a whirl. No need to worry about<br />

the weather – come rain or shine you can<br />

glide happily under a clear roof, looking up at<br />

the Christmas Wheel of Light. Special theme<br />

nights including Christmas Jumpers, Santa on<br />

Ice and a Christmas Disco<br />

The first song<br />

performed with<br />

instruments in space<br />

was Jingle Bells –<br />

by the crew of Gemini 6<br />

in 1965.<br />

Hinckley Festive Fun Run<br />

from the Market Place LE10 1NT<br />

www.hinckleybid.co.uk<br />

Jointly hosted by HBBC and Hinckley<br />

BID, this Festive Family Fun Run<br />

is all about having fun! The<br />

half-mile FUN RUN starts at<br />

11am from the Market Place<br />

in Hinckley, but please join us<br />

at 10.30am for a fun warm-up<br />

with our resident Healthy Elf.<br />

All age groups are very welcome.<br />

Festive fancy dress or just wear<br />

your Christmas Jumper (neck medals for<br />

all those who dress up). £50 Voucher for the<br />

best costume, and 2 x Runner-up prizes of £25<br />

Vouchers!<br />

Santa Fun Run<br />

Melton Country Park LE13 1HP<br />

www.meltonsantafunrun.co.uk<br />

5km route at Melton Country Park, alternative<br />

1 mile route available. Runners and walkers<br />

welcome, route accessible to wheelchairs /<br />

mobility scooters. Dog Show with Prizes for<br />

“Best Dressed Dogs for Christmas”. Free Santa<br />

Suits for all paying entrants. Medals for all at<br />

the finish.<br />

Christmas Fayre<br />

Visitor Centre Grafham Water Park<br />

PE28 0BH<br />

www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure<br />

Come along and enjoy the festive fun at<br />

our Christmas Fayre. Lots of craft stalls and<br />

Christmas goodies. Hot food and drinks<br />

available all day. Entry is free.<br />

10 Dec - 13 Dec<br />

Christmas Musical Extravaganza<br />

Belvoir Castle NG32 1PE<br />

www.belvoircastle.com<br />

Belvoir Castle is beyond magical especially<br />

at Christmas time, so The Duke & Duchess<br />

of Rutland are opening their doors to their<br />

magnificent home to give you a magical<br />

Christmas experience!<br />

There is plenty to do for the children with craft<br />

sessions in The Old Kitchen, and a visit from<br />

Santa on his Victorian Sleigh with a surprise<br />

for every child.<br />

11 Dec<br />

Oakham Christmas Market<br />

High Street LE15 6AH<br />

www.discoveroakham.org<br />

Come and get into the Festive Spirit this<br />

Christmas with the Oakham Late Night<br />

Shopping event. There is so much to see<br />

and do.<br />

The Victoria Hall and the High Street will be<br />

packed with stalls offering local produce and<br />

beautiful gift ideas for Christmas. There will<br />

be a range of stalls for people to browse and<br />

pick up a Christmas gift or two and for those<br />

wanting to really get into the festive spirit try<br />

a tasty glass of mulled wine or mince pie. The<br />

shops stay open until 9pm.<br />

100 th Issue<br />

16 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


12 Dec - 17 Dec<br />

Loughborough Christmas Market<br />

Market Place LE11 5BJ<br />

www.marketsquaregroup.co.uk<br />

Following on from Loughboroughs Street<br />

Food & Craft Beer Festival, Market Square<br />

Group is back in Loughborough for a second<br />

time this year with the Loughborough<br />

Christmas Market.<br />

The market will feature a festive bar, festive<br />

foods, children’s traditional fairground rides<br />

and stalls selling a variety of festive craft, gift<br />

and grocery stalls.<br />

13 Dec<br />

Leicester Carol Concert<br />

St James The Greater Church LE2 1NE<br />

www.rainbows.co.uk<br />

In aid of Rainbows: Enjoy the magic of<br />

Christmas with performances from popular<br />

adult and school choirs, with festive<br />

refreshments and the chance to sing your<br />

favourite carols.<br />

14 Dec<br />

Literature at Lunchtime<br />

De Montfort Hall LE1 7RU<br />

www.demontforthall.co.uk<br />

Especially for Christmas, come and delve into<br />

the life of the wonderful J.M. Barrie and the<br />

special world he created for the small sons<br />

of his close friends. Peter Pan, Wendy and<br />

the Lost Boys have become a tradition for<br />

Christmas and together we will find out that<br />

‘to die is an awfully big adventure’!<br />

15 Dec<br />

Swadlincote Victorian Christmas<br />

Swadlincote Town Centre DE11 9DG<br />

www.facebook.com/<br />

SwadlincoteTownTeam<br />

Christmas market with stalls offering<br />

gifts, festive treats and food &<br />

drink. Entertainment including<br />

traditional carols and festive<br />

classics with Unrelated Duo,<br />

free tea & coffee and free<br />

Santa’s Grotto and children’s<br />

entertainment - all with a<br />

Victorian theme!<br />

Plus late night shopping in the<br />

town centre. 4.30pm - 7.30pm.<br />

Free entry, free entertainment and<br />

free parking.<br />

15 Dec - 17 Dec<br />

Santa’s Magical Grotto<br />

Hinckley Leisure Centre LE10 1FL<br />

www.hinckleybid.co.uk<br />

All the way from Lapland, Hinckley BID<br />

is flying Santa and his helpers to their<br />

amazing new magical Grotto this<br />

December, which will be found in a<br />

secret hideaway at Hinckley Leisure Centre in<br />

Argents Mead!<br />

15 Dec - 23 Dec<br />

Enchanted Kenilworth<br />

Kenilworth Castle CV8 1NG<br />

www.english-heritage.org.uk<br />

Explore the grounds after dark, as we open<br />

up a winter fairytale of light, colour and<br />

sound. Strings of lanterns laced through the<br />

boughs of trees and fairy lights behind leaves<br />

will lead you along an enchanting trail into a<br />

magical wonderland.<br />

The experience doesn’t end when the trail<br />

does - emerging into the scene of a traditional<br />

fairground, you’ll find a carousel and swing<br />

boats to carry you back to times gone by,<br />

mince pies, toasted marshmallows, mulled<br />

wine and heritage-inspired stalls.<br />

Scientists calculate<br />

Santa visits 822 homes<br />

a second to deliver all<br />

the world’s presents on<br />

Christmas Eve, travelling<br />

at 650 miles a second.<br />

He’s very quick<br />

16 Dec<br />

Children’s Crafty Christmas Makes<br />

Leicester Craft Centre LE16 7NJ<br />

www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

A short course for kids – drop them off while<br />

you finish your Christmas shopping. They’ll have<br />

fun and come home with some great Christmas<br />

makes. Recommended for Age 7 upwards.<br />

Carols in the Kitchen<br />

Lyveden PE8 5AT<br />

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyveden<br />

Wrap up warm and join us for a special festive<br />

carol service in the kitchen of the Lodge. This<br />

Christmas we will be continuing our ‘new’<br />

tradition of carolling in the kitchen of the<br />

lodge. Bring family, friends and your singing<br />

voices to help us raise the roof!<br />

17 Dec<br />

Crib Service<br />

Launde Abbey LE7 9XB<br />

www.laundeabbey.org.uk<br />

Family crib service plus join us afterwards for a<br />

delicious Christmas tea and visit to see Father<br />

Christmas. Tickets £5.25 per adult, £7 per child<br />

- Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £18.<br />

A Muppet Christmas Carol!<br />

Leicester Guildhall LE1 5FQ<br />

www.visitleicester.info/museums<br />

The Muppet characters tell their version of<br />

the classic tale of an old and bitter miser’s<br />

redemption on Christmas Eve. A must-see<br />

family classic! Tickets £5, to book please<br />

contact The Guildhall on 0116 253 2569<br />

19 Dec<br />

Carol Concert at the Castle<br />

Bolsover Castle S44 6PR<br />

www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsover<br />

Join in the celebrations at Bolsover Castle<br />

with carols sung by Voices – The<br />

City of Derby Girls Choir in the<br />

stunning surroundings of<br />

the Riding School. A glass<br />

of wine or soft drink is<br />

included in the ticket price.<br />

20 Dec<br />

A Christmas Carol<br />

Leicester Cathedral LE1 5PZ<br />

www.leicestercathedral.org<br />

Critically acclaimed Split Second Productions<br />

present a magical and enchanting re-telling<br />

of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. This charming,<br />

family-friendly production promises to fill<br />

you up to the brim with Christmas spirit. For<br />

MATINEE performances, doors will open at 2pm<br />

for a 2.30pm start. For EVENING performances<br />

doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.<br />

21 Dec<br />

Christmas Lunchtime Concert<br />

Emmanuel Church LE11 3NW<br />

www.facebook.com/emmanuelconcerts<br />

A 14th Century Christmas — not only music,<br />

but costumes as well! The Waits play on replica<br />

shawms, cornett, saggbut, flutes, recorders<br />

and more! The concert starts at 12.45 but soup<br />

& roll lunch is served from 11.30. Admission is<br />

free but donations are appreciated.<br />

Clay Christmas Decorations<br />

Leicester Craft Centre LE16 7NJ<br />

www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

(ages 5+) Come and make some clay Chrismas<br />

decorations for your tree or bedroom! Cut your<br />

shapes from air drying clay, paint, decorate<br />

and dry at home.<br />

Continued on page 19...<br />

WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 17


18 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


Little Crafters Christmas<br />

Leicester Craft Centre LE16 7NJ<br />

www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

(ages 4-7) A special Christmas edition of Little<br />

Crafters! Our popluar 1hr session where your<br />

little ones can try lots of creative activites...<br />

with a Christmas twist!<br />

21 Dec - 23 Dec<br />

Santa’s Magical Grotto<br />

Hinckley Leisure Centre LE10 1FL<br />

www.hinckleybid.co.uk<br />

All the way from Lapland, Hinckley BID is flying<br />

Santa and his helpers to their amazing new<br />

magical Grotto this December, which will be<br />

found in a secret hideaway at Hinckley Leisure<br />

Centre in Argents Mead!<br />

A Christmas Carol - The Lost Boys<br />

Sudbury Hall & the National Trust<br />

Museum of Childhood DE6 5HT<br />

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sudbury<br />

The Lost Boys return to Sudbury Hall with<br />

their irreverent take on the Dickens Classic<br />

story of rebirth and redemption. Creating a<br />

fully integrated BSL promenade performance<br />

working with Sarah Gatford Ltd and featuring<br />

all of the characters in the novel played by<br />

3 actors, the audience are guided along<br />

Scrooge’s journey by Dickens himself, using the<br />

beautiful interiors and exteriors of Sudbury<br />

Hall as the backdrop to this classic adventure.<br />

21 Dec - 24 Dec<br />

Meet Santa & the Abominable<br />

Snowman<br />

Green Trunks Garden Centre NN14 1PY<br />

www.greentrunks.co.uk<br />

This year Santa and Yowie are busy preparing<br />

for the Christmas season. Meet Yowie the<br />

Abominable Snowman who is trying to help<br />

Santa but he needs your help. Santa is in his<br />

cosy Cottage waiting to see all the children ,<br />

reading letters and checking his list for who<br />

has been naughty or nice. Mrs Claus is visiting<br />

during the week on selected dates to bake<br />

cookies with the Children and read them a<br />

Christamas Story.<br />

22 Dec<br />

Edible Christmas Decorations<br />

Leicester Craft Centre LE16 7NJ<br />

www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk<br />

(ages 5+) A fun hour making popcorn<br />

garlands, sweet trees and lots of other festive<br />

edible treats!<br />

Small Space Santa Special<br />

Space Centre LE4 5NS<br />

www.spacecentre.co.uk<br />

Join us for a very special pre-Christmas Small<br />

Space day, including a visit from a very jolly<br />

chap on route from the North Pole! Our<br />

friends at NORAD are getting ready to track<br />

Santa as he heads off, delivering gifts to all<br />

the children around the world. He will be<br />

making a scheduled stop at the National Space<br />

Centre for a special Small Space day for all our<br />

youngest astronauts. Come along and enjoy a<br />

special Christmas Small Space Day, with songs,<br />

stories, games and the whole Centre for the<br />

under 5s to enjoy.<br />

23 Dec<br />

A Christmas Carol<br />

Leicester Guildhall LE1 5FQ<br />

www.visitleicester.info/museums<br />

Enter the world of Charles Dickens in this<br />

ghostly tale for the festive season. Performing<br />

26 different characters Gerald Dickens<br />

brings his great great Grandfathers most<br />

famous book to vivid and exciting life. In an<br />

extraordinary theatrical tour de force Gerald<br />

has made audiences all over the world laugh,<br />

cry, cheer & stamp as they become completely<br />

involved in the much loved tale of Ebenezer<br />

Scrooge.<br />

23 Dec<br />

Kid’s Craft Club<br />

The Crafty Treasure House LE67 3EP<br />

www.facebook.com/<br />

kidscraftclubcoalville<br />

Christmas Tree Felt Ornaments. The Kid’s Craft<br />

Club is a new club which will be held in The<br />

Crafty Treasure House on<br />

Hotel Street, Coalville.<br />

We are fully DBS checked and offer children a<br />

safe and friendly environment to create<br />

different crafts and learn new<br />

skills. Booking essential, pay<br />

on day. 2-3:30pm Please<br />

mention <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />

<strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland<br />

23 Dec - 24 Dec<br />

Christmas at the<br />

Castle<br />

Oakham Castle LE15 6DR<br />

www.oakhamcastle.org<br />

Remember how much fun we had on<br />

Christmas Eve last year? Well we thought we’d<br />

do it again, but over two days this time.<br />

Santa will be back with his reindeer,<br />

there will be festive crafts, yummy nibbles,<br />

lovely mulled wine and Prosecco, games,<br />

live music and storytelling. All set in the<br />

stunning medieval Great Hall beneath our<br />

sparkling real tree. 10am - 2.30pm.<br />

Please mention <strong>Primary</strong> <strong>Times</strong> <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />

& Rutland<br />

24 Dec<br />

Christmas with the Tigers<br />

Leicester Tigers LE2 7TR<br />

www.leicestertigers.com<br />

Christmas Eve showdown with Saracens in the<br />

Aviva Premiership (3.00pm) will also include<br />

some special Christmas celebrations for fans,<br />

friends and families to enjoy.<br />

With the message ‘We Are Christmas Eve’,<br />

Tigers will host festivities including a<br />

Christmas market, Santa’s grotto, themed<br />

activities and stalls as well as inviting<br />

supporters to take part in a Christmas halftime<br />

pass the parcel.<br />

As well as a giant Christmas tree outside the<br />

main reception of the Holland & Barrett Stand<br />

to help get visitors into the festive spirit, we’ll<br />

have carol singers, a brass band and prizes for<br />

best fancy dress.<br />

27 Nov - 23 Dec<br />

Santa Express & Grotto<br />

Sunnyside Garden Centre LE67 6HL<br />

www.sunnysidegardencentre.co.uk<br />

Take a ride on our magical festive train,<br />

through the enchanted woods, to an ice world<br />

and the land of the Gonks, before heading on<br />

to Santa’s workshop to see his Elves busy at<br />

work! Be sure to see Rudolph and his friends<br />

in their stables before disembarking the train<br />

and heading to see Santa in his grotto where<br />

each child will speak to Santa and receive a<br />

present.<br />

Father Christmas has<br />

many names around the<br />

world. Pere Noel (France),<br />

Kanakaloka (Hawaii), Ded<br />

Moroz (Russia), Jultomten<br />

(Sweden).<br />

27 Dec<br />

Annual <strong>Winter</strong> Walk<br />

from Thurnby or Houghton Village Halls<br />

LE7 9PN & LE7 9GU<br />

www.loros.co.uk<br />

Join us for a five mile family friendly stroll to<br />

work off a little of that Christmas pud. Start<br />

between 9am and 10am from either Thurnby<br />

Village Hall or Houghton on the Hill Village<br />

Hall.<br />

1 Jan<br />

NEW YEARS DAY Antiques & Collectors<br />

Fair<br />

Hood Park Leisure Centre LE65 1LS<br />

www.guildhallantiquefairs.co.uk<br />

What a great way to start the new year! This<br />

well established busy event brings you a great<br />

range of antique, vintage and collector traders<br />

who share your passion for that ‘special find’.<br />

With free parking, on site refreshments and<br />

dogs welcome....it really is a buyers and sellers<br />

delight!<br />

New Year’s Day walk at Newbold<br />

New Lount Nature Reserve LE67 8JH<br />

www.lrwt.org.uk<br />

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Blow away<br />

the cobwebs and see how a<br />

coalmine and opencast site has<br />

been restored and developed<br />

into an excellent nature<br />

reserve which hosts a wide<br />

range of birds, amphibians<br />

and reptiles. Meet at New Lount<br />

Nature Reserve car gate. Please<br />

note this walk is unsuitable for people<br />

with restricted mobility.<br />

New Year Walk<br />

www.lrwt.org.uk<br />

With <strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland Badger Group.<br />

Join the group for our traditional New Year’s<br />

walk looking particularly for signs of badger<br />

activity and their setts, which will be recorded.<br />

This morning walk will finish with a pub<br />

lunch.<br />

2 Jan - 4 Jan<br />

New Year Fun for Children<br />

Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery CV11<br />

5TU<br />

www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/<br />

museum<br />

We offer free creative activities during school<br />

holidays and on Bank Holiday Mondays!<br />

For our New Year activities try your hand<br />

at making a collage calendar, a snowflake<br />

mobile and a <strong>Winter</strong> finger puppet No booking<br />

required, just drop in. All children must be<br />

accompanied by an adult. Activities last about<br />

20 minutes. Sessions run between 10:30am<br />

and 15:30pm Sessions are free but donations<br />

are welcomed.<br />

2 Jan - 5 Jan<br />

New Year Family Activities<br />

British Motor Museum CV35 0BJ<br />

www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk<br />

New Year! New Car! Drop in to our Learning<br />

Space and get creative with Lego®. Design<br />

a new car for the New Year and we’ll take<br />

a photo of it for our 2018 Motor Show<br />

Brochure. Then step back in time and meet our<br />

costumed explainer ‘Torchey Blane’ and her<br />

scoop of Journalists as they report on the new<br />

cars from 1935!<br />

Don’t forget to have a go at our Motoring<br />

Treasures Treasure Hunt, pick up a trail sheet<br />

from the Mini outside our Learning Space<br />

and hunt for the treasure boxes hidden around<br />

the Museum.<br />

7 Jan<br />

Canons Ashby - New Year’s Walk<br />

Canons Ashby NN11 3SD<br />

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canons-ashby<br />

Blow away the cobwebs after the indulgent<br />

Christmas season and get some fresh air in<br />

the beautiful Northamptonshire Countryside.<br />

Blow away the cobwebs after the indulgent<br />

Christmas season and get some fresh air in the<br />

beautiful Northamptonshire Countryside. Meet<br />

in the car park by the shepherd’s hut to set out<br />

on a ramble in the local countryside, finishing<br />

back in the car park.<br />

12 Jan<br />

Star Gazing<br />

Sherwood Pines NG21 9JH<br />

www.forestry.gov.uk/sherwoodpines<br />

Join us for a fantastic evening exploring the<br />

night sky using telescopes and star maps.<br />

Evening includes an introductory presentation<br />

indoors followed by a tour of distant galaxies,<br />

glittering star clusters and the planetary giant,<br />

Jupiter. 7pm onwards, £6 only. Bookings and<br />

payment in advance essential, children must<br />

be accompanied.<br />

18 Jan<br />

Lunchtime Concert<br />

Emmanuel Church LE11 3NW<br />

www.facebook.com/emmanuelconcerts<br />

Loughborough Endowed Schools have a<br />

large and enthusiastic music department.<br />

We are delighted to welcome their best wind<br />

ensembles. Come and enjoy the music-making<br />

of young people who enjoy making music. The<br />

concert starts at 12.45 but soup & roll lunch<br />

is served from 12.00. Admission is free but<br />

donations are appreciated.<br />

20 Jan<br />

Championship Cat Show<br />

Sports Connexion Leisure Club CV8 3FL<br />

www.gccfcats.org<br />

A ‘bumper’ Championship Cat Show held under<br />

GCCF Rules and License. Many of the breeds,<br />

Pedigree Pets and Non Pedigrees can dual<br />

enter so this promises to be a feast of fabulous<br />

felines. There will also be lots of trade stalls<br />

selling all manner of cat related goods too.<br />

Newcomers to showing cats are most welcome<br />

and will receive help and advise to get them<br />

started, so please get in touch.<br />

22 Jan - 28 Jan<br />

Wear a Funky Scarf Day<br />

Charity Link<br />

www.charity-link.org/poverty-actionweek<br />

There are thousands of people living in<br />

poverty locally, including around 30,000<br />

children in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and 21,000 children<br />

in Northamptonshire. Poverty Action Week<br />

(PAW) is organised by Charity Link to highlight<br />

the issue of local poverty and asks local people<br />

to consider the impact of poverty on their<br />

doorstep through a range of activities.<br />

27 Jan<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> Birds Family Walk<br />

Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre LE15<br />

8BT<br />

www.rutlandwater.org.uk<br />

Bring the whole family along to the reserve for<br />

a refreshing winter walk.<br />

We will look at some of the birds on the<br />

reserve & learn how to identify the more<br />

common water and garden birds. After our<br />

walk we return to the visitor centre where the<br />

adults can enjoy a warming drink whilst the<br />

children make a bird feeder to take away with<br />

them. £4 per person.<br />

WHAT’S ON WHERE<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 19


BOX OFFICE<br />

BoxOffice<br />

Your family theatre guide...<br />

0231512<br />

0231513<br />

TICKET<br />

TICKET<br />

Attenborough Arts Centre<br />

Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA<br />

www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/attenborougharts<br />

Century Theatre<br />

Ashby Road, Coalville, LE67 3LN<br />

www.centurytheatre.co.uk<br />

Concordia Theatre<br />

Stockwell Head, Hinckley, LE10 1RE<br />

www.concordiatheatre.co.uk<br />

Curve Theatre<br />

Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB<br />

www.curveonline.co.uk<br />

2 Dec<br />

Snigel and Friends<br />

Join Snigel, the inquisitive snail, in their cozy<br />

home underneath the leafy canopy; a colourful<br />

and sensory world brought to life by dancers<br />

Caroline Bowditch, Welly O’Brien (both Falling<br />

in Love with Frida) and performer and musician<br />

Zac Scott. They dance, play, sing and make<br />

music in the undergrowth while uncovering<br />

secret treasures. An inviting interactive new<br />

work for young children and their adult.<br />

16 Dec<br />

The Dead Sea<br />

Louise likes nothing more than to play in the<br />

bathroom with a snorkel and inflatable killer<br />

whale. Once grown-up, Louise embarks on a<br />

mission to the bottom of the sea to help save<br />

the ocean! On the way tragedy strikes and her<br />

life and childhood dreams hang in the balance.<br />

Will she make it back to the surface? Join Louise<br />

on her immersive journey as she explores the<br />

ocean depths.<br />

7-10 Dec<br />

ALADDIN!<br />

Will the evil Abanazer convince Aladdin to enter<br />

The Cave Of A Thousand Dreams and fetch the<br />

lamp? Will Princess Jasmine find the boy of her<br />

dreams? And will Widow Twankey finally wear<br />

something that doesn’t look like an explosion in<br />

a paint factory?<br />

Conkers<br />

DE12 6GA<br />

www.visitconkers.com<br />

27-30 Dec<br />

Goldilocks & the Three Bears<br />

A brilliantly updated version of this well loved<br />

pantomime story, written in Gerry Graham’s<br />

own inimitable style especially for families...<br />

Three talented actors portray seven characters<br />

in this fast moving pantomime, packed with<br />

comedy, song and dance, along with audience<br />

participation.<br />

10 Dec<br />

The Nutcracker<br />

One of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions<br />

will be brought to life by Ballet Theatre UK,<br />

Christmas <strong>2017</strong>. This well-loved traditional<br />

Christmas ballet will be performed in a unique<br />

setting with 24 international dancers, from<br />

companies around the world. With grand<br />

sets and stunning costumes, The Nutcracker,<br />

promises to be a highlight on the Christmas<br />

calendar for the whole family.<br />

10 Jan – 3 Feb<br />

Robinson Crusoe<br />

Join the Pantomime Company at the Concordia<br />

theatre as they set sail on a swashbuckling<br />

adventure with their next production. It will be<br />

twenty years since the company last told the<br />

tale of ‘Robinson Crusoe’ – this new production<br />

will have a distinctly South American feel as<br />

we base the show in Old Brazil! The production<br />

will feature all the usual fun and spectacle<br />

associated with pantomimes at the Concordia –<br />

a treat for all the family!<br />

28 Nov – 7 Jan<br />

Scrooge the Musical<br />

Based on Charles Dickens’ much-loved A<br />

Christmas Carol, Scrooge is the perfect<br />

festive family treat, taking you and Ebenezer<br />

Scrooge on a spellbinding journey through<br />

Christmas past, present and yet-to-come…<br />

Will the miserable Scrooge cancel Christmas?<br />

Bah Humbug! Or can he learn the error of his<br />

ways and let a little festive cheer shine in his<br />

otherwise dreary world.<br />

28 Nov – 2 Dec<br />

The Snow Dragon<br />

The night of the Snow Dragon approaches…<br />

Billy has everything a young goat could need<br />

– and more besides. On New Year’s Eve, Billy<br />

is looking forward to the annual visit of the<br />

legendary Snow Dragon, who will bring him<br />

even more goodies. But when Billy bumps into<br />

some hungry wolves in the forest, New Year’s<br />

Day seems a long way off. How will Billy escape?<br />

And has he been naughty or nice?<br />

20 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire


IGNITE YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION<br />

Little Frenzy Drama<br />

Classes Ages 5-7<br />

Booking essential<br />

Thursday 4:10pm-5:10pm,<br />

Tesco Community Centre<br />

Other classes available:<br />

Drama and Storytelling - 22 mths-3 yrs<br />

Drama and Imaginative Play - 3-5 yrs<br />

Youth Theatre - 8-12 and 13-18<br />

Free trial available<br />

(£4.00 per session)<br />

BOX OFFICE<br />

Tel 07471205541 / 01509 733632<br />

frenzyyouththeatre@outlook.com<br />

www.frenzyyouththeatre.co.uk<br />

9 Dec – 20 Jan<br />

George’s Marvellous Medicine<br />

George’s Grandmother likes to gobble up slugs<br />

and bugs, and is always telling George what<br />

to do. But one day, when his parents leave him<br />

alone with the grizzly old grunion, George takes<br />

his chance and sets about creating a brand new<br />

medicine to cure her of her cruelty.<br />

15-23 Dec<br />

Christopher’s Christmas<br />

Its Christmas Eve and Christopher Nibble and his<br />

family are putting the finishing touches to his<br />

tree when their festive fun is interrupted by a<br />

shocking radio announcement. Father Christmas<br />

is lost! His Sat Nav has broken and he can’t find<br />

Dandeville! The guinea pigs gather together and<br />

hatch a plan to save Christmas<br />

De Montfort Hall<br />

Granville Road, Leicester, LE1 7RU<br />

www.demontforthall.co.uk<br />

16 Dec – 7 Jan<br />

Beauty and the Beast<br />

A Beauty of a Panto…A Beast of a Show! A<br />

star-studded cast including Richard ‘Dick’<br />

McCourt of children’s TV’s Dick and Dom fame,<br />

ITV’s Heartbeat, David Lonsdale and Leicester’s<br />

very own singing sensation Sam Bailey, and<br />

no Leicester panto would be complete without<br />

BBC Leicester broadcaster Martin Ballard who’s<br />

donning the dame’s frock once again - oh yes he<br />

is boys and girls!<br />

27 Jan<br />

Dance Dhamaka 2018<br />

Prepare for Dhamaka! Nupur Arts Dance<br />

Academy is proud to present an evening of<br />

masti and mazza, in Dance Dhamaka 2018!<br />

Showcasing a myriad of dance styles such as<br />

Indian Classical, Bollywood, Modern and Street<br />

Dance, our students of all ages will take you on<br />

a cultural journey through the world of dance in<br />

this theatrical extravaganza!<br />

Harborough Theatre<br />

Church Square, Market Harborough,<br />

LE16 7NB<br />

www.harboroughtheatre.com<br />

9 Dec<br />

The Three Musketeers<br />

Cry ‘All for one and one for all,’ as we join<br />

D’Artagnan and his friends Porthos, Athos and<br />

Aramis, in their quest against the scheming<br />

Cardinal Richelieu. A rip roaring, fast paced,<br />

swashbuckling show ideal for families (ages 5+).<br />

Inventive stagecraft, witty dialogue and with<br />

colourful characters from the novel, this exciting<br />

story is brimming with energy and skillful<br />

storytelling to keep audiences captivated.<br />

Loughborough Town Hall<br />

Market Place, Loughborough, LE11 3EB<br />

www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk<br />

25 Nov – 7 Jan<br />

Robin Hood<br />

This year, travel with us deep into the heart of<br />

magical Sherwood Forest, where the men wear<br />

the tights and the women wear the trousers.<br />

King Richard is away negotiating a trade deal<br />

with Europe, he may be some time so the<br />

wicked Sheriff of Nottingham is hatching a plan<br />

to dispose of his niece and nephew to inherit a<br />

fortune and steal the crown for himself. It’s all<br />

down to Robin, Marion and the gang to stop<br />

him in his tracks.Jam packed with daring duels,<br />

stunning sets, outrageous costumes and a very<br />

merry man in a dress that will set your heart a<br />

quiver. Join us for this fun filled, fantastic family<br />

pantomime - I Sher-wood if I were you!<br />

19 Dec<br />

A Christmas Carol<br />

“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an<br />

angel, I am as merry as a school-boy. I am as<br />

giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to<br />

everybody! A Happy New Year to all the world!”<br />

Please note, this special Christmas Performance<br />

will take place in our beautiful Victoria Room<br />

and will be sold as unreserved seating.<br />

The Core at Corby Cube<br />

George Street, Corby NN17 1QG<br />

www.thecorecorby.com<br />

7-30 Dec<br />

The Wind In The Willows<br />

This brand new production, made in Corby, is<br />

filled with humour, song, dance and good oldfashioned<br />

storytelling that puts the audience<br />

right at the heart of the action.<br />

4-7 Jan<br />

CATS: Aladdin<br />

Join Corby Amateur Theatrical Society in the<br />

magical world of pantomime! CATS return with<br />

a traditional family panto with top-class live<br />

music, a fabulous cast, dazzling sets and a magic<br />

carpet ride through a spectacular adventure!<br />

The Little Theatre<br />

Dover Street, Leicester, LE1 6PW<br />

www.thelittletheatre.net<br />

15 Dec – 7 Jan<br />

Dick Whittington<br />

Filled with high expectations, Dick Whittington<br />

travels to London with his faithful cat, Tommy.<br />

Does Dick have any hope of becoming the next<br />

lord mayor of London? Or will the post be taken<br />

by the corrupt King Rat? Will The Spirit of the<br />

Bells triumph enabling a harmonious ending?<br />

Melton Theatre<br />

Asfordby Rd, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0HJ<br />

www.meltontheatre.co.uk<br />

2-9 Dec<br />

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs<br />

A traditional family pantomime.<br />

11-12 Dec<br />

Alice in Wonderland<br />

Come along and meet Alice and join her on her<br />

crazy journey through Wonderland. Meet all<br />

the crazy characters she has to contend with<br />

The white rabbit, The Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dum<br />

and Tweedle Dee and not forgetting the Queen<br />

of hearts. Fun for all the family come along to<br />

laugh, cheer and Booo! The baddies!<br />

15-21 Dec<br />

Cinderella<br />

Follow the rags to riches tale where dreams<br />

come true with a special invitation to the Ball.<br />

This year’s star name’s Steven Arnold best<br />

known for playing Ashley Peacock in Coronation<br />

Street is Dandini, alongside Britain’s Got Talent<br />

Finalist Stephen Hall as one of the Ugly Sisters.<br />

The Peepul Centre<br />

Orchardson Avenue, Leicester LE4 6DP<br />

www.peepulenterprise.com<br />

5-27 Dec<br />

Robin Hood<br />

“Join us for an interactive audience adventure<br />

as Robin Hood and his swashbuckling merry<br />

band – rob the rich – to feed the poor!” This<br />

Christmas Peepul Enterprise is transformed into<br />

Sherwood Forest for an exciting, immersive<br />

ambush by Robin Hood – The Exciting Panto<br />

Adventure! A Christmas adaptation of the<br />

worlds most famous legend!<br />

The Y Theatre<br />

East Street, Leicester LE1 6EY<br />

www.leicesterymca.co.uk/theatre<br />

2 Dec<br />

The Nutcracker<br />

This well-loved traditional Christmas ballet<br />

will be performed in a unique setting with 24<br />

international dancers, from companies around<br />

the world. Follow the adventures of a Clara on<br />

the night before Christmas. On her journey she<br />

sees magical Snowflakes, dancing dolls and a<br />

Christmas tree that reaches the sky. This opulent<br />

new production promises everything you<br />

love about The Nutcracker, brighter and more<br />

splendid than ever before.<br />

24 Dec<br />

Oliver Jeffers’ Lost & Found<br />

Once there was a boy and one day he found<br />

a penguin at his door. He didn’t know where<br />

it had come from or who it belonged to. The<br />

penguin looked sad and the boy thought it must<br />

be lost. So he decided to help it find its way<br />

home, even if that meant rowing all the way<br />

to the South Pole. This funny, charming tale<br />

of friendship is the perfect treat for a younger<br />

audience. Brought to life with puppetry, songs<br />

and music, this fantastic new show is suitable<br />

for ages 3+ and their grown-ups.<br />

18 – 23 Dec<br />

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs<br />

The story of the Princess Snow White, who is<br />

hated by her step-mother the evil and vain<br />

Queen Caligula, but is saved by the seven dwarfs.<br />

Add in a dashing prince, a talking mirror, a<br />

couple of inept murderers, a Dame to die for, the<br />

Queen’s henchman and - oh yes - an apprentice<br />

fairy trying to earn her wings and you get a fast<br />

moving, action packed traditional pantomime.<br />

Audience participation encouraged!!<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire<br />

100 th Issue<br />

27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 21


COMPETITIONS<br />

WIN!<br />

To enter these fantastic competitions and<br />

more please go to...<br />

www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire/competitions or<br />

through Facebook.com/<strong>Primary</strong>times<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />

Like us on Facebook<br />

WIN 2 x Family tickets this year’s Robin Hood<br />

pantomime at Loughborough Town Hall<br />

This show is jam packed with daring duels, stunning<br />

sets, outrageous costumes and a very merry man in a<br />

dress that will set your heart a quiver.<br />

Come and join us for this fun filled, fantastic family<br />

pantomime! I Sher-wood if I were you!<br />

Which real-life forest is this year’s Robin Hood<br />

pantomime set?<br />

a) Epping b) Nottingham c) Sherwood<br />

Closing date: 18/12/17<br />

Win a family ticket for four to see Beauty and the<br />

Beast at De Montfort Hall, Leicester City Council<br />

A Beauty of a Panto…A Beast of a Show!<br />

After breaking box office records last year, De Montfort Hall<br />

today announces their star studded line up for this year’s<br />

spectacular family pantomime Beauty and the Beast.<br />

Simply answer this question:<br />

Q: Which enchanted flower rules the Beast’s future?<br />

Closing date: 14/12/17<br />

Win 4 tickets and 4 pairs of socks for a<br />

jump session in the brand-new BOOST<br />

TRAMPOLINE PARKS LEICESTER<br />

Opening at Mercury Place in<br />

the city centre – you can win<br />

tickets to enjoy this brandnew<br />

trampoline park.<br />

Perfect for a family fun day or a day out with friends.<br />

Take a peek at our new funhouse at<br />

www.boosttrampolineparks.co.uk or<br />

www.facebook.com/boosttrampolineleicester/<br />

Simply answer this question:<br />

What animal is our mascot?<br />

a) Frog b) Snake c) Alligator<br />

Closing date: 08/01/18<br />

WIN four tickets to Jubilee<br />

Square Ice Rink!<br />

This year a huge 30m x 15m ice rink – with real ice! – is<br />

coming to Leicester’s Jubilee Square!<br />

The covered rink offers skating aids for younger<br />

children, making it a safe and fun-filled family day out<br />

whatever the weather.<br />

To be in with the a chance of winning the tickets,<br />

simply answer this question:<br />

Visit Leicester is situated on Gallowtree Gate,<br />

what number is it?<br />

Find the answer on our Facebook page /visitleicester our<br />

Twitter page @visit_leicester or at www.visitleicester.info<br />

(Tickets – 2 adult and 2 children, or 1 adult 3 children).<br />

Closing date: 13/12/17<br />

22 27 November <strong>2017</strong> - 28 January 2018 100 th Issue www.primarytimes.net/leicestershire

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