Christmas at Chirk Castle 7-22 December

Chirk Castle (National Trust) begins its Christmas at the castle, including Santa's grotto from 7th - 22nd December 2013.

This magnificent castle will have its halls well and truly decked and the kids will  visit Father Christmas's grotto and receive a special gift.  There's also a chance to take a look behind the scenes of Christmas with a visit to the elves' workshop. You can also visit the tearoom for to sample some delicious festive fare!

Open 11am-4pm (gates open at 10am and last admission time is 3.30pm)

National Trust members free
Adults £5.25
Children £2.63
Grotto £3.00 per child including a gift.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirkcastle or call 01691 777701

Christmas Live in Oswestry - Fri 6th December

Plans are now well underway for the annual Oswestry Christmas Live event to be held on Friday 6th December.

Christmas Music Live has grown into one of the largest Christmas celebrations in Shropshire and includes an assortment of entertainment including enormous fairground rides positioned throughout the town centre. The award winning Porthywaen Silver Band will be playing carols supported by various local choirs and musical groups. Street entertainers will be strolling around the town and performing throughout the evening. The synthetic ice rink will return to Festival Square where local schools have been invited to have lots of skating fun.

As well as being open for late night bargains, the Indoor Market will also be the home of Santa's Grotto where children are invited to meet Santa in aid of the Hope House Charity. To complete the celebrations there will be a massive firework display at Cae Glas Park at 9.00 pm.

There is plenty for everyone to enjoy so come along and take part in this spectacular night and help make Oswestry a special place.

Grand Christmas Draw 2013!

You should now have received your raffle ticket books so that you can enter our Grand Christmas Draw 2013!

Top prize is £50 cash, but there's also a £25 hamper, bottles of wine, M&S chocolates and biscuits and much more!

All proceeds go to the Nursery Charitable Fund.

If you need extra books please ask at the Nursery Office.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update on Nursery Charitable Fund

Following feedback it was agreed by the Nursery Parent Support Group to use some of the funds to purchase a new PC screen for the classroom. This has now been installed and is much enjoyed by the classroom children.

We are still working on plans to improve the outdoor area so that it can be better used during not so nice weather. Hopefully we will be able to tell you more in the New Year!

We are always happy to receive suggestions, please let one of the Nursery Office staff know or a member of the Parent Support Group.

Victorian Christmas at Blists Hill, Ironbridge

Experience the atmosphere of a bygone era and be treated to an array of traditional celebrations from the 1800s you can listen to stories of life more than 100 years ago and a chance to do some Christmas present shopping.

Blists Hill Victorian Town Christmas Weekends

Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th December
Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th December

Come along and experience the atmosphere of a bygone era and be treated to an array of traditional celebrations from the 1800s, you can listen to stories of life more than 100 years ago and have a chance to do some Christmas present shopping and...

• Father Christmas’ Reindeer
• Mr Morton’s Christmas Party
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Punch & Judy
• Brass Bands
• Carol Singers
• Father Christmas

Ticket Prices
Adults £15.95
60 Plus £12.50
Child £10.50
Family (2 adults and 2 children) £46.50

Tickets are not available in advance of the event.

A visit to see Father Christmas in his Grotto is an additional £3.50 per child and includes a traditional gift.

See more at: http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/plan-your-visit/events-and-exhibitions-calendar/victorian-christmas-2/view/2013-12-07#sthash.Ftg8BUJd.dpuf

12 boxes and counting - wet wipes raise money!

In May we asked you to bring in any empty baby wipe packets for us to support 'Ellie's Fund Brain Tumour Trust'.  We wanted to update you on progress and can confirm that we have now sent off 12 boxes for the cause which is brilliant, thank you!

However, we aren't stopping yet, so still keep the packets coming!

Please see below a reminder about the cause and which wipe packets we can send off:

Collect your empty baby wipe packets (any brand but not toilet/face/antibac wipe packets though), and hand in to the office.

'Ellie's Fund Brain Tumour Trust' was set up after the death of 14 year old Ellie Othick-Bowmaker.

During the 3 years that she fought her own 2 brain tumours, Ellie helped to raise over £25000. She inspired many people to join in. Ellie's legacy is the money that is being used to help others. For more information visit the website: http://www.elliesfund.com/

Poster about 'Wiping out waste': http://www.elliesfund.com/resources/Baby%20wipe%20poster%20v4.pdf

Thank you for your support!

Christmas at Powis Castle 30 Nov - 22 Dec

At weekends between 30 November and 22nd December the lower state rooms will be decked out in all the splendour of an Edwardian Christmas, 12.30 - 3.30pm.

Santa will be in his magical grotto between 1-3pm, £3 per child including a gift.

For more information visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle

Winter Wonderland at Chester Racecourse 21st Nov - 31st Dec

Chester Racecourse will be transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with ice rink and a traditional Christmas market selling loads of fab goodies.  Other attractions include fairground rides, festive foods and the chance for children to meet Santa and one of his reindeer.

Visit: www.winterwonderlandchester.co.uk for more information

Christmas on the Cambrian 8th, 15th, 22nd December 2013

Santa will be returning to make his annual visit to Cambrian Heritage Railways, and you can pay him a visit as part of the railway's Santa specials!

With plenty of festive food on offer and of course a special gift for the children, it's the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!  Santa special trains will be running from the Oswestry and Llynclys stations during December.

Santa trains will depart from both Oswestry and Llynclys Station on Saturday 8th, 15th and 22nd December.

Visit www.cambrianrailways.com to find out more, book early to avoid disappointment on 07527 107592

Charity Fundraising Success!

We would like to thank you very much for your support with the fundraising we have undertaken for charity this Autumn:

Oswestry Bone Cancer Centre Appeal
More than 60 children, aged between 6 months and 4 years, took part in a sponsored buggy push, toddle or bounce around the hospital grounds during the October half term week. Lots of fun was had in the fresh air and an amazing £387 was raised!

For information on the Oswestry Bone Cancer Centre Appeal


Children In Need 2013
Well done to all those who spent the day in their PJs last Friday in aid of Children in Need. A total of £88 was raised.

For information on Children In Need 2013

Thank you again for your support!

Nearly Christmas Raffle Time!

You will soon be receiving some Nursery Raffle tickets to enter our Christmas Raffle!

Look out for the raffle table in the entrance and check out the goodies that will continue to grow over the next few weeks!

Good luck!

Christmas books for children ideas

If you are looking for a festive themed book for your little one you may find the links below useful:

Christmas books from Usborne Children's Books

Love Reading 4 Kids Christmas Books - choose the age category using the tabs, the default it 'Baby and Toddlers'

Amazon.co.uk Christmas Books for children - choose the age category using the tabs or the by age range filter on the left


Or if you don't want to buy, there's always free borrowing from your local public library!

Reminder: only a few days left to order your 'My Child's Art' merchandise

Just a reminder that if you want to order gifts, including Christmas cards, featuring your child's festive artwork from http://www.mychildsart.co.uk/, the cut-off date is 17th November 2013 for reduced items and free post and packing (because they are manufactured and delivered in bulk to the nursery).

If you haven't logged onto the site yet, we can reassure you that it is very easy, you just have to enter the details on the slip you will have received.

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre, 23rd & 24th November 2013

Celebrate the start of the Christmas season in the stunning Medieval setting of Ludlow Castle.

Over the weekend, explore over 100 stalls selling seasonal wares, food and drink, crafts, historical goods and more; it’s the ideal chance to find the perfect, original gift or indulge in a unique treat.
With a wide range of food and drink stalls to tickle your taste buds, grab a mulled wine, a spiced cider or head over to the local Beer Tent to whet your appetite for the full programme of entertainment.

From the bone-crunching Plantagenet Society knights and music from Glastonbury 2013’s The Armagh Rhymers to the bed of nails and fire juggling, there’s entertainment throughout the castle all weekend. And keep an eye open for the 10’ giants, Brother Sid and Punch!

For more information and to book tickets (under 5s free) visit: http://www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk/

Get your PJs on for Children in Need: Friday 15th November 2013

If your child is due to be present at nursery on Friday 15th November, help them join in with our Children in Need fun by letting them come in their PJs!

Suggested donation is £1

For more information about Children in Need visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008dk4b

The Snow Queen at St Mary's, Chester 5th Dec - 11th Jan

Following a hugely successful production of A Christmas Carol at the Town Hall last year, Theatre in the Quarter is making an eagerly anticipated return to Chester with a magical production of The Snow Queen.

Adapted from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, the show features original music by Matt Baker, wonderful storytelling along with digital media. You'll meet wild robbers, penguins, reindeer, princes, princesses, ravens and even a polar bear along the way!

The show will be at Chester's 'Hidden gem' - St Mary's on the Hill from 5th December to 11th January.

Visit http://www.chestercathedral.com/the-snow-queen.html

Reminder: photographs and sponsorship money in by 15th November please!

Thank you for all the sponsorship you have been collecting for your little one's fundraising activity for the Oswestry Bone Cancer Centre Appeal.  Please can you make sure that all the money is handed into the office by Friday 15th November - thank you!

Also, for those of you who want to order photographs, you need to make sure all forms and money are handed into the office by Friday 15th November.

Christmas weekends at Erddig starting 23rd November

Come and experience a traditional Victorian Christmas!

Enjoy live music and performances throughout the day, in the grounds be tempted with tasty wares and mulled wine from a variety of market stalls, explore the house decorated for the Christmas festivities and you may even discover the elves bedroom!

Don't miss Santa who will waves to the crowds in the Midden Yard at 12 noon each day.

Visit Santa's Grotto

 

Please note that due to the over-whelming popularity of the Erddig grotto, there is a new pre-booking system. Tickets are £5 per child (includes a gift) and can be booked online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig events or by calling 0844 246 1895.

Dates

• 23, 24 and 30 November
• 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 December

Open 10am to 4pm

All aboard the Santa Christmas Special!

A decorated steam train will transport you in style from Llangollen station to Carrog (renamed Lapland for the occasion).  Children will receive a special gift, while adults can enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie from Santa's little helpers.

Pre-booking is essential due to popularity.

Dates:

• 30th November
• 1st, 7-8th, 14-15th and 20-24th December

Visit www.llangollen-railway.co.uk for more information