Tag: Christmas

Cut the cost of Christmas at Give and Take Day

Try swapping, not buying this Christmas!

Give and Take Day

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Saturday 14th December 10am – 1pm 

North Edinburgh Timebank and the Women’s International Group are organising a big community swap day.

If you have clothes or toys you no longer need, bring them along and swap them for other ones.

Following the success of the Give and Take Day in the summer, we’re having another one! North Edinburgh Timebank’s Julie Smith said:  “It’s a simple idea and really effective. It’s a way of local people supporting each other in a practical way. No-one has a lot of cash, this way we can all share things we have we don’t want, but might be of use to other folk.”

You turn up, hand over what you don’t want, get a ticket and you can exchange that for something you do want. Adult’s clothes, children’s clothes and toys – as long as they’re in good condition, bring them along.

There will be a bouncy castle, tombola stall and refreshments.

For more information, contact Julie on 07807002591.

give and take

Sainsbury’s serves up festive treat for Young at Heart

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s Young at Heart Group enjoyed a complimentary Christmas lunch at Sainsbury’s café on 13 December.  The ladies were joined by Colin, the Centre’s volunteer driver, who did a splendid job picking them up all from their homes and taking them safely back again.

And the lunch was delicious!

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Christmas is just round the corner in West Pilton

SantaWest Pilton will resound to the sound of jingle bells this Saturday when ‘Christmas Round the Corner’ comes to West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

The free event promises fun for all the family, with loads of free activities (including Santa’s Grotto) and live music too from 11am – 3pm.

A free Christmas event? Surely even Scrooge would raise a smile! See below for more details

a4 xmas flyer

 

Stay safe this Christmas

Some sage seasonal advice from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service:

MAKE SURE:

  • Smoke detectors are working
  • Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard
  • Decorations are kept away from naked flames.

DON’T:

  • Drink too much. Alcohol and smoking increase your risk of a house fire
  • Leave cooking unattended; it’s a common cause of house fires
  • Leave Christmas lights on overnight or when the house is empty.

To book a Home Safety Visit by local firefighters and fitting of a free smoke detector call 0800 169 0320

For more information about fire safety visit www.lbfire.org.uk

lbfrs

 

 

It’s a Quangle Wangle Christmas at North Edinburgh Arts!

quangle1Licketyspit’s ‘The Christmas Quangle Wangle’ has opened at North Edinburgh Arts. Written by Virginia Radcliffe and based on the works of Edward Lear, ‘The Christmas Quangle Wangle’ is suitable for all ages (3 – 103!) and it’s the perfect way to really get into that Christmas spirit.

Daily performances at 10am and 1pm (Saturday 10.30am and 1.30pm) and tickets start at only  £2.

The Christmas Quangle Wangle runs until 15 December. For more information contact North Edinburgh Arts on 315 2151 or see the www.licketyspit.com and www.northedinburgharts.co.uk websites.quangle3

 

Choirs to sing out at Sainsbury’s!

seasonsgreetingsFancy some seasonal sounds while you do your Christmas shopping? Sainsbury’s Blackhall will ring out with all your festive favourites with visits planned by three different choirs in the run-up to Christmas!

A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to welcome some members of the congregation of our local Church, Blackhall St Columba’s, to our store on Sunday (9 December) at 2pm to sing carols for our customers and colleagues. We are also looking forward to a visit from Stockbridge Primary School choir, who will be singing for us on Wednesday 12 December at 4pm, and the Edinburgh Jubilio Choir on Tuesday 18 December at 6pm.”

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City gets set for Christmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas celebration’s will kick off with a stunning Light Night ceremony on the Mound tonight (Thursday). 

A dazzling combination of projection, aerial performance and pyrotechnics will build excitement through a specially commissioned show – Christmas Dream Machine.  Revealing the enchanting dreams of a child at Christmas, the performance will culminate in the lighting of Edinburgh’s Norwegian Christmas Tree; a gift from the people of Hordaland.  An exotic Brazilian Samba Band will lead revellers to St Andrew Square, where the festivities will continue with a live after show, featuring an array of local artists, entertainers and a fire show.

Over the six weeks, the ever popular Traditional German Christmas Market returns to the city along with the Traditional Highland Village Christmas Market, plus a number of bespoke markets will take place across the city centre throughout December.

Commenting on the overall programme, City of Edinburgh Council Lord Provost, Rt Hon Donald Wilson, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas is one of the most iconic Christmas celebrations in the world and we are pleased to announce a varied programme of events and attractions for 2012.  Whether it’s to catch up with family and friends, or just to relax and soak up the magical atmosphere, we are proud of the fact that so many people make Edinburgh their destination of choice.  With the nativity scene at the heart of the city and carol concerts to attend, visitors and residents will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the festive season.”

From skating beneath the stars on the Edinburgh Ice Rink to seeing the city from a new perspective on the breathtaking Edinburgh Wheel, there is something for everyone this Christmas. Visitors of all ages will be thrilled to see the return of live reindeer to St Andrew Square on 8 & 9 December, then Friday, Saturday and Sunday on both weekends before Christmas.

For the first time, there will be a 3D cinema in East Princes Street Garden, where children and adults alike will love the award-winning Christmas caper ‘Rocket’s Missing Antler’.  Rocket is usually the fastest of all of Santa’s helpers, but he has lost his antler, meaning Christmas could be cancelled.  The exciting visual feast follows the loveable reindeer, Cheeky Snowman and the Wishfairy as they battle against time to regrow Rocket’s antler and save Christmas.

Nickie Gott, managing director of She’s Gott It!, Edinburgh’s Christmas producers, enthuses: “There is no better place than Edinburgh during the festive period.  With the remarkable Light Night starting things off in style, the city centre will be buzzing with activity and excitement.  The capital is so magical at this time of year and we hope that our programme will amaze and delight the entire family.”

Following the success of last year’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations, Edinburgh’s Christmas will once again present an exciting programme of activity on the Castle esplanade tomorrow (30 November) as part of Scotland’s Winter Festival.  During the day, there will be a chance for visitors to make their own lantern, before a specially commissioned night time spectacular, with fireworks to celebrate Scotland’s patron saint.

Santa will be arriving in the city centre from 5pm on Saturday 8 December in his reindeer-drawn sleigh, and will make daily visits to collect his post and to see who has been naughty and nice. There will be a flurry of red and white on Sunday 9 December, as hundreds of Santas pull on their running shoes for the tenth Great Edinburgh Santa Run, in aid of the When You Wish Upon a Star Foundation. Starting in West Princes Street Gardens, Santas of all ages will be able to run, jog or walk the 1.5km route.

Andy Neal, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: “With Edinburgh’s Christmas bringing thousands of visitors to the city each year, Essential Edinburgh is proud to support some of the fantastic activities, such as Light Night and Santa’s Arrival – key features of the  programme that encourage visitors and residents to come into town during the festive period.  This investment is another example of the city centre’s private businesses, through Essential Edinburgh, investing in the Capital.”

Edinburgh’s Christmas is a highlight in the Winter in Edinburgh marketing campaign and is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, Essential Edinburgh and Marketing Edinburgh.

Quangle Wangle brings Christmas magic to North Edinburgh Arts

 

Licketyspit and North Edinburgh Arts will be presenting Licketyspit’s acclaimed Christmas production

The Christmas Quangle Wangle

at North Edinburgh Arts

from Thursday 6 – Saturday 15 December 

The Christmas Quangle Wangle is a hilarious, musical adventure for families, friends, schools and nurseries, inspired by the poems and stories of Edward Lear.  It is presented at North Edinburgh Arts by its newly appointed Theatre Company in Residence, Licketyspit. The production is written by Virginia Radcliffe and developed in collaboration with Johnny Austin.

“On top of the Crumpetty Tree, the Quangle Wangle sat………”

Stella and Stan are waiting for Christmas. They find a mysterious parcel which leads them to the Quangle Wangle, sad and alone in his Crumpetty Tree. But the arrival of an array of colourful characters changes his and their lives forever.

Join Stella and Stan on their adventure and spend this Christmas at North Edinburgh Arts on the Quangle Wangle’s Hat with the Orient Calf from the Land of Tute, the Dong With the Luminous Nose and the Jumblies as they sail to sea in a sieve! Children will delight in this nonsensical world of make-believe and storytelling, limericks and madcap songs. The Christmas Quangle Wangle is the perfect festive introduction to theatre for younger audiences, from ages three upwards and their grown-ups.

Stella and Stan are played by Scott Fletcher and Ashley Smith, rising young performers in Scottish theatre. Scott is best known for his role as Charlie Smith in Gary: Tank Commander and his many theatre roles include performances in Black Watch for National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Lyceum’s production of Peter Pan.

Ashley has worked extensively in Scottish theatre since graduating from RSAMD and appearances include Sex and God, Magnetic North; Magic Spaghetti for Licketyspit;  27 for National Theatre of Scotland and Hansel and Gretel with Catherine Wheels.

These performances celebrate the development of a new partnership for North Edinburgh Arts and Licketyspit. North Edinburgh Arts is establishing Licketyspit Theatre Company as Theatre in Residence, supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, to specifically engage and to further develop an Early Years and families audience. North Edinburgh Arts received £50,000 from Creative Scotland’s Public Engagement programme to establish Licketyspit Theatre Company as Theatre in Residence.

Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, Portfolio Manager for Theatre at Creative Scotland, said; ‘We are delighted to have invested in The Christmas Quangle Wangle. We hope the magical experience of going to the theatre will spark a lifelong passion for theatre in younger audiences and their grown-ups.’

North Edinburgh Arts and Licketyspit are excited to be presenting The Christmas Quangle Wangle during 2012, the bicentenary of the birth of Edward Lear.

Crumpetty Tea and Orient Calf Noodles will be available in the North Edinburgh Arts Café where children can make Quangle and Jumblie pop-ups and draw Quangle Wangle’s Hat for a North Edinburgh Arts and Licketyspit exhibition.

The Christmas Quangle Wangle is written by Virginia Radcliffe, around Edward Lear’s poems, and developed in collaboration with Johnny Austin. The production is directed by Johnny Austin; design is developed from the original Catherine Lindow design by Ali Maclaurin; music is by Tim Brinkhurst & Virginia Radcliffe.

“Quangle Wangle…captures its audience’s fiery imagination… a pyrotechnic telling of Lear’s poems” – The Stage, 2004 production

LISTINGS:

Licketyspit and North Edinburgh Arts present

The Christmas Quangle Wangle

North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, Edinburgh EH4 4TZ

Thursday 6 – Saturday 15 December 2012

Monday – Friday: 10am and 1pm; Saturdays: 10.30am & 1.30pm

Tickets: Forth Ward Residents £2, all other tickets £6.

Box office: 0131 315 2151

www.northedinburgharts.co.uk

Quangle Wangle was first produced by Virginia Radcliffe for the Wee Stories Early Years Project in 2003 and again for Licketyspit for Christmas at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre in 2004 directed by Matthew Zajac. It was also produced for Derby Live for Christmas 2009 with a new design by Ali Maclaurin. It was first created in collaboration with Johnny Austin and designed by Catherine Lindow with original Music by Tim Brinkhurst.

Jack and Jill’s Savvy Way to Survive Christmas!

Hate to mention it, but Christmas is coming (77 days and counting!) so it’s never too early to pick up a bargain …

Now that Summer is officially over and the Festive Countdown is underway, it’s time to start thinking about “The Savvy Way to Survive Christmas!”

It’s reported that the average family spend up to a whopping £700 over the festive period, while the smallest sum a UK family is likely to fork out is still a sizable £182.

But you don’t have to break the bank to give your little ones a Yuletide to remember.  You can make your money go further this festive season, by shopping for quality nearly-new items at your local Jack & Jill Market.  You can pick up everything from designer Christmas outfits, toys, books and gadgets to make their stockings bulge, or a star attraction for under the tree.

One happy shopper recently told us “This is the sixth market I have been to and every time I leave with a bag full of fantastic goodies for my boys which I am putting away for Christmas.  I will be all finished soon and will probably have spent under £100”

Our children don’t know or care that an item has been played with and loved before it reaches them.  If it’s New to them then as far as they are concerned it is NEW!

Cathy Uttley and Pauline Macmillan are Events & Marketing Managers for The Jack & Jill Market in Edinburgh.  Both have two young children, so they fully understand how unnecessarily expensive parenting can be.  Cathy said: “Hamish and Polly are growing so quickly that it just makes sense to buy nearly new”. Pauline added: “Liam and Lucy’s interests change so quickly that I really appreciate being able to keep them entertained with gently-used toys at bargain prices.”

Jack and Jill is not just about saving money: savvy Mums and Dads can free up cash in the attic at the monthly markets.  A recent stallholder said: “I am thrilled to have made over £300, that’s money which is going into the Christmas fund and will make a huge difference.”

There are lots of reasons why it makes money smart sense to shop at The Jack & Jill Market, this Christmas.  Here are just a few:

  1. Jack and Jill goodies are sold at a fraction of the high street price – Your money goes a lot further!
  2. Your money stays in the community – You are buying your items from local families and helping their family budget at the same time as yours!
  3. The thrill of the hunt – Scouring the Market for that must have item at an unbeatable price is exciting in a way retail shopping isn’t!
  4. It’s green – Buying nearly new cuts down on the enormous number of toys sent to landfill!
  5. It’s all under one roof –You can find everything you might need or want all in the same place and leave with it that very day!

With three more fantastic markets before 2013 is upon us, you have every opportunity to make sure that your tree is not the only green thing about your Christmas!  Come along to Meadowbank  Stadium, London Road, Edinburgh on 21st October, 18th November and 9th December (10:30am-1:30pm) and have a very Savvy Christmas!

www.jackandjillmarket.co.uk