Forest family fun at Hill End

Karen Neville

Christmas

Celebrate the season in the great outdoors at Hill End centre just outside the city

Escape the hullabaloo of Christmas preparations with a day in nature to help you reconnect and chill out at a family forest day at Hill End. The outdoor activities base just outside Oxford city centre has been inviting people to take part in unique outdoor learning experiences for just over 100 years.

And at this chaotic time of year what could be better than releasing in the open air with the chance for children to run free and play games, follow the winter trail as a family, make creative crafts using natural materials and just sit around the campfire and toast marshmallows.

Enjoy the Christmas holiday fun on Tuesday 20th from 1pm to 5pm and on Wednesday 21st from 10am to 2pm.

These self-led open days are just £8.50 per person and include a jacket potato or soup and hot drinks in the Friends of Hill End pop-up café.

Booking essential. Visit https://hill-end.org/news/familyfun/ and click on whichever date you wish to book.

The month starts with a fun evening keeping warm by the fire, singing carols and Christmas songs and festive story time on Friday, 2nd December from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Tickets, £6 Friends adult member / £3 child and £8 non-Friends / £6 child, include hot drinks, marshmallows and mince pies. Booking essential in advance, visit https://hill-end.org/news/christmas-sing-along/

A visit to Hill End offers visit the opportunity to be closer to nature, with the space and time to explore and appreciate the wonders of the natural environment.

Celebrate Christmas at The Lexicon

Karen Neville

Christmas

Enjoy festive fun activities for the whole family at Bracknell’s leading shopping centre

Shoppers at The Lexicon will be greeted by glittering lights, a 10-metre Christmas Tree and festive market stalls, as part of an array of festive activities for all the family from Saturday, 26th November to December 24th.

One of the borough’s spectacular forest giants, Will Wildwood will return to Princess Square, dressed for the festive season complete with festive forest foliage and frost-tipped sparkling lights to help raise money for Bracknell Foodbank. Every time someone uses the Winter Will Wildwood slide, The Lexicon will donate 20 pence to the foodbank up to a maximum of £5,000.

There’s a Snowflake Trail for families to follow around the town centre, using spectacular artwork created by local children with a chance to win a fabulous family prize from Cineworld and Gymfinity.

But, the star of the show is a magical virtual sleigh ride. Families will be transported across the world as they give Santa’s brand-new sleigh a trial flight before Christmas Eve.

Begin your journey by being transported into a virtual bay using a VR headset with a fully immersive experience including 360-degree views and matching movements. Hold on to your hats everyone, this could be a bumpy ride!

SEND sessions available.

For more information about Christmas at The Lexicon and to book tickets for the sleigh ride visit https://www.thelexiconbracknell.com/.

Celebrate Christmas at Ramster

Karen Neville

Christmas

Christmas trees, a market and children’s theatre can all be enjoyed at Ramster Hall and Gardens this season.

Set in 25 acres of stunning woodland, hills and lakes, Ramster Garden in Chiddingfold is known for its spring colour but with winter on our doorstop the focus shifts.

Ramster is selling premium Christmas trees and beautiful festive wreaths from November 26th outside its Tea House. Festive treats including, mince pies and mulled wine will be available from the Tea House.

Choose from three different types of Christmas trees including Premium Nordmann Fir, Premium Fraser Fir and Norway spruce. Advice will be on hand to help you select your perfect tree.

Opening times: Mon-Thurs 11am-5pm, Fri 11am-7pm, weekends 10am-6pm. Free parking.

Explore a fantastic variety of stalls run by local artisans selling food, drink and gifts at Ramster Christmas market on December 3rd and 4th, 10am-4pm. Includes gin, fudge, art, jewellery, beauty and homewares. For an extra treat, Ramster is being joined by the Lammas Handbell Ringers on Saturday 3rd who will be playing Christmas carols in the morning. Free entry and parking.

Ramster Hall presents the Gingerbread Man: A real treat for children aged two to seven years as they join our hero on his adventurous journey in search of somewhere better. Some amusing characters are encountered on the way but not all are as friendly as they may appear. Finally, our champion learns that there is no place quite like home.

Performed inside Ramster Hall on Saturday 10th December (60 minutes)

Tickets: £9.50 per person (children under 2 free)

Family ticket 2 adults and 2 children £34.

Book tickets: [email protected]

For more information visit www.ramsterevents.com

Free magical entertainment in Fleet

Karen Neville

Christmas

Santa’s Post Office and Snow Windows herald the start of the festive season

The Fleet Business Improvement District has launched their family activities this Christmas. They are completely free and offer an amazing experience and are a great reason to visit the town.

The Fleet BID has commissioned Snow Windows to decorate 24 windows in the town. Each window has been personally designed by artist Tom and features elements particular to that business. Each window is a unique piece of art and both children and adults will enjoy being able to visit the windows and spot the details that make each artwork so special.

Santa’s Post Office also makes a welcome return to Fleet launching in Hart Shopping Centre at the Fleet Christmas Festival on November 23rd. Families can visit the enchanting Post Office to meet the Christmas elves and write their letter to Santa. Children can post their letters in the special Post Box and watch its magical journey to Lapland. Even better this is completely free.

One delighted parent, who visited in previous years said: “We went in today with my two kids and they loved it! Both my husband and I were so impressed and felt incredibly lucky to have something so special in Fleet. A real testament to a wonderful community. A massive thank you to Fleet BID for putting something so special together that local families can enjoy!”

Volunteers from Fleet Guide are manning the Post Office, helping them to raise awareness of the great work they do in our local community.

Tracey Shrimpton, Fleet BID Manager said: “We are very excited to bring these free actives to Fleet this Christmas. Santa’s Post Office is a magical experience and Snow Windows have worked with companies such as Harvey Nichols and celebrities including Jamie Oliver, Kirstie Allsopp and Chris Moyles so we’re extremely lucky to have been able to bring them to Fleet.

“We recognise that families may find the pressure to spend money stressful this Christmas and we’re delighted that we can offer something very special for families to enjoy that they can do completely free of charge.

“We are lucky to have such a fabulous range of committed small business owners who open their doors every day to offer customers unique services and products, with local staff to provide help and advice. The High Street is facing many challenges right now and our mission is to support businesses in Fleet with a number of activities to improve the trading environment and this is a great opportunity for people to show their support for local businesses which are the lifeblood of our community.”

In addition to Fleet BID’s activities a committed team of volunteers are organising the annual Fleet Christmas Festival taking place on Wednesday 23rd November from 2pm to 9pm with over 130 market stalls, family entertainment, choirs and Christmas songs, Vegan Village, community stalls, Hart of Craft market in the Shopping centre, Santa’s Grotto in The Harlington, Autism Friendly Fleet Chill Zone in the shopping centre and the Christmas Lights switch on at 6.30pm. The Festival Committee have also organised a Christmas Trail which runs until December 9th with prizes to be won.

Swap white for green this Christmas

Round & About

Christmas

Tatjana runs a loose-leaf tea startup called teapro.co.uk based in Windsor and is passionate about all things sustainable

Whilst Christmas is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be one of the most wasteful. The UK produces an additional three million tonnes of waste at Christmas and fills 100 million bin bags every year.

We’ve put together some easy and fun ways to reduce Christmas waste, so you can make a big impact this December and be part of the movement towards a more sustainable future. Let’s do this!

Spread joy with Christmas E-Cards

During that time of year when we want to express how much we care for our loved ones, Christmas Cards are more than just a tradition. However, even traditions can sometimes benefit from a modern twist, which is so easily done with lovely digital cards from companies like Paperless Post. Alternatively, you could also send plantable Christmas cards – there are some really lovely designs on Etsy.

Rent a Christmas tree

Seven million trees end up in landfill every year! One great way to reduce that astronomical number is by renting a Christmas tree and returning it back in January to be replanted. Another option is to repurpose your house plant into a modern Christmas tree – those fairy lights will help you make it look nice and festive!

Opt for reusable crackers

With some amazing re-usable options made out of fabric or Kraft paper, the transition away from single-use Christmas crackers couldn’t be easier! Try these and 
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1262342990/luxury-fabric-resuable-pullable.

Get a zero-waste advent calendar

Whether you’re a kid or a grown-up, you have to agree that advent calendars makes the countdown to Christmas so much more fun. Unfortunately, a lot of advent calendars contain unnecessary plastic packaging. We recommend picking calendars that use sustainable materials and have longevity beyond Christmas, like this cute tea advent calendar, which can be re-used as a cork board for your home office. Of course, you can also create your own advent calendar. Bonus points if you make it out of recycled materials!

Re-use last year’s decorations

It’s time to dust off those Christmas decorations from your attic – there is definitely a certain charm in re-using vintage family garlands. Alternatively, turn making sustainable DIY garlands into a fun family activity! There are also some gorgeous Kraft paper baubles and dried fruit garlands you can get on Etsy.

Shop presents locally and sustainably

When it comes to presents, experiences are a great idea! If you prefer physical presents, try sourcing them from local small businesses that use sustainable materials. Over £42 million worth of unwanted Christmas gifts end up in landfill each year, so if you’re not sure about the size or the colour preference – go for something consumable like tea! You can get a beautiful sustainably packaged subscription gift box from teapro.

Reduce food waste

When it comes to Christmas food shopping, try to only buy as much as you need. And if you really want to reduce your carbon footprint, try swapping your Christmas roast for a vegan nut roast option. If you do have leftovers, find recipes to see how you can make the most of them.

Try fabric gift wrapping

Fabric gift wrapping is the new trend of this year, it’s easy, beautiful and re-usable. Definitely worth an investment.

Recycle

Think ahead and minimise the effort and preparation for the next year. For example, make sure to keep all the usable gift-wrapping you get. If you get a new tech gadget, try to recycle the old one – your tablets and phone are full of valuable materials like zinc and gold that can be reused.

Instead of throwing away an unwanted present, you may consider selling it or re-gifting it. Lastly, consider donating unwanted left-over food to a charity like https://fareshare.org.uk/.

Christmas with The National Trust

Karen Neville

Christmas

Set a date to come together with family and friends for a Christmassy catch-up at a visit to a National Trust site in Sussex

Across Sussex, there’s a real variety of Christmas experiences for festive family days this year. There’s spectacle and sparkle for those ‘wow’ moments and selfies. Opulent decorated houses to get glamour-lovers in the mood for the party season. And nostalgic family trails in the great outdoors, themed on popular children’s books, to rekindle the magic of Christmas.

Zara Luxford, National Trust General Manager for Nymans and Standen said: “Christmas at the National Trust is always magical but this year we’ve got more decorations, trails and events than ever before. We can’t wait to see families and friends coming together, making memories, and experiencing the festive atmosphere at the places the National Trust cares for.”

Here’s a roundup of some of the National Trust’s best Christmas events across Sussex

The sumptuous one

A Joyful Family Christmas at Standen

November 19th to January 3rd (exc 24th & 25th)

Discover a beautifully decorated family home ready for a joyful Christmas, filled with sparkling lights and sumptuous trees, music and make believe. Outside, the Courtyard Christmas tree is lit with hundreds of twinkling lights, decorated by Same Sky community artists with local schoolchildren and inspired by William Morris. Don’t miss the twilight openings, carols round the tree and fun trail for all the family. Book ahead for Woodland Santa’s workshop at the top of the garden.

The magical one
Nymans

Beatrix Potter’s Christmas Tale at Nymans

November 26th to January 3rd (exc 24th & 25th)

Beatrix Potter’s festive tale The Tailor of Gloucester comes to the garden at Nymans, with installations around the garden. Step inside the gallery and discover an exhibition for all the family with some of Beatrix Potter’s original illustrations and Christmas cards. The house is richly decorated with sumptuous Christmas trees, sparkling lights and story scenes. There’s even a cosy storybook corner, puzzles and dressing up for the little ones. Enjoy festive treats in the café after a winter’s day out.

Image: National Trust / Laurence Perry
The tree-mendous one

Petworth’s Tree-mendous Christmas

November 26th to January 2nd (exc 24th & 25th)

Magnificently decorated trees fill the mansion at Petworth this Christmas. Highlights include the Marble Hall, transformed into an enchanted winter forest scene with sparkling lights and woodland creatures – look out for deer crafted from winter greenery, and tiny mice. In the chapel you can add a Christmas wish to a tree. Weekend choirs, late evening openings, and a Christmas market offer more moments to enjoy the sparkle at Petworth.

Image: National Trust / John Miller
The breath of fresh air

Sheffield Park and Garden

November 26th to January 1st (exc 24th and 25th)

Sheffield Park and Garden is a breath of fresh air at Christmas time. Take a break from the hectic high street and spend an atmospheric afternoon recharging yourself in this stunning landscape garden. Find inspiration and learn new skills as you follow the Making Trail around the garden featuring traditional Christmassy crafts passed from generation to generation. From needlework to crochet, discover handmade crafts that don’t cost the earth to make at home. Plus look out for the festive photo stops brimming with twinkling lights and cosy Christmas joy – the perfect place for a family photoshoot filled with yuletide cheer.

Image: National Trust / Laurence Perry
The cosy one

Christmas at Bateman’s

November 26th to January 2nd (exc 24th & 25th)

Make memories as you explore the 17th century house with welcoming log fire, illuminated Christmas trees and peacock-inspired decorations. Be dazzled by real trees decorated with twinkly lights and natural foliage, delight in an exhibition of Claire Fletcher’s original watercolour illustrations and get into the festive spirit with live music from local community groups. Music on selected dates, please check website for details.

The handmade one

Christmas at Uppark

November 19th to January 1st (exc 24th & 25th)

Celebrate Christmas at Uppark and see the mansion adorned with natural and handmade decorations. The entrance hall is richly dressed and festively scented with winter greenery, pinecones, citrus fruit and cinnamon. Above and below stairs, each room has its own crafted theme, from music to games, made by local community groups to create a unique and joyful Christmas experience.

Image: National Trust / Chris Lacey
The castle factor

Christmas at Bodiam Castle

December 3rd to January 2nd

Discover Father Christmas’s sleigh in the castle ruins. Jump on and dress up in regal winter costumes for the ultimate festive selfie. Look around the Castle Courtyard for Father Christmas, Mother Christmas or the elves just waiting to say hello and enjoy the magic of Christmas with tales of dragons, knights, and castles in storytelling for families from a cosy tower room. Christmas characters on selected dates. Please check the website for more details.

The literary one

Christmas at Lamb House

November 28th to December 18th (closed on selected dates, check website)

Be transported to New England in 1900 where Henry James, the American author, plays host to his family from New England who have transformed Lamb House for the festive season. Soak up the sights and scents of a traditional home-made Christmas in this stunning Georgian house.

Christmas with The National Trust

Karen Neville

Christmas

Set a date to come together with family and friends for a Christmassy catch-up at a visit to a National Trust site in Surrey

Across Surrey, there’s a real variety of Christmas experiences for festive family days this year. There’s spectacle and sparkle for those ‘wow’ moments and selfies. Opulent decorated houses to get glamour-lovers in the mood for the party season. And nostalgic family trails in the great outdoors to rekindle the magic of Christmas.

Michael Leigh, National Trust General Manger for the Surrey Landscapes said: “Christmas at the National Trust is always magical but this year we’ve got more decorations and events than ever before. We can’t wait to see families and friends coming together, making memories, and experiencing the festive atmosphere at the places the National Trust care for.”

Here’s a roundup of some of the National Trust’s best Christmas events across Surrey. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/surrey

The spectacular one

Polesden Lacey

12 days of Christmas – December 3rd to January 2nd (exc 24th & 25th)

Celebrate Christmas in style at Polesden Lacey. Explore this sumptuously decorated house and wintry grounds, sparkling with Christmas splendour and a few spectacles on the way. Breathtaking displays in the decorated house count down the Twelve Days of Christmas, from swans-a-swimming to a golden partridge in a secret, snowy courtyard. Follow children’s trails to find magic across the house and grounds or take a stroll across the gardens. With live music on selected Fridays and Saturdays and festive food and drink in the café, all the sights, sounds and flavours of Christmas are here.

Image: National Trust / Ed Tuddenham
The fun one

Winkworth Arboretum

Walking with the Snowman™ – November 26th to January 2nd (exc 24th & 25th)

The Snowman™ is coming to Winkworth Arboretum this Christmas. Relive the magic of Raymond Briggs’ heart-warming picture book. Find 12 decorated sculptures of The Snowman™ along a wintry woodland trail for all the family. Carousel rides, games and hot chocolate add to the festive fun. Your little ones will be ready for dreams full of Christmas wonder by the end of a fun-filled day. Walking with The Snowman at Winkworth Arboretum is presented by National Trust and Wild in Art in collaboration with Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House UK). Online booking advised.

Image: National Trust / John Miller
The cosy one

Christmas at Hatchlands Park

December 1st to 30th (exc 24th & 25th)

Hatchlands Park has always been a favourite for families at Christmas. Soak up the atmosphere of a traditional country Christmas. See the house dressed for the season and enjoy festive piano music. Outside, enjoy the magic of Christmas in the cobbled courtyard and hand-crafted willow reindeer standing majestically on the lawn. Take a crisp stroll through the parkland – children will love spotting the musically themed animals hiding along the way. Then treat yourself to a warming Christmas treat in the café.

Image: National Trust / Hannah Elliott
The nostalgic one

Claremont Landscape Garden

November 26th to January 2nd

Claremont is the perfect picturesque landscape to get you into the festive spirit. Meet up with family and friends in this historical royal garden. Children can scamper along a traditional Christmas trail, full of nostalgia. Look out for Christmas trees, crackers, cards and elves along the way. Work up an appetite for the tearoom, stocked full of treats and festooned with garlands. With a fun filled family trail, winter warmers from the café and stunning views on walks, Claremont is an enchanting place to visit this Christmas.

Image: National Trust / Chris Lacey

Christmas fun with The National Trust

Ellie Cox

Christmas

Hampshire’s National Trust treasures have lots of festive delights for all the family…

Christmas is the time for getting together, to feel the warmth of festive days out with family and friends. At National Trust places in and around Hampshire, you can do just that, with winter experiences to bring joy, sprinkles of magic, and for little ones especially, a tingle of excitement.

There’s a real variety of Christmas entertainment to discover this year, with plenty of spectacle and sparkle for those ‘wow’ moments and selfies moments. Decorated houses bring much-loved stories to life – kindling a glow of nostalgia. You’ll find family actives, storytelling and crafts. Outside, frosty landscapes offer an uplifting escape for those who want winter nature, views and festive walks.

Here’s a roundup of the National Trust’s best Christmas events in an around Hampshire.

The magical one

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Christmas at Mottisfont

Mottisfont, near Romsey

Step into a Narnia-inspired world at Mottisfont this winter, with scenes and a family trail inspired by C.S. Lewis’s much-loved story, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The magic begins from the moment you enter the gardens, where Narnia’s famous black lamp post illuminates your way to the house, transformed for a 1940s Christmas. Inside, follow wartime evacuees Edmund, Lucy, Susan and Peter into the kingdom of the White Witch – a landscape of snow and Turkish delight. An enchanted woodland scene introduces more famous characters – look out for Lucy having tea with Mr Tumnus the fawn – and a display of exquisite Narnia illustrations by Pauline Baynes, the original artist of C.S. Lewis’s children’s books. There are plenty of ‘wow’ moments, from walking through the wardrobe into Narnia, and seeing the White Witch in her sleigh, to sitting on a throne with Aslan at the crowning of the young kings and queens. Outside, families can collect their Narnia-style map to continue the adventure. Life-size wardrobes frame iconic scenes, there are story-themed activities, and loads of great ‘selfie’ opportunities as you enter the Beaver’s cottage, find Father Christmas’s sleight and sit in the throne room at Cair Paravel.

26th November – 8th January (closed 24th & 25th December). Normal admission charges apply plus £1 per trail including members.

The cosy one

The Wind in the Willows at Christmas, Hinton Ampler

Hinton Ampner, near Alresford

The much-loved World of The Wind in the Willows comes to Hinton Ampner this Christmas. Inside the house follow Mollie, Rat and Badger as they leave their sheltered lives in the woods and along the riverbank to rescue incorrigible friend Toad from his wild adventures. Rooms are beautifully decorated to tell the story, from Toad’s motor car exploits to the friends’ stand against the mischievous weasels. Outside, you can visit the characters’ homes, dressed in charming seasonal displays, including Mole’s sweet little burrow among the trees and the grandeur of Toad Hall in the walled garden. Storytelling: enjoy Wind in the Willows storytelling on selected dates, in the cosy setting in Hinton’s second-hand bookshop (subject to volunteer availability).

26th November – 2nd January, Wednesday to Sunday (closed 25th & 26th December). Normal admission charges apply. Storytelling in the bookshop: 4, 11, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29 December, 11am-12pm & 1-2pm, free (note: these sessions are subject to volunteer availability). Pre-booking for Hinter Ampner essential, at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner or call 0344 249 1895.

The glamorous one

Christmas at The Vyne

The Vyne, near Basingstoke

This Christmas, the atmospheric interiors of The Vyne are decked out in Victorian festive finery, with twinkling lights and glittering Christmas trees. Inspired by the mansion’s 18th century ‘Grand Tour’ treasures, which include an incredible casket encrusted with semi-precious stones, you’ll also find decorations that celebrate Christmas in Europe. Look out for sumptuous Venetian masks, mini ‘Colesseums’ and intricate Moravian stars. A special ‘Passport’ takes families on their own ‘Grand Tour’ adventure in the house and gardens, with actives to try that explore festive traditions in other countries.

26th November – 3rd January (closed 24th & 25th December). Normal admissions charges apply plus £2 per family passport including member. If arriving by car pre-booking is essential, at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-vyne or call 0344 249 1895

The handmade one

Christmas at Uppark

Uppark House and Garden

Celebrate Christmas at Uppark and see the mansion adorned with natural and handmade decorations. Pretty festoon lights illuminate the approach to the mansion. Inside, you’ll find the entrance hall beautifully dressed and festively scented with winter greenery, pinecones, citrus fruit and cinnamon. Above and below stairs, each room has its own crafted theme, from music to haberdashery. Made by local community groups and including sparkling Christmas trees, the result is a unique and joyful Christmas experience. 

 19th November – 1st January, Thursday to Sunday (closed 25th & 26th December). Normal admission charges apply 

The medieval one

A Tudor Christmas

Winchester City Mill

Celebrate Christmas with Winchester City Mill as we go back to Tudor times, when Queen Mary I gifted the Mill to the City of Winchester. This ancient building is set for a royal feast, with festive decorations, costumes to dress up in, and a throne to sit on for a unique Tudor ‘selfie’. Our café is serving festive specials such as marchpane and gold leaf shortbread, as well as lots of other seasonal treats, many made using the Mill’s own stoneground flour. At weekends you can watch our volunteer millers making fresh stoneground flour, which is available to buy too, so that you can get baking at home. Pick up a pack of recipe cards, for some seasonal inspiration (for a small donation).

12 November – 2 January, Wednesday to Sunday (closed 25 to 27 December. Free entry. 

Craft workshops

Christmas dinner set ceramics class with Tash Fry

Local ceramicist Tash Fry will introduce you to the art of hand-building ceramics this Christmas, as you sculpt your very own tableware, for yourself or for gifts. Using hand-pinching and slab rolling techniques, you’ll create several pieces, from dinner plates to candlestick holders. The choice is yours. Allow up to four weeks for pieces to be fired. No previous experience necessary.

22 & 23rd November, 6-8pm, £45 per person, book on 0344 249 1895 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winchester-city-mill

Christmas wreath making workshop with Field Farm Project

Join us inside ancient Winchester City Mill to make your own natural festive wreath using a base of willow and selected greenery. There’ll be a wide assortment of decorations to use, including fragrant pine cones, seed heads, teasels and berries, finished off with pretty ribbons to create a really eye-catching rustic design. All materials are supplied by Field Farm Project.

28 & 29 November, 4.30 – 7pm, £45, book on 0344 249 1895 or at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winchester-city-mill 

With love from Oxfordshire Toy Bank

Ellie Cox

Christmas

Help a family in need with toys and gifts for children this Christmas

Christmas can bring great joy but for many it can also bring great financial strain and perhaps no more so than this year.

John and Sarah started the Oxfordshire Toy Bank in 2019 to help those families who may not be able to afford gifts at this time of year. They collect new toys and donations in the run up to Christmas and distribute them to families all over Oxfordshire.

New toys can be donated at several Collection Points – South Moreton Boxing Club; Mollies Café, St Martin’s Street, Wallingford; Wallingford Baptist Chuch; Blewbury Primary School; The Barn Fitness Club, Church Road, Cholsey and The Old Counting House, High Street, Wallingford – or they can arrange collection. They’re then distributed to families who’ve applied to the Toy Bank for help, with the remainder being distributed through Oxfordshire Social Services to families in need. They also work with the local food banks and churches.

In the last two years John and Sarah have distributed thousands of presents and gift vouchers – they use donations to buy gift vouchers for teenagers, an often overlooked age group.

Any parent or primary carer who lives in Oxfordshire and is in need of some additional help this Christmas with provision of new toys and gifts for their children can apply for help via the website. They also welcome offers of corporate or individual sponsorship pledging cash donations to help which are used to buy vouchers.

Please get in touch if you would be interested in becoming a collection point.

Find out more at oxfordshiretoybank.org

Celebrate kindness with QueenMee

Ellie Cox

Christmas

Give back as you gift at Christmas and through to Easter next year with Bourne-End accessories business

QueenMee Accessories, the boutique hair accessories and brooch company, is partnering with Oxford Health Charity to give a wellbeing boost to nurses and care workers.

For the whole of December and through to Easter 2023, for every £100 spent on QueenMee.com a hair clip or headband from QueenMee’s collection will be donated to a nurse or care worker at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Julie Pink, Head of Charity and Involvement at the Trust says the team that have received QueenMee Accessories in the past ‘loved the sparkle, especially when things felt so dark at times.’

QueenMee founder, Amanda Waterstone Carthy says: “QueenMee is about celebrating kindness – being kind to yourself, celebrating your own personal style, and giving back as you shop for yourself or others.

“We know that hospitals will be under huge pressure this winter, and that nurses and care workers will be under personal strain themselves. I’m very grateful for the kindness NHS nurses have shown me in the past, as I know so many of us are.

“I’m so pleased to be able to give back to nurses and care workers, through partnering with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, and to offer our customers a way to ‘give back as they gift’ too.

“I hope the colour and sparkle of the donated hair accessories will be uplifting for the nurses and their patients at this difficult time.”

QueenMee Accessories’ collection includes brooches, hair clips, headband, silk scrunchies, and earrings, all of which make gorgeous gifts – with the bonus of giving back as you shop.

Beautiful, eco-friendly gift wrap is free of charge with every order.