We’re off to Toyland

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Last week we had a look at some of the main events and attractions coming up in the Toyland-themed Christmas Festival. But it is not just about Santa, pudding races and the parade – there is much else happening around the town, too.

Christmas revolves so much around children, so it is not surprising that much of any Christmas festival is geared to younger members of the family. Story telling is traditional at this time of year and from 10:30am to 11am Gilly, from Siren and Pearl, will be at the library with stories of the magical land of toys. This is followed at 11:45, also at the library, by artist Ed Boxall who will once again run his story-telling workshop with children’s author Brian Moses. They will be repeating this from 2:45pm to 3:30pm.

Craft Magic, in the High Street is providing some Christmas crafting fun from 10:30am to 4:30pm. All materials are provided but pre-booking is required – 01797 226920. Staying with craft, there is a craft workshop at St Mary’s Centre where you can create your own Christmas decorations from 11:15am to 3pm and between midday and 3pm the Museum in East Street has a toy workshop making old fashioned toys and paper decorations.

But if it is magic you want, then come to the Mermaid and watch the magician perform his tricks from 1:30pm to 2pm and again from 3:30pm to 4pm.

No Christmas is complete without a pantomime and from 2pm to 2:45pm why not come and join the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk in a creative panto workshop? Pre-booking through the Festival website is required for this. On a different scale, why not visit the Community Centre where the Lempen Puppet Theatre Company will be presenting its show based on Carnival of the Animals? Performances are at 11am, 1pm and 3pm and pre-booking is required.

Back outside, the area around the Cattle Market and the Cinque Ports Inn is bound to be busy. A Victorian carousel will be in the Cattle Market close to Station Approach, while in the Cinque Ports Inn car park there is a children’s teacup ride and more, all from 11am to 5pm, as well as classic Punch and Judy shows every hour from 11:30am to 3:30pm.

Finally, the day finishes at 6pm with carols in St Mary’s – what  better way to celebrate the Christmas season?

Photo: Rye News library

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