Upcoming events, things to do and businesses to support in Lymington and the New Forest
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The Season Approaches
Judging by the golden, bronze and russet carpets of leaves adorning the forest floor, it’s still very much autumn — but brrr, it’s been a chilly week! Somehow the cold makes the imminent season of goodwill and cheer feel all the more welcome. The Christmas ads have already been on our screens so often we could be forgiven for thinking Christmas Day is tomorrow. But in fact, the real “Christmas Season” here in the New Forest doesn’t begin in earnest until next week:
- Next Thursday morning at 10am, the adorable Lymington Infant School Robins will open this year’s Christmas Tree Festival in St Thomas’ Church. Then at 5pm, also on Thursday, the WI Carol Service will welcome all comers — a lovely way to ease into the season.
- There are a few changes to the festival this year. It begins on Thursday and finishes on Saturday, with late opening on both Thursday and Friday evenings so visitors can enjoy the magic of the church and courtyard garden after dark. Do make sure you pop in before it closes! It’s also a brilliant opportunity to support the church and tick a few things off your to-do list: the fully decorated, non–needle-drop trees on display are available to buy, ready for collection once the festival ends. You’re also warmly invited to begin your Christmas shopping at the extensive sales tables — and then relax with a hot drink and a slice of delicious homemade cake. You can check out the full music programme for Friday and Saturday here.
- Then next Friday between 4 and 8pm it's the Christmas Lights Switch On in Lymington organised by Lymington and Pennington Town Council: big crowds are expected as usual at this lovely gathering of families and friends, with late night shopping in lots of local shops as well as stalls providing entertainment, food and drink and the chance to meet Santa - and pop in to the Christmas Tree Festival at the same time. Lymington Town Band will be playing outside the United Reform Church, and the programme outside St Thomas Church is as follows:
- 4:30pm – 4:50pm Swish of the Curtain Theatre School – Lymington
- 5:00pm – 5:30pm Highcliffe Charity Players - Christmas medley
- 5:40pm – 6:00pm Lymington Choral Society – Community carols and blessing the crib
- 6:00pm – Christmas Lights Switch-On with the Town Mayor
- 6:00pm – 6:15pm St Thomas Church bell ringers
- 6:15pm – 7:00pm - The Fifinellas bring Christmas with a vintage twist
- 7:15pm – 8:00pm Christmas Jazz with Sarah Bolter
- Next Saturday in New Milton, the Lions Club of New Milton & District Christmas Festival & Parade
- And on Saturday 13 December Archie Kitcher is organising another East Boldre Christmas Show, after its success last year when this lovely cookery and craft competition raised over £1,000 for Oakhaven Hospice. Details for both of these are included below...
And The Winners Are...Everyone!
What a fabulous occasion last Saturday’s Strictly Lymington seems to have been — I’m sorry to have missed it!
Inspired by the format of Strictly Come Dancing, the event paired local business representatives with two professional dancers: Kevin Thatcher from The Holiday Fixer, and Kayleigh Sargeant, Principal of the New Forest Academy of Dance (NFAD). Each professional partnered with three local contestants, all of whom threw themselves into serious training in the run-up to Saturday. Audiences at both sold-out shows were treated to a wonderful mix of dance styles including Charleston, Salsa, Quickstep, Rumba and a Show Dance, with every couple bringing their own flair, energy and storytelling to the floor.
The glitterball trophy went to Tom Ellis of Tennis 21, dancing with professional Kevin Thatcher. Their winning routine — a high-energy Hoedown performed to The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band — captivated both judges and audience alike. Pictured above are all the contestants; Tom is the cowboy!
And perhaps the best news of all: while everyone was enjoying the sparkle, movement and music, £4,000 was raised for Lymington Community Centre. Our wonderful community hub — home to NFAD, the Lymington Players, the Malt Cinema, and a huge range of clubs, groups and activities — depends on this kind of local support to continue providing so much for so many.
Strictly Lymington is a perfect example of what happens when community fundraising works at its best: passionate people providing the ideas, energy and organisation, with the Centre supporting through the venue, ticketing, and a helping hand with promotion and logistics. A brilliant partnership — and a brilliant outcome.
And now wishing all of you brilliant weekends!
Best wishes Jane
PS Don't forget you can book now for Oakhaven Treecycle, to organise for your Christmas tree to be collected and recycled between 8-12 January.
Read the rest of this week's newsletter here
And check out What's On in the Diary of Upcoming Events!
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