DIY Getting the home fires burning CHRISTMAS GIFTS Are you a ...

12 November 2003 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.ukExperience theatmosphere,savour themoment with ourCHRISTMAS FAYREWEEKEND15th - 16th NovemberSpeciality Food Marquee providing theopportunity to taste a wide selectionof the products available in the shop.Christmas Gift Shop offering a wide rangeof Christmas goodies for all the familySanta’s Grotto - He will be visiting between10.00am and 3.00pmLaunching the “Peel House Hamper” - comeand see the range of hampers available forboth corporate and private gifts.Orders can be taken on the weekend.Designer Made Craft Festival - We will haveup to 30 exhibitors from the region displayinga very good range of products. This event is anideal opportunity to do some “Christmas Shopping”.AUTUMN SPECIALS FORTHE COFFEE SHOPAND BISTROWe have various special offers on leadingup to ChristmasSenior Citizens - Two for One for main mealson Wednesday’sSpecial 20% Discount on main meals - Tuesday’s &Thursday’s, for anybody who tells us the name of ourdonkey as they arrive. His name is Jingle.SUNDAY ROAST LUNCHfor £5.99We have started serving roast beef on Sunday’s againas well as our usual extensive menu.Call to book your table to avoid disappointment.CHRISTMAS PARTYBOOKINGSWe are once again open for evening group bookingsleading up to Christmas. We can accommodategroups of 15 up to 56 people. They will haveexclusive use of the Peel House, includingthe speciality food shop and the gift shop.PEEL HOUSE HAMPERSAre you looking for that gift with a difference. Whynot consider one of our “Luxury Hampers”. Weare just launching “The Peel House HamperCompany” with a range of hampers to suit alltastes from corporate hampers to an idealgift for family and friends.CHRISTMAS SHOPPINGIf you are looking for a relaxing place to visitto do your Christmas shopping, why not visitus at The Peel House. Come and relax, havea coffee to a bite to eat and have a browsearound the shops. We have a range ofgoodies to suit all tastes.THORPE FARM, PEELHOUSE, GRETA BRIDGE,BARNARD CASTLE. DL1 9TYTelephone 01833 627 242Email: jbarkes@tinyworld.co.ukIt’s not justadults wholike to weardesignerlabels.CHRISTENPEARS findsout what thebest-dressedchildren willbe wearingthis autumnfashionIN ASSOCIATION WITHSmalltalkWHEN it comes to The rails and shelves are tightly packed withchildren’s clothes, everything from tiny socks and hats to jeans andwe’re a fairlyjackets. There are cute T-shirts and woollens fortraditional bunch – the younger ones, as well as funky customisedblue for boys and denims for the more fashion-conscious, olderpink for girls are still firm favourites withchildren.parents and children alike. But there are some Fiona says: “It is really hard to know whatyoungsters who won’t be seen in anything less stock to go for because there is so much tothan the latest designer styles.choose from. We work on the basis that peopleV-Elvet, in Durham City, stocks a large range want something different. You don’t want yourof designerwear for children. Tucked away at children going round in something thatthe foot of Elvet Bridge, it is owned by Fiona everyone else has.”Kaley, a former educational psychologist. As a There are a lot of continental brands on offermother of two, Fiona has always been interested but Fiona has discovered her customers preferin children’s clothes. Her mother-in-law used to traditional styling. “The French and Italianrun a shop for nearly- new children’s clothes in manufacturers have to make special brands forSunderland and in August last year, she opened the British market because we’re quite cautious.her own store.People still like blue for little boys and the“I used to live in Scotland and I startedchildren like them too. Little girls love pink.looking into the idea with a friend. We went Some won’t wear anything else.”quite a long way but then we both ended upV-Elvet stocks a range of designers, includingmoving because of our husband’s jobs,” she Marese, Osh Kosh, Pampolina and Magilla.explains.Fiona has focused on children’s brands, rather“I started working as an educationalthan adult labels, although she does sell Paulpsychologist in the North-East but when my Smith and will be introducing DKNY nextcontract came to an end, I decided to go back to season.the idea of a shop. It was something I had always “My perception is that parents aren’t botheredwanted to do and this seemed like the perfect about a particular brand or label. They wouldopportunity.”rather have something a bit unusual, althoughV-Elvet caters for both girls and boys up to the there are some who are real label fanatics.ages of eight and nine.“They can be a bit pricey. We had a Paul Smith