This England

English Diary WINTER 2017
1 NOVEMBER
© Illustration by Quentin Blake
from The Folio Society edition
of The Hunting of the Snark. An
Agony, in Eight Fits by Lewis
Carroll, 1976.
Exhibition: “The Artful Book:
70 Years of The Folio Society”,
Victoria & Albert Museum,
Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge,
London SW7 2RL. The Folio
Society has been producing
beautifully illustrated editions of
the world’s greatest books since
1947. They believe that the
literary content of a book should
be matched by its physical form
and this exhibition celebrates
the Society’s rich legacy.
To 28th January 2018.
www.vam.ac.uk
17
22
Winter Wonderland, Hyde
Park, London W2 2UH. Skate
on the largest outdoor ice rink
in the UK or visit a world full
of magical ice sculptures. Have
a drink in an Ancient Greek
temple made entirely of ice
or take a ride on the Great
Observation Wheel. These
are just a few of the many
attractions on offer. To 1st January
2018. Further details visit
hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Christmas at Kew, Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew,
Richmond, London TW9 3AE.
A mile-long trail through the
famous botanic garden lit
with more than 60,000 lights.
Highlights include a choir of
Christmas trees, a sparkling
tunnel of light, giant baubles,
Santa and a spectacular light,
music and water display in
front of the Palm House.
To 1st January 2018.
Tel: 0208 332 5655;
www.kew.org
1 DECEMBER
11
YORKMIX
Living Advent Calendar,
various venues, York. Twentyfive
locations in the city reveal
a different window display each
day. Vote for your favourite
and the winning business gets
£1,000 to give to a charity of
their choosing. To 25th.
www.visityork.org
Christmas Tree Festival, St.
Mary’s Church, 8 Burton Street,
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
LE13 1AE. Now in its 15th year,
this is the largest festival of
decorated trees in the country.
There will be hundreds
of originally themed trees
designed by schools,
businesses and organisations.
To 5th. Tel: 01664 565798.
GRAHAM GOUGH
Grassington Dickensian
Festival, Grassington, Yorkshire.
This lovely village in the heart of
the Yorkshire Dales turns back
the clock to the Victorian era
with shopkeepers and villagers
donning period costumes.
There will be a torchlit Nativity
procession, street entertainment,
Christmas market — and of
course Santa will be there too.
11am–5pm. To 10th. www.
grassingtondickensian.co.uk
Santa Specials, Swanage
Railway, Station House, Station
Approach, Swanage, Dorset
BH19 1HB. A ride on a steam
train with a present for every
child and the chance to meet
Santa make this a special festive
treat. Running at weekends and
some weekdays to 24th.
Further details from
www.swanagerailway.co.uk
15
Exhibition: “Monochrome:
Painting in Black and White”,
National Gallery, Trafalgar
Square, London WC2N 5DN.
The first major exhibition of
the art of “grisaille” — painting
using predominantly black and
white pigments. Case studies
reveal where and when this style
was used from early religious
works to paintings emulating
sculpture or other media such
as photography and film. The
exhibition includes paintings
on glass, vellum, silk and
wood by such famous artists as
Rembrandt and Picasso.
To 18th February 2018.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
Christmas Fair, Waddesdon
Manor, Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire HP18 0JH.
More than 60 exhibitors offering
a selection of festive food and
unusual gifts. Open Wednesday
to Sunday, 11am–6pm.
To 10th December.
Tel: 01296 820414.
27
30
Lancashire Day. County-wide
celebrations from the River
Duddon in the north to the
River Mersey in the south.
For details of events see
www.forl.co.uk
Newburgh Priory Christmas
Fair, Newburgh, Coxwold, North
Yorkshire YO61 4AS. A charity
event in support of juvenile
arthritis, this fair offers a wide
range of gifts, art, Christmas
trees and decorations.
Tel: 01347 868372.
12
Lincolnshire Food and Gift
Fair, Lincolnshire Showground,
Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln
LN2 2NA. One of the largest
Christmas fairs in the country
with more than 150 exciting
and varied stands — all indoors!
With locally produced food and
gifts this is the perfect chance
to stock up on festive gifts and
food. Other attractions include
hands-on crafts, children’s
activities in Santa’s workshop,
cookery demonstrations, and
entertainment from choirs.
Open 9am–4pm. To 3rd. Further
details and tickets visit https://
lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
16
12
Christmas Tree Festival,
St. Andrew’s Parish Church,
Upper Church Lane, Farnham,
Surrey GU9 7PW. More than
100 decorated trees, musical
entertainment and refreshments.
Open 10am–5pm (Sunday
12–5pm). To 10th.
www.standrewsfarnham.org
London International Horse
Show, Olympia, Hammersmith,
London W14 8UX. World-class
equestrian competition and
outstanding displays. Attractions
include dog agility, Shetland
Pony Grand National and
demonstrations of harmony
between horse and rider by the
Chilean Huasos. To 18th.
Tel: 0871 230 5580.
76 THIS ENGLAND, Winter, 2017