13 Days To Go On Friday 13th...

Hello again.

Well things are certainly picking up pace – only 13 days to go now until the Victorian Festival of Christmas kicks off here at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Let’s hope the horrible weather we’re having at the moment means it’s going to rain itself out ready for our snowy streets.

This week I’ve been finalising important behind the scenes stuff, for example Colas have been kind enough to show their support for the event by providing a drainage support unit and engineer to help us wash the snow away after the event – so thank you very kindly indeed for their expertise.

My colleagues Amy and Holly are also putting in a huge effort to ensure all our lovely traders and caterers know what stand they’ve booked, when they can come and set up, what security passes they need and generally answering any last minute questions.

As one of the largest Christmas Markets on the south coast this is no quick task as they’re talking to over 150 traders from right across the country, including our Continental Market from Europe. And then there are the Caterers as well, but its well worth it as this year we’ve got some cracking shopping choices on site, here’s a sneaky preview to wet your appetite…

Visit Hideout Leather Goods for sheepskin and leather accessories to keep your family warm and snuggly this winter, make Christmas dinner extra special with a gorgeous new Christmas table cloth and table decorations from The Table Cloth Company…

Stock up on Christmas Cards and Gift wrap from Phoenix Trading, pick out a unique piece of hand made jewellery for Mum from Rosemary’s Dressing Table….

Running out of steam with all this shopping? Why not grab a quick mulled wine and a mince from Solutions Gluevine Cabin. Or if your tummy’s starting to rumble treat yourself to a Traditional Cornish Pasty (or both -hehehe :o)…

Come on, more to see… Pick up a boozy Christmas hamper for Granddad from Hebridean Liqueurs, and commission an illustration of the Grandkids for Grandma at Kate Chidley’s stall….

If Dad’s been a very good boy this year why not go all out and treat him to an Atlas Helicopter ride over Portsmouth..!

And not forgetting those pesky kids why not spoil them with a traditional hand carved Rocking Horse that can be passed down for years to come!

So you read about the entrainment in last week’s blog, now you’ve got a taste of the shopping, I wonder what I’ll tantalize you with next week…

You’ll have to wait and see :o)

Terri. x

Countdown to Christmas festival begins...

Hiya everyone, I’m sure you are starting to get to know me by now from my Celebration of Steam and Royal Navy Past & Present event blogs. I hope you are all well :o)

I’m fine and dandy, very busy and excited about our next event – the Victorian Festival of Christmas, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year.

I have worked the event for the last 2 years and I still find it enchanting, even being involved in the build up and witnessing it all come together over the week before, I still love to stand in the Victorian Street watching families all cosy in their hats and scarves playing in the snow – it really does make the all year round hard work to pull this event together worthwhile.

This year you can pop along to the Festival and see the old favourites including all our glorious on site attractions, a cast of 100’s of Victorian characters and Santa’s Grotto on board HMS Warrior 1860.

Also Fagin’s Tavern with Oakleaf Brewery’s real ale and the Continental Market for a taste of Europe either side of HMS Victory, the fantastic Christmas market (which I intend to do some sly Christmas shopping at while marshalling the event) and of course the snow street which also includes the traditional Carousel, real life nativity scene and I’m sure Queen Victoria and Mr Brown will be dropping in!

Some additions for this year will be the chance for your family to get dressed up in Victorian costumes and stand in a mock Victorian living room in Action Stations and have your picture taken, sleeping beauty style spinners in the Royal Naval Museum talking about their magical craft.

Not to mention a collection of 100’s of Father Christmases of all different shapes and sizes from all different times on board HMS Warrior 1860 and Theatre Victoriana in Action Stations where a short show of Peter Pan, Oliver Twist and a comedy called ‘The Adventurous Victorians’ will be performed!

So as you can see I have been very busy – which is ideal to keep me out of mischief :o)

A company that has very much helped me along the way is Hewdens – they have been kind enough to give us a cherry picker and forklift for the event build up and break down which is so important for rigging all the lovely lighting, Christmas trees and site flags. So a personal thank you to them.

No doubt I’ll have loads more to update you on next week.

Take care until then.
Terri

http://www.christmasfestival.co.uk/