The Mart Theatre panto spectacular that's set to fill us all with festive cheer! (oh yes it will...)

December is almost upon us and we are full of festive cheer after a little robin told us that The Mart Theatre is treating Skipton's Young Carers Group to a trip to this year's panto spectacular Peter Pan
 
We didn't think we could love the vibrant Mart Theatre, based at Skipton's auction mart, any more than we do already but the news they're generously putting BIG smiles on  the little faces of children who care for family members in very challenging circumstances, is the icing on the Christmas cake.
 
We'll be blogging about Skipton Young Carers soon to give you more information about their amazing work but we can't wait any longer to share the low down on the fantastic Peter Pan panto! The same company that produced last year's amazing show to rave reviews from MooBaaKids (and further afield!) is back with a bang!
 
You'll no doubt all know that the swashbuckling adventure of  Peter Pan is about a mischievous boy, who never grows up. He and his Fairy Tinkerbell, visit an Edwardian London house and meet the children of Mr and Mrs Darling – Wendy, John and Michael. The story continues as they follow Peter to the Lost Boys hideout on the small island of Neverland meeting Mermaids, Indians, a Crocodile and Pirates…oh and a rather nasty Captain Hook who despises Peter Pan and by hook or by crook wants to rid the world of his arch enemy. It's traditonal panto fare with vivid characters, slapstick fun and adventure with bags of audience participation. Prepare to forget you've grown up yourself and laugh along with your kids!

Directed by George Critchley with a full professional cast supported by The Zoe Taylor Dance Academy (Blackburn), this looks set to be another colourful riot to get the whole family in the mood for Christmas. It looks like word has spread about the top quality of the productions on at the mart as some of the performances are already close to sell out. We cannot support the Mart Theatre enough or on past performance recommend the panto enough! We've bought our tickets and tucked them away safely...we suggest you get yours sooner rather than later and look forward to the adventure!

Tickets only £8 adults, £6 children and £24 family (4 tickets)

Show times:

Thursday 20th December at 7.30pm

Friday 21st December at 7.30pm

Saturday 22nd December at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 23rd December at 1.30pm and 4.30pm

For more information please click HERE

Christmas at Kilnsey Park brings reindeer to the dales!

There's an absolute cracker of a festive family weekend planned on 8 and 9 December as Kilnsey Park launch their first Christmas under the Crag celebration. We are very excited!

A great day out at the best of times (we love the Kilnsey trail and are always partial to the food from the farm shop) this special weekend promises to be a real highlight of all the local Christmas events, with real life reindeers Comet and Blitzen joining in the fun.

Saturday (8 Dec) sees the beautiful setting host the Winter Real Ale Festival and live music, 6pm till late. Kilnsey Park is set to sway to the live sounds of blues prodigy Bluesbeaten Redshaw, who played Glastonbury and Montreux Jazz festivals aged just 19. There will be hot food cooked on the fire and the entire park will be illuminated.  It's absolutely free but donations are welcomed to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

It sounds like the perfect evening to us and is topped only by what's in store the next day! Sunday (9 Dec) looks like an incredible way to spend a day in the dales with the little ones. We cannot imagine their excitement on hearing that Father Christmas will be in attendance with two real life beautiful reindeer!

Alongside this there will be a special illuminated Christmas Trail with Santa's Grotto, hot food cooked on the fire, Christmas craft workshops, 'make your own snowman' and pony rides (for an extra £2.50). There will be festive food in the (child/baby-friendly) café, mince pies and mulled wine, carols from local schoolchildren, plus stocking and hamper fillers galore available from the Estate’s well-stocked Farm and Gift Shop. All this and a fantastic Christmas market in a marquee. 

Entrance to the Park, Estate Shop and Cafe will be free. Tickets for the special Christmas Trail experience - including the illuminated walk, meeting the reindeers and a visit to Father Christmas including special present - are: Children (under 14) £5, Adults £4 and Family £15. Opening hours are 10am-8pm and there's no need to book just turn up ready to have fun!

We think this sounds like the hot ticket this year and we cannot wait to enjoy Kilnsey Park's first Christmas celebration. With the line-up they've planned, we're already hoping it won't be the last! See you there...

 For more information please visit www.kilnseypark.co.uk

Make sure you don’t miss all the fun at Malham Show, 27 August 2011!

Photographs: Copyright Malhamdale.com Ltd &
Chris Wildman

It says much about Malham Show that last year it tipped with rain yet we still had a fantastic fun day out. Let’s hope the sun shines on Malham showfield for this year’s jam-packed event. But if not, get togged up and pack your wellies - you’re in for a great day anyway!


Under the shadow of Malham Cove this traditional agricultural and family show has been taking place for more than 100 years and just gets better and better… this year’s line-up promises the usual mix of tradition and family fun for all ages throughout the day.

Photographs: Copyright Malhamdale.com Ltd
& Chris Wildman

As you’d expect there is always a good turn-out for the cattle and sheep classes, with people able to have a look at the animals in their pens and stalls while they get ready to be shown.


As well as a display by the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt, the magnificent heavy horses are shown in the ring alongside horse and pony classes throughout the day, including jumping.


For any little ones keen on cars and tractors they’ll love the classic and vintage cars and agricultural vehicles on display. The showfield literally buzzes all day with different things each way you look to hold little ones’ attention - whether it’s the rare breeds on display or watching determined attempts to scale the climbing wall – all to the glorious strains of The Haworth Brass Band.

Photographs: Copyright Malhamdale.com Ltd &
Chris Wildman

Aside from the classes and demonstrations (we’re especially looking forward to the sheep dog trials!) in the ring, there is much to be seen in the tents with all that tradition dictates from a rural show – everything from horticulture and flower arranging to cakes, preserves, needlework, knitting and handicrafts.


If little ones aren’t too worn out yet – there’s still plenty more! They can cheer themselves hoarse watching the tug’o’war. As well as children’s sports and fancy dress (including a babies beauty competition!), there’ll be the famous ‘dunking’ stool (popular whatever the weather for hardier souls!), Punch and Judy and a great static falconry display.

Photographs: Copyright Malhamdale.com Ltd
& Chris Wildman

There is a farmers’ market and refreshments across the field to sustain you for all the entertainment. And if you feel like running it off there are the junior and senior fell races for the fit!


Malham Show is an absolute gem of a day out in the country– there’s so much crammed into the family-friendly sized show field and it’s a great way to support our rural community and celebrate where we live. So come rain or shine, whether it’s wellies or suncream – we will most certainly be there!


Admission is £6, Parking & Children under 16 FREE, Show Catalogue FREE
For all the details click here http://www.malhamdale.com/show/malham%20show%20sched%202011.pdf