Festive
Events in Barnstaple
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| • Christmas shopping in Barnstaple. |
WHEN it comes to Christmas shopping, Barnstaple has got it all — that’s the message to shoppers from the town’s traders, who feel they are more than capable of competing with rival centres.
Town centre manager Craig Bulley said: “The town has a fantastic mix of national retailers and a wonderful range of unique and award-winning independent traders.
“They have been very supportive of what we are trying to achieve.
“If any feel they are still able to contribute, they can contact Town Centre Management on (01271) 321049.”
Late shopping nights take place every Thursday up to Christmas from 6pm to 9pm.
The town centre shops will also be open until 9pm on Tuesday, December 19.
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Late night shoppers will also be entertained by Captain Coconut and well known magician Dave Hendy, who will be a various locations in the town on Thursday evenings.
“We are delivering a whole package to bring a touch of Christmas magic to Barnstaple, ” said Craig Bulley.
Band strikes festive note
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• Barnstaple Town Youth Marching Band led the Father Christmas reindeer parade that marked the start of this year’s late night Christmas shopping in Barnstaple on Thursday evenings.
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YOUNG musicians of the Barnstaple Town Youth Marching Band have been doing their bit to create a festive atmosphere in the town.
The band — formed in 2005 and made up of 27 playing members aged nine to 18 — will be playing Christmas carols and songs for Sunday shoppers in the town, up to and including Christmas Eve.
“The band will be playing in the High Street and pannier market from 1pm on Sundays,” said band coordinator Joy Cann.
“We will also be leading the civic party from the Guildhall to the Heritage Centre for the Barnstaple Town Council carol service on the Strand.
“On Friday, December 8, the band will be playing in Witheridge village square before leading the procession to the village hall for a small concert and refreshments,” she added.
Wines for the festive season
Situated within the grounds of St. John's Garden Centre, The Fabulous Wine Company is just the place to find those all-important wines for the festive season.
With a selection of some 200 wines from both the Old and New World, there is something to suit all palates and pockets whether your taste is for Aussie blockbusters or French finesse.
Many of the wines in stock are exclusive to the Fabulous Wine Company and there are many great offers to be found between now and the end of the year with quality wines from
as little as £3.75 up to £40.
Brett Stephens, owner of the business, has worked in the wine trade for many years and has studied at the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
He is always happy to advise customers and to make recommendations whether it be wines for everyday drinking or special occasions and for matching with food.
The Fabulous Wine Company also hosts wine tasting weekends which are open to anyone to come along and try a few wines.
Brett said: 'The tasting weekends are a great way for people to try new wines and to learn a little about them. The weekends are also great fun; we don't stand on ceremony or expect people to spit their wine out!'
There is one more tasting weekend before Christmas which will be held in the wine shop at St. John's on December 16 and 17.
The wines on tasting will be an eclectic mix of whites, reds, port, fizz and stickies — all suited to your Christmas dinner and New Year's celebrations!
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