Malvern Christmas Shopping

C YMK

Christmas
in Malvern
2010
in association with
FRANCIS
of Malvern

INSIDE

FAMILY FUN DAY

Pages 4-5

WHAT A LINE-UP!
Page 15

CHARITY BONANZA
Pages 22-23

WIN stmas d
Chri nsore
A r spo e
ampe aitros
h by W

C YMK
1
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

2 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

2 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

Christmas
in
Malvern
2010

W INPER
M
HA
A
age 30
P
Don’t miss Christmas lights switch-on Where the fun is happening
Event is set to be bigger than ever 4-5 Use our map to find your way around 16-17
Malvern is the place to be Give our tipples a try
Shop and enjoy a family weekend of fun 7 Lots of good wines are available locally 18
Priory at the heart of the community Food feasts that are fit for kings!
Rounding off anniversary year in style 9 Try Malvern’s independent traders 20
Festive food to savour Bring your shopping list
Malvern Theatres’ chefs offer their tips 11 Why Great Malvern is the place for gifts 27
Big day for Great Malvern More than just a Christmas panto
Full run-down of what’s planned 15 The fantastic shows on at Malvern Theatres 29

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 3

C YMK
3
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

Dancing, carol singing,

The town’s Christmas lights switch-on will have fun for all the family. And it’s set to be bigger

T
HERE will be a wonderful
festive feel to Malvern on
Saturday, December 4, when
the town’s traditional
Christmas lights switch-on
takes place.
The whole day will be packed with
events and entertainment for the whole
family with bands playing, carol singing,
a fairground carousel, Father Christmas,
glowing lanterns and lots of tasty
traditional food.
“We want people to come into town
and have a lovely day. There will be lots
going on and a really festive feel,” said
Chris Marks, of the Great Malvern
Association of Traders, one of the
organisers.
He said the event was community led
and looked like being bigger and better
than ever.
Panto and pop star Toyah Willcox will
be in town and will be the person who
officially switches on the lights as it
begins to get dark in the late afternoon.
“Toyah is really looking forward to
being part of this.
“She is from Worcestershire and after
the lights are switiched on she will be
singing some Christmas songs with the
crowd,” said Chris.
From punk princess to high priestess
of TV, Toyah Willcox is a uniquely gifted
performer. Charismatic, outspoken and
impossible to categorise, she is one of
Britain’s iconic household names – an
award-winning rock legend as well as a
much-loved actress and music Dancers in last year’s parade. 49776509
composer. glowing paper lanterns. The parade will
In a career spanning 30 years Toyah include the popular local Samba Band,
has had 13 top 40 singles, recorded 20 Christmas Tree stilt walkers, local
albums, written two books, appeared in dancers from Club Dance and Toyah in
more than 40 stage plays, made ten character as the Bad Fairy.
feature films and presented such diverse The day starts at about 10am when
television programmes as The Good Church Street and Abbey Road will be
Sex Guide Late, Watchdog and Songs closed to traffic to make way for all kinds
Of Praise. of music, dancing and street
She is appearing in Sleeping Beauty Stilt walkers at last year’s parade. 49776502
entertainment.
at Malvern Theatres as the Bad Fairy, a and go out for a special treat. There will be the town’s biggest ever
role she is really looking forward to. The panto opens 10 days later on Christmas arts and crafts market in the
“I love pantomime, this will be my December 16 and runs until January 9. Priory grounds and a food market with
17th, and being the baddie is much After Toyah flicks the switch that will the best in locally produced Christmas
more fun than being good,” she said. illuminate the town, there will be the goodies and treats in Abbey Road.
Toyah added she loves the whole now-traditional lantern parade through Radio Wyvern will be in town to
history and tradition of pantomime and the town. provide music and entertainment from
the fact that in the rapidly changing The parade will gather in Grange Belle Vue Island and there will be
world of entertainment it is still an event, Road car park and hundreds of children Christmas carols in the Priory from the
an occasion, when families get together will walk through the town carrying large Christian Witness Choir. At the same

4 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

4 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

fair rides and a lot more

and better than ever, with bands playing and lots of tasty traditional food. SUE VICKERS reports

venue there will also be music from the

Hills Singers and from the Malvern
Singers.
There will be more carols and
Christmas music throughout the day
from Belle Vue Island performed by The
Chase School Brass Band, Malvern
Area Music Centre Wind Band and
Malvern St James Junior School Choir.
There are lots of things to appeal to
young children this year with a
traditional Victorian carousel and candy
floss stall in the Great Malvern Library
grounds and a chance to visit father
Christmas in his grotto in the library
between 10am and
4pm. There will also
be a visiting mobile
farm in the library
grounds that will
bring a donkey
and pot-bellied
pigs for the
children to meet.
There will be street
entertainers in town
to amuse children
and shoppers alike,
including stilt walkers,
jugglers and other circus
style-entertainers. Look
out for them in Church
Street and around the Priory.
During the afternoon the
library grounds will host the
Worcestershire Youth Brass
Band and the Appleyard
Dancers, a local traditional
English dance group.
For older children there will
be a climbing wall in Abbey
Road and more fun in Church
Street, outside Iceland, with a
Bungee Basketball Run.
The Christmas events are a
collaboration between Malvern
Town Council, The Great
Panto and pop star
Malvern Association of Toyah Willcox, top, will
Traders, Malvern Priory, officially switch on the
Malvern Hills District Christmas lights in
Council and various other Great Malvern as it
begins to get dark in
local groups. the late afternoon. She
For more information is appearing in
about what’s happening Sleeping Beauty at
where and what time Malvern Theatres as
the Bad Fairy
you can visit
alongside Charles
www.christmas Burden as Nanny
inmalvern.co.uk. Glucose, main picture.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 5

C YMK
5
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

6 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

6 C YMK

C YMK
Real community spirit
This is the chance to start your Christmas shopping but also enjoy a family weekend of fun
“M
AGICAL Malvern”
was the shout of a
small child last
November as the
lights went on and
the snowflakes swirled around in the
night air.
As far as I am aware there is nowhere
else in southern England where you can
watch the hills form a silhouette from the
town lights on a crisp winter evening
then turn around and view the fabulous
panorama of a river valley.
Nestling in the lee of the hills in
perfect pedestrian safety is the plethora
of stalls and events that go to make
Malvern’s Christmas Fiesta. Victorian
rides, quality gifts, art, food stalls,
Santa’s Grotto, falling snow, lights – a
truly dazzling display of fun, festivities
and shopping.
This December weekend is a
wonderful example of a real community
effort with Great Malvern traders,
Malvern Priory, the district and town
councils, Malvern Gazette, Radio
Wyvern and numerous town
organisations and sponsors all clubbing
together to give locals and visitors alike
a unique experience.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN
Malvern Christmas Shopping
Robin Elt, chairman of Great Malvern
Association of Trade. 47770201
This is your chance not only to start
the Christmas shopping but also to have
a family weekend of enjoyment that no
retail park or high street can match.
Start with the kids on a Victorian ride or
in Santa’s Grotto at the library, then
meander gently along Graham Road up
into Church Street. All the while music is
floating in the air.
Turn in to the Priory Grounds to view
the amazing range of gifts in the Art and
Craft Fair then ever upwards onto the
panorama of Belle Vue Terrace (aptly
named!). Throughout your stroll you will
no doubt be tempted by the fantastic
range of specialist shops that are Great
Malvern.
Linger a while longer and enjoy the
climbing wall outside the post office,
watch the magical lantern parade
finishing with Toyah Willcox turning on
the lights.
Wherever you stroll, there is space to
do whatever takes your fancy – explore
the streets and alleyways or just pause
in one of the numerous restaurants,
coffee bars, tea rooms – you choose –
watch the world go by!
So for a truly different start to
Christmas, Victorian Malvern – the real
thing – is definitely the place to be.
Enjoy a very Happy Christmas from all
of Malvern and especially its traders.
ROBIN ELT, Chairman of Great
Malvern Association of Trade.
CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 7
C YMK
7
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

8 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

8 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

Priory’s the place to be

A host of events in December end a superb anniversary year for church. By ROBERT HALE

G
REAT Malvern Priory,
which has been celebrating
its 925th anniversary this
year, is at the heart of
Malvern’s community, and
a look at the variety of events in the run-
up to Christmas gives an idea how deep
the link is between church and town.
On Thursday, December 2, the priory
plays to young musicians from Malvern
Parish School, performing as part of the
Lunchbox series of concerts and talks.
The event starts at 12.30pm and
audience members are welcome to
bring their own lunches. Tea and coffee
will be available.
On Saturday, December 4, as part of
the events surrounding the switch-on of
the Christmas lights, there is a craft fair Peter Young, head verger at Malvern Priory, prepares for Christmas. 45120402
from 11am to 5pm. There will be
refreshments in the priory itself, plus artist. Saturday, December 11, is the there is a carol service for the staff of
carol singers and entertainment. The Winter Welcome Day, running from local businesses and shops, and on
events of the day finish with carols by 11am to 4pm. Sunday, a carol service for all at 6.30pm.
the Malvern Singers at 5.45pm. The day features free refreshments, On Christmas Eve, there is a
The following Tuesday, December 7, live music and children’s activities. Christingle Service at 4pm and Midnight
the church is hosting the St Richard’s Singer Linda Tolchard, another Communion at 11.30pm. Christmas day
Hospice Lights of Love Service, starting favourite with Malvern audiences, will be starts with Holy Communion at 8am,
at 6pm. And the next day, Wednesday, presenting her Christmas by Candlelight Morning Worship at 10.30am and Holy
December 8, the priory becomes a concert on Wednesday, December 15, Communion at 12.30pm.
concert venue again, with the at 7.30pm. On Boxing Day, there is Holy
appearance Moscow Balalaika And on Saturday, December 18, the Communion at 8am, Family Communion
Ensemble with special guest Vassily priory hosts a second Winter Welcome at 10.30am, and Carols Around the Crib
Savenko, the bass-baritone much loved Day from 11am to 4pm. This time, the at 4pm. And on Monday, December 27,
by local music fans for his appearances bell-ringing chamber will be open from at 3pm Malvern Festival Chorus will be
with the Boyan Ensemble and as a solo 1pm to 4pm. The same evening, at 6pm, presenting Carols for All.

Christmas church services

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12
All Saints, Malvern Wells: 10.30am Young
People’s Presentation.
Christ Church, Malvern: 3pm Carols with the
Malvern Chase Brass Band.
Holy Trinity, Malvern: 5.45pm Mince pies and
mulled wine followed by 6.30pm Carol Service.
Malvern Link URC: 10.30am Christmas
Special at the Sonshine Cafe.
St Andrew’s, Poolbrook: 10.30am Young
People’s Presentation.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15
Malvern Link URC: 7.30pm Christmas Music -
The Malvern Singers
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19
All Saints, Malvern Wells: 5pm Christingle.
Great Malvern Priory: 8am Holy Communion,
10.30am Altogether Worship with Holy
Communion, 6.30pm Christmas Carol Service.
Holy Trinity, Malvern: 10.30am Carol Service.
Malvern Link URC: 9.30am Christmas Carols
and Readings.
St James’, Callow End: 9.30am Holy
Communion with Junior Church.
St James’,West Malvern: 6.30pm Carol Service.
St Joseph’s, Malvern: 5pm Service of
Reconciliation.
St Mary’s, Guarlford: 3pm Christmas Carols.
St Peter’s, Powick: 6.30pm Carol Service.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23
Great Malvern Priory: 11.30am Holy
Communion.
CHRISTMAS EVE
All Saints, Malvern Wells: 3pm Crib Service.
Christ Church, Malvern: 4pm Christingle
Service, 11.30pm First Communion of
Christmas - joint service with St Mary’s.
Great Malvern Priory: 4pm Christingle
Service, 11.30pm Midnight Communion.
Holy Trinity, Malvern: 4pm Family Crib
Service, 11.15pm Midnight Communion.
Holly Mount URC: 7pm Carols, readings and
mince pies.
St Andrew’s, Poolbrook: 7pm Carols by
Candlelight.
St James’, Callow End: 4pm Crib Service.
St James’, West Malvern: 5.30pm Family Crib
Service, 11.30pm Midnight Communion.
St Joseph’s, Malvern: 4pm Mass for Children,
11.30pm Carols, 12am Midnight Mass.
St Leonard’s, Newland: 10pm First Mass of
Christmas.
St Mary’s, Madresfield: 5.15pm Crib Service,
10pm Christmas Eve Holy Communion.
St Peter’s, Powick: 11.30pm Midnight
Communion.
St Wulstan’s, Little Malvern: 11.20pm Carols
followed by Midnight Mass.
CHRISTMAS DAY
All Saints, Malvern Wells: 8.45am Holy
Communion, 10.30am All Age Celebration,
11.30am Holy Communion.
Christ Church, Malvern: 10am Family
Christmas Communion.
Great Malvern Priory: 8am Holy Communion,
10.30am Christmas Morning Worship, Noon
Holy Communion.
Holy Trinity, Malvern: 10.30am Family Service
with Communion.
Malvern Link URC: 10am Christmas Morning
Worship jointly with Holly Mount URC.
St Andrew’s, Poolbrook: 8.45am Holy
Communion, 10.30am All Age Celebrations at
All Saints.
St James’, Callow End: 9.30am Family
Communion.
St James’, West Malvern: 10.30am Family
Service with Communion.
St Joseph’s, Malvern: 10am Daytime Mass.
St Leonard’s, Newland: 11am Sung Eucharist,
Feast of the Holy Family.
St Mary’s, Guarlford: 11am Holy Communion.
St Peter’s, Powick: 11am Holy Communion.
St Wulstan’s, Little Malvern: 10.30am Sung
Mass.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26
All Saints, Malvern Wells: 8.45am Holy
Communion, 10.30am All Age Worship at St
Andrew’s.
Great Malvern Priory: 8am Holy Communion,
10.30am Family Communion, 4pm Carols
Around the Crib.
Holy Trinity, Malvern: 4.30pm Carols around
the tree.
St Andrew’s, Poolbrook: 8.45am Holy
Communion at All Saints, 10.30am All Age
Worship.
St Joseph’s, Malvern: 10.30am Sunday Mass.
St Peter’s, Powick: 11am United Holy
Communion.
St Wulstan’s, Little Malvern: 10.30am
Sunday Mass.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27
Great Malvern Priory: 3pm Carols for All.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30
Great Malvern Priory: 11.30am Holy
Communion.
NEW YEAR’S DAY
St Wulstan’s, Little Malvern: 5pm Mass.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2
Great Malvern Priory: 8am Holy Communion,
10.30am Family Communion, 6.30pm New
Year Praise.
St Leonard’s, Newland: 11am Sung Eucharist
– The Epiphany of the Lord.
St Wulstan’s, Little Malvern: 10.30am Mass.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 9

C YMK
9
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

10 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

10 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

Festive food to savour

Turkey and stuffing, Christmas pudding, mince pies; all these are classic seasonal fare. Now
Malvern Theatres’ head chef Ross Tolley has come up with a few variations. By ROBERT HALE
BAKED GOATS CHEESE WITH APPLE PUDDING WITH
CROSTINI AMARETTO CRÈME ANGLAISE
Ross says: “The baked goats cheese crostini makes Ross says: “The combination of the sultanas and the
a delicious starter for a sit-down meal or it’s an amaretto gives this apple dessert a very warm,
easy but sophisticated option for party food.” Christmassy taste.”
Ingredients Ingredients
200g of goats cheese, sliced 50g sultanas
1 baguette or ciabatta 3 tbsp brandy
Couple of handfuls of rocket 240g unsalted butter, plus extra to grease
For cranberry sauce:
3 red apples
450g fresh cranberries
300ml ruby port 175g demerara sugar
115g caster sugar 2 large eggs, beaten
125ml fresh orange juice 150g self-raising flour
1 tsp corn flour Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp lemon juice 2-3 tbsp milk
pinch of ground cloves 30g ground almonds (optional)
75g sultanas Amaretto Sauce Anglaise:
1 tbsp grated orange zest
6 free-range egg yolks
1 tsp grated lemon zest
salt and pepper 65g caster sugar
2 vanilla pods, split lengthwise, seeds scraped out,
pod finely chopped
Method 250ml whole milk
1. Pre-heat oven to 140 °C/275 F/gas mark 1. 250ml cream
2. Place cheese in a lightly greased shallow circular
dish. Method
3. Cut the baguette or ciabatta into thin slices around 1. Heat the oven to 190ºC/gas mark . Soak the
half a centimetre to create crostini. sultanas in the brandy. Lightly grease a 25cm cake tin
4. Lightly sprinkle the crostini with salt and pepper, Dom Thomas, sous chef, and Ross Tolly, or an ovenproof dish.
then drizzle with olive oil and grill them both sides until head chef at Malvern Theatres with a 2. Peel, core and chop the apples. Heat a non-stick
golden brown and put to one side. selection of some of their dishes. 45119302 frying pan over a medium heat, then add the apples
5. For the sauce: Combine the cranberries, port, sugar with one-third of the sugar and 15g of the butter. Cook
1 tablespooon caster sugar
and orange juice in a pan over a medium heat, for 10 until they begin to caramelise, tossing them to ensure
50g unsalted butter, cut into cubes
minutes, until the fruit bursts. Combine the corn flour, they colour evenly. Tip in the sultanas and brandy and
lemon juice and cloves with a little water to make a cook for a further 5-10 minutes until the apples are
Method tender. Transfer the apple mixture to the prepared tin,
paste and stir into the berry mixture. Next, add the
1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark. 4. spread evenly and leave to cool.
sultanas, orange and lemon zest, simmer for five
minutes, season and then chill. 2. Cut all fat and skin off the tenderloin. Then cut it in 3. Meanwhile, cream the remaining butter and sugar
half lengthways but don’t cut all the way through. Bash together. Beat in the eggs a little at a time, stirring in a
6. Put the goats cheese in the oven until lightly
it out a little to flatten it and put in fridge. spoonful of the flour if the mixture looks like it will split
covered and melted all the way through.
3. Fry the garlic, onion, sage and chestnuts with olive at any point. Fold in the flour and lemon zest,
7. Place the shallow dish on to a plate and dress the alternately with the milk. The mixture will be quite thick
oil in a pan without colouring until the onions start to
rocket and the cranberry sauce around it and serve – add just enough milk to get the cake mixture to a
go transparent, then place in a bowl.
with the crostini. dropping consistency.
4. Mix in the breadcrumbs and sausage meat until it
starts to bind together (if it doesn’t bind, add a little 4. Pour the cake mixture over the apples and sprinkle
STUFFED PORK TENDERLOIN olive oil). with the ground almonds. Bake for about 30-35
minutes until the top is golden brown and a skewer
Ross says: “This pork tenderloin with its sage and 5. Get the pork out of the fridge and put the stuffing in
the middle of it a spread it out evenly. Then fold the inserted in the middle comes out clean. Run a thin
chestnut stuffing and crispy parma topping is an
pork around the stuffing. knife around the edge of the tin and leave to cool
excellent alternative to turkey on Christmas Day.”
slightly.
Ingredients 6. Lay the parma ham out and place the pork on top,
then wrap the pork with the parma ham. 5. Meanwhile to make the crème anglaise: In a large
1 pork tenderloin mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar
4 slices parma ham 7. Put the pork on a tray with foil laid out and drizzle until pale and fluffy.
Couple handfuls of sage with olive oil and season only with cracked black
pepper as the parma ham is cured. 6. Combine the milk, cream and chopped vanilla pods
100g Chestnuts, roughly chopped
and seeds in a heavy-bottomed pan, bring to the boil
200g pork sausage meat 8. Prepare the apple sauce: place the sliced apple in a and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and
1 white onion, finely chopped saucepan with the water and lemon juice. Cook over allow to cool for 30 seconds.
1 clove garlic, crushed low heat, stirring occasionally for about 12-15 minutes
100g breadcrumbs until the apples have softened. Stir in the sugar and 7. Pour the milk mixture onto the eggs and sugar,
Pepper whisk in the cubes of butter and keep warm. If cold whisking continuously until smooth and creamy, then
return the mixture to the saucepan. Place the pan over
For the apple sauce: apple sauce required, omit the butter.
a medium heat and stir continuously for 4-5 minutes,
900g Bramley cooking apples, peeled, cored and 9. Cook for 15-20 minutes and take out of the oven to or until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the
sliced rest for five minutes.
4-5 tablespoons/60-75ml cold water back of a spoon. Strain the mixture through a sieve
juice of ½ lemon 10. Serve with the apple sauce, roast potatoes and a into a bowl and add a couple of teaspoons of
selection of fresh vegetables. amaretto to taste and serve with the apple pudding.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 11

C YMK 11
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

12 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

12 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 13

C YMK 13
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

14 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

14 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

Jaw-dropping fun for all

Great Malvern is the place to be on Saturday, December 4. See what’s in store below...

Time Event Venue

9am-6pm Art and craft markets Priory Church grounds
9am-6pm Food markets Abbey Road
9.30am-5.30pm Harpers Bazaar Victorian Ride Great Malvern Library
10am-7pm Road closures Church Street and Abbey Road
10am-7pm Wyvern FM set up with crew Belle Vue Island
11am-noon Christian Witness Choir Priory Church
Noon-12.30pm Appleyard Dancers Malvern Library
1pm-1.30pm Appleyard Dancers Malvern Library
Noon-1pm Dance in Motion workshops Malvern Theatres hospitality suite
2pm-2.30pm Dance in Motion Church Street, opposite Robin Elts
2.45pm-3pm Dance in Motion Church Street, opposite Robin Elts
Noon-5pm Mobile farm including a donkey Malvern Library
Noon-5pm Face painting Malvern Priory grounds
Noon-5pm Mobile climbing wall Pepper & Oz, Abbey Road
12.30pm-1pm Chase School Jazz Band Belle Vue Island
1pm-5pm Bungee Basketball Run Iceland, Church Street
1pm-6pm Solo Circus, fire eating, juggling, Church Street, Great Malvern
stilt walking and other circus acts Library and Abbey Road
2pm-3pm Worcestershire Youth Great Malvern Library
Brass Band Players
1.30pm-2pm JAM Productions Priory Church
2.30pm-3pm The Hills Singers Malvern Priory Church
3pm-3.30pm Regents Drama Group production Priory Church
3.20pm-3.50pm Malvern Area Music Centre Belle Vue Island stage
- Wind Band
4pm-4.30pm Malvern St James Junior School Choir Belle Vue Island stage
5.15pm Lantern parade, samba band, Starts at Grange Road, going up
Christmas tree stilt walkers Church Street
and Club Dance
5.30pm Christmas lights switch-on Belle Vue Island
with Toyah Willcox
5.45pm-6.15pm Malvern Singers Priory Church
5pm-7pm Arts, crafts and Holly Mount Church
refreshments
6.15pm-8pm Chairman’s charity carols St Edmund’s Hall
IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 15

C YMK 15
 malvern christmas shopping - spread

CMYK
100% 50% 10%
 malvern christmas shopping - spread

CMYK
100% 50% 10%
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

Give our tipples a try

Stuck for a wine to go with the Christmas dinner? Then stay local. By TARIK AL RASHEED

T
HE traditional Christmas
spread wouldn’t be complete
without a few bottles of wine
to wash down the turkey and
trimmings.
But rather than seeking the best
vintages from France, Italy or Australia
this year, why not seek out something a
little closer to home?
There are several successful local
vineyards nestled around the Malvern
Hills area just waiting to be discovered
over the festive period.
Sandy and Peter Barker, who own
Tiltridge Vineyard in Upton, produce a
wide variety of wines that they market
under the ‘Elgar’ label.
After three difficult summers they
enjoyed a large harvest this year,
helping to replenish their cellars.
Mrs Barker believes their 2006 Elgar
Sparkling brut is the perfect choice for
Christmas Day, and New Year
celebrations a week later.
“English sparkling wines tend to be
quite different to French champagne,”
she explained.
“Ours is dry but with a hint of honey
and I would certainly recommend giving
it a try.”
She also recommends Tiltridge’s soft,
dry Cello wine, which won a Silver
award from the UK Vineyard Association
this summer.
“It’s a very popular choice, and even a
lot of people who don’t usually like dry
wine find they quite like it because it is
particularly low in acid,” she said.
Another recent recipient of a UK
Vineyard Association Silver award is the
Premier sparkling pink produced by
Strawberry Hill Vineyard in Newent.
“It is being sold in some very smart
and exclusive restaurants and is being
extremely well-received,” said owner
Marion Chance.
“It would be the perfect choice for
celebrating at Christmas and New Year.”
Mrs Chance also recommends
Strawberry Hill’s popular Orion white or,
for the red wine drinker, its merlot or
Sandy and Peter Barker in their shop at Tiltridge Vineyard in Upton. 44117802
cabernet sauvignons.
“We’re one of the very few vineyards Local vineyards you may like to try out: Road, Upton. 01684 592906.
in the UK that produce high-quality, ● Coddington Vineyard. Coddington, ● St Anne’s Vineyard. Wain House,
award-winnng reds,” she said near Ledbury. 01531 640668. Oxenhall, near Newent. 01989
“There are lots of good English whites ● Frome Valley Vineyard. Paunton 720313.
about but reds are much harder to Court, Bishops Frome. 01885 490768. ● Strawberry Hill Vineyard. Orchard
produce in this country.” ● Tiltridge Vineyard. Upper Hook Road, Newent. 01531 822669.

18 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

18 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 19

C YMK 19
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

Here’s a feast for you

Try some of Malvern’s independent traders for your festive food. TARIK AL RASHEED reports

W
ITH supermarket
shelves already full to
the brim with essential
ingredients and special
treats, there is certainly
no shortage of choice when it comes to
planning your festive feast.
But to make your Christmas truly
special this year why not try shopping at
some of Malvern’s considerable range of
independent traders?
Whether you opt for traditional turkey
or perhaps beef, duck or goose,
Malvern’s range of quality butchers –
including Malvern Country Meals,
Barnards Green Butchers and Leyland –
will help you find the perfect meat for
your meal.
For the vegetables to accompany your
meal, as well as the satsumas for the
stockings and the fruit bowl and all
those little extras like dates and
chestnuts, why not call in at Veg ’N’
Things, in Church Street, or Fruits of the
Earth, in Malvern Link.
With stores in the Link, Barnards
Green and Link Top, Colston Bakery has
it covered when it comes to delicious
freshly-baked bread, and the likes of Le
Delice, in Albert Park Road, and Cold
Chef, in Barnards Green, are firm
favourites when it comes to tempting
festive desserts.
With every product hand-made on the
premises to the highest quality, Cold
Chef’s mince pies, Christmas cakes and
other seasonal desserts are always a
firm favourite.
Owners Stephen and Jane Knowles
already have a busy order book for the
festive season.
“Christmas is always a really busy
time of year for us, and this year is
proving no exception,” said Mr Knowles.
“Our mince pies and Christmas cakes
are always very popular, and we also do
Christmas quiches, handmade sausage
rolls and all sorts of festive desserts
such as chocolate wreath cakes,
cheescakes and lemon tarts.
“We’ve got a list in store but we are
able to do most things if there’s
something that someone is particularly
after.”
Orders for Christmas cakes should be
in by the end of November and for other
items no later than the second week in
December. Stephen Knowles, from Cold Chef, with some of the delights on offer. 45120301

20 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

20 C YMK

C YMK
Call into Barnards Green specialist The Cheese Board, where owner Andrew Brookes will point you in the right direction. 45120502
Grin and say cheese!
There are plenty of tasty seasonal specials on offer this Christmas, says TARIK AL RASHEED
E
NJOYING a bit of good
cheese in front of the
television once the dinner
dishes have been cleared
away is a favourite Christmas
tradition for many.
And with so many choices to fill your
festive fridge with, why not call into
Barnards Green specialist The Cheese
Board, where owner Andrew Brookes
will be only too happy to point you in the
right direction.
“We always see a big increase in
trade at this time of year, and there are
a huge number of special Christmas
IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN
Malvern Christmas Shopping
cheeses available,” he said. “We always
carry a big selection, and things such as
cheddar truckles and half baby stiltons,
which are very traditional and popular at
this time of year, are always good sellers.”
One new line that Mr Brookes expects
to go well this year is a locally-produced
cheddar made with Worcestershire
sauce and shallots.
“It’s something a bit different,and
almost everyone who has tried it so far
has enjoyed it and gone on to buy
some,” he said.
Mr Brookes also stocks a range of
traditional Christmas puddings, cakes
and stollen, as well as local wines,
ciders and beers to wash it all down
with.
The Cheese Board also offers a
hamper service, which can be totally
personalised to make the perfect
Christmas gift.
And once all your food is sorted, don’t
forget to stock up on enough wine, beer
and whatever particular tipple takes your
fancy to last you through the festive
period.
For friendly service and extensive
choice, try Link Wines in Malvern Link or
Wine Rack, in Barnards Green.
CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 21
C YMK 21
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

Fun day full of colour

Everyone is sure to have a good time at a charity event next month. JACK DAVIDSON reports

T
RADERS in Barnards Green
hope they can give something
back to the community when
they hold their annual
Christmas event on Saturday,
December 11.
The seasonal day of fun and shopping
will feature music, games, workshops
and, of course, a visit from Father
Christmas himself.
Jane Knowles, who runs Just So
cards and gifts store, is one of the many
independent traders to donate their time
to make the day as special as possible.
She said: “It’s very strongly a Flashback: Last year’s Christmas event in Barnards Green was full of colour.
community event and everyone gets
involved. Barnards Green is a bit Families will find a packed schedule of Climbing Wall and other street
different because there’s so many events taking place in every corner of entertainers. This year’s event will
independent traders that have been Barnards Green, ranging from sports benefit Macmillan Cancer Support and
together for that many years.” activities from Zig Zag Coaching to arts the local charity Borrower’s Toy Library,
The day will start at 10.30am, when and crafts fun with 2nd Malvern whose Playrangers will be on hand
Father Christmas arrives in the Green in Brownies. during the day of fun.
style, and will feature music from Great A shop window dressing competition Carol Brooks, who runs toy shop the
Malvern and Northleigh school choirs, will let families compete to try and guess Toy Corner with her sister Helen
Malvern Male Voice Choir, Malvern Hills the pantomime or character and there Portman, said: “Last year we raised over
Brass Band and Ascending Voices, and will also be face-painting, circus skills £1,400 so we were really pleased,
dancing from Dance in Motion with Shooting Stars, the Sunshine obviously. As long as the weather’s good
Cheerleaders Elite. Children’s Centre Playbus, the Aztec we tend to have a really good turn-out.”

22 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

22 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 23

C YMK 23
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

24 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

24 C YMK
 C YMK
Stay cool at Christmas
Here’s ten top ways to beat the stress this Christmas – it’s easy, if you stick with this guide!
I
T may be the ‘most wonderful time of
the year’, as the song goes, but it’s
also the most common day for heart
attacks and the day when family
feuds can boil over. Keep your stress
levels firmly in check with this guide on
how to deal with sticky situations.
SHOPPING PANIC
Scenario: It’s late afternoon on
Christmas Eve, you’re exhausted, laden
down with shopping bags, and you still
need to find one more gift! Sound
familiar?
De-stress solution: Before you even hit
the shops, take a vitamin supplement
like Seven Seas’ new Multibionta Boost,
which contains vitamins and minerals
that help energy release, plus ginseng
and guarana.
MOTHER-IN-LAW MAYHEM
Scenario: There’s nothing worse when
you’re slaving away in a hot kitchen than
for your mother-in-law to poke her nose
in and criticise your cooking.
De-stress solution: Set ‘mum’ to
work chopping vegetables, or ask
her to make you a nice cup of
herbal tea.
KIDS ARE CRACKERS
Scenario: The school
holidays have started and the
children are more excited
and bouncy than ever,
expecting you to be on hand
to see to their every need.
De-stress solution: Take
some ‘me’ time each day once
the kids have finally gone to
bed and pamper yourself with
a relaxing bath.
NO MORE NIGHTMARES
Scenario: The ever-
growing Christmas ‘to
do’ list and fears about
the impact of all those
extra calories
consumed are keeping
you awake at night.
And less sleep means
more stress.
De-stress solution:
Lull yourself to sleep
with a soothing foot
massage.
26 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010
26
Malvern Christmas Shopping
MONEY WORRIES
Scenario: It’s only too tempting to
splurge at Christmas, when there are so
many people to buy presents for and all
that tempting food in supermarkets.
De-stress solution: Make sure you
draw up a realistic budget well in
advance for the big day and only spend
what you can afford. Shopping online
will save you money and make sure you
opt for free delivery. Also, send e-cards
instead of real ones to save on postage.
LAZY HUSBAND SYNDROME
Scenario: You’re busy writing Christmas
cards, wrapping presents and running
round the supermarket buying the
turkey, while your other half relaxes on
the sofa watching Star Wars.
De-stress scenario: Take him in hand
and give him a list of practical things he
can do to help.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN
COOKING LIKE CRAZY
Scenario: On the big day itself, you’ll be
on your feet for hours, slaving over
Christmas dinner and, unless you have
Santa’s little helpers, there’ll be no time
for a break.
De-stress solution: Tisserand
DeStress Roll-on Remedy, with soothing
patchouli oil, is perfect for frazzled
moments (£4.95, from Boots).
FESTIVE FAMILY FEUDS
Scenario: You haven’t seen most of
your family all year and you don’t even
get on with half of them. Now they’re
suddenly all in your home and rows
could break out at any time.
De-stress solution: Distract them! If
you’ve still got a to-do list to get
through, give everyone a task, or get
them all together and play a classic
board game to get everyone in the
spirit and forget their differences.
CALORIE-FEST
Scenario: You’ve overindulged and
now you’re worried about the extra
inches around your waist, not to
mention the hangover and
indigestion.
De-stress solution: A quick fix is
to drink some water! It sounds
simple, but when you’re feeling
tempted to indulge, a glass of
water can stop hunger pangs. Try
drinking a pint of water before all
meals to suppress your appetite,
go for crisp winter walks and
send any leftovers home with
your guests.
CHRISTMAS BLUES
Scenario: When the family has
gone and Christmas is packed
away, the adrenaline will stop
pumping and you could
easily feel a bit low or
even catch a cold.
De-stress solution:
Give your immune
system a boost with
Multibionta Immune
Support (£7.99 for 30
tablets, from Boots),
which also contains
probiotics to help
your tummy after all
those rich foods.
C YMK

C YMK
Join the crowds when
you shop for presents
There’s something for everyone this Christmas in Great Malvern, says TARIK AL RASHEED
W
ITH a rich variety of
independently-owned
stores and a
smattering of
recognisable high
street names, Great Malvern is the
ideal destination for taking care of
all your Christmas shopping.
A leisurely wander around the
town centre is all but guaranteed to
provide the inspiration for your gifts
for friends and family of all ages.
Stuck for ideas for your wife, mum
or daughter? Then why not try gift
shops such as Iapetus Gallery,
Aquarius or Emerald Grove, where
you will find a huge variety of
Great Malvern is always a favourite for
Christmas shopping. 49639416
IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN
Malvern Christmas Shopping
glassware, ornaments, candles and
other present ideas.
For that special piece of jewellery
call in at Parrys of Malvern or why
not treat that special someone to a
floral bouquet from Forget me Not
Flowers?
For arts and crafts enthusiasts, try
the Knitting Parlour or Simply
Sewing, while stores such as
Gordon Smith and Malvern Curtains
offer a huge range of gifts for the
home.
For something a bit different why
not treat them to a hair or beauty
treatment from one of Great
Malvern’s many excellent salons,
including The Beauty Spot, Air and
Number One. For literature lovers try
Beacon Books or Books for
Amnesty, of for foodies try the Great
Malvern Deli, in Abbey Road.
Robin Elt Shoes offers a huge
range to suit every taste and need,
and neighbouring Time Outdoors is
packed full of gift ideas for outdoor
types.
With all these and many more
besides, plus a wide selection of
restaurants, bars and hotels to relax
in when your shopping is done or
you just need a break, why would
you take your shopping list
anywhere else this Christmas?
CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 27
C YMK 27
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping





  
 

    $ $

( 


$
$


 $
$ '
 (
$

%  '

   


#!*
       

&)$$%
28 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

28 C YMK

C YMK
There is nostalgic musical entertainment on December 18 with a performance by the Syd Lawrence Orchestra called Christmas Crackers.
Enjoy a great line-up
Malvern Theatres has a bumper crop of entertainment this Christmas. SUE VICKERS reports
C
HRISTMAS is a busy time at
Malvern Theatres, with lots
of great live entertainment
for all tastes.
There is everything from a
good old traditional pantomime to a
haunting ghost story, from a spectacular
ice show to a nostalgic drama.
The Russian Ice Stars have become a
staple in the Christmas line-up at
Malvern Theatres and they are back
again this year with an adaptation of JM
Barrie’s wonderful story about the boy
who never grew up.
Peter Pan, which opens on November
30, is a fairy story on ice set in a
mysterious land filled with pirates. It will
transport the audience to a world of make-
believe and there are unique touches such
as penny farthings ridden across the ice
as the curtain goes up to reveal a park
and the London skyline, complete with
chimney stacks and chimney sweeps.
The famous characters, such as Peter
Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and Captain
Hook, are brought to life against a
backdrop of fire, Indian drumming and
incredible scenery changes as the
audience is transported from Wendy’s
bedroom to Neverland.
Ghost stories around the fire are
almost as traditional as pantomime at
Christmas and Malvern Theatres has a
ghost story from the master storyteller
Charles Dickens. The Haunting opens
on November 29 for one week. It is set
in a crumbling mansion surrounded by
desolate moorland where two men
stumble across a terrifying secret
that changes their lives forever.
A young book dealer David
Filde is employed to
catalogue the rare books
in the mansion’s
IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN
Malvern Christmas Shopping
library but a series of strange events
conspire to keep him from his work. His
employer is sceptical about the
phenomenon and they journey together
to discover the source of the night-time
visitations.
Described as a thriller and a journey
to the very edge of terror, it is a stage
adaptation of one of Dicken’s most
haunting tales of the unexpected.
Back by popular demand, Beyond The
Barricade At Christmas is a touring
show that brings all the great songs and
moments from West End musicals
together in one great production. The
performers are all former West End
singers from Les Miserables. The show
is in Malvern for just one night on
December 10.
There is some nostalgic musical
entertainment on December 18 when
there will be a performance by the Syd
Lawrence Orchestra called Christmas
Crackers. Chris Dean and his ‘Best Big
band in the Land’ will be spreading
Christmas cheer with lots of
music with a yuletide theme
and classics from the likes of
Count Basie, Glen Miller and
Tommy Dorsey.
Following the success of the
award-winning BBC series Lark
Rise To Candleford there has been a
revival of a 1970s
stage adaptation of
Flora Thompson’s
nostalgic
book. The production comes to Malvern
on December 6 and runs until
December 11. The play follows a day in
the life of young Laura Timms revealing
rural life as it was in the tiny hamlet of
Lark Rise at the end of the 19th century.
The play, pictured below, paints an
evocative picture of a lost and forgotten
England.
For opera lovers, Malvern Theatres
has A Night At The Opera on December
21. The London Festival Opera brings
together established artists from the
Royal Opera, English National Opera
and Glyndebourne for a performance of
wonderful operatic favourites from Verdi,
Puccini, Rossini, Bizet, Offenbach,
Mozart, Handel and Monteverdi. The
singers will perform in stunning period
evening dress, recreating the
atmosphere and grandeur of past times.
For classical music fans there will be a
Christmas Choral Concert on December
17 by the Armonico Consort and the
Orchestra of the Baroque.
Conducted by Christopher
Monks with Crispian Steele
Perkins on trumpet and
soprano Anna Sandstrom, the
concert will include Bach’s
Cantata No. 51 “Jauchzet
Gott”, Handel’s Three
Coronation Anthems, The
King Shall Rejoice, My
Heart is Inditing and
Zadok The Priest, and
Bach’s Magnificat.
And for those for whom
Christmas isn’t Christmas
without a panto, Malvern
Theatres has Sleeping
Beauty, a traditional family
favourite, which runs from
December 16 until January 9.
CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 29
C YMK 29
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

30 CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN

30 C YMK
 Malvern Christmas Shopping
C YMK

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCIS OF MALVERN CHRISTMAS IN MALVERN 2010 31

C YMK 31
 C YMK Malvern Christmas Shopping

32 C YMK