Tuesday 30 November 2010

Feeling Cold? Get your Skates On, in London Christmas 2010

  • Thanks to Timeout.

  • Photo for “Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink”

    Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink

    Until Jan 9 2011, Hampton Court Palace
    Set in front of Henry VIII's picturesque pad, this 900-metre-square rink has space for 250 skaters. Sessions last an hour, and the adjacent café serves hot drinks to counteract exposure to the elements.
  • Photo for “London Eye Ice Rink”

    London Eye Ice Rink

    Until Jan 5 2011, London Eye
    Those planning a flight on the London Eye this winter can also book a 45-minute skating session on the 300-metre-square 'Eye-Skating' rink in Jubilee Gardens. There are a number of packages available. 
  • Photo for “Natural History Museum Ice Rink”

    Natural History Museum Ice Rink

    Critics' Choice
    Until Jan 9 2011, Natural History Museum
    Gaze up at Alfred Waterhouse's stunning Natural History Museum from the 1,000-metre-square outdoor ice rink, or the smaller rink for children. Spectators can take in the scene with a hot chocolate or mulled wine.
  • Photo for “Somerset House Ice Rink”

    Somerset House Ice Rink

    Until Jan 23 2011, Somerset House
    The grand eighteenth-century courtyard at Somerset House provides this 900-metre-square rink with one of the most impressive skating backdrops in town. The skate school offers lessons for beginners. 
  • Photo for “Tower of London Ice Rink”

    Tower of London Ice Rink

    Until Jan 9 2011, Tower of London
    Offering a grand historical setting for seasonal skating sessions, the rink in the dry moat features views of London's ancient fortress. Ice guides are available for supervised group skating. 
  • Photo for “Westfield London Ice Rink”

    Westfield London Ice Rink

    Until Jan 2 2011, Westfield London
    Westfield's atrium is home to a 450-metre-square ice rink with a capacity of 150 skaters.

Winter Wonderland Video Hyde Park Christmas 2010, Video 2009

Sunday 28 November 2010

Radio Times Christmas covers: a selection - Radio Times, Christmas Past

This is our favourite published in1977.  Use the link below to view a year by year History of the Radio times Christmas Covers. Christmas Past.

Radio Times Christmas covers: a selection - Radio Times

Christmas Past-BBC intros Part 2

Christmas Past-BBC intros Part 1

Friday 26 November 2010

Christmas Trafalgar Square 2010- Lighting the Tree 2nd of Dec



Past Event - Reference Only 

Each year since 1947, a Christmas tree has been given to the people of London from the people of Norway in gratitude for Britain's support for Norway during World War II. For many Londoners the Christmas tree and carol singing in Trafalgar Square signal the countdown to Christmas.
The 2010 Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Thursday 2nd December from 6pm and the tree is lit prior to 6.30pm. As the event is quite popular it is best to arrive early for a viewing position.

Carol-singing

The Christmas tree in the square provides a central focus for the traditional carol-singing programme. This year it will take place in the evenings, generally from 5pm to 9pm, fromTuesday 7 to Wednesday 22 December 2010. Different groups perform Christmas carols in the square, raising funds for voluntary or charitable organisations. All are welcome to come to the square to listen - and perhaps join in.
View the carol-singing programme Click Here to see which groups are singing when.
The carol-singing programme for Christmas 2010 is fully booked. Applications for 2011 will be available from September 2011.

About the tree

The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is usually a Norwegian spruce (Picea abies) over 20 metres high and 50-60 years old. It is selected from the forests surrounding Oslo with great care several months, even years, in advance. The Norwegian foresters who look after it describe it fondly as 'the queen of the forest'.
The tree is felled in November during a ceremony in which the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the British ambassador to Norway and the Mayor of Oslo participate. It is brought to the UK by sea, then completes its journey by lorry. A specialist rigging team erects it in the square using a hydraulic crane. It is decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion, with vertical strings of lights - energy-efficient light bulbs are used.

Recycling the tree

The Christmas tree remains in Trafalgar Square until just before the Twelfth Night of Christmas, when it is taken down for recycling. The tree is chipped and composted, to make mulch.

Eat Well this Christmas, Where we Shop - Lets take a Butchers- Moen Clapham Common

Yes another Favourite of ours M Moen & Sons. 3 minute walk from Clapham Common Tube station 9/10

We're a high-class butchers with a beautiful shop overlooking Clapham Common in London.
The shop was founded in 1971 by Maurice Moen, whose son Garry (pictured) is now in charge, ably supported by some of the nicest staff around.
The original shop was in South Norwood but in 1978 we moved to number 19, The Pavement, Clapham Common, where we stayed for over 20 years. That shop was rather small and as business was increasing we took the opportunity in 1999 to move into bigger premises along the road at number 24. With the help of grants from English Heritage and the National Lottery number 24 was restored to look pretty much like it originally did in Victorian times.
In these grander surroundings we have much more room and we've been able to expand the range of things we sell. Indeed, you can now come into the shop for your meat and leave with almost all of the ingredients for your dinner party.
Here's what Simply Appetising - London Transport's guide to the best of culinary London on the internet - has to say about us:
"More a food emporium than a butcher's, Garry Moen runs his shop with passion, flair and innovation, stocking products from over 60 of the best small suppliers in the country. There are four big counters, filled with own-made sausages, free-range meat, poultry and game, dry-cured bacon, cheeses and cold cuts including serrano and Parma ham. The back wall is well stocked with pickles, mustards, chutneys and jams. A weekly delivery from France brings confit, pâté and cassoulet. In season there are daily deliveries of wild mushrooms and a wide selection of fruit and vegetables."




Eat Well this Christmas, Where we Shop - Cheese Heaven! La Fromagerie

More Cheese Gromit!! Yes Please! A stones throw from Baker Street and Marylebone tube stations and about 10 minutes walk from Oxford Street at the Selfridges/ Marble Arch end is LA FROMAGERIE  definitely worth a visit.

LA FROMAGERIE is passionate about good food & wine. 

Stylish and unconventional LA FROMAGERIE is recognised as being one of the best cheese shops in England. 
We invite you to browse our website in particular our Online Cheese Room.  You will find regional farmhouse cheeses with information on how to create the perfect cheese plate together with suggested wine pairings & other accompaniments.

Thursday 25 November 2010

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Christmas Windows 2010 London Harvey Nichols










Christmas Windows 2010 Harrods


London Christmas Windows 2010 Harrods









Friday 19 November 2010

Christmas Windows Selfridges 2010 Part 3

Once again Leigh has spent a few hours in London after all the shoppers have gone home! Here you can a journey from Selfridges down Oxford Street and Regent Street with some of his photos.








Christmas Windows Selfridges 2010 Part 2






Selfridges Christmas Windows 2010 Part 1







Christmas Windows John Lewis 2010 Oxford Street


Oxford Street Christmas Lights 2010 Photos