Father Christmas at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, Norfolk Broads

Here's a message from Father Christmas at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in the Norfolk Broads.

Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Guided Walks at Fairhaven Garden, Norfolk Broads

Join Ian Guest, Head Gardener at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads for a guided walk in the garden on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26 and New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, both starting at 11am.

Garden admission, including the guided walks, is adults £6, concessions £5.50 and children £3.50 (under 5 free). The walks last 1½ hours and a complimentary mince pie and glass of mulled wine will be on offer at the end.

Highlights include the massive 950-year old King Oak and other ancient oak and beech trees and the views across South Walsham Inner Broad. Learn about the history of the garden, the collection of plants introduced by the 2nd Lord Fairhaven and the organic working methods still used today.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is at South Walsham, nine miles east of Norwich, signposted off A47 at B1140 junction, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk, t. 01603 270449.

The garden is open daily all year, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day), tearoom, gift shop and plant sales. There is wheelchair access throughout the garden, including a Sensory Garden. Visitors requiring special facilities are advised to telephone in advance, mobility scooters available. Dogs are welcome on leads; small charge to cover poop scoop.

Greater Yarmouth Tourism Reveals Growth in Seaside Breaks

Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority (GYTA) launched its 2014 campaign on Tuesday 10 December at Sea Life Great Yarmouth, to an audience of more than 200 local tourism professionals, who heard the welcome news that tourism is worth £550 million to the local economy. Tourism comprises nearly 30% of the borough’s workforce.

Councillor John Burroughs, His Worship the Mayor of Great Yarmouth, unveiled the 2014 brochure (cover jpg attached). The brochure cover focuses on traditional British beach fun confirming the continuing trend for ‘daycation’ and ‘staycation’ and rediscovering Great Yarmouth, which is a top 10 UK seaside resort.

The colourful brochure, which can also be viewed online via www.great-yarmouth.co.uk and downloaded as an app from UK Travel Guides, still has a key role to play in the marketing of the resort. But GYTA is increasingly strengthening its promotional digital armoury. A new Great Yarmouth tourism app was launched in the summer, with integral maps that use GPS technology while visitors are in the resort, to guide them to attractions, restaurants, car parks, toilets and even cash machines.  Mobile and business websites as well as the official tourism website all contribute to the digital mix, with just under two million visits (¾ million unique visits compared to ½ million in 2012) to www.great-yarmouth.co.uk so far this year.

Councillor Michael Jeal, Chair of GYTA said: “Tourism is vital to the economy of the Great Yarmouth area. It is equally vital for the public and private sectors to continue to work together to capitalise on the growth in British seaside holidays. Our flagships events, the Maritime Festival, Beach Volleyball and Summer Fireworks are prime examples of what can be achieved through successful partnerships and we look forward to a strong season for 2014.”

 Madam Mayoress Mrs Jenny Burroughs, the Mayor of Great Yarmouth Councillor John Burroughs and  Councillor Michael Jeal, Chair Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority at Sea Life Great Yarmouth.

With 65,000 bed spaces across the Borough, nearly a third of all holiday nights spent in Norfolk are tourists staying in Greater Yarmouth. Nearly 25% of all holidays nights spent in Norfolk and Suffolk combined are taken in the Borough of Great Yarmouth.

Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority (GYTA) is a unique public / private sector partnership, founded in 1994. It brings together all partners from both the public and private sector to ensure that together we can collectively provide a better resort to help businesses survive and flourish and ensure that jobs are created and sustained.

Praying with Icons Exhibition Opens at The Hostry Norwich Cathedral

St Seraphim's Trust is staging Praying with Icons – The Work of the Walsingham Iconographers at The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral until January 1, 2014.

Praying with Icons is the first exhibition of the work of the late Fr. David (d 1993) and Leon Liddament (d. 2010) of the Brotherhood of St. Seraphim, Walsingham. For more than forty years the iconographers made icons in the Orthodox Tradition, which can now be found in churches and private collections throughout the UK.

A reception was held at The Hostry on the evening of Wednesday, December 4 to mark the opening of the exhibition by the Bishop of Lynn, who is Father David’s nephew.

The Bishop of Lynn The Rt. Revd Jonathan Meyrick, Christopher Meyrick and Isolde Meyrick

The exhibition features 30 icons painted by Father David and Leon Liddament, archive film and information about the process of painting an icon and the use of icons in liturgy.

Archangel Michael by Leon Liddament (1983)

The Resurrection by Father David (1976)

For more information about St Seraphim’s Trust and St Seraphim's Orthodox Chapel, Walsingham t.
01328 820610 www.iconpainter.org.uk.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden , Norfolk Broads, Christmas Workshops

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden Christmas Workshops

Christmas Wreath Making Workshops
Tuesday 17 December at 10.30am and at 7pm
Using fresh foliage from Fairhaven Garden create an individual wreath. All materials included - just bring a pair of secateurs and an apron.
Includes tea/coffee and mince pies. £17 per person, booking essential

Christmas Mantel Swag Workshop
Wednesday 18 December at 10.30am
Using fresh foliage from Fairhaven Garden create a stunning mantel swag. All materials included - just bring a pair of secateurs and an apron.
Includes tea/coffee and mince pies. £22 per person, booking essential.

Christmas Tree Door Hanging Workshop
Thursday 19 December at 10.30am
Using fresh foliage from Fairhaven Garden create an individual Christmas tree door hanging. All materials included - just bring a pair of secateurs and an apron. Includes tea/coffee and mince pies. £22 per person, booking essential.

To book t. 01603 270449, www.fairhavengarden.co.uk.

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, School Road, South Walsham, Norwich NR13 6DZ