ST STEPHEN’S PLAYERS’ SLEEPING BEAUTY AND GADOC’S CINDERELLA PANTOS
December and early January

Pantomimes are like the proverbial London bus. You don’t get one for ages and then two come along at once which is great news because, for many of us, Christmas would not be Christmas without a good ol’ traditional panto. First up is St Stephen’s Players who are staging Sleeping Beauty at the Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts (the new building at the old St Peter Port School if you don’t know what and where it is) from Monday 8 until Saturday 13 December. The curtain goes up at 7.30pm each night. There is also a matinee on Saturday 13 December at 2.00pm. Whilst the St Stephen’s Players have again been forced to find a new venue due to the ongoing problems with their ‘home’ at the St Stephen’s Community Centre, they promise that is the only change! “Our pantomimes have earned their reputation by being traditional and colourful and this year is no exception”, says director Sheila Garner. It’s always a sell-out so be quick to secure your tickets by calling 265240. Next up is GADOC’s Cinderella, directed by Bridget Carey, which runs from Saturday 20 December until Saturday 3 January at Beau Sejour. It is GADOC’s 50th panto and like the other 49 is sure to be a sell-out too. Get your tickets by calling 747200.

DESIGN MATTERS: EVERYDAY OBJECTS AT THE GREENHOUSE
Until 23 January

Three local design classics – the Guernsey Can, the Guernsey Jumper and the Guernsey Greenhouse – are featured in an exhibition at ‘the greenhouse’ (inside the Guernsey Information Centre). The FREE exhibition sponsored by Atelier BAS MooArc is ‘designed’ to stimulate discussion and explores the fundamentals of good design and focuses on examples that can be found in our everyday lives including the paperclip! “We often forget the benefit that objects as humble as the paperclip have brought us. Through these selected objects we hope that this exhibition will highlight the value that good design brings to our everyday lives,” explains Jamie Falla of Atelier BAS MooArc. The exhibition is open Monday until Saturday. More information at thegreenhouse.gg.

GUERNSEY CHAMBER CHOIR’S CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR ADVENT
Tuesday 23 December

Helen Grand conducts a programme of varied music for Advent, the Annunciation and the Nativity at St James. The choir is renowned for its fine a capella singing which creates a perfect setting for the start of Christmas and reflects its true spiritual meaning in music. The choir is also joined by a chamber ensemble of talented instrumentalists and the evening includes traditional Christmas carols when the audience is invited to join the choir. Recharge your batteries at a concert that has become the hallmark that draws the seasonal carol concerts to a close. Tickets are available from the St James box office, either in person or by calling 711361. They cost £12 or £8 for restricted view. Students are half price.

HERM CHRISTMAS SHOPPING TRIPS
Saturdays and Sundays in December

Forget Oxford Street for your Christmas shopping fix - instead head across to Herm! The popular Christmas shopping trips to our nearby island are one of fun things to do to really get you in the festive mood. FREE trips operate on Saturday 6, 13 and 20 or Sunday 7, 14 and 21 December. Find out boat times and book your tickets by calling Travel Trident on 721379.

BODYZONE’S WILD ’N’ WACKY XMAS WORKOUT
Monday 15 December

Join Beau Sejour’s Bodyzone team for a fun-filled exercise session with a difference. It offers a chance for all abilities to try out new types of exercise including BodyPump and Boxercise. Optional fancy dress is ‘Superheroes’. The session is from 6.00pm until 7.15pm and is followed by drinks and nibbles afterwards. FREE to Freedom members, £4.40 for Choice members and £5.70 for non-members. Book by calling Beau Sejour on 747200.

TOWN CHURCH CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
Saturday 6 until Thursday 18 December

Building on last year’s success, the Town Church will again be hosting a Christmas Tree Festival in the weeks running up to Christmas. Trees will be decorated by 28 local charities who will all use their imagination and artistic skill to represent their own charity’s work. The church is open every day and representatives of the charities will be on hand to welcome you, offer refreshments and talk to you about their charities and between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Saturday and between 2.00pm and 4.00pm on Sundays. There will be a central point for donations and these will be shared equally between the charities at the close of the Festival. The charities participating are: Alzheimers Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Bridge2Sri Lanka, RSPB Guernsey, Les Bourgs Hospice, Tsumaini Fund, Mencap, Scouts, Mothers Union, Samaritans, Lifeboat Guild, Guernsey Bereavement Service, ActionAid, Hope for Guernsey, Cheshire Homes, Friends of Air Search, Russels Day Centre, Pink Ladies, COPA, GSPCA, Trefoil Guild (Girl Guides), Guernsey Cardiac Action Group, Breathe Easy Group, British Legion, Womens Refuge, Headway, Christian Aid and Prayer Tree.

ISLAND CHURCHES FESTIVAL CHORUS
Friday 12 and Saturday 13 December

St James is the venue for two amazing nights featuring the Fesitval Chorus that will get you in the mood for Christmas far better than even Val Doonican on the telly. Led by compere and director Roy Sarre, the programme of music and song includes works by Mozart and Handel, party songs, favourite carols and the obligatory ‘White Christmas’. Both evenings include a special performance by the children’s choir, Friendship Company, led by Jo Paine. Tickets for the event sponsored by Specsavers are available from the St James box office, either in person or by calling 711361. Adults £9.50, children under 14 are FREE.

TERRACE MARKET: SWAP CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
Saturday 27 December

December is a busy month for the Terrace Market with lots happening before Christmas but the date that stands out is after the big day. As well as the regular market on the Terrace in the Market, there is an opportunity to bring your unwanted Christmas gifts and either swap them or let them be sold for charity! Find out more by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .