A host of Christmas-themed activities will take place during December, starting with Tree Dressing at Hamptonne Country Life Museum on Sunday, 4 December. Artist Kerry-Jane Warner will be on hand for decoration-making and visitors can wrap up warm and help to make the Orchard look festive. There will be music in the Cider Barn afterwards with folk band ‘Sonneux’. This activity is kindly sponsored by Ogier.
Next up is a special ‘Discovery Day’ at Jersey Museum, Art Gallery & Victorian House on Saturday, 10 December and the opportunity to discover the sights and sounds of Christmas. There will be festive carols, classic films, decoration and card-making, and the chance to follow a trail around the Victorian House to find out what happens on the night before Christmas.
Over the weekend before the big day, it’s back to Hamptonne for ‘A Traditional Christmas’, sponsored by Ogier, and a celebration of Christmas past. On Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 December, there will be larger-than-life characters, such as Old St Nick warming his feet by the fire in Hamptonne House, plenty of storytelling and a “sprout” trail to follow, as well as the chance to taste gingerbread and stir the Christmas pudding.
Nicky Lucas, Jersey Heritage’s Community Events Curator, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year for families and we’ve got plenty on offer at our sites to help them spend time together, have fun and be transported back in time to Christmas from days gone by. From puddings and gingerbread, to stories, sprouts and decoration-making, there will be something for people of all ages to enjoy.”
None of the Christmas activities require booking and usual entry fees apply, with free entry for Jersey Heritage Members and children under the age of six.
Kate Kirk, Director of Marketing at Ogier, said: “We’ve been delighted by the response to Jersey Heritage’s events this year. Thousands of families have learned about the Island’s history in a fun environment, from Pirates back in February to the Christmas events rounding off the year. We’re really looking forward to some festive fun, learning Jersey traditions and creating memories at the Tree Dressing Day and A Traditional Christmas. We’re proud to support the work Jersey Heritage does in the community to bring the Island’s stories to life.”
In addition to the specially-organised Christmas activities, all the Jersey Heritage visitor sites (with the exception of Elizabeth Castle) are open daily from 10am-4pm until the end of the year and will be looking suitably festive.
This includes Jersey Museum, the Maritime Museum, Hamptonne and Mont Orgueil Castle. The grounds of La Hougue Bie are open for people to stroll around and the BSK-run La Hougue Bie Tearooms is open daily. Mulled wine and mince pies are also available at the Hamptonne Café.
Full details of opening hours during December and over the festive period are available at www.jerseyheritage.org.
Jersey Heritage Christmas activities:
Tree Dressing Day
Hamptonne Country Life Museum
Sunday, 4 December 4pm-7pm
Sponsored by Ogier
Join Jersey Heritage in the orchard at Hamptonne for an evening winter warmer of an event to celebrate our leafy friends, who presence alone is enough to reduce stress and improve our sense of wellbeing.
Wrap up warm and join artist Kerry-Jane Warner for decoration-making and tree dressing from 4pm, with music from folk band ‘Sonneaux’ to follow.
Discover the Sights and Sounds of Christmas
Jersey Museum, Art Gallery & Victorian House
Saturday, 10 December 10am-3.30pm
Get into the spirit of Christmas with festive carols, classic films, decoration and card-making, and follow the trail around the Victorian House to find out what happens on the night before Christmas.
‘The Snowman’ will be showing in the AV Theatre at 11.30am, following by ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’ at 1.30pm.
A Traditional Christmas
Hamptonne Country Life Museum
Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 December 10am-5pm
Sponsored by Ogier
On the weekend before Christmas, put aside the ‘to do’ list and experience ‘A Traditional Christmas at Hamptonne, with larger-than-life characters, traditions and stories that will transport you back in time to Christmases of days gone by.
Meet Ebenezer Scrooge, stir the Christmas pudding in the 1940s kitchen, taste gingerbread in the Victorian bakehouse, listen to storytelling in the lounge of Syvret House, and have a go at candle dipping and weaving in Langlois House. There will also be a “sprout trail” for the little sprouts in your life, plus mulled wine and mince pies in Hamptonne café.
Old St Nick will be warming his boots by the fire in Hamptonne House on Saturday (17th) from 1.30pm-4.30pm and Sunday (18th) from 11am-2pm.