As you read this week’s Blog, listen to this to help you get in the mood 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3JyEAzb_h8

It’s Garforth’s favourite time of the year!   Christmas Lights Switch on and for all of those of you wondering why it is on a Saturday,  come on keep up, it changed last year.  The reason for the change was so it could be more of a weekend thing, and this year it is, thanks to the hard work of the Christmas Committee, this year it’s over 2 days… yes, 2 days.  There are lots on with Christmas Market stalls setting up from 2pm and better food choices, this year too, i’m hoping there is not frozen burger van in site! #foodsnob 
 
Some of our own foody guys will also have their own Christmas stall, Cielo, Sweetshakes and Pride and Produce as well as Quirky Ales……  Most of our café’s and takeouts will be open too and we also have Duke’s Pizza van, they were at the Gala in the summer and a big American school bus!  There is also  Chilli, soup, coffee, mulled wine, hot chocolate, doughnuts, waffles, new york hot dogs & burgers, vegetarian options, pizza, cakes, breads, sweets, fudge, beer, wine……I bet you said that all in one breath!  There are some of very well known businesses in garforth sharing in the fun with some fabulous stalls this year……  big and better by far

There is also a procession this year leaving from  Wheatleys arriving on stage just after 5.00pm with Santa…..!

Look out for our fabulous Community Choir singing on stage at 5.15pm  as well as Millie Cranston, Garforth Academy Band, Caroline Atha School of Dance,  Cole, Garforth Jubilee Brass Band, Strawberry Fields School Choir, Katy Marchant (our own home grown Olympian)and Ronnie the Rhino switching on the lights… 
 
Don’t forget to shop at Ladycares, there are a fair few items here, and you only have a few weeks left before the Lady that Cares has gone, so do pop in.  St Gemma’s is joining in the fun so pop in to see them.

Don’t forget to visit the market on Sunday too from 10am-4pm and again our own cafe’s will be open.  The Road will be open on this day
 
Road Closes on Saturday from 4.00pm – 8.00pm  
​LIGHTS SWITCH ON AT 7.00pm 

This is going to be a fabulous weekend, and the weather looks good too, much, much better than last year!

Well done to our Local businesses who entered  the best Christmas Window 
 
The Post Office – 1st Prize
Precious Bridals – 2nd Prize
G E Hartley – 3rd Prize (I personally love this)
 
 
It was nice to read that Vicar Cooper from St Mary’s loved every window he visited…  It was nice to hear that ‘most’ of our shops loved spending the time having fun creating their fabulous window displays…  but it was sad to hear that, as always in life, there’s always one that takes things too far…… #toocompetative  

FACEBOOK LIVE….

I went LIVE this week, if you missed it, you need to look on the Facebook page and find it, it’s all about Dumouchel : ) As it was a great success I plan to do more on the lead up to Christmas.  Next one will be on Monday at 1pm…. so come and join in with your likes, smiley faces and comments #benice

We will be welcoming Mr Smith Locksmiths next week.  a very friendly chap who loves his stuff, and who will really look after your cares and needs should you require new locks or changing some to keep your home safe, or your business.

I made a video today, showing you what’s in Pease this Christmas, it’s all about changing your thinking when shopping local  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFAHfpoaDFA

#MIG Mum in Garforth 
 
Getting festive…
 
As an adult, I haven’t been one to get too wrapped up with Christmas. As a couple, we don’t have many Christmas traditions. Having a baby has made us think about how we can celebrate and make Christmas special for our growing family.
 
This year, we’re planning on checking out local activities happening for Christmas. Even though Tommy is too young to remember, there’s no better time to begin forging new traditions.
 
Locally, I’m looking forward to seeing the Garforth Christmas Light Switch-on & Christmas Market this weekend, the Lotherton Hall Christmas Experience, and the Magical Lantern Festival Yorkshire at Roundhay Park.
 
What are your favourite things to do around Garforth and Leeds for Christmas? Share your family traditions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @garforthkitchen or email me on garforthkitchen@gmail.com.
 
Christine x

#WOTS (word on the street)

Wow, all of a sudden Wetherspoons is a height of activity, due to open in March 2017, I suspect looking at the lovely artists pictures on the front of the hoardings, it’s a good job they have finally started, it looks very nice indeed.

Miami will start in spring with Lidl opening in Summer 2017

Redrow Homes are proposing 238 homes on Stocks site.  Public drop in, for more information will be this Monday,  please attend, I may see you there, with not enough money for  new school or road extension provision, I’d like to hear how on earth they plan to ‘fit it all in’.   Oh and a terraced house price starts from £300k   ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……  

I’m out at the Fox and Grapes tonight, a place to eat, drink and shop #christmasfair  

If you see me tomorrow evening at the Lights Switch on, please do come and say hello

Be as local as you can this weekend, there is no excuse not to be in Garforth

​Until next week……………..