FESTIVE MATTERS
The start date of our Christmas week (and therefore New Year) varies from year to year depending on the day of the week on which 25th December falls. The start date is flexible anyway so do ask if you want something other than that advertised.
However please note that we can only accept full week bookings, not short break bookings, over the Christmas and New Year periods.
We do like to make things festive for our visitors, so supply (no cost to you) real Christmas trees and a box of decent quality tree decorations as we find that visitors like to dress the tree themselves but we can do it in advance if you prefer (let us know) !
Mid-range Christmas crackers are supplied + table cloth + serviettes.
We have a store of large platters and suchlike for the Christmas ‘bird’ etc – liaise with Jo on arrival.
Carving knife & fork and nutcrackers are in the kitchen. However if you are attached to your own, do bring them!
Best to bring your own ‘turkey’ size aluminum foil.
Waitrose & Sainsbury’s now deliver to Belle Grove. However, it would be lovely if you could order your main poultry/meat/ham from local butchers (do it well in advance though) for collection when required. Same with local greengrocer for fruit and veg. & mince pies from local deli …see notes below.
TURKEYS
Christmas Orders are now being taken at Woodside Farm at nearby Holton, which rears its own White and Bronze turkeys – all free-range and fed on their own feed (we order our own through here). Call Bob Stephenson at 01986 873651
HAMS
We have an annual order with Palmers of Halesworth for their delicious whole (or half) mild cured pre-cooked hams. You can have them ready to go or left so you can finish them off with your own preferred glaze and collect anytime up to Christmas Eve. They produce their home cured bacon and sausages on the premises and always have game in stock.
www.palmersthebutchers.co.uk 01986 872108
But if your taste is for smoked ham, then you can probably do no better than order through Emmetts of Peasenhall www.ebacon.co.uk Unsmoked hams and other treats also available.
GAME
Palmers (see above) stock venison, wild boar, rabbit and hare (shot locally) and game birds in season – pheasant, wild duck, partridge etc. They also stock free range eggs (as do most butchers round here) as well as quail eggs.
BEEF
Tasty & tender award-winning beef in all cuts can be obtained from the farm shop at nearby Sotherton. See www.sotherton-farm.co.uk tel 01987 873123
GOODIES
The nearest centre is the market town of Halesworth (2 miles). Apart from farm shops, Halesworth is where we obtain the bulk of our supplies – apart from an occasional sortie to Waitrose! However, there is excellent shopping in nearby Southwold, Bungay, Beccles and Norwich itself.
The Ancient House Deli in Halesworth has a wide selection of well-kept cheeses including several local cheeses and an excellent charcuterie including Suffolk-produced salami. Then there’s the usual deli stuff, artisan breads, fresh coffees, biscuits, chocolates etc . Lovely mince pies!
Focus Organics in Halesworth stocks smoked products from Pinneys of Orford eg smoked chicken and duck breast, smoked trout, eel & Spanish sausages. Also olives, artisan breads, special cakes and savouries, mince pies and loads of other goodies and stocking-fillers!
There are two Fruit & Veg shops in Halesworth and you’ll find that these stock a pretty wide range of the more exotic items at Christmas, as well as locally-grown staples. You can take in a list and collect Christmas Eve should you wish. There are also flower shops.
Other popular shops in town are Decorum for gifts, Focus Boutique & Appaloosa for clothes and the independent Toy Shop. There are also 2 or 3 antique shops for that odd little present.
See the SHOPPING Page for general shopping ideas.
OTHER
If you would like details of hairdressers, beauty spas, massage etc., do email jo@belle-grove.com
EATING OUT
Do look at the LINKS Page . Most restaurants put on festive meals but you would need to book up pretty early.
Christmas wreaths available to pre-order from £20 – see gallery under post for New Year 2012!
We hope the following is also helpful to our seasonal guests:
Pre-Christmas
Late Night Shopping in Beccles on 25 November starting from 6 PM. Stalls, fairground rides for children, mulled wine, hot food: lots to see and do. A great way to pick up a few unusual gifts for Christmas.
The Southwold ‘Switch On’ of Christmas lights is the first Friday in December (2 December this year) - a lively evening with plenty of arts & crafts, gifts and ‘traditional fayre’ on tap. Father Christmas switches on at 7pm.
Bungay’s popular Christmas Street Market is 4 December (the first Sunday of December) from 9.30am – 4 PM . Again, shops open and lots of lovely things to buy. www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk
Halesworth Christmas Lights Switch-On is also family-friendly. Carol singing in the Thoroughfare throughout the day, the Corps de Drums followed by the official ‘switch on’ and a ‘pyrotechnic’ display from the Church Tower while the Band plays in the Marketplace.
Further details of all the above and more can be found at www.waveneyvalleyblog.com
More activites in Halesworth and close by:
Christmas lights display, 10-31 December. 20 Orchard Valley, Holton. Proceeds to East Anglian Air Ambulance.
A Sparkle of Songs, 10 December, 4 PM, St Benet’s Catholic church, St Mary’s Road, Beccles. The North Suffolk Youth Choir under the direction of Vetta Wise presents an afternoon of vocal and instrumental items with carols for all. Refreshments available after the concert.
Christmas Fayre, 10 December, St Mary’s Church, Cratfield, 2 PM onward. Arts, crafts, textiles, jewelry, wooden toys, stocking fillers and much more. Proceeds to the restoration of St Mary’s bells, MS, Children’s Society, Save the Children Fund, Gurka Welfare Trust.
Deck the Halls! 11 December, 4 PM, The Public Hall, Beccles. A lively Christmas concert by the Beccles Choral Society.
Winter Street Fair, Halesworth. 11 December, 10-4 PM. Raffle, indoor crafts, stalls organised by the Lions in the Thoroughfare and Old Print Works. Father Christmas in his grotto at the Angel Hotel.
Carols & Capers, Church of St Michaels & St Felix, Rumburgh, 11 December, 6:30 PM. Torchlight procession leaves from the Rumburgh village hall car park at 6:10 PM. Familiar carols and readings with a touch of the unusual. Seasonal entertainment for all the family. Mulled wine and mince pies. Morris dancing and early music. Afterwards, there will be more music and song at The Buck pub.
Christmas Quiz Night, 14 December at The Rifle Hall, London Road, Halesworth. A fun and relaxing way to test your knowledge. Bar opens at 7 PM; quiz starts at 7:30 PM. £10 per team table (max. 6 to a table). Proceeds to The Rifle Hall Restoration Appeal.
Carols by Candlelight, 16 December, United Reform Church, Quay Street, Halesworth, 7 PM
Carols & Readings by Candlelight, 17 December, 3 PM, Walpole Old Chapel, B1117 two miles SW of Halesworth, IP19 9AZ. Refreshments.
Halesworth Town Carol Service, 17 December, St. Mary’s Church, London Road, Halesworth, 7 PM.
A Christmas Gloria, 17 December, St Edmunds Church, Southwold, 7 PM. Celebrate Christmas with the Pakefield Singers and the Blythe Quartet.
Spiderwick Chronicles, 23 December, Halesworth Library, 2:30-4:00 PM. All ages welcome – free entry.
Christmas Bonus: Folk Collective, 23 December, The Rifle Hall, London Road, Halesworth, 7 PM. Admission £5.00. Folk music from Mathew P, Vernon Rose, Daisy Vaughan, Freya Roy. Proceeds to The Rifle Hall Restoration Appeal.
Christmas Services near Belle Grove:
Crib & Carol Service, St Andrew’s Church, Westhall (1.52 miles from Belle Grove), 24 December, 1730 PM. Traditional crib & carol service for all the family.
Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Church, Westhall (1.52 miles from Belle Grove), 25 December, 0830 AM. Christmas Day celebration with holy communion.
Children’s Christingle Service, 24 December, St Mary’s Church, London Road, Halesworth, 4:30 PM.
Christmas Eve Communion Service, 24 December, United Reform Church, Quay Street, Halesworth, 11:30 PM
Midnight Mass, 24 December, St Mary’s Church, London Road, Halesworth, 11:30 PM
Christmas Morning Celebrations, 25 December, United Reform Church, Quay Street, Halesworth, 10:30 AM
Family Service with Carols, 25 December, St Mary’s Church, London Road, Halesworth, 9:30 AM
Christmas Day celebration, St Peter’s Church, Brampton (2.18 miles from Belle Grove), 25 December, 0930 AM. Christmas Day celebration for all the family with holy communion.
Midnight Holy Communion, St Peter’s Church, Redisham (2.18 miles from Belle Grove), 24 December, 2330 PM. Christmas Eve celebration with holy communion.
Midnight Mass, St Lawrence’s Church, Ilketshall St Lawrence (3.97 miles from Belle Grove), 24 December, 2330 PM. Midnight Eucharist (modern rite Holy Communion) and a piece of Christmas cake to munch on your way home.
Carol Service, St Margaret’s Church, Ilketshall St Margaret (4.12 miles from Belle Grove), 24 December, 1500 PM.
Watchnight Service, St Margaret’s Church, Ilketshall St Margaret (4.12 miles from Belle Grove), 31 December, 2000 PM. A short service to close down the year and still leave you time to get to the party!
New Year’s Day Eucharist, St Margaret’s Church, Ilketshall St Margaret (4.12 miles from Belle Grove), 1 January 2012, 1030 AM. Modern rite Eucharist (common worship) to start the New Year. Clear your mind and get rid of the hangover!
Other events in the area:
At Norwich Cathedral there is a Christingle service at 3pm on the first Saturday of December and on the Sunday at 7pm, a Christmas Procession with carols.
See www.kentwell.co.uk for details of their Christmastide events
Red House Barn Christmas Shop at Sternfield (20 mins) has a wonderful array of unusual decorations – and children will love the reindeer!
Christmas workshop 11 December. Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Make a wreath or table decoration using natural materials (provided). 1-hr session. Booking essential. £10 incl mince pie and coffee. Redgrave & Lopham Fen 01379 688333 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
And how about a family-orientated Christmas Spectacular at Snape Maltings Concert Hall on dates from 11 December through to 21st. Billed as a “delicious mix of music and dance” more details can be found at www.aldeburgh.co.uk
Going to be at Belle Grove between Christmas and New Year’s?
The Perils of Pinocchio, Pantomime at Jubilee Hall, Crabbe Street, Aldeburgh IP15 5BP, 27-31 December. Evenings, 7:30 PM; Matinee on Saturday 31st, 2:30 PM. Tickets £10 for adults/ £7.00 children, concessions. Tickets on Saturday, £12 for adults/£8.50 for children. Box office: 01473 211 498
Winter Walk with the Warden, Dunwich Heath. Tuesday, 27 December. Two hour walk from 10-12 noon. £5.00 per person. Booking essential so call 01728 648 501. www.ipswich24.co.uk/whats-on-in-december-2011
Oasis Camel Centre, Orchard Farm, Linstead, IP19 0DT. 10:30-5 PM but call to check on 07836 734 748. Adults – £7.95; children – £6.95; family ticket (2 adults+2 children) – £27.50
Ellough Park Raceway, Benacre Road, Ellough, Beccles NR34 7XD. 27-30 December, 10-4 PM. Call to book 01502 717 718. Minimum age = 8 years; minimum height 4’6″. www.elloughparkraceway.co.uk
Trickstars Christmas Party Show, 6 PM, Fisher Theatre, 10 Broad Street, Bungay, NR35 1EE, 28-29 December. Magic & illusion from Chris North and top children’s entertainment from Kaberet 4 Kids. Tickets cost £7.00. Under 14s £1.00. 01986 897 130
Moo Play Farm, Lock’s Road, Brampton, nr Halesworth, NR34 8DX. Indoor (and outdoor) climbing apparatus guaranteed to entertain the kids. Café and seating area for adults inside. Also a menagerie of small animals to see. Call 01502 575 841 to check opening hours. www.mooplayfarm.co.uk