A county Christmas
We spoke to the local artists, makers, shop owners and the custodians of a historic home in the East Riding about how they plan to enjoy a very Yorkshire Christmas. Yes, it’s nearly here! Sharon Dale reports.
THE run-up to Christmas is well and truly underway and people in Yorkshire have a chance to buy beautiful and unique presents from talented artists and craftspeople, as well as from wonderful independent retailers and historic homes full of Christmas joy. But how do these makers and sellers celebrate Christmas? We asked people from around the county.
Alison and Paul Bartram who run the Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge, and the Yorkshire Gallery at the Piece Hall, Halifax: Christmas has always been a special time of the year and a much-needed few days with loved ones after the craziness of retail during the run-up to the festivities.
For us it is not about the money you spend and the gifts you give but the precious days you enjoy being with one another.
Christmas Eve is celebrated watching It’s a Wonderful Life at Hebden Bridge Picture House followed by hot meat sandwiches and roast potatoes at home in front of a roaring fire listening to classic crooners belting out great Christmas tunes. At midnight we open one gift and to wake up to a glass of fizz on Christmas day.
Christmas decorations and wall plaques by Fiona Wilson are at The Heart Gallery.
Sarah Woods, Woods of Harrogate: We follow our children downstairs to watch their faces light up after the visit from Santa Claus and then it is onto my mother and father’s house for a glass of champagne and some nibbles before lunch.
The table is already perfectly set and a delicious turkey lunch with all the trimmings follows. The afternoon features full tummies, children enjoying their gifts and, in the past, always the Queen’s speech, which we will miss this year. Much flicking of the TV channels ensues hoping to catch the nostalgic comedies of a bygone era and later peace sets in.
Woods of Harrogate is on Prince Albert Row.
Artist Lucy Pittaway: I love catching up with family and friends, staying at home with loved ones, and watching the joy on my children’s faces as they unwrap their presents. Christmas Day starts with an early morning wake-up call courtesy of the kids. We all gather around as they open their presents and then it’s breakfast by the big open fire. One of our favourite parts of the day is taking our dog Patsy for a walk. Christmas for me, is a time to unwind, recuperate from the year’s challenges while recharging the batteries and spending quality time with family.
Lucy’s latest Christmas work is There’s Snow Place Like Home www.lucypittaway.co.uk
Olivia Cunliffe-Lister, chatelaine of Burton Agnes Hall: Christmas is a family effort. We decorate each room with handmade and natural decorations and then we open it to visitors from mid-November.
I adore everything about the preparations. Up from the cellar come pieces that we've collected during 20 years of festive bedecking.
This year the East Yorkshire Lace Society has made some beautiful pieces for us, and Kerry Yeo has planted huge, living succulent wreaths.
For gifts to family and friends, I love handmade pieces from Yorkshire makers. Angela Magowan makes beautiful English willow baskets and Gallery 49 in Bridlington’s Old Town stocks Yorkshire artists.
On Christmas Eve, Simon and our daughter Islay play carols on their saxophones, we sing around the piano, and the oldest family member or guest reads Twas the night before Christmas.
Burton Agnes Hall is trimmed up for Christmas until December 23. www.burtonagnes.com.
Louise Lockhart, freelance illustrator, aka The Printed Peanut, from Todmorden, who creates everything from art prints and textiles to soaps sold at Hawksbys in Haworth: I love Christmas and as a small business owner it’s my busiest time of year. We start festivities by getting our tree from Ripponden Christmas Tree Farm.
I love to hand make things and have done some tutorials on Instagram showing how I make decorations from tomato puree tubes.
We always try to book onto the Santa Train in Howarth or Skipton, which is magical. My family aims to not buy too much unnecessary stuff, preferring edibles from unusual food stores. We spend time with our parents and usually have a walk in the hills, followed by watching The Snowman in front of the fire.
www.theprintedpeanut.co.uk.
Louise Miller, owner of Moss and Moor, garden centre and restaurant, Ilkley:
Christmas for our family starts being