By Tracy Mukherjee
Top for Christmas
St Bride’s Church in Hyndland is an essential part of the community. For many years, the church has been a shared space for faith, community groups, even young ballet dancers having their weekly lessons!
But of course, at Christmas time the services this church and its Minister, Reverand Peter Bradley, provide goes into overdrive.
This year is no different.
On Sunday 7th December, why not take part in the Christingle celebrations? A Christingle is an orange decorated with a red ribbon and dried fruit. This afternoon service is sure to be a lovely family affair with candle lighting this stunning church.
You really can’t beat a good carol, and to get you in the festive spirit, there will be an informal community carol service on Sunday 14th. There’s also the Service of Nine Lessons and further carols on the 21st. Reverand Bradley says ‘There’s no need to go to King’s College Cambridge! St Bride’s in Hyndland marks Christmas every year with our own service Nine Lessons and Carols, mixing carol singing, traditional Christmas music sung by a large choir, and readings from the Bible. The service ends with mince pies!’
And on Christmas Eve, why not take your little ones along to a traditional crib service late afternoon, with the Christmas story and a little gift, before midnight mass at 11pm?
Get these dates in your diary to truly experience what Christmas is all about.
Christmas at St Brides
69 Hyndland Road, Glasgow,
G12 9QX
Christingle
Sunday 7 December 3.30 pm
Community Carol Service
Sunday 14 December at 3.30 pm
Traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday 21 December
Family Traditional Crib Service
5pm Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass
11.00 pm Christmas Eve
Top for Christmas Entertainment
Now bear with me, because there is a LOT to get through! When it comes to shows and pantos, Glasgow is not letting us down.
At Oran Mor there’s Mary-Doll Poppins, a twist on the tale of everyone’s favourite nanny. There is sure to be plenty of Glesga-humour. At Cottiers Theatre, it’s A Cottiers Christmas Carol, an all singing all dancing pantomime for the whole family. And, yes, a Scottish twist on Dickens’ tale!
A little scared that some panto villains might be too scary? The Scottish Mask and Puppet Theatre have it covered. Jackie and the Beanstock is a fun-filled panto, with plenty of sing-along moments for little ones. The Magic of Christmas runs for two weeks in December too, with the centre hosting a festive magic show to entertain all.
Mary-Doll Poppins
25th Nov – 4th Jan
Oran Mor
w:oran-mor.co.uk/events/oran-mor-christmas-panto-mary-doll-poppins/
A Cottiers Christmas Carol
10th – 30th Dec
Cottiers Hyndland
w:cottiers.com/event/a-cottiers-christmas-carol/
The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre Christmas Programme
Selected dates Nov – Dec
SMPC
Balcarres Ave
w:maskandpuppet.co.uk/what-s-on
Top for Santa Visits
And finally for a visit to Santa, consider Santa at the Tenement House and our absolute favourite, Santa Paws at Dobbies, Milngavie.
A Glasgow Tenement Christmas at The Tenement House has been a roaring success previously, so our Saint Nick is returning – but only for three days! A traditional Santa visit, write a letter to Santa and hand-deliver it, enjoy some Christmas crafts and enjoy a hot chocolate in the Tenement House Café. Every penny raised with your ticket goes right back in to conserving the museum through the work of The National Trust for Scotland.
And, here at Westender, we NEVER forget our hairy babies. And neither does Santa Paws. He lands in Dobbies this December and he knows which pups have been naughty or nice. Santa’s Elves will play with our pampered poochies and they can try some doggy obstacle courses. And of course, there will be a gift for each good boy!
Our pups can of course bring their people – simply buy extra tickets for human sisters and brothers.
Santa at the Tenement House
5th – 7th Dec
Tenement House, Buccleuch St
G3 6QN
w:eventbrite.co.uk/e/santa-at-the-tenement-house-a-glasgow-tenement-christmas-tickets-1683775370459
Santa Paws at Dobbies Milngavie
29th Nov – 24th Dec
Dobbies, Boclair Rd,
Milngavie
w:dobbies.com/
Have the merriest of Christmases.
