My fab 2020 Christmas Card by Elizabeth Downing (Year 9)
What's On in Gloucester - Christmas 2020
This Christmas is, like everything else this year, different.
My key message is for each constituent to decide what is best and safest for your family - obviously within the rules: Christmas Guidelines | Richard Graham - but many will want to be more cautious to avoid risking the lives of anyone vulnerable in your family and a US Thanksgiving Day like spike.
Meanwhile there are gorgeous shop windows to see in our City Centre, & time to support local traders for Christmas shopping - and some lovely things to see or do. Here’s a list of some:
Window Wanderland - Residents in Matson, Robinswood, White City and Tuffley have made their windows look great in an illuminated art trail since Dec 1st - see them on an evening walk: https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/latest-news/gloucester-residents-invited-to-take-part-in-window-wanderland-illuminated-art-trail/
Travelling Light - a new mobile artwork by local artists SquidSoup inspired by travelling funfairs, circuses and carnivals - is coming to White City, Podsmead and the City Centre: http://www.brightnights.info/
A Christmas Experience at Gloucester Cathedral - Open now: https://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/events/christmas71479/
Blackfriars Advent Calendar - It has a variety of puzzles, special offers and special videos of the newly developed character, Eddie the Elf and his Friars fact Fridays:
http://www.gloucesterblackfriars.co.uk/whatson/2020/12/1/a-blackfriars-christmas-virtual-advent-calendar
Blackfriars Christmas Trail - This window trail, themed around Eddie the Elf, launches Dec 19th for families: http://www.gloucesterblackfriars.co.uk/whatson/2020/12/8/eddie-the-elf
Christmas Faith Services
Gloucester Cathedral: Gloucester Cathedral | Online Christmas Services & Events
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church: St Peter's Church - Services & Times (stpetersgloucester.org.uk)
Ryecroft Mosque: Masjid E Noor Gloucester UK
Sporting Fixtures
Gloucester Rugby: Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester AFC: Fixtures (gloucestercityafc.com)
Gloucester Hockey: Welcome :: Gloucester City Hockey Club
GL1 and Oxstalls Bookings: Select centre and activity - Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust (bookaspire.org.uk)
Museum of Gloucester’s 12 Days of Christmas - Sat 12 Dec – Mon 4 Jan, 10am-4pm:
https://www.museumofgloucester.co.uk/christmas
Festive film screenings and one-off specials at Gloucester Guildhall - Fri 18th – Weds 23rd Dec:
https://www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk/
Tree of Light - The Tree of Light is shining bright in Eastgate Street, Gloucester to support local good causes: The Tree Of Light | The Tree Of Light
Support local businesses - shops across the city have extended opening hours over Christmas – do check their websites: & free City Centre car parking on Thursdays in City Council car parks
Please only go to the Gloucester Royal if you’re a genuine A&E patient. If you have COVID19 symptoms then follow the advice here. For usual issues – eg children’s colds - do use your local pharmacy or for worse problems the Gloucester Health Access centre in Eastgate St is open every day 0800-2000 – ring them on 336020 at 0800 sharp for a same day appointment. If your GP is closed do use the 111 service: or 999 in an Emergency.
If you need help with food or support over Christmas, do contact the HelpHub https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershires-community-help-hub/get-help/
For help with Mental Health/Domestic Abuse - details of services available on my website: opening times may vary
https://www.richardgraham.org/domestic-violence-and-mental-health
Waste collection timings are affected by public holidays; for more information please visit www.gloucester.gov.uk
If you know of other events taking place, do mail me at richard.graham.mp@parliament.uk
Have the best Christmas you can do – & do join me in thanking all those still working, in public services, charities and businesses. We clapped for the NHS in the Summer, but the truth is that the winter has been much more difficult for them - and we should never forget that.
Best regards
P.S. When my office is closed one of us will check all the calls every afternoon. Otherwise do mail me on richard.graham.mp@parliament.uk