Last year's Winter Wonderland

This year the forum is working in partnership with the Stainmore Railway Company, which is busy renovating the old station to include Santa’s Grotto.

Classic Coaches will take children and parents on a magical ride to the station and see the progress with the museum, shop, Grizedale coaches and engines.  They will see Ivor the Engine and Thomas the Tank memorabilia and can stop for festive refreshments in the buffet car.

Chances are that they are also likely to see some elves, dragons and Jones the engine driver from  Ivor the Engine.

There will be a craft market along the old platform. Santa will go up to the grotto on a pony and trap where he will take a rest from all that toy making to talk to the visiting children until about 3.30pm.  There will be a small charge of £1 per child to visit the grotto,  and they’ll get a present - even elves have a minimum wage.

Meanwhile back in the Market Square, there will be market stalls and a chance to buy some unusual or individual Christmas presents from the stalls and local shops that you are unlikely to find in the larger towns.

Don’t forget to look at all the festive windows with the Polar Express theme. The Mummers will again be performing in the square and the church. 

Inside the parish church there will be a chance to make a donation towards its upkeep with their gift day in the morning and  pin up a nostalgic Christmas memory or Christmas and New Year wish on the boards.

The Jane Close dancers will be performing in the afternoon together with a performance by the Mummers.

To end the day, the results of the Window competition will be announced and prizes awarded to the children who won the Christmas poster competition. 

The lights will be switched on by Jones the fireman and engine driver from Ivor the Engine at about 4 pm.

This year the lights are going to be switched on all over the Upper Eden Valley on the same day, perhaps we will be seen by the satellites!

So Merry Christmas from the Town Forum and Stainmore Railway Company.