• For what is playing at the theatre click HERE for previews and for more items for young peeps see HERE. Events at Cadbury House hotel spa and health club, Noah's Ark Zoo Farm and Tyntesfield are on its own special pages. Market dates are HERE

What's On

Nailsea and nearby

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Christmas page is HERE

Bookish peeps at Nailsea Library

STORYTIME: Every Thursday 2-2.30pm (term time only)

​​RHYMETIME: Every Friday 9.45-10.15am and 11-11.30am (term time only)

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COUNCILLORS SURGERIES: Surgeries in library on the first four Saturdays of every month 10am-noon on a rota basis

AGE UK SCAM AWARENESS: Lin Griffin will be here to offer advice and raise awareness, have a chat with her if you have any concerns on Tuesday, December 10, at 11.45am or ask at the counter for her contact details

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CHILL AND CHAT COLLAGE GROUP: Every Tuesday at 2pm. Discover how to repurpose an old book. Materials for your first session with be provided.  Use your creativity and meet new people. Ask a member of staff for more details

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COMPUTER BUDDIES: Every Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Would you like help to learn how to use a computer, tablet or phone? Ask at the counter for details.From January computer buddies will welcome those who had a new phone, tablet or laptop for Christmas and need some help getting going. This will be Tuesdays 11.30am-2pm and Wednesdays 2-4pm  Either drop in or call us to make an appointment on 01934 426030

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DUPLO CLUB: Wednesdays 10am-noon

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FAMILY BOARD GAMES: Every Saturday, 10am-noon. There will be lots of easy board games for children and parents to play (term time only)

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FAMILY HISTORY ADVICE: Fridays 10am-noon. Would you like help with your family history research?  Ask at the counter for more details. Basic computer skills are essential

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FREE LEGAL ADVICE: On Thursday, December 5,11am-noon with Richard Green, of Wards Solicitor, on hand for free advice 

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HEALTHWATCH: Not in December

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LEGO CLUB: After school on Tuesdays (term time only) free brick building sessions 3.45-4.45pm. Ask at counter for more details

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NAT WEST COMMUNITY BANKER: Booked for Tuesdays 9.30am-11.30am. Karen Wood will be here to answer banking queries

 Sunday,

December 15 

Favourite film choice

At its last three films the audience at Nailsea Tithe Barn voted for its December film.  

The choices were between:

• It's a Wonderful Life;

• Scrooge; and the non-Christmas film 

• Yesterday.

It was the non-Christmas film that swept the board.

So, on Sunday, December 15, this will be showing.

Yesterday was recently released film and is proving popular with those with fond memories of the Beatles era.  

It tells the story of Jack Malik a struggling singer-songwriter in an English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie.

After a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed.

Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, Jack becomes on overnight sensation with a little help from his agent.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm showing. Tickets £5 on the door.

Wassailing invitation

An ancient country tradition of wassailing will be acted out in Nailsea for 2020.

Transition Town Nailsea has organised the annual wassail from The Old Farmhouse off Trendlewood Way to the community park and this year is it on Saturday, January 4.

There will be lots of bells and bangs with lanterns held aloft during fun event which starts at 4.30pm.

NTT organiser Diana Sims said: “Barley Rye will sing Wassail songs as we accompany The Green Man and the Butler on this family friendly event to thank the apple trees for the 2019 harvest.

“Be sure to bring along a torch or lantern to light your way and something to make a noise like a big spoon and saucepan.

“We need to make lots of bangs to encourage the trees to make a good harvest in 2020.

“And don’t forget to bring a mug for a taste of the Wassail mulled cider or apple juice.

“Then it will be back to The Old Farmhouse for a traditional Mummers play and more music.

“There will be time to enjoy a meal at the pub and learn a bit about Transition Town Nailsea.”

The Wassail is rooted in old English customs dating back to Anglo-Saxon

times and is often celebrated on the old Twelfth Night.

Apple trees are encouraged with rituals that banish bad spirits and others that call on the tree to produce a bumper crop.

The Butler who usually has a blackened face is in charge, the Green Man leads the parade and the Mummers will put on a play with a silly plot with its narrator dressed as Father Christmas.

The play is a traditional dramatic entertainment in which a champion is killed in a fight and is then brought to life by a doctor.

It is thought likely it has links with primitive ceremonies held to mark important stages in the agricultural year. 

NTT has a keen interest in local, sustainable food production and wants to develop a community orchard in Nailsea

It was nine years ago NTT resurrected the ancient Somerset tradition of the wassailing to ensure a good harvest from the community orchard.

To learn more about TTNailsea go to its Facebook page or email dianasims955@gmail.com.

PRICKLE SUBJECT: Nailsea Horticultural Society's first meeting of 2020 is on Wednesday, January 8. Tony Irons will be talking about Desert Plants, giving an insight into the world of cacti and succulents. All meetings are at Nailsea United Reformed Church hall at 7.30pm. Admission is £2 for members and £3 for non-members and includes refreshments. All will be made very welcome. For more information and dates of the spring show on the first Saturday in April and summer show on the first Saturday in August at Nailsea School, Mizzymead Road, click HERE

BRAIN BOXES: Teams of four (limited space) need to book their table at Nailsea MicroPub first quiz night on Tuesday, January 21. starting at 7pm. Ask Mark Ashman behind the bar for further details or sign-up on pub's Facebook page. Entry £1  with prizes to be won. Lots of fun, lots of beer (and cider and wine). Your invitation to come and enjoy at Nailsea's newest High Street hostelry.

CHOO CHOO: Nailsea & District Model Railway Club next exhibition at Nailsea School is on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29. It opens at the Mizzymead Road from 10am-5pm on the Saturday and 10am-4pm on the Sunday. Admission is adult £6, child £2 or family ticket  (2+2) £14

• 2019 CHRISTMAS DATES NEXT PAGE...

• Sunday, January 5, 11am-3pm wedding fair at Cadbury House

• Saturday, April 4, Nailsea & District Horticultural Society spring show

• Friday, May 8, 75th anniversary of VE Day and bank holiday

• Sunday, June 7, Nailsea Charity Walks organised by the Rotarians

• Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14 Dig for Victory weekend at Ashton Court

• Saturday, August 1, Nailsea & District Horticultural Society summer show

• Thursday to Sunday, August 6-9, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court

• Saturday, August 29, Trendlewood Community Festival

• Saturday, October 10, 10am-4pm eat:nailsea

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If you have a date to add to this list email nailseapeople@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE 2020-21

What's On

Bristol Zoo diary dates

Saturday to Monday, November 30-December 23

Santa’s Grotto at Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol’s only winter wonderland with more than 400 amazing species! Explore the magical animal-shaped lights, then enter the grotto for some quality time with Santa himself. Your experience also includes Christmas arts and crafts, Christmas letter writing, a special gift from Santa, and the chance to discover exotic and endangered animals from around the world! Pre-booking essential, please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/whats-on/santas-grotto

Going to the zoo in winter

Bristol Zoological Society is a conservation and education charity, which runs and operates Bristol Zoo Gardens and the Wild Place Project.

The society saves wildlife through conservation science research, working to protect species and habitats overseas, encouraging sustainable behaviours and perceptions, educating tomorrow’s wildlife warriors and giving families a great day out.

Its conservation science efforts are worldwide, from helping re-introduce white clawed crayfish into UK rivers to working with communities in the Philippines to save the Critically Endangered Negros bleeding heart dove.
Bristol Zoo Gardens is the fifth oldest zoo in the world and first opened its doors to the public on Monday. July 11, 1836.

Since then it has started numerous conservation projects here in the UK and overseas, showed generations of school-aged children the value of nature for human society and has given more than 90 million visitors a great day out.

Located in the Clifton area of Bristol close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Zoo is easily accessible by bus, train, bicycle or car. 

Its normal opening hours are every day from 9am-5:30pm.

Last entry is 4:30pm. Animal houses close half an hour before closing time.

It is open 364 days a year, closing on Christmas Day only and at 4pm on Christmas Eve.

Make WILD discoveries at Wild Place

Grab your very best explorer’s outfit and head out on an adventure to Wild Place Project, where you will discover amazing species from around the world!

Get up close to incredible animals in a natural setting, with 40 beautiful acres of forest and meadowland to explore.

Take a stroll beneath the leafy canopies of Bear Wood, the UK’s largest and most ambitious brown bear exhibit NEW to Wild Place Project this year.

Look out for wolves, Eurasian lynx and wolverines on the woodland floor below, and marvel as four magnificent brown bears splash around and climb up the trees. 

Meet majestic giraffes at eye-level and survey our African grasslands from a special viewing platform.

Marvel as five different types of mischievous lemur scamper around your feet in our immersive walk-through.

Experience the thrill of seeing cheetahs, wolves and baboons, and learn about protecting habitats both worldwide and on your doorstep.

While you’re here, do as the animals do and embrace your wild side!

Kick off your shoes and tantalise your toes with our Barefoot Trail, or fling yourself through the air with Leap of Faith. 

Wild Place Project is one big adventure for all the family!

Wild Place Project is located off junction 17 of the M5 motorway in South Gloucestershire its entrance is opposite Bristol Golf Club.

The full address is Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP.

Book online a day or more in advance and save 10 per cent by clicking HERE.

We The Curious

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The hands-on science museum near Bristol catherdral changed its name from @Bristol to We The Curious in the summer of 2018.

Get inspired by fun workshops, explosive shows and space adventures in the Planetarium, and get the chance to meet artists and researchers as they work at We The Curious.

Here’s what’s going on over here for the next few months, highlights include:  

• Our ‘climate action’ activities continue with our Earth-friendly festivities for the winter season – as we explore fun ways to make your celebrations kinder on our environment. It includes the science of gravy!

• FREE film screenings on Big Screen Bristol – including Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on Saturday, November 30; The Grinch on Sunday, December 1 and Scrooged on Wednesday, December 18  

• Planetarium Nights and Sounds dates up until February 2020 make perfect gift for Christmas! 

• Autism-friendly early opening – is on Sunday, December 1, 9-10.30am

• Toddler Takeover is on Friday, November 22

We The Curious sell gift membership as well as gift Ttckets for one-off visits - either for a day visit to the venue, or for Planetarium Nights and Planetarium Sounds events - a great idea if anyone is looking for more ‘experience’ tickets.

Call the bookings team on 0117 915 1000, download the forms online www.wethecurious.org or buy in person at the Welcome Desk.

​For more information click HERE to go to the We The Curious website or call 0117 915 1000 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Grand Pier theme park fun

Nailsea's nearest 'theme park' is on the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare.

The latest games to be installed are two new Comi-X air hockey tables with action-packed comic-style graphics and eye-catching LED lighting.

Grand Pier Tim Moyle general manager Tim Moyle said: “We are always looking to bring new attractions to the Pier and also to refresh and replenish existing ones. 

"I’m sure visitors to the Pier will love these new air hockey tables, which look amazing. We find that the more traditional games like air hockey remain consistently popular because of the interaction they offer to families, as well as the competitive nature of the game.” 

The air hockey tables won’t be the only new features people will find appearing at the pier during the coming weeks, as the attraction gets itself fully ready for the new season-proper, which traditionally starts at Easter. 

A brand-new, eight-player, digital Pac-Man pusher is also due to arrive soon.

A number of other new games will be appearing in the Pier’s Pavilion over the coming weeks on a trial basis; if they prove popular enough, the Pier will consider making a permanent purchase.

These include:

• Tomb Raider video game

• House of the Scarlet Dawn, the latest video game in the House of the Dead series

• Several ticket-redemption machines, including:

  • Robot Storm, a ball-shooting game

  • Hero of Steel, a water-shooting game

  • Robot Battle, another ball-shooting game.

Mr Moyle said: “These should all be coming on line over the next few weeks, and those that become most popular with our visitors will be permanently added to our wide-ranging offer which provides something for the whole family.”

To find out about the wide range of other attractions, events and entertainments at the Grand Pier all year round, visit www.grandpier.co.uk

What's on

Sunday to Saturday, November 23-December 21 Christmas Tree Trail

Location: Weston town centre

Can you find the 12 Christmas trees around Weston town centre? Find all the trees and match up the baubles to the corresponding shops to be in with a chance of winning £500 of town centre vouchers!

Free to enter.

Trail sheets available from HERE.

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Friday, December 20

Martin Kemp: Back to the 90s Christmas DJ set

Times: 8pm to midnight

Location: Tropicana, Weston-super-Mare

Back by very popular demand at the most entertaining time of the year! Start planning your Christmas party now!

Dig out those festive jumpers, grab your dancing shoes and prepare to enjoy a night of pure ‘Gold’ at the biggest 80s night to hit Somerset! Fancy dress is encouraged!

Since his role in the global success of Spandau Ballet, Martin Kemp has gone on to have a truly distinguished career. From playing lead roles in the likes of The Krays and Eastenders, and more recently starring on Channel 4`s Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls and Celebrity Gogglebox, it’s fair to say that he knows how to entertain.

Join Martin as he trades his bass for the decks and spins the biggest and best hits from the 1980s!

Online tickets HERE.

Weston birthplace of Basil

Give the gift of laughter this Christmas

A top tourist attraction has a cracking idea for a Christmas present which is guaranteed to bring a smile to someone’s face; why not give the gift of laughter?

If you’re stumped for ideas for a family member, the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare has something which is just the ticket; a night of madcap comedy and fine food.

On Friday, January 31, the Pier will once again play host to the popular Faulty Towers Dining Experience.

Tickets for this event make the perfect present as they will provide someone with an evening they will never forget.

The event is officially the world’s longest-running and most successful tribute to the legendary BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.

The ‘outrageously funny’ experience has enjoyed sell-out success all over the world, from Sydney Opera House to London’s West End, as well as playing at Edinburgh Fringe.

A talented team of actors bring the classic comedy characters to life in a fully immersive, highly-interactive evening, dishing up plenty of delights to diners.

Service with a scowl will be the order of the day as guests get a taste of that unique customer service offered by Basil, Sybil and Manuel, with all the chaos and confusion that made the BBC show such a favourite with generations of viewers.

Grand Pier spokesman Lucy Graham said: “This is a very popular event, and with 70 per cent of the show being improvised, it can truly be said that it’s never the same twice.

“So, if you’re struggling to think of what to buy someone for Christmas, why not treat them to tickets to the Faulty Towers Dining Experience, where they can enjoy fine food, lots of laughs and a brilliant night out.”

For ticket details about this, as well as information about the wide range of events, attractions and activities available at the Grand Pier all year round, visit www.grandpier.co.uk

Killer Queen will rock you again at Grand Pier

After a sell-out success in 2019 a critically-acclaimed Queen tribute act has already been booked to make a return visit to Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier in 2020.

Killer Queen’s inaugural visit to the iconic seafront attraction in May 2019 saw hundreds of fans fill the Pier’s pavilion.

Tickets are now on sale for their return visit - a ConciergeUK event - which is on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Killer Queen were formed in 1993 and their first public shows were at London University, following in the footsteps of the legendary band that inspired them, as the real Queen played their first shows at the same venue 21 years before.

Killer Queen remains the only tribute band to have sold out the same arenas as the originals in their heyday.

The act’s performances at Forest National and Ahoy were scale recreations of Queen’s own epic performances there.

Acknowledged as the longest-established Queen tribute act, Killer Queen tour extensively all over Europe and the US, where they are regular performers at such prestigious American venues as Red Rocks and Austin City Limits.

Frontman Patrick Myers has won widespread acclaim for his recreation of the style and showmanship of Freddie Mercury.

Daily Mail writer Baz Bamigboye said 'Patrick Myers' recreation of Queen's lead singer is simply uncanny' while the critic for The People newspaper said 'Concerts as near to the real thing as you're likely to get. A real-life Bohemian Rhapsody. Freddie Lives! A Pop Legend Is back'.

The BBC’s Duncan Kennedy said 'no detail is overlooked. Killer Queen are kings of the musical impersonators, the highest of tributes' and Der Western said 'very accurate. Almost frightening. The show, singing, music and appearance are unbelievably similar to the original. Skipping across the stage with his three and half octave broad tenor powering through the arena, Patrick's spark set the 10,000 Ahoy audience on fire. They danced, sang and clicked their fingers, all under Myers' direction. The best thing since Queen'.

For the next Grand Pier show, there is limited availability of two special VIP packages.

VIP Lounge and Premium Standing include a VIP bar, VIP toilets and premium standing at the front of the stage.

The VVIP Balcony View option includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival, two-course buffet, table seating, VIP toilets and a Premium standing view of the stage from the balcony.

There is an age restriction of 14 and over and under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

For ticket details click HERE.

Grand Pier event manager Hollie Otley said: “The first Killer Queen concert here earlier this year was a sell-out success and proved very popular.

“We’re thrilled to be able to bring this acclaimed tribute act back next year and expect their return to also sell-out, so we would advise people to book early to avoid disappointment.”

For full details of the wide range of other events, activities and attractions available at the Grand Pier all year round, visit www.grandpier.co.uk