Edwardian Christmas Fayre at Dinefwr Park
Dinefwr is hosting a fabulous Edwardian Christmas Fayre - and the National Trust estate is being transformed into a winter wonderland complete with ice-skating rink, real reindeer and Santa’s Grotto for the occasion.
On November 26 and 27, a children’s choir will sing carols, mulled wine will be served and unique food gifts bought and sold in the Inner Courtyard as up to 35 skaters at a time glide around the rink in front of historic Newton House.
Meanwhile down in the old kitchen and laundry room, young visitors will be getting creative as they turn their hands to making traditional decorations.
These decorations can be taken home or added to Newton House’s own, magnificent Christmas tree which will be decorated with paper chains, sugar canes and sweet-filled cones, as was the Edwardian way.
A century ago, Christmases were not dominated by the television schedule or Internet shopping and Dinefwr’s Edwardian Christmas Fayre aims to bring back the spirit of simple celebration, said Events Co-ordinator Anneliese Parsons.
“It is going to be a magical event for young and old alike,” she said. “The ice-rink can hold up to 35 skaters at a time and is a wonderfully traditional pursuit to enjoy at this time of year. We have never had an ice-rink at Dinefwr before, but we anticipate it will be a huge success.
“Equally eagerly anticipated is the arrival of the reindeer. Many of our younger visitors are already captivated by our own herd of fallow deer; we expect the reindeer to get an equally warm welcome. There will be lots of photo opportunities at the Edwardian Christmas Fayre and we expect the reindeer to be one of the biggest draws.
“In Edwardian times, the kitchen and laundry rooms would have been a hive of activity, especially during busy periods such as Christmas. We will be recreating that experience by using the space as a place for our visitors to make Christmas decorations.
“And we are delighted that the children from Llandeilo Primary School are to join us for the event. Hearing carols being sung is undoubtedly one of the best ways to create a festive feel. We can’t wait to hear them sing, and we feel the Fayre will be extra special because of their participation.”
Anneliese said the event was also an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the high-street.
“It is as much about Christmas spirit as Christmas spending,” she said. “The Edwardian Christmas Fayre will be a chance to return to traditional pleasures, such as winter walks in the National Nature Reserve parkland. It is a chance to build memories with loved ones.
“Of course, for those who want to get ahead on their Christmas shopping, there is the option to purchase something inimitable and lovingly produced from our stallholders. Forget your usual high street stores - we have a wealth of talented businesses and craftspeople taking stalls at Dinefwr during the weekend of the Fayre.
“And as an alternative gift idea, why not support the Trust itself? The National Trust relies on membership subscriptions, gifts and other voluntary support to meet its £148m annual conservation and maintenance costs. So as well as having an amazing day out and picking up some exclusive Christmas gifts, you are also contributing to a worthwhile cause which is very much in line with the Edwardian tradition of giving help at Christmas.”
Anneliese added: “Typical Edwardian entertainment included all manner of festive food, hand-crafted Christmas decorations, music and entertainment and spending time with family and friends. Our aim is to evoke that period and to give our visitors a Christmas treat that they won’t forget.
“Without a doubt Dinefwr is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas in a more traditional way. It is our most ambitious programme of Christmas events to date – and we are really looking forward to it.”
Newton House Steward Stephen Batsford said the arrival of Christmas visitors to the estate would have been in keeping with Edwardian Dinefwr.
“There would have been guests staying in the house as people tended to return to country estates rather than remain in cities during the festivities,” he said.
“This year Newton House will be dressed for Christmas as it would have been for the Edwardians, especially the huge Christmas tree that will be placed at the bottom of the sweeping staircase.
“Christmas trees first became popular in the Victorian era and by the Edwardian period people were decorating them with popcorn, paper chains and cones full of sweets. Our tree will be decorated very much in that spirit.”
For information on other events at Dinefwr, visit the National Trust website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr Or find us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/dinefwr
On November 26 and 27, a children’s choir will sing carols, mulled wine will be served and unique food gifts bought and sold in the Inner Courtyard as up to 35 skaters at a time glide around the rink in front of historic Newton House.
Meanwhile down in the old kitchen and laundry room, young visitors will be getting creative as they turn their hands to making traditional decorations.
These decorations can be taken home or added to Newton House’s own, magnificent Christmas tree which will be decorated with paper chains, sugar canes and sweet-filled cones, as was the Edwardian way.
A century ago, Christmases were not dominated by the television schedule or Internet shopping and Dinefwr’s Edwardian Christmas Fayre aims to bring back the spirit of simple celebration, said Events Co-ordinator Anneliese Parsons.
“It is going to be a magical event for young and old alike,” she said. “The ice-rink can hold up to 35 skaters at a time and is a wonderfully traditional pursuit to enjoy at this time of year. We have never had an ice-rink at Dinefwr before, but we anticipate it will be a huge success.
“Equally eagerly anticipated is the arrival of the reindeer. Many of our younger visitors are already captivated by our own herd of fallow deer; we expect the reindeer to get an equally warm welcome. There will be lots of photo opportunities at the Edwardian Christmas Fayre and we expect the reindeer to be one of the biggest draws.
“In Edwardian times, the kitchen and laundry rooms would have been a hive of activity, especially during busy periods such as Christmas. We will be recreating that experience by using the space as a place for our visitors to make Christmas decorations.
“And we are delighted that the children from Llandeilo Primary School are to join us for the event. Hearing carols being sung is undoubtedly one of the best ways to create a festive feel. We can’t wait to hear them sing, and we feel the Fayre will be extra special because of their participation.”
Anneliese said the event was also an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the high-street.
“It is as much about Christmas spirit as Christmas spending,” she said. “The Edwardian Christmas Fayre will be a chance to return to traditional pleasures, such as winter walks in the National Nature Reserve parkland. It is a chance to build memories with loved ones.
“Of course, for those who want to get ahead on their Christmas shopping, there is the option to purchase something inimitable and lovingly produced from our stallholders. Forget your usual high street stores - we have a wealth of talented businesses and craftspeople taking stalls at Dinefwr during the weekend of the Fayre.
“And as an alternative gift idea, why not support the Trust itself? The National Trust relies on membership subscriptions, gifts and other voluntary support to meet its £148m annual conservation and maintenance costs. So as well as having an amazing day out and picking up some exclusive Christmas gifts, you are also contributing to a worthwhile cause which is very much in line with the Edwardian tradition of giving help at Christmas.”
Anneliese added: “Typical Edwardian entertainment included all manner of festive food, hand-crafted Christmas decorations, music and entertainment and spending time with family and friends. Our aim is to evoke that period and to give our visitors a Christmas treat that they won’t forget.
“Without a doubt Dinefwr is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas in a more traditional way. It is our most ambitious programme of Christmas events to date – and we are really looking forward to it.”
Newton House Steward Stephen Batsford said the arrival of Christmas visitors to the estate would have been in keeping with Edwardian Dinefwr.
“There would have been guests staying in the house as people tended to return to country estates rather than remain in cities during the festivities,” he said.
“This year Newton House will be dressed for Christmas as it would have been for the Edwardians, especially the huge Christmas tree that will be placed at the bottom of the sweeping staircase.
“Christmas trees first became popular in the Victorian era and by the Edwardian period people were decorating them with popcorn, paper chains and cones full of sweets. Our tree will be decorated very much in that spirit.”
For information on other events at Dinefwr, visit the National Trust website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr Or find us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/dinefwr
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