Have Yourself A Merry Wycombe Christmas... 🎄

Good morning, Wycombe!

It’s the Wycombe Pulse. Your local newsletter that’s currently panic buying Thomas The Tank Engine merch in Argos and agog at just how busy it is in the town centre.

Anyway, there is an absolute smorgasbord of local events to enjoy this week.

Try these on for size:

• Winter Solstice sound bath in Hughenden 🔮

• Big Saturday market feat. bacon rolls in Flackwell Heath 🛍️

• Christmas Eve family disco at Spindle & Thread 🪩

We’ve also got a huge round-up of everything that’s on for the kids in the week ahead, all the spots for carolling and live music, craft workshops, theatre productions, special Christmas church services and much more.

Highlights

• Winter Solstice Crystal Bowl Sound Bath at Hughenden Village Hall on Friday 20th December at 7pm — join The Village Circle for an evening of pure relaxation with crystal bowls, Reiki and massage 🔮

• Doggy Splash at Wycombe Rye Lido on Tuesday 24th December at various times — have a pawsome time this Christmas Eve! Spectator and swimming tickets available 🐶

• Crap Crafters Workshop at The Walled Garden on today, Thursday 19th December at 9.30am — for all of us with big Pinterest dreams that can’t quite seem to come to fruition, this Easely Does It workshop could be the one. You’ll be creating a cute needle felt mince pie or reindeer 🦌

• Flackwell Heath Market at The Three Horseshoes Pub on Saturday 21st December from 9am-12pm — there are loads of stalls this month, including a bakery, deli, fish monger, sweets, chocolate, books, bacon roll and coffee stall, and much more 🛍️

• Gluten Free Yule Log Workshop at Carrington Junior School on Sunday 22nd December at 10am — join local favourite Cecoelia’s for this adult-only festive baking workshop, feat. mulled wine! 🧑🏻‍🍳

• Christmas Charity Road Run 2024 on Sunday 22nd December from 11am — Princes Risborough Young Farmers Club are hosting a road run with machines old and new, passing through Thame, Chinnor, Risborough, Longwick and Haddenham, and would love to have a crowd wave them through. Raising funds for The Pace Center and Rennie Grove Hospice Care 🚜

What’s on for the Kids this Week?

Most school children are breaking up from school by the end of the week — now it’s time to keep them entertained!

Thankfully, there’s loads on across Wycombe… take a look at some of these highlights.

• Eco Elves Teddy Trade in the Eden Centre from now until 24th December at various times — Mrs Claus and her Eco Elves are back so children can trade in their pre-loved teddy for a brand-new one 🧸

• The Lost Elves at Wycombe Arts Centre from Friday 20th-Saturday 21st December at various times — join Trixie and Tom on their first mission as part of St Nick’s Elf Squad in this family-friendly show full of fun, adventure, songs and silliness!

• Tiny Talk Time at Wycombe Museum on Friday 20th December at 10am — it’s a festive Tiny Talk this week with ‘The Night Before Christmas’ read by Mrs Claus herself. For 2-5 year olds 👧🏻

• Christmas Cookie Decorating at The Stag on Friday 20th December from 4-6pm — pop-in for cookie decorating after school breaks up. £3 per child 🍪

• Macrame Santa Family Workshop at The Walled Garden on Friday 20 December at 9.30am — everything is provided and you can make as many as you like 🎅🏻

• Christmas Roller Disco at Hazlemere Youth Centre on Saturday 21st December from 1-4pm — festive dress is encouraged! Plus expect glow sticks, seasonal snacks and drinks 🛼

• Festive Storytime and Craft at High Wycombe Library on Saturday 21st December at 11.30am — a free drop-in session for ages 4+ with Father Christmas reading the stories.

• Kids Christmas Tree Cake Workshop at The Brunch Lounge on Saturday 21st December at 4.30pm — for kids aged 6 and above.

• Magical Storytelling at the Roald Dahl Museum on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December — enjoy feel good storytelling from Matilda. FREE with museum entry 📚

• Wonderland Pop-Up Grotto at the Guildhall on Saturday 21st December at various times - meet Santa and receive a gift 🎁

• Discover & Make: Tree Decorations at Wycombe Museum on Sunday 22nd December at various times — recommended for ages 4 to 11, where you can come and make your own Christmas tree decorations 🎄

• Breakfast with Santa at Spindle & Thread on Monday 23rd December from 9.30am — tickets include breakfast, a visit to Santa’s Grotto, selection box and gift 🎅🏻

• Christmas Treats for Everyone Workshop at Carrington Junior School on Monday 23rd December from 10am-3pm — a full day of cooking fun with Rachel’s Creative Cooking 😋

• A Plate for Santa Family Workshop at The Walled Garden on Tuesday 24th December at 9.30am — a perfect Christmas Eve activity!

• Christmas Eve Family Disco at Spindle & Thread on Tuesday 24th December from 4-7pm — Christmas party tunes and festive favourites alongside traditional games and party bags 🪩

Festive Fun for Everyone

• Christmas Film Night at St Botolph’s Church, Bradenham on Saturday 21st December at 4pm — a FREE family-friendly event for the community, with popcorn and mulled wine, watching Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” 🎬

• Wycombe Wanderers Fans Christmas Party at Adams Park on Saturday 21st December at 7pm — you’re invited for an evening in the Caledonian Suite with a Christmas buffet and DJ with other Chairboys fans ⚽️

• Brickies Big Christmas Quiz at The Bricklayers Arms on Friday 20th December at 8pm — prizes for each round and a cash pot prize for the winning team. Also expect mulled wine and festive nibbles!

• Jukes Jiving Christmas Tea Dance at The Riverside Club on Sunday 22nd December from 12-4pm — an afternoon of social dancing with DJ Jumping Jimmy Taylor 🕺🏻

• Cinderella at Tylers Green Village Hall on Friday 20th December — a travelling panto 👡

• Christmas Party at the Beech Tree on Friday 20th December from 6pm — a 3-course dinner and entertainment 🍗

• Jack and the Beanstalk at the Curzon Centre, Beaconsfield from Saturday 21st to Tuesday 24th December at various times — a hilarious pantomime from The Young Theatre, includes a relaxed performance 🎭

• Christmas Quiz at O’Neill’s on tonight, Thursday 19th December at 8pm ✅

• Christmas Eve with Kenyon at O’Neill’s on Tuesday 24th December from 4pm.

Special Church Services

• Christingle Service at Union Baptist Church on Sunday 24th December at 4pm — make your own Christingle and hear the Christmas story 🍊

• Crib Service at Christ The Servant King: CSK on Sycamore Road on Tuesday 24th December at 3pm 💫

• Neon Carols at Vibe Church on Sunday 22nd December at 10.30am and 3.30pm — you can also expect games, the nativity story, mulled wine and mince pies, and making a Christingle.

• Nativity Service at St Andrew’s Church on Tuesday 24th December at 4pm — children are invited to dress as farm animals and angels 😇

Carols

• Brass Band and Carols at Le De Spencers Arms on tonight, Thursday 19th December from 7.30pm — featuring the High Wycombe Brass Band, raising money for The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.

• Carols on the Common in Downley on tonight, Thursday 19th December at 6pm — refreshments to follow at Sunnybank Methodist Church.

• Carols on the Common in Tylers Green on tonight, Thursday 19th December at 7.45pm 🎶

• Christmas Carol Evening and Raffle Draw at Wrights Meadow Centre on Monday 23rd December from 5pm — there’ll also be mulled cider and mince pies 🥧

A Bit of Bublé…

• Michael Bublé Singalong at O’Neill’s on Saturday 21st December at 9.30pm — time to dust off those singing pipes… 🎶

Live Music and Entertainment 🎸

• Crockets Rockets at Wycombe Arts Centre on Friday 20th December from 8pm — not your average 50s rock ‘n’ roll band, expect classic hits with retro vibes and a fresh, modern energy. Free entry!

• Ruby Moon Winter Solstice Party at the Belle Vue Pub on Saturday 21st December from 8pm — free entry and starring Moonshine Malarky and My Mate Dave 🌙

• Steph Willis live at Mad Squirrel on Friday 20th December at 8pm — acoustic music from Wycombe’s own Steph Willis.

• Our Friends Acoustic Christmas Special XLV at the Rose & Crown on Friday 20th December from 7pm — bring your best singing voices for this beloved open mic. Christmas songs and carols are welcome!

Something a Little Different…

• Mel Cairns Book Signing at Craft Coop on Friday 20th December from 1.30-3.30pm — local artist and author Mel will be signing copies of “Cats & Quotes & Other Furry Friends”, a curated collection of Mel’s beautiful ink drawings and daily affirmations. Ideal for last minute Christmas shopping 🐈

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Sands Village Hall on Friday 20th December at 7pm — the all-female Whole Pack Theatre Company present their Shakespeare-meets-Narnia production ❄️

• The Man Who Invented Christmas at the National Film and Television School on Saturday 21st December at 7.15pm — the Beaconsfield Film Society present this festive film starring Dan Stevens about Charles Dickens and how he wrote ‘A Christmas Carol’. Plus mulled wine and mince pies 🎬

Business News

Taco Bell is now open in the Eden Centre! It’s in the spot next to Osaka where Bill’s used to be and is serving up Mexican-inspired fast food. Super tasty — but don’t forget about Blidano’s, just around the corner, serving up authentic Tex-Mex street food too.

Clip ‘n’ Climb, also in Eden, has opened up their brand new soft play corner this week especially for under 4s. Your little ones can play in there for free if you’re using their café facilities — even if you don’t have a climb booked. Plus, enjoy half price hot drinks in there from 17th-20th December this week.

Community Notes

While we hope this Christmas is a wonderful time of year for all our readers, we all know that not everybody will be safe, warm and happy this year. If you can, please consider a donation, in any amount, to Wycombe Homeless Connection’s Christmas Appeal for its winter night shelter. Street homelessness continues to be a problem in High Wycombe and this time of year particularly can be very cold and dangerous for rough sleepers.

The Chiltern Rangers will be at Funges Meadow today from 10.15am-1pm for their final Green Thursday session of the year. Alongside a wintery variety of tasks, there will be mince pies, chocolate log, mulled wine and festive cheer!

Where in Wycombe am I?

Back in sunnier days…

Last week’s answer: This is the tunnel under the old railway line that links Bowden Lane and the Wye Dene estate, decorated with art made by Dan Wilson of Decreate and the Chiltern Rangers. Just through the tunnel is the entrance to Funges Meadow nature reserve, a biodiverse habitat of flora and fauna with a unique chalk stream.

Weather in Wycombe

Looks like another mild weekend is ahead — a white Christmas in Wycombe is not seeming likely at this point!

Friday

🌤️ 9°C - 💨 32 mph - ☂️ 70% chance

Saturday

🌤️ 12°C - 💨 43 mph - ☂️ 50% chance

Sunday

🌤️ 6°C - 💨 47 mph - ☂️ 40% chance

We hope you've enjoyed this week's edition of the Pulse!

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P.S. Next week’s issue will be a little late as Thursday is Boxing Day. I don’t know about you, but I’ll probably be too stuffed with pigs in blankets at that point to read, let alone write, a newsletter. So I’ll aim for Friday instead!

Until next time…

Steph

Publisher and Editor, Wycombe Pulse