It’s Chriiiiiiist-maaaaaaaaaaas! Well it's starting to feel like it anyway. We may not have the snow yet,  but Lakeside Shopping Centre is heaving whilst Chocolate Snowman and Santas are battling it out to be fastest off the shelves of shops throughout Thurrock and beyond. Not to be left out we're working with High House Production Park - the site of our National Backstage Training Centre in hosting the site's first Christmas Festival.  

Live music from the Tilbury Brass Band & Thurrock Youth Orchestra will fill the cold air of Purfleet from 6pm on Saturday 10th December as we celebrate the festive season joining local residents in walking through the Production Park site Carol Singing, switching on Christmas Tree lights, and enjoying special live musical performances (with a glass or two of mulled wine to wash down all those mince pies). 

We would be very pleased to see you at the event, which also includes students from South Essex College supporting behind the scenes. Revellers are invited to dress up in their favourite festive outfits to enjoy the singing, glee and merriment.  We're even planning a craft activity based on our Hoardings Design winning text design - I Spy with my Little Creative Eye - inviting local children to imagine and draw what the building we are constructing on the site might be best used for? I know..it's always dangerous asking kids, but we've never been an organisation to shy away from honest feedback!

The planning of the Carol parade and concert has been a great example of partnership in action, and in particular the efforts and enthusiasm of two Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Arts Apprentices - Jamie Ashwell and Shaun Bajnoczky in helping put the evening together has shown us all how much Apprentices have to offer.

 The event will see the first High House Production Park Christmas Tree erected and Jackie Doyle-Price MP is the very special guest who will have the honour of turning on the Lights. 

Jackie Doyle-Price has said: “I am delighted to be turning on the very first Christmas Tree lights at High House Production Park. The project is very important to the regeneration of Purfleet and Thurrock and it is great that it continues to work closely with the local community.”

So put your glad rags on, dust off your antlers, polish up your decoration balls, and get along on Saturday 10th. I say, Ding Dong!