Christmas Trees

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s popular Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme is back – and you can help support people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care.

In partnership with Just Helping, teams of volunteers will be collecting real Christmas trees in CB1-CB5, CB21-CB24, CB25, SG8 and SG19 3 from 8th-11th January 2027.

Registration opens in mid-November at arhc.org.uk/tree-recycling. Let the volunteers collect your tree and avoid getting pine needles in your car!

Can you help?

If you would like to volunteer and have access to a van, to help collect trees in 2027. Please email us on christmastrees@arhc.org.uk or call 01223 675888

For one night only on Sunday 20th December, the tractor rally will see over 100 festive farm vehicles hit the roads of Baldock, Letchworth and Hitchin, ending at The Priory to bring some festive magic just a few days before Christmas. It’s the biggest free, family-friendly event of its kind in Hertfordshire and is certain to put a smile on the faces of all who watch.

This wonderful event is organised by local farmers in aid of Garden House Hospice Care, with every penny raised in donations directly supporting our cause. Our aim is to smash last year’s total of £56,000 so that together, we continue to support local people and their families, providing them with the care and dignity they deserve when faced with a life-limiting illness.

Sunday 20th December

6pm, Baldock: Convoy begins in Clothall Road, making its way onto the High Street before exiting town via Hitchin Street and Baldock Road

6.45pm, Letchworth: Arrives via Pixmore Way into Norton Way South, up Gernon Road and Eastcheap, before heading straight onto Station Place and left down the Broadway onto Hitchin Road

7.30pm, Hitchin: Leads via Walsworth Road, circling Hermitage Road, High Street and Sun Street, finishing at St Mary’s car park

New for 2026: Sponsor a Tractor!

It’s £250 to sponsor a tractor and you get:

– Your company logo/name displayed on the tractor
– Your company logo/name displayed on the giant digital LED screen which will join the tractors parade
– Presence on the Garden House Hospice Care website
– A social media thank you.

Find out more about the event, about sponsorship, and how to donate at: www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/tractors

Bury Lane is once again holding its Taste of Christmas event on Friday 4th December 2026, from 12 noon until 5pm.

Spend the afternoon meeting a hand picked selection of independent suppliers and try a huge range of delicious food and drink. You can also enter their free draw to win a luxury Bury Lane hamper, choose your fresh Christmas tree, pick up some gorgeous gifts and enjoy festive refreshments in the cafe. The warm and friendly spirit of Christmas begins at Bury Lane.

Bury Lane Farm Shop, A10 Bypass, Melbourn SG8 6GT
Find out more: burylane.co.uk

Christmas is on its way! Discover Christmas events near you in Buntingford and South of Cambridge, from festive markets, Christmas fairs and late-night shopping to Santa visits, light switch-ons, wreath-making, concerts, pantomimes and family days out.

We’ll be adding more local Christmas events as they’re announced so bookmark this page and check back regularly – we’ll keep updating it with the latest Christmas events near you as we hear about them.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Guy Fawkes Night celebration, a spectacular fireworks display or a local event to enjoy with the family, discover what’s happening around Buntingford and South of Cambridge this year.

We’ll continue to add new local fireworks events as details are announced, so bookmark this page and check back for the latest Bonfire Night and fireworks displays near to you.

It takes place at Wysing Arts Centre, CB23 2TX, on Wednesday 28th October, from 12noon–5pm.

Come and try ceramics, printmaking, DJ sessions, and lots more in an open and welcoming space where you can get creative, meet new people and spend time outdoors. This year features workshops from Louise Ashcroft, Davinia Clarke, DJ Boss Lady, Roo Dhissou, and Jack Oliver.

You must book a ticket to the Festival to attend, and it’s recommended that you book workshops in advance, but there will be spaces available on the day for those who want to decide when they arrive.

Tickets available on a sliding scale, £0 – £15
www.wysing.art/event/creative-youth-festival-2026

The true highlight of the 2026 show was the incredible generosity of those attending, with just over £16,000 raised. The majority of these funds will go directly to the club’s chosen charities: the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) and two local SERV blood runner groups.

Even more impressively, the club’s Treasurer has confirmed that since the show’s inception, the club has now donated just over £300,000 to charity – a monumental milestone of which its members are immensely proud.

The club would also like to thank local residents for their support and occasional forbearance. The show generates a lot of traffic on local roads, which many people who do not attend the event enjoy by watching the parade of passing motorcycles. However, the club appreciates that some inconvenience is created and that a very small number of guests ride rather ‘enthusiastically’ in the vicinity, something which the club does not condone.

The Royston and District Motorcycle Club intends to continue putting on the show every year, and planning is already well underway for next year. It is highly likely that the event will once again be held at Eternit on Wednesday 16th June 2027.

www.roystonmotorcycleclub.co.uk

As the nights are drawing in, there’s nothing like a warming negroni in front of the fire.

The twist of orange peel is the perfect garnish.

INGREDIENTS

25ml Naked Pinkster
25ml Campari or select aperitivo
25ml sweet vermouth
Orange peel

METHOD

Pour all the liquid ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, stir to dilute and cool

Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice

Garnish with orange peel

Courtesy of pinkstergin.com
Follow @pinkstergin on socials

Whether you’re looking for your next read, something to keep the children entertained over half term, or planning Christmas gifts, there’s something for every age and interest.

Over at Bow Books Kids, Halloween books and plenty of half-term reads are in store, and activities for a range of ages. The Gruffalo Granny has also arrived! While this edition isn’t signed, it comes with a bonus activity, making it an extra-special treat for children – perfect for half term or as a Christmas gift.

We’re now stocking Warhammer, adding even more choice for younger readers and fans of fantasy and adventure.

And for those looking to stock up, there’s 3 for 2 across both shops on selected books, subject to terms and conditions.

Bow Books & Bow Books Kids, 6 & 12 Angel Pavement, Royston SG8 9AS. Open: Mon-Sat
BB: 01763 793 279 – BBK: 07715 593 516
bow-books.co.uk – FB/Insta

Anthony Roland Douglas (Tony) passed away in late 2024 aged 94, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His wife, Enid Mary Douglas (nee Leverington) who grew up in Meldreth, also passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2022, aged 88.

The family have a strong connection to the village. Tony was born in Barrington, and grew up at 15 West Green. He lived with his parents George and Ruth Douglas, older brother Eddie and younger sisters Edna and Kath.

Tony’s father, George, was foreman at Eastwood cement works before, during and post World War II until retirement. He helped build Barrington Cricket Pavilion and Social Club, that still exist today. George, Eddie and Tony played for Barrington Cricket and Football clubs, along with other Douglas relatives, including Paul, and more recently Michael Douglas (son of Eddie), with many plaques and photos still hanging in the Cricket Pavilion today.

For Tony’s remembrance and celebration service in October 2024, Tony’s sister Kath Mills from Foxton, wrote a special poem, which we are sure that all those who know and love Barrington, will greatly appreciate.

To Barrington with Love, by Kath Mills (Sister of Tony Douglas)

We had a lovely childhood,
Eddie, Tony, Edna and Kath.
The village green was our playground,
And go home when we must.
We roamed the fields and meadows,
And paddled in the streams.
Wild flowers in abundance,
It now seems like a dream.

No mobile phone or television,
In those days we were free.
We made our own “make believe”,
Until we went home for tea.

Run by Cambridge Carbon Footprint, the free tours offer a chance to see real-life home improvements including heat pumps, insulation, solar panels, batteries, EV chargers, heat recovery systems and rainwater harvesting.

Visitors can hear directly from homeowners about what they installed, what it cost, what worked, and what they might do differently.

There’s also an online talk on Batteries on Tuesday 13th October, 7–8pm, exploring the latest battery technology, prices and how batteries can work alongside solar PV, heat pumps and EVs.

Places on in-person tours are limited, so advance booking is essential.

To find out more and book, visit:
cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/open-eco-homes

We offer lessons or free skiing for skiers able to do controlled turns, in a friendly atmosphere. And we meet in the pub afterwards (not compulsory!)

We are now based just off Junction 4 of the A1 motorway in Welwyn.

For further information, visit:
3countiessnowsports.org