ALL too often, the onset of Christmas gives rise to panic: It’s hard to remember that ‘tis the season to be jolly when you are battling added work pressures, the not so joyful weekends and evening’s spent scouring department stores for those difficult to find presents, have seasonal visits to make, and the mammoth costs incurred during a visit to the supermarket should come with a health warning of their own...and on top of all that. a little malfunction at home seems to bite you on the bum too: Perhaps a broken boiler, or a washing machine that gives up the ghost at the most inopportune time.
We’ve all been there, right?
Which is all the more reason to strip away the excess and the misery, and go back to basics with something nice and traditional.
Even better, The Parks Trust have done the organisational work, so you don’t have to.
On Sunday, you are invited to their annual Christmas market and carol singing session, being held at the new city’s Cathedral of Trees.
If you still have seasonal shopping to do, do it here – wander the pretty stalls selling gifts and accessories, festive cakes and cookies, German Christmas biscuits and a selection of locally hand-made Christmas gifts.
Mulled wine and mince pies will tempt you too, and proceeds will be given to Willen Hospice, so go on, indulge.
The market will see you right between 2 and 4pm, when the carol singing will take over through to 5pm.
MK Youth Brass Band will bring the music, you need bring only your voice for the sing-a-long beneath the stars.
The Cathedral of Trees, based on the outline of Norwich Cathedral, is the work of landscape architect Neil Higson, who chose hornbeam, tall growing lime and evergreens to represents the Cathedral’s nave, central tower and spires.
Emphasis on the chapels is down to flowering cherry and apple.
It is a delightful setting for what promises to be an equally delightful afternoon.
Attending is free, but bring a lantern if you can, and dress well to keep the autumn chill away from your bones...that means boots, not flip-flops, and winter woollens, not t-shirts!
Park off Livingstone Drive, Newlands.