Festive fun and fayres Published Nov. 21, 2007 By Suzanne Harper 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The downside of being stationed away from home during the holiday season can be yearning for familiar tastes, smells and sights. However, the upside is the opportunity to experience the celebrations of another culture. Encountering new traditions and events can sprinkle fresh glitter upon your festive season and the local area has much to offer. Here are a few ideas you might like to try: Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre The Christmas Fayre extends from the historic Angel Hill and Athenaeum up to the town centre and into the Abbey Gardens. With lots of colourful stalls from all over the UK, dozens of traders from mainland Europe, a varied collection of fairground attractions, some great on-stage entertainment and Bury's cosmopolitan town centre, it's a great day out. On the Saturday and Sunday two park and ride bus services will operate - a smart option if you want a speedy service. The fayre takes place Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. , Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. , Dec 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A useful guide to all the events can be downloaded from : http://www2.buryfreepress.co.uk/christmasfayre/index.htm Norwichristmas This year Norwich will be hosting its inaugural Christmas festival, Norwichristmas, from Nov. 28th to Dec. 5th. More than 80 stalls selling quality local handmade crafts and continental goods and foods will be surrounding the outdoor ice rink in central Norwich. Craft markets will be inside and outside The Forum on St Peter Street (in front of City Hall). Entertainment will be on Chapelfield Plain, at John Lewis, at Jarrolds and along the boutique shops of the Norwich Lanes. The city centre will be truly magical and festive so make sure you come along to soak up the atmosphere and start some early Christmas shopping! For more information, visit: http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/celebratechristmas.aspx Blackthorpe Barn The Christmas craft markets at Blackthorpe Barn are very popular. The barn is situated three miles east of Bury St. Edmunds in the village of Rougham. Events there are clearly signposted off the A14. The barn, with its distinctive thatched roof,was built around 1550. Until 1985. the barn was used for the threshing and storage of grain. The lead up to Christmas sees the barn use its unique atmosphere to the best of its ability; visit the craft markets, view the Christmas trees from the Rougham Estate and the new decorations shop. There is also mulled wine, food and music to really get you into the spirit of things. The craft stalls vary from week to week, with items ranging from ceramics to papier mâché. The craft fair is open from Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For further details, visit the Web site is at: http://www.blackthorpebarn.com/christmas/blackthorpebarncraftintro.cfm Norfolk Christmas Family Festival The Family festival takes place on the parkland of the Queen's Norfolk estate at Sandringham . The event promises to be a magical festival offering fantastic and secure family entertainment for the festive period. There is something for all the family to enjoy: outdoor skating rink, pantomime, festive trade stalls, animal farm, husky sleigh rides and children's fun fair. The festival is open from Dec. 15 to Jan. 6, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. It will be closed on Christmas Day To book skating or panto tickets, call 0871 918 9218 or go online to www.norfolkchristmasfestival.co.uk . Thursford Christmas Spectacular Thursford Christmas Spectacular claims to be the most popular Christmas show of all time in England and is a blend of exciting Christmas entertainment, with Christmas songs, carols, dazzling dancers, beautiful costumes, outstanding music and singing from their cast of over one hundred. Unfortunately, you are already too late to buy tickets for this year but bookings are taken in writing from the first working day in January, and take a full twelve weeks before confirmations can be sent out to everyone. If you're going to be here for Christmas next year and want to by your tickets, then you will need to join the queue. It is hugely popular and tickets sell quickly. Even if you are too late for this year's show, there are other festive events at Thursford that might interest you. For further details, please refer to: https://www.thursford.com The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols For many people, the essence of Christmas is The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols in King's College Chapel on Christmas Eve. However, as no tickets are issued for this service, seats are allocated on a first-come-first- served basis. Those wishing to attend should be prepared to queue from 9a.m. The service begins at 3 p.m. For some the queue itself is an annual tradition. There are those who are in line three days in advance and there is reportedly at least one American gentleman who saves every cent so he can fly 4,500 miles from Dallas to London each year to attend the service. For further details of events in Cambridge over the Christmas period, please refer to: http://www.visitcambridge.org/other/unique.php?id=36 Sponsored Santa Runs in aid of East Anglia's Children's Hospices If you are feeling energetic and would like to help raise money for a worthy cause, then you can support the EACH Santa Runs and run 2 or 3km dressed as Santa! There is an entry fee of £10 (including Santa suit) Adult entrants are asked to raise a minimum of £20 in sponsorship but you can raise as much as you are able. The Bury St Edmunds Santa Run is from the Town Centre, Dec 2, starting at 11.00a.m. The Cambridge Santa Run is from the Grafton to Parker's Piece, Dec 16, starting at 10.30 a.m. For further information about East Anglia's Children's Hospices and the Santa Runs, please refer to: http://www.each.org.uk/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=256&Itemid=291