Alpacas steal the show!

This weekend was all about shopping and lights -- or so we were led to believe!

Late night shopping on Friday night was followed by the craft fayre in a marquee on the front carpark.  There were lots of lovely crafty bits and pieces for Christmas decorations incremental to the normal showing and also the regular Art group here (Art Circle) held their Christmas Exhibition (This showing/sale was extensive this year as there are now two groups of painters meeting here on a Tuesday and a Thursday).

The stars of the show were some baby Alpacas who came along with their owner Victoria to promote her Alpaca wool products -- they certainly proved very popular with children and adults over the busy weekend - we ducks definitely were not the main centre of attraction, our beaks were most put out!

One little boy was really happy to be photographed with the Alpacas

Craft Fayre - lots of gifts for Christmas

The real excitement of the weekend was when Santa arrived to switch on the lights -- we were worried though as the first thing we saw was an Ambulance with flashing blue light - it was pulling the West Midlands Search and Rescue boat, and we were really relived to see Santa fit and well on the boat.  He then came onto land and sounded the bell to light up the Centre.  There are lots more lights this year, including some in the gardens so we got to see them too.

Santa came to switch on the lights.

Santa is coming back to meet children in the Grotto each weekend until Christmas and there is a post box outside the shop for letters.

The next late night shopping event is 12 December for those that missed the last one.