As a soggy Britain comes to terms with eight weeks of floods, road and rail chaos, thoughts of a White Christmas are far from most people's minds. But today's snow flurries, unexpected after such unseasonally warm December days, may herald just that. Anything for a change from the incessant rain will be as good as a holiday for many. So 'Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
With much of Britain still flooded or on flood alert, trains running in chaos, internal air schedules overbooked, and the threat of renewed Irish republican terrorist bombings in our cities, this is perhaps hardly the best time to be visiting UK. The longsuffering British however seem determined to don their Santa Claus caps and 'Sing Merrily on High,' come what may.
Reading through a selection of Christmas events compiled by Susan d'Arcy in the Sunday Times the following took my fancy. And since this is the Season of Goodwill, let us start with Northern Ireland in that troubled city Belfast, where the music of Angels is too often obliterated by the sound of gunfire and the tears of torment.
Belfast . A Christmas Tour at Belfast Castle reliving memories of Christmas Past. 17 and 23 December. 028 9077 6925.
Waterfront Hall. The Fourth Gala Celebration of Christmas Peace. Afternoon and evening performances. 19 December.
The Russian Ballet of St.Petersburg perform Nutcracker. 26 December-6January. 028 9033 4455.
Armagh. Palace Stables Heritage Centre. Christmas for children; Games, Toy making, Santa. 22-23 December. 028 375 29629.
Scotland
Edinburgh. Christmas Market in the colourful German tradition. Lots of handicrafts stalls with toys, jewellery, weaving, candles, etc., and sellers of hot mulled wine and spicy sausages. Mound Square, Princes Street, 10am-8pm daily until 21 December.
Grantown-on-Spey Christmas carolling procession through the town led by kilted Pipers and Drummers. 7.30pm. 23 December
Stirling Castle
Christmas at the Castle. 10am-4pm. 24 December. 0131 668 8830.
England
Bury St.Edmunds Rede Hall Farm. Carols in the Barn with the animals. 6pm. Pre-booking only. 22-23 December. 01284 850695.
Congleton Little Moreton Hall. An Elizabethan Christmas. Handicrafts stalls and carols. Santa reads Christmas stories to children in the chapel.11.30am-4pm. 23-24 & 30-31 December. 01260 272 018.
Eastbourne Congress Theatre. The Russian Ballet of St.Petersburg perform Nutcracker and Swan Lake18-23 December. 01323 412 000.
Garstang, Preston. Dickens Fair.Brass bands and carols. 18-19 December.
Haworth, Yorkshire. Dickens Fair. The High Street goes Victorian for Wassailing Wednesday.
Hot punch and mulled wine. 20 December. 01535 642329.
York. Murton Park. Children's Santa Special and the Elves Village. Sherry, (for the adults) and mince pies. 21-23 December. 01904 489966.
