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A Country House Christmas, Kiplin Hall, Richmond, on Saturday/Sunday, 10-4pm

This year the chosen theme is A Country House Christmas, an Edwardian Christmas depicted in flowers and fresh greenery throughout the house. 

Local flower clubs, Kiplin volunteers and staff will decorate the Hall to welcome visitors for the Hall’s annual Christmas openings. Admire their handiwork and enjoy the atmosphere as you stroll through the house. 

Lots of original gift ideas and handmade crafts at the Christmas gift fair in the Maryland Study Centre. A relaxed and pleasant way to shop for original presents.

  • Tel: 01748-818178. 

The Northern Echo: Duke Special

Duke Special, Hutton Rudby village hall, on Saturday, 7.30pm

Hutton Rudby Village Hall's excellent run of gigs continues on Saturday with Duke Special (and support from Dan Donnelly). Duke Special comes as part of a national tour highlighting his new album 'Hallow' plus highlights from his extensive back catalogue. 

It is hard to categorise Belfast born Duke Special; a varied career has seen collaborations with- amongst others - Divine Comedy, Clannad and Foy Vance. He has also had appearances on Top of the Pops,‘Later’, numerous festivals and has written musicals, including one on Brecht. He is frequently on TV in his native Northern Ireland.

  • Tickets £15 from 01642-701586.

Outdoor ice skating, Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley, runs until December 31

Strap on your blades and glide around the ice rink in the picturesque outdoor setting of Wynyard Hall’s historical parkland. 45 minute session that is perfect for getting in the festive mood.

Pre-booked tickets £8. Price is based on a 45 minute session and includes hire of skates.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hippodrome, Darlington, opens on Saturday and runs until January 14

Family pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring boyband Blue and EastEnders heart-throb Lee Ryan, West End leading lady Zoe Birkett, Middlesbrough born funny man Patrick Monahan, Coronation Street's Eric Potts and actor / comedian Liam Mellor. 

Be amongst the first to step inside the newly restored theatre as we welcome pantomime to Darlington Hippodrome.

  • Tickets on 01325-405405. 

The Northern Echo:

Brick History, Preston Park Museum, Eaglescliffe, runs until February 4
Amazing historical scenes made from LEGO bricks. Brick History is a whistle-stop tour of the last 13.8 billion years, from the Big Bang through to modern day.

  • Tel: 01642-527820. 

Piano Society meet with John Paul Ekins, Central Hall, The Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Sunday, 3:00pm. 

This is John Paul’s third visit to Darlington - not only is he a fine pianist, he has an extremely good rapport with audiences and has been a very popular performer at his previous recitals here in 2014 and 2016. 

He brings a programme framed by two popular pieces in the piano repertoire. Beethoven’s universally popular “Pathetique” sonata has, surprisingly, not been played here since 2005 and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition” is always a popular finale to a programme.