CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and there’s plenty planned to celebrate the season in one Tameside village.
The packed programme will culminate in an exciting new activity for children to take part in.
On Sunday, December 22, the first Gingerbread Trail will take place in Gee Cross from midday to 2pm.
The free-to-enter trail will begin at Gee Cross Community Centre, on Wych Fold, and families can walk around the Hyde village to find gingerbread characters.
Each character will have a special letter that will spell out a secret code. Once you have cracked the code, participants will receive a special treat.
There will also be a chance to decorate your own gingerbread character, a pop-up gingerbread photo booth, hot chocolate and a hot/cold Vimto available.
It’s been organised by Hyde Werneth councillors Phil Chadwick and Chris Halligan, who had a special visitor from Santa at Hyde Chapel to help promote the trail.
“More details will be posted soon but we can’t wait to bring this new event to you, and we hope it’s as much of a success as the Easter Egg Hunt,” they said.
The Christmas festivities in Gee Cross will begin with a Christmas Concert at Hyde Chapel on Saturday, November 30 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Hawk Green Brass Band will be performing and it will be followed by the village’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Tickets are £6 and available from Jardine Estates on Stockport Road – by paying cash only with the correct amount – or online here.
Hyde Chapel will also be hosting a Christmas Tree Festival at the Knott Lane church on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, December 8, from 11am to 3pm.
The festival will feature more than 30 trees decorated by local schools, businesses and organisations.
There will be a raffle, a tombola, children’s fun and games, refreshments and a Santa’s Grotto. Cash only entry is £1 for adults and 50p for kids.
And last but not least, the village’s Window Winter Wonderland is taking place throughout December.
Local businesses are invited to decorate their windows in a Christmas theme – by November 30 for the lights switch-on.
The best dressed window will be decided by local children and announced on December 22, with the winner receiving a festive hamper.