Island Life Magazine Ltd October/ November 2012 | Page 11

ISLAND LIFE Annual tree festival The 16th annual Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival will take place this year on December 6 to 9, from 10.0am to 1.30pm. There will be more than 100 ‘theme decorated’ trees on show, at St Mary's Church, The Methodist Church, Wilberforce Hall, The Reading Room and Mottistone Church. There is no charge for entry but any donations gratefully received go to charity, and over the years more than £60,000 has been raised for good causes. . On Wednesday, December at 7.0pm there will be Carols and the lighting of The IW Hospice Tree with Tina Harris CEO and members of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice at Brighstone Church. The viewings on the Sunday will take place after services in Brighstone Church and the Methodist Church, but other venues will be open. To see the full programme visit www.bxtf.co.uk Autumn Aurora at Robin Hill Following the enormous success of its Ambient August-Electric Wood’s lighting events this summer, Robin Hill is set to open its gates in a very different manner this Autumn half term and include the spectacular woodland lighting for everyone to enjoy. The “Autumn Aurora” season of lighting planned from October 20 to November 3 will see the park remain open for all visitors between 10.0am and 9.0pm each day. As darkness falls the park’s new woodland lighting will phase in and bring the central woodland and main play areas alive in a spectacular blaze of light and colour. Some of the main attractions will also remain open well into the evening including the Time machine ride and the Colossus swinging galleon. The woods will also host fire jugglers and acoustic music each night at the woodland ponds as well as additional children’s entertainment and an amazing evening owl show in the park’s Woodland Bowl. See www.robin-hill.com for more details and autumn entry prices. On the march up to Newport Borthwood Fungus foray There will be a Fungus Foray on the Island The Wight Diamonds marching band and on Thursday November 1, organised by the Vectis Corps of Drums will be getting National Trust. together to stage a charity concert in Newport on November 17. They will be joined by special guests, the St John's Church Choir to raise funds for Help for Heroes. The event is being staged at St John's Church, Newport, starting at 7.0pm. Tickets are priced at £5 in advance or £6 on the door. Tickets can be purchased from The Plaza Ices, Hamilton's Fine Foods, or by email to [email protected] It provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about the fascinating variety of fungi that burst from Island woodland soils and decaying wood every autumn, and is part of the National Trust Walking Festival. There are no admission fees, but donations to the National Trust will be welcomed. Anyone interested should be at the Parish Council car park, Borthwood for a 10.0am start, and the walk will last about two hours. www.visitislandlife.com 11