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LATE NIGHT SHOPPING IN KIBWORTH

The annual Kibworth Late Night Shopping Extravaganza is fast becoming, like the Scout and Guide Bonfire and Kibworth Carnival (though not this year), one of the more permanent fixtures on the Kibworthian calendar. This year will, therefore, be no exception, Mark your diaries and calendars with the date - Tuesday 10 December. And when the day arrives, put on some warm winter clothing (as the night times can get a little parky!) and come and join the revelries...

Wine or sherry for adults and mincepies and a host of goody bags and balloons for children, competitions to enter, hog roast, John Clampin's Band, roasted chestnuts, carol singing. and street entertainment from Harborough Youth Theatre will all be in evidence, besides, as always, Father Christmas who will switch on the Christmas lights at 6.30 p.m.

I am told there will be a competition in many of the shops based on the TV programme "Catchphase". Dressing up by the shopkeepers is optional but when asked many of them said they would be entering into the spirit of the evening. We will have to wait and see...

As for the shops themselves, the message is "Why go elsewhere?"

FRESH TURKEYS

At the centre of many Christmas festivities is the Christmas lunch (or dinner) and where else to start planning this than at Williamson's the Butcher where Andrew Kemp can supply fresh turkeys right up to Christmas Eve (as long as you have ordered one, that is) along with his home made sausagemeat plus all your other poultry and non-poultry meats.

WINE and PARTIES

As an accompaniment to the roast turkey I like a good red wine and at this point I turn to SPAR or Victoria Wine where a bottle or two of my favourite tipple can be bought. Ray Wells at SPAR tells me he is not going to be taking part in Kibworth's Late Night opening as he opens until 10p.m. 364 days a year anyway!! Resourceful, reliable and regular, that's what I call Ray. Beside being able to buy wine you can, of course, hire those extra wine glasses for that PARTY from either shop plus buy those vital nibbles to go with the tipples.

SPECIALITY FOODS

Talking of nibbles, why not drop into Alan Palmer's Beauchamps for that extra special present for the gourmet in your family (and, if you can't resist, buy two and send the second to yourself!). Who can resist plain chocolate coated stem ginger, pears in port, three fruit marmalade and those wonderful Christmas Hampers. Alan can provide catering for functions of all sizes. You just have to ask...

PRESENTS

On the subject of gifts Sonya Brown's shop on the square, Look of Kibworth will have its usual cornucopia ranging from small fashionable stationary items which children clamour for to that special something for a distant aunt, plus a range of good quality greetings cards for all occasions.

Patricia Stops of Patricia Charles says she will be providing a gift wrapping service for her purchasers should it they require it. In her shop she will be selling silk and non silk scarves, evening bags, handbags, umbrellas, plus the usual jackets, hats, clothes and swimwear. And Dexters will also have a range of clothes and other suitable gifts for sale.

Mention swimwear and one's thoughts turn to summer holidays and there probably isn't a better place to shop for a holiday, be it a winter or a summer break, than Farthing Holidays.

PAMPERING

Of course, before going on that summer holiday or even before the festivities begin, why not treat yourself to a bit of pampering. Visit one of our local hairdressers, Julians, Colin Spiers or the newly renamed Minarik. Then, ladies, pop along to Jackie Brum's Bodyworks where you can have, I am told, all sorts of things done to you. Pedicures, manicure, skin analysis etc. During the late night opening, Jackie will be offering a free skin analysis test to customers, plus she will be supplying dermatological samples for those in need.

10% OFF

Talking of offers, you could visit Mixtures where Jane Holmes will be offering customers the chance to have 10% off all items sold during the late night opening. (See advert on this page)

Again on the clothing front, Dode's has an extensive range of clothes which are practical as gifts for all ages. She tells me sweaters are particularly popular as presents with many of her customers.

DECORATIONS

No Christmas is complete without Christmas candles and where else would you need to shop than Kibworth Services where a supply can be bought should the electricity system fail on one those cold winter nights.

Talking of decorations visit Kibworth DIY where you can purchase and plan your spring redecorating along amongst the miriad kitchen items for the man (or woman) in your life.

For other decorative items like wrapping paper etc and a further selection of Christmas cards try Mercury News Shop, which besides providing more stationary items you can also purchase your copy of the Radio Times and TV Times with which you can plan your Christmas and New Year viewing and listening. Further preparations to the festivities can be made by visiting Sarah Kendall and ordering your real Christmas tree and door wreath.

LAST POSTING DAY

For those who are thinking and planning ahead you will be able to obtain details of the last posting date for Christmas from the 'cuddly' Richard Green at Kibworth Post Office where another supply of cards and calendars, can be found. Alas, there isn't a Kibworth Calendar this year but I am sure you will find something suitable. And for those who have National Savings Accounts you can delve into your nest egg to help finance the coming festivities.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Christmas, of course, seems to be a time of overspending, not at the time but when the bills arrive in January. Perhaps whilst taking part in the late night shopping experience you can renegotiate a larger overdraft at Midland Bank, or Market Harborough Building Society or seek some independent financial advice from John Collins at Westerby Insurance

..AND FINALLY

If you are fed up with cooking turkey and do not know what to do with the left overs why not visit one of the village's takeaways which are open late into the evening often six nights of the week. If its a Chinese meal you are after, then try Kibworth House whilst the Tandoori Chef can provide your spicy Indian curry and there is always the village Fish and Chip Shop. Or, if it's all too much, after the late night shopping, Tuesday night is, at the Old Swan, one of Pete's Curry Nights. Stacks of food for under a Fiver!

And after you have shopped and consumed and you are now seeing double visit Geoffrey Brewin, Optician where your condition may be diagnosed as just down to the drink....

And finally if all the films on TV aren't enough you can always visit MovieZone and hire another dozen selections....

If your business has been omitted, I am sorry but the feedback from Kibworth businesses was very patchy!

Happy Shopping

© Stephen Poyzer 1996

Any comments or question please e-mail us @

stephen.poyzer@which.net or jemeny@globalnet.co.uk

 © Kibworth & District Chronicle 1998