Tis The Season To Be Jolly
It’s the most wonderful time of year at Oswaldtwistle Mills where the glittering seasonal displays are at their very best! Photography: Kirsten Platt
A super-size Arctic polar bear greets visitors to Oswaldtwistle Mill’s Christmas decoration extravaganza that features everything from snowy white unicorns and iridescent baubles to sparkling lights and twinkling trees.
Year on year the merchandising team come up with something new and exciting and this year is no exception with four seasonal themes that will enthral and excite all those who just love decorating their home for Christmas.
“This year there’s everything from the traditional to the contemporary,” explains Sandra Gammons.
“We have unusual colour combinations that really work, as well as trend-setting industrial styling that we know is so popular!”
This year the team have developed four themes:
ARCTIC ADVENTURE:
A really cool theme that sees ice white baubles mixed with different shades of blue. From dark midnight navy to delicate turquoise and pale grey, visitors will discover a delightful mix of icicles, snowflakes, ribbons, twinkling lights festooned around trees and decorative owls, penguins and squirrels.
DREAMS AND WISHES:
A fairytale pink-themed grotto that sees lots of baby pink mixed with stronger blush and mint green. The ever-popular white unicorns take centre stage, along with decorative swans and iridescent decorations that are dainty and feminine. Floral decorations are hugely popular this year, draped on the tree or around accessories.
DECK THE HALLS:
You can imagine a family from the Victorian era singing Christmas carols around the tree in this ultimately traditional setting that features a huge tree decorated with shiny red baubles, robins, cascading ribbons and twinkling lights. But to add a touch of contemporary colour, purple also features giving the theme a luxurious look that is sure to be popular.
RUSTIC CHARM:
This is bang on-trend! Featuring lots of natural wood, copper and gold, this vintage, industrial style really works. With hints of black on table and tree decorations, the rustic theme is softened by twinkling lights and additional shades of white and cream.
Along with the themed displays, the ever popular Nordman real Christmas trees will also be in stock in various sizes in the run up to the festive season, as well other popular accessories including Christmas lights with sparkly LED and fibre optic.
Last year’s sell-out product – the LED Christmas scene canvases are once again proving popular along with the newly-introduced oversized glass baubles that hang by a chunky vintage rope – a decoration that can stay up all year round! The Village illuminated scenes are once again on display at Oswaldtwistle Mills alongside the top-selling crackle balls.
In other departments, the seasonal theme continues with party wear and cocktail dresses that are perfect for the forthcoming celebrations while seasonal knitwear, coats and cosy outerwear will see you through the chilly winter.
With a focus on ‘British-made’ furniture the home and lifestyle department at Oswaldtwistle Mills continues to evolve with industrial furniture and accessories including the new rough sawn dining table from the Alba collection. For a more refined style the best-selling Juno dining table features a stain resistant ceramic top that easily extends, perfect for festive gatherings, while velvet corner sofas and tub chairs add a touch of charm.
In the giftware section visitors are sure to find everything they need when shopping for that perfect Christmas present! From Brewmaster whisky glasses and cocktail shakers to beautiful Dartington crystal Prosecco and gin glasses – these are sure to hit the spot.
And speaking of gin, in Oswaldtwistle Mill’s delicatessen department there is a huge selection of gins including the new Tinker Brook gin that is made from water taken from the brook that runs through the mill!
New to the deli is an evolving range of vegan, vegetarian and organic products from Suma, the popular Jones’s vegan sausage rolls and pies in a variety of flavours from the Gluten Free Kitchen.
The deli also features renowned Cissy Green pies in a range of delicious new flavours including pork and apple and steak and ale.
Orders for Christmas hampers and famous deli cheese boards are now being taken – look out for the newly introduced Lancashire cheese with sultanas and cinnamon from Bowland, Lancashire cheese with dried chilli from Dewlay and Sandham’s spicy Flamin’ ‘Eck that will really put a kick into your Christmas!
On the butcher’s counter there is a tasty selection of locally sourced meat including Christmas joints of best beef, pork and lamb. Award winning butcher Jessica Leliuga, who has once again been selected to take part in the World Butchers’ Challenge, to be held in California in 2020, is more than happy to offer her expert advice on what to choose and how to cook it for your Christmas table.
To make the run-up to the festive season easier the ready-meals on the butcher’s counter have really taken off so expect to find some new combinations including chicken with ginger, lemon and chilli, beef Bourguignon and spicy rogan josh.
And don’t forget a memorable visit to Santa’s Grotto – visits start on 9th November and this year youngsters can expect an extra special experience in the Elf Academy where they learn lots of elf skills. With lots of fun and games and even a UV-lit toy factory, each child will leave with a gift, graduation certificate and badge! A real-life reindeer will also be at the grotto at the weekends in the run up to Christmas so that’s another experience not to be missed!
So pay a visit to Oswaldtwistle Mills where you will find everything you need for the festive season ahead – as well as enjoying an elf experience that is truly magical!
Elf Academy Santa’s Grotto
From 9th November until 23rd December 2019
Every weekend 10am – 4pm
Tuesday and Thursday from mid-December 12noon – 4pm
Learn how to become an elf in this magical setting and leave with a gift and graduation certificate. Youngsters can also meet Lightning the real-life reindeer! (Weekends only)
Tickets: £10
Oswaldtwistle Mills
Colliers Street, Oswaldtwistle BB5 3DE
01254 871025
www.o-mills.co.uk
