Christmas bonanza at Ross Heritage Centre

Ross Market House Heritage Centre is getting into the Christmas spirit by staging a bonanza of activities throughout the festive season.

The centre, in Market Place, will hold an exhibition featuring an array of local artists’ work, a children’s activity day and much more.

This year’s main exhibition will see the return of the annual paintings and displays by local artists.

Doug Eaton, Jerry Whitehouse and Lawrence Hughes have joined forces with Rex Foley, Hermione Gardener and Rodney Beecher-Roberts. 

Their paintings and other pieces are available for sale until December 17.

People who want to mark the passing of a loved one can rekindle their memory by adding a card to the Lions Tree of Memories.

For a £2 donation, people can put a poem, story or note on a card and add it to the tree, which is housed inside the Heritage Centre.  Proceeds will be distributed by the Lions, Ross branch.

A children’s activity day will be held on December 23, from 10.30am – 1pm, when youngsters will be taught how to make Christmas wrapping paper and gift cards.

Cards for Good Causes, a national charity initiative, set up a stall selling cards, wrapping paper and gift tags.

The stall, which finished on December 11, was a big success, organisers said. 

A selection of children’s letters written to Father Christmas are also on display.

The Heritage Centre also has a stock of Christmas gifts and books as well as other festive stocking fillers.

For more details on any activities at Ross Market House Heritage Centre on (01432) 260675 between the opening hours 10.30am - 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday. 

The centre is now closed on Mondays for the winter period. 

It is hoped this change in winter opening days will enable local people who work to visit the exhibitions during their off-time, as well as giving visitors to the town somewhere to visit and collect local information. 

The centre is closed for lunch between 1pm and 1.30pm daily, if there is no relief staff available.