Does the prospect of turkey again this Christmas leave you cold? Ever wanted to try a goose or a pheasant or even a whole trout but been put off because you don’t know how to do it?

Help is at hand this Christmas at Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, where the very people who produce the food are on hand to show you how to prepare your Christmas roast to succulent perfection.

Be adventurous and leave the supermarket bird on the shelf this year. Instead head off to one of our seven markets being held in the run-up to Christmas. You can also choose from turkey, beef, free-range pork, game, hog roast or even buffalo meat. You can pre-order your chosen lunch centrepiece and get a lesson from the stall-holder, who will have reared the produce themselves, in how to make the most of your choice.

If you’re set on turkey, you can still pre-order a home-grown bird at the Farmers’ Market, knowing that your choice will be locally reared without added water and sold to you direct from the producer.

While you’re there you can also pick up unique gifts for your family from a range of locally produced preserves, confectionery, wines and ciders, lavender, soaps and plants. You could even make up a hamper using a small decorated box or wicker basket for a fabulous gift your friends and relatives will love.

Ordering from Hampshire Farmers’ Markets means you can be sure that you’re treating your family to a locally produced, high-quality, succulent Christmas lunch as well as being a great way to support your local economy.

Also available at our December markets will be traditional Christmas wreaths and poinsettias to give your home that festive feel.

Our Christmas markets take place at the following places:

Saturday, December 12, 2009:  10am-2pm Alton Farmers Market 

Sunday, December 13, 2009 :   9am-2pm Winchester Farmers Market 

Sunday, December 20, 2009;    10am-2pm Andover Farmers Market 

   10am-2pm Southsea Farmers Market 

German Christmas Market

The Southampton Christmas Market returns for a sixth year and will be bigger and better than ever before.

Boasting more than 30 Stalls, the market will feature a traditional array of German Gift Stalls and Food Sellers.

You will be greeted by a huge range of fantastic Christmas presents, traditional German foods and festive delicacies and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

Saturday 21st November, 2009 – Wednesday 23rd December, 2009.

Opening Hours: 10.00am - 6.30pm with late night opening every Thursday during December. Please note, Sunday Trading Laws apply.

Unique stalls selling incredible Xmas gifts The German food stalls selling festive cheer in glasses, bottles and of course on plates Festive entertainment for all the family. Christmas Market.

Christmas 2009 at Portsmouth Cathedral...

Sunday 29 November 2009

Advent Carol Service at 6.00pm
sung by the Cathedral Choir

Friday 4 December
Handel’s Messiah at 7.30pm
sung by the Cathedral Choir

Beata Trinitas Baroque Orchestra

Soloists: Catherine Bott, Nick Pepin, Oliver Jones and Edmund Saddington Tickets (reserved seating): £16, £12.50, (unreserved) £9 (£2 concession on each price)
Available: 023 9282 3300 ext 234

Saturday 19 December
Carol Service I at 3.00pm
sung by the Cathedral Choir

Sunday 20 December
Evensong followed by Britten’s Ceremony of Carols at 6.00pm
sung by the Cathedral Choristers

Tuesday 22 December
Carol Service II at 7.30pm
sung by the Cathedral Choir

Wednesday 23 December
Carol Service III at 7.30pm
sung by the Cathedral Choir

Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December
Crib Service I at 3.00pm
Crib Service II at 4.30pm

Midnight Eucharist at 11.30pm

Christmas Day Friday 25 December
Parish Eucharist with Carols at 9.30am

Sung Eucharist with Carols at 11.15am
sung by the Cathedral Choir

Welcome to Emsworth Sunday Markets

The next Sunday Market will be held on 29TH NOVEMBER 10.00am - 4.00pm with

 music from the Urban Voice Choir in the square from 2:30, Father Christmas will be visiting from 3pm and there will be street entertainment with clowns and jugglers, plus mince pies and mulled wine.