Norwich Open Christmas

www.OpenChristmas.org.uk

2011-11-28T13:13:00.000Z

Thank you for your interest inNorwich Open Christmas.

For the latest information about Open Christmas, please click below to visit our new website

www.OpenChristmas.org.uk

Please note that this BlogSpot is no longer updated.

Norwich Open Christmas 2011

2011-10-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

2011 will be the 20th year that the Open Christmas volunteer team will provide a
roof, a hot meal, entertainment and a warm welcome for those who are on their own or homeless on Christmas Day in the Norwich area.

Over 300 guests come from all over Norwich and the surrounding area and from all walks of life. Some are homeless or on the streets, some just dread being alone on Christmas Day following a bereavement, a marriage breakup or some other traumatic happening in their life, some can not visit relations for Christmas as they live far away, some are unwanted by their family, some find that their usual support services are closed, some are elderly, some are young, some think of ending it all and
thankfully seek the company of others before it is too late.

Whatever the reason, they are welcomed.

Meals and transport are provided free of charge, guests are welcome to stay all day
or come and go as they please. no booking is required.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

To find out how you can be a guest, volunteer, volunteer driver or supporter, please contact us by using the response forms on the new Open Christmas website or by clicking on the relevant link in the right side bar under "Contacting Us".

Also tell all your friends and contacts about Open Christmas by clicking on one of the boxes in the left hand bottom corner of this post. Thanks

www.openchristmas.org.uk

From the Archive: 2010: "A Christmas to Remember"

2011-07-31T22:21:00.000+01:00

This year's Sheriff of Norwich is Derek James, the Eastern Evening News feature writer.

You will find his report about his visit to Norwich Open Christmas 2010 here

From the Archive: 2009 Open Christmas in Pictures

2011-07-30T22:25:00.000+01:00

This year Peter Ryan volunteered to catch a flavour of Norwich Open Christmas with his camera.
Click here to view a slide show of his images

From the Archive: 2008 Wishing You a Merry Christmas

2011-07-29T22:37:00.000+01:00

Click on the PLAY button to watch a slide show of pictures from Christmas Day 2008. The slides are accompanied by a recording of Dr. Christopher Sharpe playing the organ of St. Andrews Hall.

From the Archive: Open Christmas 2007 in pictures

2011-07-29T22:00:00.000+01:00

A full entertainment programme included carol singing led by a group of volunteers accompanied by Tony on the piano.
350 guests were served a full Christmas lunch at their table by a team of volunteer waiters and waitresses
As lunch was served, festive music was played by Dr. Christopher Sharpe on the St. Andrews Hall's traditional pipe organ
Guests were able to have a Christmas chat with the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Roy Blower
Heads Down! The quiz time after lunch with prizes to share for the winning table was popular. Many stayed to take part in the Bingo session later in the afternoon.
I did it my way! Open Christmas wouldn't be the same without this guest who regularly gives us an inpromptu rendition of the Frank Sinatra hit accompanied by one of our regular entertainers, Heather Enid Wells.

Share your memories of Norwich Open Christmas by clicking on the word COMMENTS at the bottom of this post.

After Open Christmas, what else can I volunteer to do?

2011-07-29T21:00:00.000+01:00

You've enjoyed helping at Norwich Open Christmas and wish to volunteer for something else in 2009.

Where do you look?

Visit the Norwich Volunteer Bureau which is open weekdays in Charing Cross, Norwich. Tel: 01603 614474. They keep a list of current opportunities in the Norwich area and can help you decide which suit your abilities and interests.

Network Norwich, the local christian community website has a Volunteer Link Up section

The All Saints Centre in Westlegate, Norwich has a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers throughout the year.

Age Concern Norwich is always looking for volunteers to carry out reception and general office duties, and people to train as Welfare Rights Home Visitors. They also need Minibus Drivers and Shopping Service Escorts for the shopping trips they provide for their elderly clients.

BUILD is a Norfolk based registered charity that supports adults and young people with learning difficulties.

Their Wednesday Club meets in the evening from 7pm to 9pm at Princes Street, Norwich and they are looking for volunteers who can use their own skills and experiences to support people with a learning difficulty to run the activities themselves. This could be encouraging people working on the coffee bar or helping with art classes, cookery, pool and much much more. The emphasis is on volunteers enabling members rather than doing things for them.

For more details Build Norwich or call Michele Craig on 01603 618029

The Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind has a team of nearly 250 volunteers who provide visiting services, advice and support to blind and partially sighted people in the community.

They are always looking for new volunteers whose tasks can include:

Helping in their charity shop, befriending, sports and leisure activities, eye clinic information advisors, driving, fundraising, escorting and guiding and helping organise and staff special events.

If you would like to help the activities of the NNAB please call 01603 629558 during normal business hours or email office@nnab.co.uk

YMCA Norfolk also have a range of opportunities.

Become a "Sam" The Samaritans are looking for volunteers

For opportunities, further afield, log onto the national volunteering database: Do-it.org.uk

And Finally: A Christmas Smile

2011-07-28T22:49:00.000+01:00

For a sideways glance at Christmas, view these wonderful animations from the Creature Comforts team. Click on the links below which will take you to the Aardman Animations YouTube site. For copyright reasons, we are unable to embed these clips into the blogspot

Animals and even a turkey talk about Christmas

Reindeers talking about Father Christmas

and finally, Father Christmas gets hung up in this seasonal warning against drink-driving in a Christmas ad first broadcast in 2007

Click on your back button to return to this blogspot

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2012

Steve Clark to be the new organiser

2011-07-25T18:28:00.002+01:00

Colin and Linda Harper have stood down as the main organisers of Norwich Open Christmas and have been replaced by Steve Clark.

A new website is to be launched to replace this blogspot and a link to this will be provided shortly

2010: "A Christmas to Remember"

2011-01-11T19:24:00.005Z

This year's Sheriff of Norwich is Derek James, the Eastern Evening News feature writer.

You will find his report about his visit to Norwich Open Christmas 2010 here

Norwich Open Christmas Update 9th December

2010-12-09T21:16:00.002Z

VOLUNTEERS

We do not need any more volunteers at the moment but please do not spend Christmas on your own. You will be welcome as a guest for as long as you wish to stay.

If you still wish to offer your services over the Christmas holiday period and are willing to travel, we understand that Crisis at Christmas London is still asking for volunteers.

DRIVERS
We currently have enough drivers

GUESTS

Please remember that you are free to come and go as you please.

Norwich Open Christmas 2010

2010-10-01T17:23:00.001+01:00

2010 will be the 19th year that the Open Christmas volunteer team will provide a roof, a hot meal, entertainment and a warm welcome for those who are on their own or homeless on Christmas Day in the Norwich area.

Over 300 guests come from all over Norwich and the surrounding area and from all walks of life.
Some are homeless or on the streets, some just dread being alone on Christmas Day following a bereavement, a marriage breakup or some other traumatic happening in their life, some can not visit relations for Christmas as they live far away, some are unwanted by their family, some find that their usual support services are closed, some are elderly, some are young, some think of ending it all and thankfully seek the company of others before it is too late.

Whatever the reason, they are welcomed.

Meals and transport are provided free of charge, guests are welcome to stay all day or come and go as they please. no booking is required.

Open Christmas 2009 in pictures

2009-12-28T17:16:00.008Z

This year Peter Ryan volunteered to catch a flavour of Norwich Open Christmas with his camera.
Click here to view a slide show of his images

Mince pies for those behind bars

2009-12-22T18:36:00.015Z

For several years, Norwich Open Christmas has delivered at least a hundred mince pies to one of the Norwich Prison Chaplains for consumption by prisoners and guests at Carol Services and other events held at Norwich Prison over the Christmas period.

For security reasons, the mince pies have to come from a traceable source and can not be homemade. They are delivered in the original sealed manufacturer's cartons a few days before Christmas and are sourced through our usual food supplier.

Our contact, Chaplain Terry Baxter(shown left) has spent the last 16 years behind bars ministering at Norwich Prison and is retiring from the role at the end of this month.

He looks back at his experiences in the Christmas 2009 edition of Good News for Norwich & Norwich and writes:

In my work as a Chaplain, I have for many years been able to offer a listening ear to many prisoners who have experienced difficulties in their individual lives. There are numerous reasons why it is necessary for people to spend time in prison following some criminal or unlawful activity. It may be because of drug or alcohol abuse or an act of violence.

But in my opinion no-one is too bad to be saved or is beyond the power of God's grace.

The encounter between Jesus and that greedy tax collector, Zacchaeus, is a prime example. When Zacchaeus pays back with interest the money he has cheated people out of, Jesus said to him: "Today salvation has come to this house."

However, many of the problems and worries that accompany those who are sent to prison are often to do with the breakdown of relationships at an individual level.

Most problems that we have in life will indeed stem from a difficulty in relationships and Christian workers and chaplains do need to apply the ministry of compassion in their day-to-day dealings with people.

The important thing is that one day each of us will have to answer to a Higher Power.

The essence of the Christian faith is that those who repent of their wrongdoing and entrust themselves to Jesus Christ will receive God's compassion and forgiveness and not His judgment.

We wish Terry and his wife, Gill a happy retirement and look forward to continuing our contact with the Chaplaincy team at Norwich prison

Quote and photograph from Good News for Norwich & Norwich with acknowledgement

Open Christmas on Future Radio: Dedications and Requests Required

2009-12-16T16:39:00.008Z

Join Mike Doble on Future Radio 96.9FM from 7AM until 10AM on Christmas morning as he will be featuring Open Christmas throughout his breakfast show and he is looking for audience participation

In advance of the day, he would like to hear from guests, volunteers and supporters with their requests, dedications and special memories.

Please send these to him by e-mail by clicking on Open Christmas Future Radio Requests by Thursday 24th December. Please give your name, full details of the track you want played, the name(s) of the people you would like mentioned and any greeting.

On Christmas Day, one of his colleagues, Stephen Burnham will be at St. Andrews Hall to feed in requests from volunteers and guests during the morning so please come prepared.

Listeners at home on Christmas Day can send greetings to a friend, the guests and volunteers at Open Christmas or to the world in general, by texting: future (+ your message) to 60066

or by emailing the studio: studio@futureradio.co.uk

You can also phone the studio during the programme on 01603 455250

After handing over to the next presenter at 10AM Mike will make his way to the Hall to join the guests and volunteers and to meet listeners and collect dedications to phone through to the studio until lunch is served. We will be relaying Future Radio 96.9 FM to St. Andrews Hall until the stage programme gets underway at 1130am.

For full details of all Future Radio's Christmas programmes, visit the Future radio website

Santa’s collected for Norwich Open Christmas at Chapelfield

2009-12-10T21:10:00.015Z

Santa was in Chapelfield collecting food parcels, clothing and donations for Norwich Open Christmas on Sunday 13th December between 11AM and 3PM.

Shoppers were able to meet Santa and take photos of their little ones with him in return for a donation to Open Christmas. Santa was joined in front of Chapelfield's Christmas Tree on the Lower Ground Mall by Colin, Linda, Bill, Mary and Kevin from Open Christmas.

During the day our five volunteers received food parcels, talked to people about what happens on Christmas Day, gave out handbills to advertise the event, helped take pictures with shopper's mobile phones and cameras and collected donations. Picture shows Bill trying hard not to shake the collection box!

Norwich Open Christmas are very grateful to Chapelfield Centre Manager Davina and Centre Marketing Manager Sheridan for providing this opportunity to promote our event.

We are also grateful to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to help us. Apparently, Santa likes Chapelfield because he can park his sleigh there at a cheaper rate after 3PM

BEFA Appeal - A shout for some more of the humble sprout

2009-11-30T22:04:00.006Z

Picture of Brussels Sprouts ready to cook from DHD Multimedia Gallery(c) Damon Hart-Davis

Due to the recession, organisers of Christmas shelters and Open Christmas events in East Anglia expect the demand for their hospitality to be high this year and the Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal(BEFA)which supplies much of the food appealed last week for more donations of sprouts and other fresh produce from farmers across the region.

As well as sprouts BEFA, which is based near North Walsham,are looking for supplies of other fresh vegetables including carrots, parsnips, and cabbages, as well as eating and cooking apples.”

To check the current requirements or to arrange to make a donation to the Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal, please contact Peter or Polly Bowles on 01692 407262 or email
ForBefa@aol.com

More about the appeal from the
Eastern Daily Press website

Yarmouth Open Christmas 2009

2009-11-05T17:10:00.005Z

The Great Yarmouth Open Christmas provides a roof, hot meal, entertainment, and a warm welcome on Christmas Day for those who are on their own or homeless in the Great Yarmouth area.

Great Yarmouth Open Christmas will again be at the Marina Centre and the doors will be open from 11am until 6pm.

Guests are welcome to stay all day or come and go as they please. Christmas dinner will be served at about 1pm and Christmas tea at around 4pm. During the day there will be music and other entertainment

Transport can be arranged for Christmas Day to and from the Marina Centre. There is a core team of around 30 volunteers who now help at Open Christmas every year with food preparation, transport, entertainment, and the many other tasks which need to be done to make this event run!

We understand that volunteers are still required and priority is given to those who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day.

The organisers, Mike and Rosie Hope, can be contacted on: 01508 480300

Mike and Rosie Hope started Norwich Open Christmas in 1992 and then moved onto Yarmouth to start a similar event there eight years ago. Mike and Rosie are the overall leaders of Open Christmas in Norfolk.

Christmas Day Events elsewhere in East Anglia 2009

2009-08-01T14:12:00.000+01:00

Open Door 2009 in Ipswich

Once again Burlington Baptist Church is cooking Christmas Lunch for people in Ipswich who just have nowhere else to go for Christmas Day, hence the name 'Open Door'. It is in its 20th year and has generally seen 30-50 people enjoy good food and a chance to relax and chat in a warm and festive atmosphere.

The event takes place at Burlington Baptist Church London Road Ipswich IP1 2EZ which is located a short distance west of the town centre. For further detail send an e-mail or phone the church administrator on 01473 259571

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army will be busy providing practical help, encouragement and spiritual comfort to thousands throughout the UK over the Christmas period. Projects include distributing toys to disadvantaged children, visiting the housebound and those in hospital and running a nightly soup run for the homeless.

Locally, some of their centres provide a Christmas Day meal for those on their own. If you wish to be a guest or volunteer, contact or phone your nearest Citadel for details.

Other organisations

Some churches, luncheon clubs and day centres offer a Christmas Day meal for their regular members. Often these are advertised on local noticeboards in community centres, shops and Post Offices.

Some like the Christmas Day Party run by the Aylsham and District Care Trust(ACT) have been fully booked since the beginning of November. ACT provides a range of services to older people and people with disabilities in and around the Aylsham district throughout the year.

If you are the organiser of a Christmas day meal in the East Anglian area and wish to list your event here, please send us full details

WANTED: Professional Doormen for Norwich Open Christmas 2009

2009-07-29T18:24:00.009+01:00

We are looking for at least two professional doormen with a Level 2 Certificate in Door Supervision to volunteer to man the main door during Christmas Day at St. Andrews Hall.

As Norwich Open Christmas works on limited resources which are provided and financed by gifts from companies, retailers, churches and individuals, we are unable to afford to hire such expertise for the day.

If you have the necessary qualification and would like to help us on a purely voluntary basis, please click here to e-mail us giving your name, address, telephone number and details of your qualification. We will provide you with a Christmas meal, refreshments and refund reasonable travelling expenses.

We would also be pleased to hear from any local security firms who would be willing to provide security cover free of charge or at a considerably reduced rate for the day.

Ten ways to support Norwich Open Christmas throughout the year

2009-07-28T20:57:00.002+01:00

The next Norwich Open Christmas will soon be here and people will shortly be commenting how time has flown since last Christmas.
Here are ten suggestions how you can support us throughout the year and spread a little Christmas cheer along the way

Use Everyclick.com as your search engine. This benefits the Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal, our partner charity who supply the food for our Christmas lunch. Each search donates a penny or so but as they say, "Every little helps!"
Paste the address below into your favorites and add this message to the signature in any e-mail you may send:

Raise money for BUCKINGHAM EMERGENCY FOOD APPEAL with Everyclick.com - http://www.everyclick.com/buckingham-emergency-food-appeal/327876/0
If someone you know suffers a bereavement, divorce or stressful incident during the year, make a note in your diary now to check in early December if they are going to be alone on Christmas Day. If they are, invite them to join us at Open Christmas
Collect any clean, good condition clothing or shoes you no longer need and bag them up ready to deliver to St. Andrews Hall on Christmas Eve. Any clothing left over after Christmas Day is taken to one of the local charity shops
Countdown to Christmas with us by regularly logging onto this blogspot to get the latest news
Download and print our A4 poster onto coloured paper for the notice board at your work, social club, sports club or church. Do seek permission from the appropriate person prior to putting it up and take it down promptly once Christmas Day is past. Download the poster in PDF format by right clicking here and then "Save Target As..."
If you are a member of a local voluntary organisation or church that has it's own website, ask the webmaster to post a news item and link to the Norwich Open Christmas BlogSpot on the website.
If you have a personal website or BlogSpot, please post about your experiences at Norwich Open Christmas and a link to the Norwich Open Christmas BlogSpot.
Collect non perishables for our "goody-bags" as listed. Please ensure that any food has a "Use by" date of February 2010 or later
Come up with an original idea yourself of ways of supporting Open Christmas throughout the year and let us know
Spread the word by sharing these ten points with your friends by clicking on the envelope below.

Thank you and may I be one of the first to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Norwich Open Christmas 2008

2009-04-08T17:44:00.004+01:00

Click on the PLAY button to watch a slide show of pictures from Christmas Day 2008. The slides are accompanied by a recording of Dr. Christopher Sharpe playing the organ of St. Andrews Hall.

Creature Comforts - Merry Christmas

2009-04-01T09:01:00.001+01:00

For some different views of Christmas, courtesy of Aardman Animations:

Animals and even a turkey talk about Christmas

Reindeers talking about Father Christmas

and finally, a seasonal warning in a Christmas ad first broadcast in 2007

Click on your back button to return to this blogspot

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Open Christmas 2008 in the media

2008-12-29T20:20:00.005Z

Prior to the event, Open Christmas was featured on 99.9 Radio Norwich, BBC Radio Norfolk and Future Radio and in articles in the local press:

EDP 24 - Offering a friendly hand this Christmas

Evening News 24 - Meet the Christmas Day workers

Local press journalists and a photographer visited the event and you can read their reports here:

EDP 24 - Festive lunch for 400 lonely diners

Evening News 24 - 400 people share a special Christmas

Future Radio Presenter Mike Doble featured requests and dedications from volunteers and guests on his breakfast show from 7AM to 10AM on 96.9FM during Christmas morning and then came to the Halls to interview volunteers and guests for later broadcast

Open Christmas 2008 in pictures

2008-12-29T20:04:00.016Z

Captions to follow

2008 Open Christmas Update

2008-12-22T14:56:00.004Z

CHRISTMAS EVE LATEST
If you are coming to St. Andrews Hall tomorrow and you have any coat hangars for which you have no further use, please could you bring them with you.

NON-PERISHABLE GOODS REQUIRED

Every year we like to give all the guests a goody bag to take away so that they are set up for the rest of the festive season and we are asking for your help to find up enough stuff to fill these bags:

Festive fare like individual Christmas puddings, “Posh” biscuits, and small fruit cake (e.g. Dundee),
Jars of jam and marmalade
Small Jars of coffee and small boxes of Tea Bags
Bags of sugar
“Cup o’ soups” and packets of instant custard
Small tins of stew, sausages & beans, salmon, ham, potatoes, peas and other vegetables
Small Fray Bentos steak & kidney pie
Small tins of fruit salad
Savouries like crisps in individual and large variety bags

We also need:

Socks (adult size and unisex)
Warm gloves, scarves and hats (unisex)
Any warm winter clothing new or used in good condition
Sleeping Bags or waterproof bivouacs for those who sleep rough or on a friend’s floor are especially popular

Boxes or tins of biscuits for use by the refreshment team on the day would also be much appreciated.

NB
Items should be non-perishable and the best before date should be February 2009 or later
Most guests live on their own so “small” items are more appropriate.
Clothing should be in good condition. If it is in a condition where you wouldn’t wear it yourself, please don’t give it to Open Christmas.

If you have collected items or are planning to do so, please bring them to St. Andrews Hall on Christmas Eve afternoon between 2PM and 5PM. Unless you have notified us previously, we are unable to collect them at this late stage.

OPEN CHRISTMAS ON 99.9FM Radio Norwich

Listen out for Colin Harper, one of the NOC organisers being interviewed on Radio Norwich on Christmas Eve

DRIVERS REQUIRED

Latest 21st December: We now only need drivers for the afternoon shift from 2PM to 6PM to provide transport for our guests. Many of our guests make their own way to St. Andrews Hall during the morning but like a lift home in the afternoon when it is dark and they have the NOC goody bag and any clothes they have collected to carry.

HALL VOLUNTEERS

We have had many offers of help this year and are very grateful for the interest shown. At the end of October, a month earlier than last year we closed our books to general volunteers and have no current vacancies.

Please note that we have been informed that the Salvation Army, the Aylsham Care Trust and the Fountain of Life Church in Ashill also have sufficient volunteers. We are sorry to disappoint people but we have been heavily oversubscribed this year.

What's happening at Open Christmas 2008?

2008-12-21T18:38:00.004Z

Join Mike Doble on Future Radio 96.9FM from 7AM on Christmas morning as he will be featuring Open Christmas throughout his breakfast show. To send Christmas Day greetings during the show to a friend, the guests and volunteers at Open Christmas or to the world in general, you can text: future (+ your message) to 60066 or email the studio: studio@futureradio.co.uk
You can also phone the studio during the programme on 01603 455250

Around 10AM Mike will make his way to the Hall to join the guests and volunteers and to meet listeners and collect dedications to phone through to the studio until lunch is served. We will be relaying Future Radio 96.9 FM to St. Andrews Hall until the stage programme gets underway at 1130AM.

At 11.30am, David our compere and entertainment coordinator, introduces Tony Bailey playing a medley of tunes on the St. Andrews Hall Grand piano

12.00 noon It’s participation time; carol singing for all, and yes, that includes you! Accompanied by Tony and some young friends.

12.30 pm More from Tony whilst you enjoy your meal.

1.00 pm A seasonal organ recital on the magnificent St. Andrew’s Hall instrument, with Dr. Christopher Sharpe in the driving seat.

1.30 pm Chris Turpin, all the way from Bath, has a bottle neck ……. and a guitar. His current band is Killitkid

2.00 pm Time to engage the old grey matter for our Trivia Quiz. Liase with your table companions to win a token prize and acclamation from your peers..

2.30 pm Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Heather Enid Wells and Rick Hayward to entertain us. Together they are known as A Little Uneasy

3.00 pm Your first opportunity to shout ‘house!‘ in our first bingo session. Mystery prizes with a bit of luck.

3.30 pm Last year Mike Hone had the flu. Next year he will have flown (to New Zealand). This year he will let fly and have you on the floor dancing. Find out more about him on MySpace

4.00 pm Here's two dirty desperadoes from Dereham; Axel Loughrey on resonator and harmonica, and Simon Hallett on bodhran and cajon, who are gonna boogie on down the hard shoulder of that ol blues road...

4.30 pm Last chance for a mystery prize in our second bingo session.

5.00 pm Time for good-byes and thank you's, with a free ride home for the asking.

And, Finally....
To enjoy all this, you don't need one of these to attend

Visiting Norwich for Christmas?

2008-08-13T20:06:00.004+01:00

Many visitors to this blogspot are looking for information on places to eat and meet with friends and family on Christmas Day in Norwich. This page is designed to point you in the right direction and we hope that the information given will help you to have a happy time at Christmas.

Visit Norwich - the essential official guide

Go here for information and suggestions on where to stay, what to do, when to go out with the events listing, where to eat, where to shop and information on local heritage, landmarks and the environment.

Visitors to Norwich this Christmas season will be greeted with a host of activities in the city centre, ranging from carol concerts, live music and children’s entertainment to locally-produced foods and crafts.

Between 3rd - 14th December, Norwich will be hosting its second Christmas festival, called “NORWICHRISTMAS, The City’s Festive Fayre”
More information from Visit Norwich here

The Norwich Inns website lists forty independently owned Public Houses, Restaurants, Hotels, Theme Parks and Leisure Facilities through out Norfolk. The style of each outlet varies, reflecting the individuality of the owners. Each listing has full details together with symbols to show the facilities offered at each establishment. Many offer food while some offer accomodation. A quick phone call to the number given will establish what they offer on Christmas Day

For details of Churches and Christian events over the Christmas period, visit Network Norwich

Thank you for visiting the Norwich Open Christmas BlogSpot.
For many, Christmas is a lonely or sad time and that's why we run Open Christmas. If you know someone in Norwich who will be alone on Christmas Day or is dreading spending the day in their own home because of something that has happened, spread a little Christmas cheer and ask them if they would like to join us

Continue your search by clicking here to use our search engine to help us raise funds to run our event without it costing you a penny!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Regular NOC volunteer Lil Standage retires from the All Saints Centre

2008-08-12T20:19:00.008+01:00

Norwich Open Christmas volunteers and visitors will know Lil Standage as one of the regular team who organise the event. We think she has only missed one Open Christmas since the event started!

In August Lil will retire from her day job as manager at the All Saints Centre in Westlegate after 18 years providing advice and care for hundreds of people who passed through it's doors.

The All Saints Centre has been a place of “Christian hospitality” for many years and anyone is welcomed into the centre if they are in need of information, a rest a chat, meeting friends, leaving luggage, or requiring refreshments.

Funded by donations and manned by volunteers and a small team of paid staff, the centre is now open seven days a week. One of the initiatives that Lil helped pioneer was opening the centre on Sunday. She felt it was important because Sunday is a day for the family and there are many people who don't have anyone so ASC is a place they can come for company.

She told the Evening News in an article published to mark her retirement: “I would like to see employers being more open minded about people that have no fixed abode. People who are homeless and trying to get back on their feet really struggle because no one will employ them. It is very hard for some people.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here but I think you know in life when it is time to move on and this is time for me now.”

We offer Lil our best wishes for a long and enjoyable retirement and look forward to seeing her at Open Christmas.

SHARE THIS POST WITH A FRIEND

Want to share something you've read on this blogspot? You can e-mail any of the posts to a friend by clicking on the envelope symbol at the bottom of each post

Norwich Open Christmas 2007 in pictures

2008-01-02T17:03:00.002Z

A full entertainment programme included carol singing led by a group of volunteers accompanied by Tony on the piano.
350 guests were served a full Christmas lunch at their table by a team of volunteer waiters and waitresses
As lunch was served, festive music was played by Dr. Christopher Sharpe on the St. Andrews Hall's traditional pipe organ
Guests were able to have a Christmas chat with the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Roy Blower
Heads Down! The quiz time after lunch with prizes to share for the winning table was popular. Many stayed to take part in the Bingo session later in the afternoon.
I did it my way! Open Christmas wouldn't be the same without this guest who regularly gives us an inpromptu rendition of the Frank Sinatra hit accompanied by one of our regular entertainers, Heather Enid Wells.

Share your memories of Norwich Open Christmas 2007 by clicking on the word COMMENTS at the bottom of this post.

Thank You

2008-01-02T16:45:00.000Z

A big thank you to:

All our volunteers and drivers who worked so hard to make the event a success
The Lord Mayor and the Sheriff who not only made the Halls available to us without charge but who came along to help at the event with their partners. Also the City Council staff who staffed the Halls during the day.
All those who took part in the entertainment programme
the firms who collected non-perishable goods to enable us to send every guest home with a goody bag to help them through the season.
the individuals and firms who donated money, food and clothing
the individuals, firms and churches who loaned us catering equipment
the local media including the Eastern Daily Press, Eastern Evening News, BBC Radio Norfolk and Future Radio who gave us good coverage
All those who supported us in any other way

And finally, if you were a guest, thank you to you for coming to Norwich Open Christmas! We hope to see you again!

2007 Open Christmas Latest

2007-12-12T18:25:00.000Z

Help Required:

At the moment we have enough general volunteers on our list to run the event this year.

However, if you are going to be totally on your own (perhaps for the first time) on Christmas Day for whatever reason and want company while being busy helping others, please telephone Norwich 624877 and talk to our coordinators about how you can help. Alternatively, contact us by e-mail

If you have your own transport, you could ask Yarmouth Open Christmas whether they are still looking for volunteers.

Norwich Open Christmas 2007

2007-10-09T19:10:00.000+01:00

St. Andrews Hall awaits our guests on Christmas Eve 2005

The phone has been ringing and e-mails have been received asking whether we are running Norwich Open Christmas this year. Yes we are!

As in previous years we will be providing the usual mixture of seasonal food, warming drinks, entertainment and company for those who find themselves homeless or on their own in the Norwich area on Christmas Day.

Whether you are one of our regular guests or volunteers, or someone planning to come for the first time, everyone is welcome.

The event runs between 11AM and 5PM at St. Andrews Hall, Norwich.

If you would like to help us by publicising Norwich Open Christmas by putting up a poster in your shop window, pub, club, church, social centre, hostel or on your community noticeboard, please send us a poster request e-mail with your name and address to Norwich Open Christmas

PS: If you live closer to Great Yarmouth than Norwich, our colleagues at Yarmouth Open Christmas will be pleased to welcome you to their event at the Marina Centre between 11AM and 5PM

Update 2006

2006-12-20T14:29:00.000Z

We have enough volunteers to help at the hall but we are short of drivers. If you have a car and are willing to drive, please contact Ben & Denise on 01603 300506

Countdown to Christmas Day 2006

2006-12-04T19:27:00.000Z

St. Andrews Hall awaits our guests on Christmas Eve 2005

With just days to Open Christmas:

70 volunteers have been briefed,
the entertainment scheduled and confirmed,
the driver's routes planned and checked,
the chef, Father Christmas, Lord Mayor and Sheriff booked to appear,
the ingredients of the main meal ordered from Michael Buckingham's Christmas Appeal,
the crockery and cutlery sourced,
the publicity sent out to local shops, churches, parish noticeboards, voluntary organisations and the media,
the extra fridge, decorations, crib, Christmas Tree all standing by.

All ready for the 300 or so guests who will visit us on Christmas Day.

If you know anyone who will be on their own on Christmas Day for whatever reason and who would like some company, a hot meal and entertainment, please get them to come along to St. Andrews Hall between 11AM and 5PM on Christams Day.

For transport to and from the Hall on the day, please phone Norwich 300506.

Bonkers EU rules mean no cakes for the homeless

2006-12-04T18:46:00.000Z

Under the above headline, the Eastern Evening News reports on how
Bonkers European Union rules mean perfectly good cakes which could have been given to homeless people for Christmas dinner will instead go into landfill.

The lack of food gifts doesn't just affect what we do on Christmas Day but also what we can do for our guests on subsequent days.

Our guests usually leave us with a goody bag to help them through the rest of the season when their usual sources of sustenance (meals on wheels, luncheon clubs, drop-in centres, etc) are not available.

Our grateful thanks to Archant, the publishers of the Evening News, for agreeing to let Open Christmas advertise the event for free in their publications. The money we were going to spend on advertising can now be made available to make up the shortfall of food gifts.

After Open Christmas, what else can I volunteer to do?

2006-11-28T21:46:00.006Z

Become a "Sam" The Samaritans are looking for volunteers

For opportunities, further afield, log onto the national volunteering database: Do-it.org.uk

FAQ: Where does the food come from?

2006-11-28T19:27:00.002Z

A large proportion of the food which NOC uses on Christmas Day comes from the Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal (BEFA) which is a Norfolk based registered charity with roots in the farming community and a strong commitment to the people of Norfolk.

Founded twenty four years ago, BEFA's mission is to collect good food from the people of Norfolk to help feed the homeless and those fleeing domestic violence at Christmas.

BEFA distributes food through established shelters, supported accommodation projects, Open Christmas events and experienced agencies such as the Salvation Army which have daily contact with the homeless and vulnerable.

BEFA has no paid staff and keeps administration costs to a negligible amount. So, almost every penny donated goes to purchase food.

BEFA 2008 statistics

Local farmers donated most of the fresh produce – more than 40 pallets of fruit and vegetables. Food Wholesalers and Manufacturers donate foodstuffs at Christmas and during the course of the year too. The total value of food donated last year was over £60,000.

Norfolk schoolchildren donated sugar a packet at a time – over 4 tonnes. British Sugar matched the “Silver Spoon” sugar donated, bringing the total amount of sugar collected and distributed to shelters and projects to over 6 tonnes!

Norfolk families, schools, clubs and other local charities like Norwich Open Christmas made donations of cash totalling over £25,000 during 2008, which was used to purchase those necessary food items (like turkeys and Christmas Puddings) which had not been donated.

Local volunteers donate time, office space and stationery while local businesses help with postage, copying, transportation and warehousing.

In all, BEFA provided food for more than 15,000 meals for the homeless and lonely of Norfolk over Christmas 2008 and the following ten or so days.

In addition, BEFA sent lorryloads of food to Cambridgeshire, to Manchester for 41 homeless projects, soup kitchens and refuges in the northwest, and one to Food for All in London. All these lorries were filled to overflowing!

In all, over the Christmas period 2008 BEFA calculated that they were responsible for supplying 55,000 meals!

To contact the Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal, please click here and we will pass your message on.

Help BEFA without leaving your PC

Norwich Open Christmas is proud to be raising funds for the BUCKINGHAM EMERGENCY FOOD APPEAL by using a great new search engine called Everyclick.com. Everyclick has already raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity and there’s no cost to the user or the charity.

It's a great way for us to help charity every day of the year.

Join in and help us raise more: Everyclick.com

FAQ - How can I make a donation?

2006-11-28T19:02:00.002Z

To enable supporters and well-wishers to make donations online using a credit card or other means, we have linked up with Everyclick.com.

Any money donated goes directly to the Buckingham Emergency Food Appeal, our partner charity based in North Norfolk, who supply the food for the Christmas meal we serve at Norwich Open Christmas.
Although Everyclick charge for this service, we understand that this arrangement means that the amount can be enhanced with a tax rebate if available without causing the charity extra paperwork.

To donate, please click the "DONATE NOW" button in the side-bar.

Thank You and a Happy and Peaceful Christmas to you

Homeless In Norwich - the Eastern Evening News investigates

2006-09-23T14:19:00.000+01:00

The National Homeless Statistics Source: DWP. Copyright acknowledged

At Norwich Open Christmas, we have been led to believe that homelessness has become less of an issue in Norwich and nationally(see above)in recent years. We have found that only a few of our guests on Christmas Day admit to having slept rough on the streets of Norwich on Christmas Eve.

However, in the last few months the Eastern Evening News, our local newspaper, has been regularly contacted by people trying to find somewhere temporary to sleep in our city. Hostels are full and have long waiting lists and there are restrictions on access to certain accommodation and council housing.

As part of his research, Eastern Evening News reporter, David Powles went undercover, declared himself homeless with just £5 in his pocket and spent 48 hours on the streets of Norwich to find what help was available

He concluded that the problem is worse than the statistics show, that there are not enough hostels, that provision is targetted at those with a drugs, psychiatric or drink problems and the homeless feel isolated and fear being attacked.

Will there be a larger percentage of homeless guests at Open Christmas this year? Who knows?

What matters is that we will there to welcome them.

To follow David Powles' investigation, here is his story Homeless: A diary of life on the streets

His conclusions are found at Shameful: The plight of our homeless

He also posted a video diary

Already Thinking About Christmas

2006-07-10T17:59:00.000+01:00

Despite the fact that the OC committee meet regularly in the run up to Christmas Day and on the day itself, we do not really socialise together.

To put that right, we recently got together on a warm summer's evening for a barbecue and a chat in a secluded garden in the south of Norwich.

Did our thoughts turn to Christmas Day?

Yes.

We wondered if the lower setting ordered this year by the magistrates for the sound limiter at St.Andrews Hall would interrupt the annual rendition of " I did it my way" by Robbie Lord and even worse, interrupt the dulcet tones of David calling out the bingo numbers!

As Christmas Eve is a Sunday this year, we also queried what day we would prepare the food at City College and at what time we would need people to visit the shops who usually donate surplus food.

And yes, we did catch up on each other's news.....

One told of his marathon running exploits, another of his trip to Germany to watch ten matches at the World Cup without seeing England play once, another showed us a superb collection of his own bird photographs taken over the last two years and one proud couple introduced us to their new son.

Lil telling us that she now opens the All Saints Centre on Sunday reminded us that Sunday can also be a lonely day for many and that there is a need for people to practically support initiatives which offer hospitality and friendship to those who would otherwise be on their own all the year round.

Nightstop to start in Norwich

2006-05-11T20:22:00.000+01:00

A new scheme to provide emergency short-term accommodation to homeless young people in Norwich is to be launched by YMCA Norfolk.

The Nightstop scheme aims to provide up to three nights’ emergency accommodation in volunteers’ homes for young people between the ages of 16 and 24 and should be up and running by the autumn.

Click here to read the Network Norwich story about the Norwich scheme and how to volunteer.

Click here to find about the national organisation Nightstop-UK.

Christmas Cakes at Three O'Clock - Over and Out

2006-05-03T13:25:00.000+01:00

For many years the Catering Section at RAF Coltishall made a regular donation of Christmas Cakes which were shared between the OC events at Norwich and Great Yarmouth. Unfortunately, due to the base closing this has come to an end.

On April 1st, 2006 the iconic Jaguar fighters flew from RAF Coltishall for the last time, marking the end of the aircraft's 32-year association with Coltishall. 66 years of operational flying at the illustrious Battle of Britain station has finished and the base will close completely later in the year.

This picture taken in December 2004 by a RAF staff photographer shows Sergeant Mark Taylor and other members of the team presenting cakes, all individually crafted by members of the Catering Section, to Mike Hope, the founder of Norwich Open Christmas.

Our thanks go to all the RAF personnel involved in making the cakes and crafting the decoration over the years.

'The French Resistance Lady'

2006-04-21T17:48:00.000+01:00

One of our regular Open Christmas guests, Mireille Herveic, who was also known as Muriel Grix has died in hospital at the age of 91.

Her last appearance at Open Christmas was December 2004 and when I took her home in the afternoon, she told me about her life and showed me some of her collection of memorabilia.

She was a heroine of the French Resistance who helped hundreds escape from the Nazis during World War Two. She risked her life to escort men across mine fields to waiting boats and helped others with safe routes to the Pyrenees. Her most daring documented exploit was to lead seven Canadian airmen from Paris to the coast of Brittany dressed as German peasants.

Several of the men who she helped during WW2 kept in touch with her and she visited some of them in Canada.

Trained as a nurse, she also had taken part in missionary work in the Congo, Calcutta and the Ukraine prior to marrying Albert Grix, a farmworker from Aylsham in 1958. She then worked at the Whitlingham Hospital.

More at Franco-American News & Events, 4: A heroine of Resistance dies

What is Norwich Open Christmas?

2006-04-18T19:18:00.002+01:00

Norwich Open Christmas is an event that runs from 11AM to 5PM on Christmas Day in St.Andrews Hall in Norwich, Norfolk, England.

2010 will be the 19th year that the Open Christmas volunteer team will provide a roof, a hot meal, entertainment and a warm welcome for those who are on their own or homeless in the Norwich area.

Over 300 guests come from all over Norwich and the surrounding area and from all walks of life.
Some are homeless or on the streets, some just dread being alone on Christmas Day following a bereavement, a marriage breakup or some other traumatic happening in their life, some can not visit relations for Christmas as they live far away, some are unwanted by their family, some find that their usual support services are closed, some are elderly, some are young, some think of ending it all and thankfully seek the company of others before it is too late.

Whatever the reason, they are welcomed.

Meals and transport are provided free of charge, guests are welcome to stay all day or come and go as they please. no booking is required.

Who runs Open Christmas?

There is a growing team of committed volunteers who help at Open Christmas every year with food preparation, hall decoration, transport, entertainment, greeting guests and the many other tasks which need doing. Some have been with us since the first event. Significantly, some of our volunteers have been needy guests in the past and return to help as a thank you. Other people contact us during the early autumn to offer their services and swell the volunteer team to over 60 people.

Who supports us?

The Lord Mayor or Sheriff usually visits on Christmas Day to give an official civic welcome to our guests as St. Andrew's Hall is provided free of charge by the council

Several ministers of religion pop in to greet our guests and to make themselves available to our guests if required.

Donations of food, clothing, equipment, decorations and money come from individuals, church groups, local companies, schools, the City College and retailers.

What happens?

Entertainment can include carol singing, an organ recital, a quiz, bingo, country dancing, folk singers and solo artists.

Some volunteers welcome the guests, others host tables, fetch mugs of coffee or tea as required and enable conversations and friendships to start.

And that is what Open Christmas is really all about

Providing a welcome, company and friendship for those who would otherwise spend a lonely and miserable Christmas Day on their own in the City of Norwich.