The best spots for Christmas shopping
Plus: The magic of Polka at Christmas
Good morning, Wimblers — I hope that everyone has had a lovely week.
Grab your copy of The Wimble’s Christmas edition in the Quarter or at Wimbledon station. This is your last chance as copies are running out!
I’m still looking for people’s opinions and experiences with the District line. If you have any anecdotes, send them to me at zak@thewimble.com.
This week, we’ve got your usual news snippets, a lovely property of the week and some great recommendations for the coming week, plus a short and snappy list of places to go for last-minute Christmas shopping. We also sat down Helen Matravers, the Artistic Director of Polka Theatre, to talk about the magic of Polka at Christmas.
Happy reading!
News snippets 🗞
🔥 Six fire engines and 40 firefighters tackled a fire at a house on Warwick Road last Friday. The fire is believed to have been accidental and was caused by an electrical fault. Control Officers took the first of three calls at 3.14am, and responders had the blaze under control and extinguished by 5.46am.
⚠️ A person has died after being hit by a train at Wimbledon station on Monday. The ambulance service was called at 2.23pm after reports of an incident at Wimbledon station. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Read more here.
♻️ I know, I know… Who wants to hear about rubbish? But this time of year is particularly bad for waste disposal. But have no fear! Just click here to read all about your rubbish and recycling collections, Christmas tree disposals, and opening hours at Garth Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre.
This week’s Wimble sponsor ⛳️
Caddi Club is gearing up for Christmas. Make sure to check out all of their events and packages for the festive season here. Caddi Club is the biggest indoor golf venue of its kind in Europe. Aren’t we Wimblers lucky to have it on our doorstep? But even if your golf skills leave much to be desired, Caddi Club is a great place to hang out, grab a drink, meet some friends or just get some work done.
Property of the week 🏡
This property of the week is perfectly located between the village and Wimbledon station. Just off Spencer Hill, this deceptively large five-bedroom home boasts original features, a beautiful garden and just has a timeless feel to it. I think the fireplace in the reception room is really what brings this house together. The price? £2.45m. So, not cheap — but what do you expect from SW19? Check out more photos here.
The Wimble’s to-do list ⛸
⛸️ Gear for Good’s pre-loved Snowsport pop-up: Iglu Ski are bringing a fantastic one-day pop-up event to Wimbledon Quarter this Saturday, where you can buy pre-loved snow sport clothing and equipment with all proceeds going to Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK). There will be skis, snowboards, boots, jackets, trousers, gloves, goggles, backpacks and other accessories.
Where: Wimbledon Quarter
When: Saturday 13 December, 10am–4pm
🖼️ Planet Art Christmas Camp: This camp is designed for children aged 4–9 and offers three joyful days of festive arts and crafts, creative games and loads of Christmas cheer. Each day costs £65 and spaces can be booked via their website.
Where: The Study Prep, Camp Road
When: Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 December, 9.30am–3.30pm
🍻 The Big Fat Christmas Quiz: Gather your smartest friends and head up to the Rose & Crown for this year’s Big Fat Christmas Quiz! The brilliant quizmaster Duncan will be hosting, and teams better bring their A game.
Where: Rose & Crown
When: Tuesday 16 December, 8–10pm
🥧 Man Vs Santa — mince pie eating competition: The Hand in Hand’s annual mince pie eating competition is back. Do you consider yourself a mince pie lover? How many mince pies can you eat between Christmas and New Year? Can you beat the man in red and some of our local champions? If this event sounds like it’s for you, click here to book your spot.
Where: Hand in Hand
When: Wednesday 17 December, 7.30–9pm
💞 Date and Skate: This event at the Quarter’s ice rink invites couples, friends and families to glide across the real-ice rink under twinkling lights while a live local choir fills the air with beautiful Christmas classics. How romantic! Book your spot here.
Where: Wimbledon Quarter
When: Thursday 18 December, 7–7.45pm/8–8.45pm
🎶 Christmas Sing-a-Long Concert: Next Friday, conductor Georg Tormann leads you through a selection of Christmas hits, including: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Merry Christmas Everyone, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, The Fairytale of New York, O Holy Night, White Christmas and more. If you fancy a proper sing-along, then this one is for you. Tickets can be bought here.
Where: New Wimbledon Theatre
When: Friday 19 December, 5.30–7.30pm
The best spots for some last-minute festive shopping 🎄
Don’t worry, you’ve still got plenty of time to grab your Christmas gifts this year. But if you do find yourself in the unfortunate position of panicking this month, keep these seven spots in mind!
Elys — 16 St George’s Road
Open for just short of 150 years, Elys is not only a Wimbledon gem, it’s a piece of history. And they know what they’re doing when it comes to shopping. If you’re in a bit of a gift-buying panic this Christmas, then Elys is the place for you. They have everything from beauty products and children’s toys to furniture and men’s and women’s clothes. If, like me, you do most of your shopping in one day, then look no further. I’m still waiting for the Netflix version of Mr Selfridge set in Elys.
Søstrene Grene — 51 The Broadway
The Danish family-owned retail chain is a relatively new and welcome addition to Wimbledon’s town centre. Søstrene Grene specialise in Scandinavian-inspired home furnishings, scented candles, artisan accessories, craft supplies and much more. If affordable and chic home items are your thing, then look no further.
Wimbledon Christmas Market — The Piazza
If you’re in need of some inspiration then look no further. This Christmas market (taking place from today through to Sunday) is chock-a-block with independent stalls selling their handmade crafts, jewellery, art and more. The market is perfect for unique gifts and supporting small businesses.
Oliver Bonas — Wimbledon Quarter
The independent British lifestyle store has been a go-to for Christmas shopping since its inception in 1993. Over the past 30 years, they have gone from strength to strength and now boast more than 60 shops nationwide. Head here for everything from clothing and accessories to homeware and tasteful little gifts.
Un-Common — 38B High Street, Wimbledon Village
The name is both a tribute to Wimbledon Common and a nod to the lesser known brands and designers that this independent clothing retailer offers. They have everything from belts and hats to woven tops and dramatic overcoats. This is the perfect spot to pick up some Christmas presents for all the women in your family.
Hotel Chocolat — Wimbledon Quarter
If all else fails, there’s always chocolate! Who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate at Christmas? And Hotel Chocolat knows what they’re doing when it comes to cocoa beans. They even sell pre-wrapped and selected gift bundles. Oh, and while you’re there, make sure to try out their delicious freshly made hot chocolates.
Lush — 5 Wimbledon Bridge
Since its foundation in 1995, Lush has been at the forefront of cruelty-free cosmetics. All of their products are vegetarian, and the majority are also vegan. They also offer festive collections to make last-minute buying just that bit more painless. Did somebody say ridiculously vibrant bath bombs?
The magic of Polka Theatre ✨
Helen Matravers is the Artistic Director of Polka Theatre, one of Wimbledon’s cultural gems. We sat down to talk about the theatre’s missions, ambitions and the magic of theatre at Christmas.
What is it that makes Polka so special?
We’re producing shows that rival the ‘adult theatre world’. We’re also really trying to expand our market for children ages 8-13. It’s often during those years where children may be struggling with their identity, self-confidence or feeling like they don’t belong. We’re looking for those shows that empower children, that boost their confidence and represent everyone.
Tell us what Christmas is like for you here?
For me, Polka at Christmas is like one big joyful hug. Our Christmas shows are there to bring a smile to the faces of not just the children but also the parents and other family members too. There’s something pretty special about a family experiencing the same live moment. I’ve watched shows here at Christmas with my niece on my lap, and I’ve not wanted to let her go because experiencing her experiencing theatre at Christmas for the first time is so precious.
Can you tell me a little bit about what’s on this Christmas?
In our Y C Chan Theatre, we’ve got an adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Firework-Maker’s Daughter. It’s a beautiful story about a young girl who wants to be a firework maker, but unfortunately he leads her to believe that she doesn’t have what it takes to follow in his footsteps. So she sets off on this adventure to find out what it takes to be a successful firemaker.
In our studio theatre, we have an adaptation of Benji Davies’s The Snowflake. This one is aimed at a slightly younger audience of children ages 3-8. It’s a gorgeous show filled with puppetry and songs and tells the story of a young girl who has to write a poem with the help of her mum and Papi (her grandad).
And what are your ambitions in the New Year and beyond?
We’re constantly reviewing our offers and talking to young people about what they want to see. We’re developing a musical about the Greek gods, which is really exciting. But the real dream is to reach more people across the country. We already have quite a few schemes to enhance accessibility, and we want to keep growing those. We have one called Curtain Up, where we give away 9,000 free tickets each year to certain schools that can’t afford tickets. We also have a scheme called Polka Invites where families from local communities are referred to us and they’re invited to our shows for free and given free workshops.
Question of the week 🔍
Last week, I asked you when Elys opened its doors in Wimbledon. The answer: 1876.
Q: What year did Henry VIII visit Wimbledon?
You’re up to date 👋
Thank you for reading this week’s edition of The Wimble. Please do grab your copy of the Christmas print edition if you haven’t already. As mentioned earlier, if you have any stories or opinions about your commute on the District line, drop me an email: zak@thewimble.com. Other than that, have a great rest of the week and we’ll see you next time!