Family fun in and around Swindon

2 Widow Twankey’s Silly Sock Puppets put their best feet forward from 11am in the Spotlight Room, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon today. For those that have seen Aladdin, you’ll know that poor old Widow Twankey is a little hard up and so she’s keen to make do and mend all the clothes in her laundry! So be good boys and girls and pick up those old socks and get ready to give them a new lease of life, we’ll learn how to use basic stitching, add embellishments and transform something old into something very cool! Please bring your own pair of old socks, all further materials and light refreshments will be provided. Tickets are £5 from 01793 524481.

3 Robin Hood is a daring tale full of music, laughter and bravery suitable for all the family to enjoy today and all week. Robin Hood returns home to find the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham starving the local people of Sherwood Forest. Courageous, kind and headstrong, Robin can’t stand by and watch friends and family suffer so, as the most skilful archer in the land, he vows to be brave and stand up for the local people. The fearless, witty hero and a host of his lively friends set off on a mission to steal from the rich and give to the poor in this new adaptation written by acclaimed children's author Laura Dockrill. She has written numerous bestselling books and poetry collections including the popular Darcy Burdock series. Robin Hood is at The Watermill, Bagnor, Newbury. Tickets are £12 to £25 from 01635 45834. Please see website for times.

4 Peter Pan flies in to the Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath today. The swash-buckling and unmissable Christmas treat starring Paul Nicholas and Rebecca Wheatley, has flying, CGI special effects in the J M Barrie tale. Peter Pan is one of the best-loved stories in children’s literature. When Peter Pan flies into the Darling children’s nursery one night and takes them off to Neverland, a thrilling adventure begins… come with us to the magical world of Tinker Bell, Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys, where they do battle with the dastardly Captain Hook and his pirate crew. 01225 448844.

5 Aladdin brings some eastern promise to the Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, today. Written and directed by legendary Blue Peter presenter and actor Peter Duncan. Polish your lamp and book a magic carpet ride for the highlight of the season, where wishes do come true! See website for times and prices or call 01242 572573.

6 Cinderella will go to the ball at Bristol’s Hippodrome, tomorrow. Strictly sensation, comedian, king of pantomime and musical theatre star, Brian Conley, leads the cast in the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes. In this family-friendly show, packed with special effects and laugh-out-loud comedy, everyone’s favourite fashion guru Gok Wan will be offering helpful style tips to The Ugly Sisters and creating the most magical ball gown in panto-land for Cinderella in his role as The Fairy Gokmother. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cinderella/bristol-hippodrome/

78 WAMRC Winter Model Railway Show begins at 10am tomorrow at The Cheese & Grain, Market Yard, Frome. The Wessex Association of Model Railway Clubs Winter Show features a wide variety of model railway layouts, traders and demonstrators - suitable for all ages and skill levels. Tickets are £6. And Sunday.

Sunday

8 Swindon Scalextric Swapmeet begins at 10.30am tomorrow at the Oasis Leisure Centre, North Star Avenue, Swindon. Visitors and stall-holders from all over the world including Australia will converge on Swindon to take a look at the 60 tables bulging with Scalextric past & present. There are examples from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s through to modern releases and current catalogue at bargain prices. There are various circuits to race on, organised by Swindon Four Lane Blacktop. It is a friendly environment for children, families and the less-abled, and age is definitely no barrier! Tickets are £2.50 adults & £1 children under-16 from 01793 239141.

9 Cotswold Wildlife Park's penguin feeding takes place tomorrow at 11am and 3pm in the Walled Garden. There are keepers on hand to answer questions. Visit the Madagascar walk-through at noon to find out more about the creatures of this unique island and the conservation projects. One of the keepers will introduce you to the Lemurs and the other species that share this exhibit. There is no routine to the big cat feeding times; in the wild they will gorge themselves on a meal and probably not feed again for several days, so the big cats are not fed daily. All the animals in the children’s farmyard may be approached and in some cases will allow themselves to be touched or stroked. After touching the animals we do recommend that you wash your hands using the hand washing facilities at the farmyard. for more details of this family day out visit https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

10 One of the original cast members of the popular BBC drama EastEnders Adam Woodyatt, aka Ian Beale, takes on the role of Abanazar, the wicked uncle in Aladdin, today at the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. The family panto has an Aladdin’s cave full of surprises as the cast recreate the exciting story from The Arabian Nights. The enchanted story is full of Eastern promise including two genies, a magician, a magic carpet and magic lamp. The panto runs until January 6, 2019. For more details and tickets call 01793 524481 or visit www.swindontheatres.co.uk.