Special Santa Visit 9th December

A very special Santa is visiting George Yard on Sunday 9th December!  He speaks with his hands, using British Sign Language (BSL)! He is visiting especially to see children who have hearing difficulties and use BSL themselves. Other than this extra Santa-skill; it will be a visit to Santa just like all the children do each year in George Yard. The George Yard grotto is provided by Black Notley Scouts and the £3.50 charge for a visit (including an age-appropriate gift) helps with their fund raising every year. If you know a child (or adult) who would like to see this special Santa, you just need to drop us an email (admin@georgeyard.co.uk) or contact us through Facebook. We are pre-booking to make sure that we can fit everybody in, as this extra clever Santa is only visiting on this one occasion.

Gemma's Farm - Saturday 8th December

Farmer Gemma brings some live animals to George Yard on Saturday 8th December from 10.00am. Come and meet lots of Farm Animals and learn how they are cared for.

Saturday 24th Nov

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have taken the decision to cancel the visit from the "live" Reindeer. But do come and see our Christmas scene and lovely decorations! Our friends from Leisure FM will be broadcasting "live" from the bandstand and there will be some free giveaways (while stocks last) and competitions. All the fun starts at 10.00am and it's free!

Lights On in George Yard - Saturday 17th November at 5.00pm

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Come and see Father Christmas turn on the Lights at George Yard at 5.00pm on Saturday 17th November. He will have some friends from Pantoloons helping him out, giving away some Free Countdown Calendars (while stocks last) and sweeties. There will also be some puppet friends around the Centre during the day. Come and join in the Fun!

Spooky Halloween Art Zone Workshop

Get your costumes and carve out your pumpkins and get ready to have some Halloween fun! We are having a Halloween themed Art Zone Workshop on Saturday 27th Oct, where you can come and make something Spooky to take home with you. From 10.00am under the bandstand and its all free, come in your costumes and join in the fun!

Dinosaur Day Saturday 29th September 2018

They are coming again!  Bigger and better and more fierce than last year!   Come and meet the Wranglers of DINOSAURS! 10am -3pm                   
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Summer Music in George Yard

Why not bring your sandwiches and enjoy a FREE lunchtime concert under the bandstand. The Summer Concerts are on the following Dates: Sat 4th August Alison Jennings Sat 25th August Joe Fryd Sat 22nd Sept Ian "Solid Sax" Thompson All performances start at 1.00pm until 3.00pm, no need to book, just turn up!

Environment Day Sat June 16th 2018

George Yard Environment Day A4 PosterThere are many ways we can help the Environment. Here at George Yard we like to do our bit, so we have invited some Partners to come along and show you some ways that you can get involved! Our partners today will be: Essex Wildlife, RSPB, Essex Pygmy Hedgehogs and the BDC Recycling Trailer. We are waiting to hear from some other groups that we are hoping will attend to make this a fun and informative day. 10.00am - 3.00pm There will also be an Art Zone Workshop making Cress Heads and Potato Hedgehogs, come along and join in from 10am. All events under the Bandstand are Free!

Bocking Brass play in George Yard

Our friends from Bocking Brass make a welcome return to play for us on Saturday 2nd June from 10.30am to 12.30pm, under the Bandstand. All events under the bandstand are free!

Farmer Gemma brings some animals to George Yard Tues 29th May

Come and meet some furry or feathered friends from Gemma's Farm Tuesday 29th May from 10.00am until 3.00pm. Farmer Gemma is on hand to talk about the animals and what they eat, you may even get to stroke a few of them!
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Carved Wooden Garden Furniture and Ornaments

Our old friend Jez is bringing his beautifully carved ornaments and Garden Furniture to George Yard from Wednesday 2nd May until Saturday 5th May. Come on down and buy some lovely new furniture for a garden make-over in time for Summer!
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European Market comes to George Yard

The European Market is making a welcome return visit to George Yard from Thurs 26th until Sat 28th April. Come and see what's on offer!

The Day Before, The Day Before

 Swing Express will be playing live Music  11- 1pm   Free face painting  Hand drumming by Andy Franklin 1.30 – 2.3 Look out for our Animatronic Father Christmas on his tricycle who will entertain you  10 – 3pm – or maybe you will bump into Sherridan his friendly dog! All Bandstand events are free!

Community Carols

Our old friends Bocking Brass will be playing under the Bandstand from 10.30 - 12.30. Essex Horns will be playing under the Bandstand 1 -1.45 Essex Horns will also be accompanying  the Carols which will start at 2pm. We also have special guests Gemma Turner (soloist) ,  Vocal Reflections Choir and Stisted Hand Bells taking part in the concert. Come and join in the festive fun. We welcome all members of the community to recognise the season. All Bandstand events are free!

Living Nativity

Gemmas Farm along with our static display. All Bandstand events are free!

Reindeer Day

Real reindeer will be visiting Braintree during a quick stop in their practise flights! Leisure FM will be here doing a live broadcast – make your requests now! All Bandstand events are free!

Alpaca Day

Blackwater Alpacas will be bringing some Alpacas for all of you to come and pet. These are fantastic animals and it's worth the visit to see them! Come and visit between 10am – 3pm Look out for our Animatronic Father Christmas on his tricycle who will entertain you  10 – 3pm – or maybe you will bump into Sherridan his friendly dog! All Bandstand events are free!

Halloween Face Painting

We will be hosting a Halloween themed Art Zone along with free face painting under the Bandstand! All Bandstand events are free!

Remus Horse Sanctuary

Our old friends from Remus are visiting today,  bringing along their beautiful horses and ponies. You can see them under the Bandstand from 10 -3  All Bandstand events are free!

Dinosaur Day

We have a group of Dinosaurs coming to visit us. The really scary one is very big but the babies are small enough to cuddle. Lots to see and do with competitions and giveaways all day. Put it in your diary now - this is one not to miss! We will be running a colouring competition that will end on Dinosaur Day at 5pm so make sure all your entries are in the post box The prize will be a set of arts and crafts equipment Download the colouring competition here : Dinosaur colouring competition All Bandstand events are free!

Polish Day

We will be hosting a day under the Bandstand dedicated to Polish culture. There will also be an Wycinanki themed Art Zone today as well! All Bandstand events are free!

Art Zone Tuesday

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm The Art Zone theme for this is potato heads & spud painting ! Come along and create some potato head and spud paintings to take home with you! All Bandstand events are free!

Summer Music

Our old friend Ian (Solid Sax)back to entertain us, live under the Bandstand. Its great to see him back again! 1-3pm  All Bandstand events are free!

Seaside Day

We have Mr Pickles , our  children's entertainer,  offering Punch & Judy shows at various times during the day. With sand and water play, you can make sand castles and splish splash around with lots of toys!With walk about characters, bubble play and free facepainting, everybody should have a great day. Join in with our colouring competitions: CLICK HERE: Sea horse colour in picture "Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!"  All Bandstand events are free!

Art Zone Tuesday

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm All Bandstand events are free!  

Summer Music

Come and listen to the Acoustik Deut play live from 1-3pm under the Bandstand All Bandstand events are free!

Hedgehog Day

Come down to George Yard to see beautiful Pygmy Hedgehogs 10am – 3pm. Come and join in with our Hedgehog Trail (find the pictures in the shop windows) - And win £25 George Yard Shopping Centre vouchers we will also be having a Hedgehog quiz(entries in a draw for art materials) - And win a Hedgehog house and food! Name the Hedgehog competition - And win the Teddy Hedgehog along with £25 of George Yard Shopping Centre vouchers We also have a colouring competition download by clicking here Hedgehog colouring competition With a costume character  All Bandstand events are free!

Art Zone Tuesday

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm This weeks Art Zone is Monstrous Mayhem. So come along and create one large creature to take home!  All Bandstand events are free!

Summer Music

 Gemma Turner makes a welcome return visit. Hear her live 1-3pm under the Bandstand All Bandstand events are free!

Art Zone Tuesday

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm This weeks Art Zone theme is Pretty Posies or Voracious Vegetation   All Bandstand events are free!

Summer Music

Come and listen to Jamie McGuire live under the Bandstand  1-3pm.  All Bandstand events are free!

Art Zone Tuesday

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm This weeks Art Zone theme is Mini Beasts & other Monsters. So come along and build your own mini beast to take home! All Bandstand events are free!

Summer Music

Come and listen to the sounds of Spain with Javier Moreno Duet. They will be playing live from 1pm -3pm under the Bandstand. They will be playing Flamenco guitar and singing songs that will remind you of your Spanish holidays!   All Bandstand events are free!

Braintree & Witham Times

We will have Braintree and Witham Times under the Bandstand giving away free goodie bags to those who buy a paper from them between 11 am and  1 pm  All Bandstand events are free!  

Art Zone Tuesday

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm This weeks Art Zone theme is making your own cress head to take home! All Bandstand events are free!

Alpaca Day!

Blackwater Alpacas will be bringing in some Alpacas for all of you to come and pet. These are fantastic alpacas and its worth the visit to George Yard! Come and visit between 10am - 3pm All Bandstand events are free!

Street Food Day

Come and try a variety of food on the go.   Authentic Indian recipes, and Giggly Pig will be among the traders under the Bandstand. Sincere apologies but due to unforeseen circumstances Love Lobster and the Goodness Food Company are no longer able to attend on Saturday 8th, but come down and see the other fabulous food that will be available to try and buy!
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Braintree Art Trail 2017

The Braintree Art Trail has begun, with work by local artists on display in windows around George Yard Shopping Centre in Braintree. You can find an online copy of the map by clicking here Art Trail 2017 Leaflet, or when you’re in town you can pick up a map from outside the front of the George Yard Management Suite (just on the left after you enter the shopping centre from Bank Street). From there you can begin following the trail! Don’t miss out on the competition, which will give you the chance to win a full term of weekly classes in any of the classes are run in the Community Centre . For your chance to win, share a picture of yourself in front of your favourite display in the Art Trail with us. You will then be entered into the random draw at the end of the Art Trail. Please help the Community Centre by spreading the word with your friends and on social media! braintreecommunitycentre.org.uk

Farleigh Hospice (Creativity and Wellbeing week)

Farleigh Hospice will be coming into George Yard today as part of Creativity and Wellbeing week so come down and pay them a visit

Braintree Community Centre (Creativity and Wellbeing week)

Braintree Community Centre are launching their Summer School Brochure today. Come and sign up for a variety of different art and craft related day classes as well as their regular term time activities.

Braintree Rethink (Creativity and Wellbeing week)

We will be hosting Braintree Rethink Art Group under the Bandstand as part of Creativity and Wellbeing week so come down and join in! They will be demonstrating their art activities and displaying some of their work between 10 and 3pm.

Art Zone (Creativity and Wellbeing week)

Kids and Art!  We will be hosting an Art Zone under the Bandstand as part of Creativity and Wellbeing week so come down and join in! 10am – 3pm

Braintree Carnival Day

Come down to George Yard to take part in the Carnival themed Art Zone! 10am – 3pm    Have your face painted for free!   You can watch the Carnival go past between 2 and 3pm.  George Yard sponsors the Blue Falcons Gymnastic display in the parade. See the Colchester Institute Carnival walkers who made their own costumes!  The Carnival Queen, supported by her princesses, will lead the Parade, wearing the magnificent Crown also sponsored by George Yard.  

Bocking Brass

Come to George Yard to see Bocking Brass play under the Bandstand today!  We provide seats for you as well!  Bring your own popcorn!

Gemma's Farm

Visit us today to see our farm yard friends from Gemma’s Farm 10am – 3pm  - ducks, geese and other animals to meet and pet.

Art Zone

Whether you are 5 or 50 you can come to George Yard to join in with our Art Zone! 10am – 3pm

Funny Face Day

Come get your face painted for free today under the Bandstand in George Yard! Take a picture of your face and put it on our Facebook page!  

Alpaca Day

15th April Come down to George Yard to see the cuddly friendly  Alpacas under the Bandstand we will also have some pygmy goats for you to see and touch from 10am till 3pm! 
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Bunny Hunt

Good Friday and Easter Saturday George Yard will be hosting a Bunny Hunt around the Centre so make sure you find as many of these bunnies as possible and post your entry in the post box under the bandstand.
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Colouring competition

Easter Colouring Competition To enter the colouring competition please download the above link and colour it in and post in our post box under the bandstand on Good Friday or Easter Saturday (by 5.00 pm) to be in with a chance of winning!