Richmond's famous cobbled Market Place will be heaving next Sunday, when Santa comes to town! 

For the youngsters there's a puppet show planned, as well as fairground rides and Santa's Grotto. For the grownups we know there'll be a bar tent , and we imagine there'll be lots of stalls selling festive favourites such as German sausages and baked goods. There'll certainly be a 5k Fun Run to help you work off those pretzels!

Live music will be going on most of the day, and the big news is that for the first time there'll be an ice rink. It's already fully booked (Boo!) but you can still enjoy other people's squeals and tumbles (Yay!).

The market runs from 10:00 to 16:00. Come and join Santa and the crowds!

A new book called Walks without Stiles features no fewer than 32 walks in the Yorkshire and Cumbria dales, which are accessible to electric wheelchair users. ("Walks"? Yes, that's what the authors call them, and why not?)

We think this is a brilliant idea for a book, and if we can stock it in Richmond Information Centre we surely will. Meanwhile, you can download a few of the walks:

For all-terrain chairs:

• Gunnerside to Rogan's Seat (alt. 672m). Lovely views over Upper Swaledale.
• Old Gang Smelt Mill in Arkengarthdale; discover the lead-mining history of the upper dales, dating back to Roman times.

​For more modest electric wheelchairs, and manual chairs with a powered wheel. 

• A stile-free walk through the market town of Hawes. 
• Aysgarth Falls: wonderful views over the churning River Ure in Wensleydale.

You can even borrow a lightweight, foldable powered chair for these walks at Cottage in the Dales, near Leyburn.

Not in the book, but let's not forget the classic Easby Loop, starting from Richmond's old Station, and following the River Swale to Easby Abbey. The optional return route on a smooth lane offers fine views of Richmond Castle.

Until we can stock Walks without Stiles you can only buy the book for £12.10 (inc. UK postage) at where2walk.co.uk.

We are so lucky in Richmond to have the wonderful Hudswell and Billy Banks woods on our doorstep.

Seb Mankelow, the local National Trust Ranger, will give an illustrated talk about Hudswell Woods and the National Trust portfolio on 24 November at 19:00, in Tunstall Village Hall.

The talk is organised by the Richmondshire and Hambleton RSPB group, but we think it'll be general and not purely about the bird-life.

Non-members £4, including refreshments.

The always popular Artisan Market returns this Sunday, with dozens of colourful stalls offering the very best in local, hand-made, brand-free shopping. It's a great chance to pick up presents which you can be sure nobody else has given.

Arts, crafts - there's always something wonderfully original to be found. (A toucan door-stop, anyone?) Food and drink..? Yes indeed. You can spend a happy hour sipping and tasting.

Bring a big bag. You'll need it! And if you've still got the energy, take some time to explore the Norman walls and the winding Georgian alleyways of our ancient town.