Every year this wonderful exhibition is enjoyed by thousands of visitors. The idea is simple: dozens of talented painters and photographers and craftspeople - some of them first-time exhibitors, some seasoned professionals - display their works side by side on the walls of the beautiful old railway building.

Every work is for sale. As soon as it's sold it's removed from the wall, and the artist replaces it with another piece, so the exhibition changes from day to day. Visit once, then visit again two weeks later - it's a different exhibition. Come to The Station for coffee and cake, then leave with an undiscovered masterpiece! It's a great way to fill an empty spot on your wall!

A Spot on the Wall is at The Station until 18 January. 

If you haven't yet seen this year's panto at the Georgian, then gather up your children or grandchildren, or borrow a few, or simply go along anyway, to enjoy this year's cracking performance of Pinocchio.

 Pinocchio has it all: a wonderful Dame, a lovable puppet-turned-real-boy, a super-smiley Geordie fairy, a dancing cricket, a villainous villain, sing-alongs, dreadful jokes (boom! tish!), showers of fish and Tunnock's teacakes (yes, really). It's two hours of mayhem, and will be enjoyed by anyone from four to four-score.

Pinocchio is at Richmond's gorgeous little Georgian Theatre Royal. This year's run continues until Sunday 8 January, with a mix of matinée and evening performances. Tickets and details here, or at 01748 825252.

Our Info Hub in the Market Hall will be shut on 25, 26, 27 December, and on 1 and 2 January. But even if we're not there to assist you, you can find all kinds of useful stuff on this website to help you prepare your visit to Richmond.

​Meanwhile, have a very happy Christmas. And all the best for the New Year!

There are more and more local ‘warm hubs’, if you're finding it hard to fight the chill: 

• The Station: free hot drinks, wi-fi and board games in the safe, warm space that is The Station's Boardroom. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 16:30 – 20:00 (exc. 18 Jan, 8 Feb, 1 Mar, 22 Mar). 01748 828259
• Richmond Methodist Church Hall, Dundas St. Free wi-fi; hot drinks. Open Monday and Friday 09:30 – 13:00, Wednesdays 13:00 – 16:00. 01748 823149
• Richmond Roman Catholic Church Hall, Newbiggin: Thursdays 10:00 – 14:00. Tea, coffee, soup/light lunch; board games and other activities available. 01748 822175
• Richmond Library, Dundas St. Free wi-fi and computers, newspapers, magazines, books; quiet sitting areas and children's play-space; tea and coffee available. Open 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 17:00 weekdays, and 10:00 – 13:00 Saturdays. 01609 534580. There are similar facilities at the Catterick Garrison and Colburn libraries (tea and coffee to be confirmed); click the links for opening times.
• Richmond Town Hall: Tuesdays 13:00 – 15:00; Thursdays and Saturdays 09:30 – 14:30 (starting January). 01748 850808
• Colburn Community Cafe, Village Hall, Colburn Lane, Catterick Garrison. Free wi-fi; parking; food, hot drinks and food-share available. Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 12:00;  Sat 10:00 – 11:00. 07833 490502
• The Bridge, Shute Road, Catterick Garrison: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:00 – 15:00. Tea, coffee and biscuits, daily quizzes and activities available. 01748 832271
• Hudson House, Reeth. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 14:00 – 17:30. Hot drinks, food, wi-fi, board games, magazines, free transport for Swaledale and Arkengarthdale residents. 01748 880021
• Leyburn Arts Centre. Wednesday 10:00 – 16:00, Friday 10:00 – 14:00. Hot drinks, food, wi-fi, board games, magazines. 01969 624510
• Middleham Key Centre. Monday 11:30 – 14:30, Wednesday 14:00 – 15:30, Saturday 10:30 – 12:00. 1969 624002​

We suggest you use the phone numbers or the links above to check the detail of what's on offer. Please let us know if you hear of more ‘warm hubs’, and we'll update this post accordingly.

And don't forget your traditional local community centres - the pubs! They need to stay warm, and the landlords need to cover their soaring energy costs, so even if you just pop in for a coffee, to read a book for an hour or two or chat with friends, you'll be welcome. Here's one lovely example: 

• Castle Tavern, Market Place, Richmond: as well as a cosy space they're offering free home-made soup and bread to over-60s, weekdays 12:00 – 17:00. 01748 826931

The hubs above are all in Richmond and surrounding villages. If you're further afield, check this site:

• Warm Welcome Space

Finally, if you're struggling to keep your house warm...

• Warm Winter is a scheme run by the Influence Church, which provides essential items including blankets, hand warmers, hot water bottles, thermal flasks, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and coats. 

Saturday 17 December, 10:00 - 16:00 at The Station: Christmas Food and Drink Fair. Just the job for last-minute gifts and emergency nibbling and slurping!

Sunday 18 December, 15:30 - 18:30 at The Station. Father Christmas is in the Sorting Office with his gifts for children from one to twelve years old - but book quickly, because there were just two slots left at time of posting! If you miss this...

...then there are still places available on 21 and 22 December, at the Station Cinema, for a Polar Express Breakfast with Santa. After a delicious breakfast, enjoy the magical film!

Christmas Eve at the Station Cinema: It's a Wonderful Life (two screenings) and Polar Express Pyjama Party (no, us neither, but it involves hot chocolate and biscuit, so we like it already).

Happy Christmas!

December's here - so we thought we'd list just a few of the local festivities in the first week. For a fuller listing, visit What's On Richmond now.

• Friday 2 Dec, 18:30: Christmas Lights switch-on! Yay! Join the crowds in the Friary Gardens for the official start to Richmond's Christmas.
• Friday 2 Dec until 8 January, Georgian Theatre Royal. This year's panto is Pinocchio, complete with with circus antics, deep sea adventures and a wooden puppet who dreams of being a real boy - oh yes he does! It's a one-month run,  but tickets are selling fast, so get in quickly.
• Saturday 3 Dec, Station Cinema - two special screenings. Already looking for an antidote to Christmas schmaltz? Die Hard is fast becoming a seasonal classic (and yes, it does have a Christmas theme). So does Home Alone, which is also screening, if you'd prefer a traditional family comedy.
• Sunday 4 Dec, 10:00 - 16:00, in the Market Place. Christmas Market. You're too late to book for the ice rink, but there'll be music, dance, a Fun Run, and loads of stalls on the cobbles and in the Town Hall. More at richmondtownchristmasmarket.co.uk
• Wednesday 7 Dec, 19:00 at St Mary's Church: Richmond Town Council's Christmas Carol Concert, with Leyburn Band and local schools.