Don't just sit at home all Christmas!

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Tuesday 25th Dec 2007.

IF you don't fancy sitting at home eating pickled onions and pulling crackers all Christmas, why not get out and about?

If it's a tipple you're after, why not head down to The Victoria in Victoria Road, which will be doing its traditional Christmas opening on Christmas Day from 12pm until 2pm. You must abide by the rules though, and wear a Christmas hat, or you won't get served. Be warned - they're very strict and if you try to take your hat off after you've ordered your drink, your beverage will be confiscated!

The Vic's also open on Boxing Day from 4pm when hats will be optional.

Longs Bar will help you work off all that Christmas food on Boxing Day, when the Kandifunk crew bring you Stuff The Turkey from 7pm till late. The bar is open from 5pm.

In town, The Savoy is shut on Christmas Day and reopens from 9am to noon on Boxing Day.

The Plum Tree is fully booked on Christmas Day. It is opening from 11am until 10pm on Boxing Day.

The Moonrakers is open from noon to 2pm on Christmas Day and from noon until midnight on Boxing Day.

The Rat Trap in Stratton is open from noon until 2pm on Christmas Day and the same on Boxing Day.

For football fans, there are games on Boxing Day. Town play Yeovil away, kicking off at 2pm. Kick off for Supermarine vs Cirencester at home is at 1pm.

Fun for all the family can be had with duck racing at Ashton Keynes. The race gets under way at 11am in Church Walk. It's £1 a duck and proceeds go to Ashton Keynes Youth FC and other village groups. There are also cash prizes for first, second and third places.

And if you haven't spent enough in the run-up to Christmas, don't forget the sales start on Boxing Day.

If you're up for an early start, head to Debenhams, which opens from 8am until 7pm. House of Fraser is open from 11am to 5pm and the Outlet Village is open from 10am until 6pm.