2018 is nearly over, we’ve had the hottest summer on record, the prime minister as a dancing queen, a royal baby, a royal wedding and a right royal fiasco over Brexit. It’s been a very busy year at RRA as well with lots of exciting projects to work on, the opening of our new Gloucester office and Jonathon White joining us as a director.

We will be closing our offices over the festive break. Our last working day will be Friday 21st December and we will be back in the office on Wednesday 2nd January.

And so it has come to the time of year for RRA architects to say a heartfelt “Thank you’” to our clients, contractors, consultants and all our friends. Without you all we would be very bored indeed.

So we are sending wishes to one and all for a peaceful break over Christmas and the New Year and a happy, healthy 2019.

Fancy winning a bottle of Christmas Cheer?

When you are a bit bored over the festive break take a few moments and visit our website to find RRA’s spaniel, Lottie, wearing her Santa hat in one of RRA’s project photos.

Enter by email or on twitter:

By email - send the name of the project with the subject title Christmas Dog to info@rraarchitects.com.

On Twitter - Tweet the name of the project with hashtag #ChristmasDog and make sure you tag @rraarchitects.

The competition is open until 5pm on 10th January and the winner, chosen at random, will be announced in the January newsletter.

1st Jan • New Years Day Races • Cheltenham Racecourse
One of the most relaxing race days of the year with a family fun zone hosting complimentary children’s activities, appearances from Paw Patrol characters and after racing live music by The Hipcats.

3rd Jan • Horse Racing • Ludlow Racecourse
This friendly National Hunt racecourse, often referred to as "Lovely Ludlow" by Radio 5 Live, is just 2 miles north of Ludlow town centre. A great day out for all race fans.

5th Jan • Potter’s Wheel Weekend Course • Eastnor Pottery, Ledbury
Spend a relaxing weekend making pots on the potter’s wheel. You will learn a whole range of techniques in small groups and experience the therapeutic benefits of working with soft clay.

5th & 19th Jan • Photography talks • Berrington Hall, Herefordshire
Come and discover all that there is to photography. Enjoy a stroll around Berrington’s garden and learn how to use your camera over a bowl of warming soup and a cup of coffee.

Until 6th Jan • Ice Skating • Gloucester Quays, The Docks, Gloucester
Embrace your inner Torvill and Dean and visit the ice rink at Gloucester Quays. It can get busy so book in advance.

9th Jan • Beginners Floristry Course • Daylesford Farmshop, Gloucestershire
A beginners’ floristry workshop offering the perfect starter guide for those looking to master the art of floristry.

10th Jan • Ludlow local produce market • Ludlow Market
Ludlow Local Produce Market is a large, twice-monthly farmers' market on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, selling a wide range of everyday and specialist food and drink produced within 30 miles of Ludlow.

21st- 26th Jan • Fame the Musical • Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Based on the 1980 phenomenal pop culture film, Fame The Musical is the hit sensation about New York’s High School For The Performing Arts.

22nd Jan • Burns Night Whiskey Tasting • Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury
Tickle your tastebuds with six different Scotch whiskies, nibbles and of course, haggis.

24th Jan • Creatures of the Mappa Mundi • Hereford Cathedral
Creatures of the Mappa Mundi, by highly esteemed artist Yinka Shonibare MBE, will be on display within Hereford Cathedral’s Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.

26th Jan • Flicks in the Sticks Film • Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
Christopher Robin, starring Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell and Bronte Carmichael starts at 5.30pm with themed crafts, refreshments and a licensed bar available.