Never too early for the C word when it comes to booking tickets

This week: Arty light trails and other festive events, paper artist Suhail Shaikh at The Atkinson, celebrate 10 years of Sunny Bank Mill

Monteviot Lights (Pic: Phil Wilkinson)

I’ve just returned from 10 days in Cape Town where spring is bursting out of every corner, surprising you with splashes of parma violet purple and rubber duck yellow among the lush green leaves.

In the 10 days I was away, the UK has dispatched Halloween and Bonfire Night and is firmly in the run up to Christmas. My l…