DIY Christmas Cat Toy Workshop

Gem's Cats are running a DIY Christmas cat toy workshop at The Gatehouse Inn on Sunday 22 November, from 1pm to 5pm. It's a festive, hands-on craft session for cat lovers, held in the pub atmosphere of the inn on Newark Road in Bracebridge.

Over the afternoon, you'll be guided step by step to make your own cat flirt pole, fishing rod or wand toy. Each one comes with a rod, string and three removable attachments, put together with hot glue guns and a choice of Christmas-coloured feathers, bells, tassels and decorations. If you're not usually one for crafting, the group also runs a charity cat competition on the side: you take home a 2D wooden cat ornament to decorate and post a photo of, with a £1 donation going to the charity Pets As Therapy and a chance to win a cat hamper donated by Gem's Cats. There's a free raffle prize draw for a cat bed, too, and free honorary cat-ear headbands for new members.

Gem's Cats is a local cat-enthusiast group, and the workshop is as much about the company as the toys. It's a chance to spend a Sunday afternoon with other cat people in a relaxed setting, rather than just a quick make-and-go session. If you're not in the mood to build anything, you can still come along just to chat and enjoy the atmosphere.

It's £13 per person to make your own cat toy, or £5 if you're just coming along for the company. The Gatehouse Inn is at 178 Newark Road, Bracebridge, Lincoln, LN5 8QJ, and there's free parking for four hours at the nearby Community Centre on Maple Street, about 30 seconds' walk away.