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| Selby Times competition winners Emma Newbould and Hannah Stockill with gold medal skaters Torvill and Dean |
TWO lucky Selby Times competition winners took to the ice at the weekend with none other than Olympic gold medalist skating sensations Torvill and Dean.
Eight-year-old Emma Newbould, of Hambleton, and seven-year-old Hannah Stockill, of Barlby, won the chance to meet the Dancing On Ice stars at the official opening of The Ice Factor at
McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet on November 26 2011.
The girls won the chance to meet former Olympic and World champions Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean – who launched Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland and switched on 8,000 Christmas tree lights at the premier retail park – after winning a competition on the www.selbytimes.co.uk website. They spent more than an hour out on the ice with the celebrities, and also received their autographs and a £50 McArthurGlen York Designer Outlet voucher each.
Torvill and Dean became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time after achieving 12 perfect 6.0 marks at the 1984 winter Olympics. Bringing skating to the forefront of the British public, the duo fast became, and remain to be, one of Britain’s best loved couples, starring in ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
More than 18,000 shoppers descended on the centre on the day that skating champions switched on the lights of a 30ft tree at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland. Torvill and Dean then delighted the crowd by meeting and skating with shoppers, signing autographs and having photographs taken.
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland brings a host of festive delights to shoppers, including traditional fair rides and 20 beautifully styled traditional log cabin stalls offering everything from handmade gifts to delicious food, as well as a magnificent Santa’s grotto, all surrounding the ice rink.
McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet centre manager Mike Thomas said: “We were delighted to welcome Olympic champion skaters Torvill and Dean to launch the spectacular Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland event.
“With our fantastic selection of more than 120 leading designer and high street brands at up to 60 per cent less, plenty of free parking, combined with Yorkshire’s magical Winter Wonderland, we’re on the map as the Christmas destination for all the family to visit this year.”
Maria Farrugia, of Lunchbox Productions, which operates The Ice Factor, said: “Following the success of last year, this is the second year that The Ice Factor returns to McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet.
“We’re welcoming everyone to enjoy the beautiful Christmas market, Santa’s grotto and festive funfair at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, all set in McArthurGlen’s York, making this Christmas one to remember.”
Jayne Torvill said: “Both myself and Christopher were thrilled to launch Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at McArthurGlen’s York Designer Outlet. Our passion is ice skating, so being able to combine that with such a fantastic switch-on event, surrounded by fabulous fashion, was the perfect way to mark the start of Christmas this year!”
The Ice Factor is open until January 8 2012, from 9.30am to 9.15pm daily (except Christmas Day). Tickets for a one-hour session range from £8.50 for children and concessions to £9.50 for adults.
Discounts apply for groups of 20 or more, and special party packages are available.
Log-on to www.theicefactor.co.uk or call 01653 619169 for further information. Log-on to www.ticketweb.co.uk or call 0844 8471523 to book tickets.
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