Santa and his elves to bring Christmas cheer to Billingshurst

Billingshurst Lions have been busy helping to devise a plan so Santa and his elves can safely can bring much needed Christmas cheer to the village.
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It is hoped that restrictions will allow Father Christmas to maintain the tradition of touring the area following the end of the second national lockdown on Wednesday, December 2.

He will be visiting on his new ‘flying bedstead’ which sits on the roof of a car and replaces his 40-year-old sleigh which became unsafe.

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Harvey Holmes, from the Billinghurst & District Lions Club, said: “Provided we can go ahead, inevitably, there will be changes from previous years.

Santa's new 'flying bedstead'he will use to tour around Billingshurst SUS-200212-104156001Santa's new 'flying bedstead'he will use to tour around Billingshurst SUS-200212-104156001
Santa's new 'flying bedstead'he will use to tour around Billingshurst SUS-200212-104156001

“Santa will walk behind his bedstead waving to everyone from a safe distance, but sadly, no ‘selfies’ and he will be unable to give out sweets.

“We will not be knocking on doors nor delivering our usual ‘Billion’, but you can read about our recent achievements and activities on display in the bookshop window.”

The flying bedstead, which is complete with glittering bedknobs, has no trailer meaning Santa can now visit the narrow roads on the large housing estates being built in the area.

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Santa also has a clever GPS tracker fixed to the bedstead, so his whereabouts can be tracked each evening on the app ‘Track Santa’ which can be found on club’s webite or by downloading the ‘Track Server’ app and entering the user name BDLC.

Santa’s routes and timetable are on the Billingshurst Lions Facebook page and website.

The club will gratefully receive donations either by paying online at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/billingshurst, at the bookshop in Jengers Mead (if open) or by using one of the club’s ‘feed the Lions’ collecting Jars.

Paul Roberts, elf in charge, said: “It is important that we try and maintain as many traditions as possible in such difficult and stressful times. As ever, any donation you feel able to make in support of our charitable work would be most appreciated. Thank you”.

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The club would like to thank Station Garage in Broadbridge Heath for the generous loan of a Skoda Octavia Estate, PD Motors in Billingshurst for the loan of batteries for the music and lights, and D G Clifton & Sons at Wharf Farm for out-of-season storage of Santa’s bedstead.

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