Father Christmas at the Model Town 2011
Notes from Stuart - Manager, 30th December 2011
For the first time in the 60 year old history of the Model Town, we managed to open our gates to visitors on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd December, and welcome them to our Father Christmas Event. For an all-inclusive price of £4:50 per person, local folk could visit Santa in his Cabin, where all children chatted to Santa and received a Gift. Youngsters were able to follow our specially created Christmas Puzzle Sheet. All were able to enjoy a Funny Magic show presented by Mervyn Cole. The interior of the model of the Minster was decorated and illuminated for the Festive Season. A cup of Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate together with a hot Sausage Roll or Mince Pie was available from the fully decorated Tea Rooms, where musicians performed Festive Songs around the Christmas Tree. Last but not least, before leaving, youngsters were invited to write out their Christmas Wish on cards provided and hang them on the Christmas Wish Tree.
A hardworking and resourceful band of volunteers got together and offered me help and support in preparing the facilities for visitors. I thank them all for their efforts above and beyond the call of duty, every contribution however small all went to making Christmas such an enjoyable time for local folk. It has been very rewarding for all of us to read the comments written in our Visitors Book over the three days. I list a small selection of extracts for you:-
Katy, Benjy & Rebecca write….we had a lovely time listening to the music, watching the Magic Show and visiting Santa. Thank You.
Auntie Mary, Tony, Carla, Harriet & Charlotte…fantastic value! Wonderful Santa. Very festive, fun and interesting. We will be back next year. Thank you.
Laura, Mike, Jacob & Thea…a lovely day out, very festive and good value. Father Christmas was lovely. Will come back next year. Thank you.
Linda & George… Santa was the gentlest, sweetest Santa ever! 10/10.
Sarah, Lewis & Joe… Santa and the Grotto, Staff, Food & Drink …all fantastic! Thank you.
Lorraine… lovely friendly festive atmosphere. Kids absolutely loved the Magic Show. Santa was terrific and very chatty, all topped off with a Hot Chocolate & Mince Pie. X
Barone Family… very festive and good value. The children really enjoyed it. Merry Christmas.
Claire & Lola… superb! Please open next year.
Saskia…. What a great Christmassy family atmosphere. The children and grownups all had a great time. Will be back next year.
Keith & Carole… really enjoyable. Santa gave children time to talk to him. Mervyn the entertainer was fun for all age groups. Excellent value with the Drink and Mince Pie. The Christmas Quiz was the icing on the cake!
It is clear from these comments that we got a lot of things right. However, as I said previously, it was our first try at opening out of season, and there are a number of areas which we know can be improved. We will make every effort to do better next year! For those that came on the Friday, I of course apologies for the disruption caused by the heavy rain and strong winds. Can I also offer my apologies to the two families who turned up to the Father Christmas Event on Friday afternoon expecting to see the actual Model Town completely repaired and repainted. It is my fault that I made the assumption that visitors will understand we are right in the middle of our repairs and maintenance programmer. These repairs take us all of the winter months to undertake. As an interesting aside though, so many visitors on seeing the models without windows and Shop Fronts were captivated to learn of the enormous levels of repairs and maintenance that are undertaken by volunteers during the cold winter months.
Finally, I wonder if I could ask if any of the Mums and Dads who took such lovely photographs of their youngsters being entertained by Father Christmas would like to provide me with any snaps which I could post up on this web site. Many thanks.
Can I wish you all a Very Happy and Healthy New Year.
STUART
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