Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Santa gets back on road
One of Monklands’favourite festive traditions is back for 2017 as Santa’s sleigh tour gets set to launch next weekend.
The annual event is run by the nine volunteers of Xact, the successor organisation which has grown out of the former Airdrie and Coatbridge Round Table.
Santa and his sleigh will be travelling the streets of Airdrie and Coatbridge each Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from December 3 to December 21.
Xact chair Norbert Grant said:“All the members wanted to ensure that this great Monklands tradition would continue. It’s the start of Christmas for us and it’s a magical time.”
Santa’s sleigh tours local streets for nearly three hours on its weeknight trips and six hours on the Sunday outings. It sets out at 2.30pm on weekend outings and 5.30pm in midweek.
Group members are aiming to reach around 10,000 households over the nine December dates and are hoping to hear from local groups who can provide volunteers to help.
Vice-chair Gordon Millar said:“We welcome individuals or groups. We’re hoping to have parent councils, youth and church groups, uniformed organisations, keep-fit classes and running groups going out on the tour with us.
“It’s great fun and we already have a few willing volunteers.
“We value the contribution and time that willing volunteers give us at this busy time of year. It’s a healthy way of volunteering and giving a little time back into the community.”
The sleigh has been rebranded with the new group’s logo thanks to Airdrie firm Fast Signs, while Arco workwear donated high-visibility clothing and footwear for Xact members and volunteers.
The group thanked Greggs, Tunnocks and John McKenna for providing food for their journeys.
Norbert said:“We can’t operate this great Monklands tradition without the support of many local businesses and individuals.” This year’s sleigh routes are – Sunday, December 3: Coatbridge Tesco (3.10pm to 3.45pm), New Parklands Estate, Cromlet Drive, Heritage Way, central Coatbridge, Time Capsule area, Langloan area, Old & New Drumpellier.
Tuesday, December 5: Caldervale area – Kilwinning, Colston & Braedale Avenue.
Thursday December 7: Greggs/ Domino’s at High Street Airdrie (6.05pm to 6.25pm), Golfhilll, Glenmavis.
Sunday, December 10: Whifflet shopping precinct (3.10pm to 3.40pm), Pritchel Way & Helve Place (Calderwood Village), Kirkshaws Road, Rose Gardens, Mackinnon Mills, Old Monkland Road area, Strawberry Fields, Bishopburn/ Luggiebank, Victoria Park.
Tuesday, December 12: Greggs/ Domino’s at High Street Airdrie (6.05pm to 6.25pm), Chapelside, Clarkston Primary area.
Thursday December 14: Carnbroe.
Sunday, December 17: Tesco Airdrie (3.10pm to 3.45pm), Ewart Drive, Brennan Crescent, Ayr Drive, Monkland Estate, Monks Glen, Chapelhall. Tuesday, December 19: Cairnhill. Thursday, December 21: Dykehead Crescent, The Rushes, Ferguson Way, Linkwood and Balbair Roads, Broompark and Strathnaver Crescents.
Routes will be updated on the group’s Facebook page, Xact Santa. Anyone who wants to volunteer can call 07789 540609.