Castle Donington
FESTIVE CHEER. Village residents, local groups and Castle Donington Parish Council have been working together to ensure plenty of Christmas cheer in the village despite Covid restrictions.
In a statement entitled “A Different Sort of Christmas Cheer” the Parish Council says: ”Christmas Cheer in the village is normally different to this year with events and gatherings having been cancelled.”
The statement continues: ”Lockdown has caused a unique set of circumstances which has added to the isolation of many in our village which will become more acutely felt during the Christmas and New Year period. This is not only true for the older generation but also for a lot of our young people.”
As a result, the Parish
Council has been working with other partners and local residents to provide a variety of activities and gits for the many.
The whole village has been targeted for some activities but other activities have been aimed at certain groups in the village.
Disabled and elderly people “who lack direct support and are known to be lonely over the Christmas And New Year periods are to receive Christmas hampers. A total of about 100 people are scheduled to receive the hampers.
Children’s “goody bags” are being distributed to the primary schools and play groups in Castle Donington and Hemington.
Other activities include a village Christmas tree and lights shining from the bus station and through the central areas of the village.
A “Winter Wonderland Trail” has been developed with houses around the village being decorated.
Various roads in the village have been having “switch-on nights”, including Spitfire Close and Kirkland Close.
A Reindeer and Elf Trail has involved different gardens around the village with prizes for the children.
Santa letters and colouring packs and Santa’s post box have been available in the Community Hub.
Community trees have been provided in Spitfire Road, the Community Garden Hub and St. Edward’s Parish Church garden with plastic baubles for placing notes and drawings available Late night shopping and extended opening hours started earlier this month.
Digital Santa visits to St. Edward’s Primary School, in the village and Hemington Primary School were planned for a Zoom question time and to deliver gifts.
Christmas lamp post wraps were put up to entice shoppers to local shops.
Among many other local events Christmas cakes and chocolates were provided for Wakefield Court and the Nursing Home on Delven Drive.
The Parish Council has expressed a big thank you to the Volunteer Centre, the Parish Council staff, Kirsty Johnson for the Winter Wonderland Trail and her contributions.
Thanks have also been expressed to Victoria Curtis for organising the Spitfire Estate Christmas lights display, Kirkland Close residents for the annual display of Christmas lights, Marks and Spencers colleagues.
Expressions of thanks were also made to Readie, Elite Windows, Signature Flight Support, Hormann, SEGRO, Johnson’s General Stall, Sarah at the Lamb Inn, Barbara Atkin for her “wonderful” cakes, Barbara and Rosie for the Christmas posts at the Community Hub, the Rotary Club and “everyone else who is trying to make a difference to our community”.