Santa is back in Shaky Village
He sets up grotto for kids in St Kessog’s Square
Father Christmas sets up grotto in St Kessog’s Square
Father Christmas made a much welcomed return to Comrie on Thursday.
Santa used to visit the village regularly in the lead up to Christmas and distribute presents to the children but has not managed to make it for several years.
However, when local woman Amy Fenwick put out an appeal on Facebook to see if people would be interested in bringing back the festive favourite, the response was so overwhelming that within 24 hours arrangements had been made to set up a grotto in St Kessog’s Square.
Santa made his flying visit in a fire engine and dozens of children queued up to meet him.
Amy told the Herald: “I had posted a rant on Facebook thinking I could bring something back for next year but it’s all Alan Moffat’s fault. He saw my post and said he would arrange for Santa to come the next day.
“We put posters up in the local shops and the school did a group call and put letters in the children’s bags. I was extremely surprised at how many people turned up. There were around 70 kids there.
“The community council supported the event using money from the Christmas Lights Fund and lots of people have come forward to say they will help next year, so hopefully we can get the tradition going again in the village and maybe bring back a shopping event and a lights switch-on to coincide.
“I was delighted that so many people turned up. I couldn’t believe it and it was just great to see the kids so happy. Thank you to everyone who helped.”
Davie Robertson, vice- chair of Comrie Community Council and organiser of the village’s festive lights, said: “It was a very spontaneous thing and it turned out to be a very good night organised by Alan Moffat and Amy Fenwick.
“Hopefully, it will get better and better every year and we can also bring back a Saturday afternoon shopping event and Christmas lights switch-on to give the village a bit of a buzz about it.
“We will get a sub- committee organised for the Christmas lights and do some fundraising next year.”
Davie also praised local man Jim Alexander who has been a great help sorting the Christmas lights this year to ensure as many sets as possible are working.