Lochee set to have two Santas as community group splits after row

Part of Dundee could have two Santas this year after a community group split.

Myles McCallum, of Save Our High Street Lochee, said the situation had become “ridiculous”.

He said: “The row has all got a bit pathetic – for instance, there is talk about two Santa’s grottos in Lochee because certain people don’t get on. I’ve done the grotto for the past few years and there’s no way anyone is stopping me being a bad elf again.”

Myles said there have been issues among committee members.

He said: “A few of us formed Save Our High Street Lochee a few years back.

“Some of us did some great work – campaigning, highlighting some really important stuff happening in Lochee and even got a few positive results for our area.

“Then, a wee while ago, it all went a wee bit awry. Egos, rivalries, community politics, party politics – whatever the reason, we had a split. A few people went their own way to concentrate on events, and a few people – including myself – went our own way to concentrate on the campaigning front.”

Myles said that things have now gone further with the breakaway group booking premises for its own Christmas grotto.

He said: “We’ve run the grotto for the past two years and are all set to do it again.

“It seems ridiculous that there could be two grottos and two Santas.

“I have no idea how this is going to pan out but I really hope it doesn’t come to that.

“One Santa would be more than enough for our children in Lochee.

“We should all just be working together for the good of the community and especially for the children at Christmas time.

“I have no idea how we could explain away two Santa Clauses to the children.

“All Lochee groups need to sit down and lay our cards on the table, otherwise this is just going to carry on.

“We’d have a much better chance working together.”