Santa’s elves competition attracts record 340 entries from Lochaber
As preparations continue for Lochaber’s Christmas Festival on November 30, the competition to become one of Santa’s Elves for the day attracted a record 340 entries and gave the judges, Jodie Jordan and Sophie Kerr from Ferguson Transport, a long and difficult task.
Finally, after much deliberation, the winning entries in the competition sponsored by Lochaber Rotary Club and The Lochaber Times were chosen – seven-yearold Phoebe MacDonald from Mallaig Primary and eightyear-old Poppy Geddes from Lady Lovat Primary, Morar.
This year’s challenges involved colouring in Rudolph and tackling a festive wordsearch, attracting the biggest ever response in the Festival’s 12-year history.
Winners Poppy and Phoebe will ride with Santa on his sleigh, pulled by the Cairngorm reindeer, from Cameron Square to the Nevis Centre, waving to the crowds and then helping Santa at his grotto.
The cost of bringing the reindeer to Lochaber is funded by Ferguson Transport and Shipping. Alasdair Ferguson, group managging director, said: ‘We are pleased to once again sponsor the Rotary Club’s 12th annual Christmas Festival by providing the funds for the Cairngorm reindeer to visit on the day.
‘Every year, the Rotary Club works tirelessly to provide the local community with this fantastic festive event for all the family. We are delighted to support them again this year and are willing to continue for many years to come.’
The festival, which is held in the Nevis Centre, with more than 70 stalls craft and food stalls, bouncy castle, buskers’ corner, grand raffle, Santa’s Grotto, opens its doors at 9.30am with Santa and the reindeer arriving just after midday.