Santa Brings His Reindeer to White City
Hundreds enjoy the festive spirit in our newest public space
Hundreds of local people flocked to White City's newest public space as it was transformed into a Winter Wonderland for a special visit from Father Christmas and reindeer.
A grotto, two real reindeer and plenty of hot chocolate and mince pies transformed the new Bridget Joyce Square in Australia Road was transformed into a winter wonderland with a grotto, two real reindoor and plenty of hot chocolate and mince pies.
The first Christmas event to be held in the new square – which was named after the late Bridget Joyce, a childcare worker who dedicated more than 50 years of her life to help children at the Randolph Beresford Early Years Centre – attracted hundreds of local families.
Organised by the Big Local, the festive fair on December 11 was a chance for the community to gather and enjoy the public space, which opened last month.
Randolph Beresford site manager Dougie Bristow – who dressed as Santa for the festivities – said the event had been a huge success.
Yusuf Chaudary (10) with Santa at Bridget Joyce Square
" The queue for the Santa’s grotto was all the way down the road and back again,” he said. “I must have seen 700 children during the afternoon and evening. It was a fantastic atmosphere, having the fair out in the open with all the community invited."
Children waiting to meet the big man himself could get their faces painted, meet elves, and pet the two reindeer, which had been sponsored for the event by contracting company Mitie.
Even the local police came along to join in the Christmas fun, with Sergeant Gavin Mcdonald-Griffith and PC Dean Wood taking their turn to meet Santa.
" Everyone really enjoyed themselves," added Dougie. " I’ve been dressing as Santa for 19 years for different events, and for the first time we’ve done this fair it was really good.
" I think we’ll do something on an even bigger scale next year."
December 21, 2015
