Santa's elves in 'bubble' as Lions volunteers bring festive spirit to Knaresborough

The incredible volunteers of the Knaresborough Lions have raised the festive spirits of the town by undertaking their annual reindeer sleigh tour - albeit with the elves in their own bubble and no door knocking - as  part tight restrictions to keep everyone Covid-secure.
Knaresborough Lions take Santa on tour -  Lesley Kinder, Denise Wilson, Santa Claus, Tony Pedel, Carole Reid and Pam Serbert.Knaresborough Lions take Santa on tour -  Lesley Kinder, Denise Wilson, Santa Claus, Tony Pedel, Carole Reid and Pam Serbert.
Knaresborough Lions take Santa on tour - Lesley Kinder, Denise Wilson, Santa Claus, Tony Pedel, Carole Reid and Pam Serbert.

The team began on December 7 and managed to do all the residential streets by last Friday.

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This week has seen the Lions carry on the good work by taking the sleigh and Santa, plus the Knaresborough Silver Band, to play outside care homes and warden-controlled residences, including Thistle Hill Care Home.

Chair of the activities committee of Knaresborough Lions, Carole Reid, said: “We must praise the council and police for letting us do this. Working closely with them, we have devised very tight arrangements and a risk assessment for the ages.

"Everything has been sanitised after each tour, and Santa has been properly insulated with a bubble of elves and sleigh driver.

“Children have come out of their homes in droves and have all understood the need for social distancing, even the very youngest.

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"We haven’t had a single instance of kids trying to hug Santa or sit on his knee.

“It’s actually quite sad, but at the same time wonderful to see their discipline.”

Instead of knocking on doors, the Lions have restricted their activity to playing music and ringing bells to alert householders and make sure rules are adhered to around Santa.

After two weeks of tramping the streets, the Lions' Father Christmas spent the last two evenings on December 21 and 22 at care homes at Thistle Hill, Hewitson Court, Collins Court, Sherburn House and Manor Care Home.

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Carole Reid said: “There was a special treat on those last nights for the residents – and for the Lions - in that we were accompanied by live music from those sterling musicians of the Knaresborough Silver Band.

“The plan was to give Knaresborough folk something to raise their spirits at the end of an exceptionally difficult year. This was well appreciated by the authorities and that is why they helped us set out workable plans.

“We all know that morale is as important as anything and it has been so rewarding to have been able to bring a little magic into the lives of both young and old.

“As a charity, the Lions would in normal times use the sleigh tour to raise funds for local good causes. This year, our aim has been to spread a sense of Christmas fun and to meet expenses out of our own resources.

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“Nevertheless, some people have gone out of their way to make donations and we are very grateful for whatever they have been able to give.

“It has all been a very uplifting experience. Hopefully, this will be an omen for a much better 2021.”

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