The familiar jingle of festive bells will be returning to Shipston’s streets next month thanks to friendly local Rotarians.
Members of The Rotary Club of Shipston will be joined by volunteers when they take their sleigh out and about as children gear up for some pre-Christmas excitement – all in the name of festive cheer, goodwill and fundraising.
The festive fun will officially get under way on Friday, December 2nd with the return of the town’s Victorian Evening. The evening’s entertainment takes place between 6-8pm and includes Lights and The Tree of Life switching on ceremony as well as music, stalls, food. Plus Father Christmas himself will also be making an appearance.
Following this, the local Santa sleigh routes are as follows. . .
Wednesday 7th December 5.30-7 30pm: Station Road, The Driftway, Manor Lane, Greenway Road, Darlingscote Road, Brickhill Close, Haymeadow, Worcester Place, Warwick Place, Oxway Close, Glenn Close, Green Lane, Gerrards Road, West Street.
Thursday, 8th December 5.30 -7 30pm: Berry Avenue, Queens Avenue, Pittway Avenue, Sadlers Avenue, Oldbutt Road, Shipston Gardens, Rowlett Drive, Bailey Road, Burnell Close, Herdwick Fold, Webb Road, Clifford Place.
Friday, 9th December 5.30-7 30pm: Foxgloves, Carr Close, Atcheston Close, Symons Way, Herdwick Field, Bradley Drive, Barrett Place, Coe Ave, Nichols Court, Nason Way, Felton Close.
Sunday, 11th December 4.30-7 30pm: Tilemans Lane, Brookfield Lane, Beecham Road, The Sidings, Railway Crescent, Signal Road, Mayo Road, Donnington Road, Badgers Crescent, Hornsby Close, Cauldwell Drive, Riverway, Watery Lane.
Monday, 12th December 5.30-7 30pm: Barchest0n Reach, Chapel View, Brewer Hill, Angela’s Meadow, Holly Road, Elm Road, Hawthorn Way, Ashgrove, Furzehill Road, Bosley Close.
Thursday, 15th December 5.30-7 30pm: Callaways Road, Greenfields Close, Parsons Close, Simpson Road, Hanson Avenue, Costard Ave, Marshall Avenue, Clark Close.
There’s a good chance Santa will also be spotted around the town centre on Saturday, December 17th between 9am and 1pm!
The Rotary Club of Shipston hopes to help a host of local causes by contributing towards the projected £100,000 raised across the Heart of England Rotary region by the traditional sleigh run initiative.
Spokesperson for Rotary Club of Shipston, Tony Joint, said: “After an enforced break of three years, Shipston Rotary, along with other Heart of England Rotary clubs, are looking forward to again adding the magic of Christmas to our local children.”
“It has already been agreed that a large proportion of what we raise during this year’s collection will be donated to The Shipston Foodbank which has been made the recipient of all this year’s Shipston Rotary fundraising activities.”
He added: “The beautiful Tree of Life will once again shine out in the High Street over Christmas. Anyone who would like to sponsor a bulb in memory of a loved one can pick up a form from: St Edmund’s Church, the Library, Sports Club, Post Office, small Co op and Low Furlong.”
Anyone who is not able to see Father Christmas on his travels but who would like to donate, can also do so by visiting: paypal.me/anthonyjoint1
