Santa is coming to Denbigh – to raise cash for local charities.
Collection tins in hand, members of Denbigh Round Table and a merry gang of other volunteers will brave 13 winter nights to take Father Christmas and his festive float to every house in the area.
Denbigh Round Table member, and organiser of the Christmas Float, Alan Williams said: “The Christmas float looks fantastic and Santa is ready for some pre-Christmas action in Denbigh.
“The kids just love to see the man of the moment – their faces just light up. It’s not just the kids though. I’ve been doing it now for about five years, and everybody loves to see him – from the kids, all the way to the mums and dads, the grandparents and the great grandparents. The adults can look forward to it just as much or even more than the kids.
“If they know you’re coming a lot of people are there ready with their money at the door. It shows that Denbigh has a strong community.
“There are around 18 of us as Round Table members and we are joined by four or five former members. Then you’ve got family members, children, wives, partners and people from the community who come out.
“Last year we had people representing the Eisteddfod raising money as well. It’s always good to get new people helping.”
Despite the tough economic climate, the take from the Christmas Float has steadily increased – with last year reaching a record £4,300.
Alan said: “People are very generous. Despite being in a recession for the last five years, people haven’t stopped giving.
“Year on year we are increasing the amount of money that’s raised which is incredible when you consider the how the economy has been.
“But I think people are happy to give as long as they know the money is going to a good cause.
“They’re getting a fun event out of it, with Santa coming round. It spreads a little joy, so they’re happy to contribute.
On their marathon journey, Denbigh Round Table members will clock up more than 40 hours accompanying Santa on his travels around the town.
Alan said: “It does make you feel Christmassy when you’re out and about and the festive music is playing.
“By the end of the 13 night I think we’ll all be singing the Christmas tunes in our sleep. They’re the Christmas classics. You’re humming them as you go around everywhere and anywhere really.”
“This event has been going a long time. It’s part of Denbigh’s heritage. It’s been going for over 50 years. Denbigh Round Table started in 1959.”
Fellow Round Tabler Gareth Luke Jones added: “We have three key money raising events through the year. The ball drop drop, the beer festival and the Christmas float.
“These three events raise between £10,000 and £15,000 on an annual basis. When you consider the small community we live in it’s a serious amount of money that’s raised.
“As well as raising money for local causes there’s also a big social element to the Round Table.
“You get a chance to do things that you wouldn’t necessarily think to do yourself. Some of the events are normal like going out for meals or for a few beers.
“We go golfing, clay pigeon shooting, go karting, we’ve even had a guided tour of the Wrexham Lager brewery. Then there are things like rock climbing and the lads recently went to Zip World, down the longest zip wire in Europe. We’re always on the lookout for new members.”
Christmas Float dates
Thursday, December 5 – Llandyrnog; Friday, December 6 – Green and Trefnant; Sunday, December 8 – Maes Y Goron, Henllan Street, Accer Y Forwyn and Bryn Onnen; Monday, December 9 – Rhyl Road and Colomendy; Tuesday, December 10 – Henllan; Wednesday, December 11 – Llanrhaedr; Thursday, December 11 – Groes and Llansanan; Sunday, December 15 – Trewen and Ruthin Road; Monday, December 16 – Love Lane, Castle and Bryn Stanley; Tuesday, December 17 – Bodfari and Tremeirchion; Wednesday, December 18 – Vale Street, Grove Road and Park Street; Thursday, December 19 – Prion and Nantglyn; Sunday, December 22 – Myddleton Park and Crud Y Castell.
