Santa swaps reindeer for a horse-drawn cart in North Devon this Christmas
by Lewis Clarke · DevonLiveNorth Devon has been preparing for a very special visit from Santa this year.
Students from Petroc have been liaising with St. Johns Garden Centre to create a spectacular welcome for him during the early evening of Friday 29th November. Families are invited there to see Santa’s arrival as he gives his reindeers a break and travels through the town on a horse-drawn cart.
All ages can expect a night of magic with an array of free festive family entertainment, including the Snow Queen, Captain Coconut, Merlin from ITV ’s Britain’s Got Talent, face-painting and an opportunity to contribute to the Christmas Wish Tree.
Santa’s arrival, and his subsequent stay at St. Johns grotto, has been arranged in collaboration with PETROC T-Level Business Management and Administration students. During recent weeks they have been liaising with St. Johns, and of course Santa himself, to help with the organisation and spectacle of the event. Course leader Joanne Goodreid commented, “When I approached St. Jonh’s about the possibility of my students supporting them with a project I never imagined they would be so involved. They all visited St. John’s as children, so to be part of their Christmas offering is special.”
One of the students on the course, Anosh Kavalakkal Antony added, “Every individual in our team had different tasks related to the Christmas project. I was also able to link my experience with my college coursework, which helped me gain confidence moving forward.”
The festivities at St Johns continue the following day on Saturday 30th November when students have arranged for Santa to visit his grotto, found through following Santa’s footsteps through a suitably themed ‘winter Jungleland’. There, children will encounter festive animals, winter scenery and glittering lights, before going on to meet Santa himself.
Santa has arranged to stay for the weekend of 30th November/1st December and then return again, this time every day from Friday 7th December up until Christmas Eve. Given the popularity of Santa’s previous visits to St Johns, Petroc students were tasked with devising and implementing a new online booking system, which will ensure all children can experience the magic of Santa’s grotto and not miss out. Each will not only receive a traditional gift but a Christmas tree seedling to take home.
St. John’s Director Mark Toon said, “Christmas is always a special time at St. John’s and our tradition of hosting family-orientated events is one we are more than happy to continue, especially in collaboration with the PETROC students this year. Santa’s arrival will be spectacular for 2024 and many children are looking forward to seeing him.”