Thought we would go all seasonal today. Picture below is of some strange “Santa Ambassador” (no prizes for guessing the identity). This was two years ago before I got onto my sleigh that was being pulled by a tractor around Sharpness-the reindeers were having a rest! Sadly because of the sad circumstances of 2020 my services have not been required this year. Over the years I have done many Santa Gigs starting with my first ever job as a young teacher way back in the mists of time through to my last teaching job and beyond. At Dursley I had to go over to the playgroup across the playground-so I would wear my tracksuit bottoms and wellies with my Santa outfit, as soon as I did my bit I would go back to my office quickly change (including trousers and said wellies) and then pop out to greet families leaving their party with the children telling me they had just seen Father Christmas (Yes!)

At the school parties I used to persuade a friend or one of my sons to dress up as Santa and I would walk around the classes with Santa ringing a bell. One older child memorably said as I was standing next to FC “It is Mr Church!” they were meaning Santa so I quickly said “It’s all done by mirrors!” I then heard a loud whisper “There you are I told you it was Mr Church and it is all done by mirrors!”

When I was Chair of the charity running the Children’s Centres I had to do three or four gigs in a couple of days around the Stroud area! It was often quite humbling listening to them earnestly innocently telling me all sorts of things about their lives and what they hoped Santa could do for them.

Finally a joke told to me a couple years ago by a Y4

“What do you call Santa’s little helpers?”

“Subordinate Clauses!”