Despite the pandemic, Father Christmas still plans to bring merriment and joy to Swanage with a visit to brighten up the festivities, helped by Swanage and Purbeck Rotary.
However, like everyone this year, he’ll have to make adjustments and instead of the usual door to door visits with his team of elves, he’ll walk through the town during the first two weeks of December, giving out sweets in a Covid secure way.
“Handing out sweets in town”
Chair of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary, John Thraves explained:
“We are going to encourage people to come out to us this year, so Santa will be handing out sweets in town instead.”
A previous pre-Covid visit to Swanage by Father Christmas
Organising food deliveries
Also during the festive period, the Rotary usually hosts a Christmas Breakfast for anyone on their own in Swanage. This can’t go ahead but there are plans to still help those who would normally attend by organising food deliveries.
Still continuing will be the popular Christmas Charity Mail service, which raises money for good causes. However, people are being asked to write their cards early this year to allow members to ‘self isolate’ the envelopes before sorting them for delivery. The collection point will be closing on Saturday 12th December 2020.
Swanage Christmas Market in 2019
Swanage Christmas Market won’t go ahead
Unfortunately some Rotary Christmas events are being cancelled. Sadly for many, it has announced that the Swanage Christmas Market won’t be able to go ahead.
Although plans for stalls on Institute Road and games on Shore Road were underway, the group has now been forced to cancel as it would be difficult to keep the event compliant with social distancing.
John said:
“We’re very disappointed. We normally bring a bit of Christmas cheer with our events. It is so sad this year that we won’t be able to operate all of them.”
Swanage Christmas Market stalls in 2019 including the very popular olive stall
Still hope to raise money for charity
Despite the changes to the Rotary’s normal Christmas activities, the team of volunteers still hope to raise money for charity. So they will still be collecting for local good causes but, as well as their normal buckets, they will offer contactless donations and online donations too.
Further information
There’s more about Swanage and Purbeck Rotary events on its website
