Santa returns to turn on Town lights
St Peter Port received its annual visit from Father Christmas on Saturday as he arrived in Guernsey to switch on the Town lights.
People packed the area around the Model Yacht Pond and lined the route from there to Market Square, which was a sea of happy faces as the man in red appeared on the balcony before making his way to the stage to perform his all-important duty.
He had been brought to the island by the lifeboat and after taking cards from the youngsters near the pond, he and his entourage of elves and princesses were led by the Boys’ Brigade band to the heart of the Town, with a full Petit Train bringing up the rear.
Many families chose to wait by the Picquet House for their chance to get a close-up view, among them the Troalics, suitably dressed for the occasion, as was their dachshund, Marmite.
‘I’ve asked Santa four times for a horsey,’ said Poppy, 9. ‘I’ll be leaving my letter out for him with milk and a cookie and a carrot for the reindeer. Once my cat drank the milk and Mum and Dad had to refill it.’
In Market Square the crowd had been entertained by songs from the Hope Singers, after which Santa’s chief elf took over as MC and whipped up a frenzied 10-second countdown to the switch-on.
If any children still have Christmas letters, there is a Santa letter box inside the Guille-Alles Library.
