Father Christmas returns to Hungerford
She said: “When I first joined the council a year ago, I heard many comments about how sad people were that Father Christmas doesn't visit the children of Hungerford like he used to, after the Round Table disbanded.
“Having lived in Hungerford since a small child, I had very fond memories of this. Having a young child myself, I wanted to see if there was anything we, as a council could do, to help bring this magic back.”
She added: “We decided that a grotto-style Father Christmas might be easier than a traveling one and approached West Berkshire Council for permission to use the Croft Field and to have it for free. We got the go ahead and the concept was born.
“We wanted to also raise support and funds for the Food Bank team, who do an amazing job of supporting local families, and to support such a worthy cause at Christmas seemed totally appropriate. We didn't want to set a price for the grotto as we wanted it open to all, but we will be asking for a donation which will go to the Food Bank.”
Ms Wilson said the event would have been impossible without the support of her fellow town councillors, distroct councillor Paul Hewer (Con, Hungerford), West Berkshire Council and the generosity of various individuals and companies.
These include Hungerford Tesco, who provided the children's treats; Newbury Bouncy Castles for their free loan of a castle;
Hungerford Garden center for the donation of a tree and decorations; Helen Kuijpers for her discounted face painting and donation and Hungerford ambulance technician Neale Marney who offered first aid support.
Local businesses also pitched in with donations of prizes, including Heidi Heath Photography, Perfectly Posh, Hungerford Butchers and Kitchenmonger.
Meanwhile volunteers helped decorate the grotto with donated decorations.
Ms Wilson said: “Hungerford is an amazing town with a strong community spirit and it is always so heart warming how a town can come together to support each other and such a worthy cause.”
The grotto will be open all day on Saturday, December 21.