Santa's sleigh ride around Bishops Green and Ecchinswell

Almost £1,000 raised for charity

SANTA took a sleigh ride around Ecchinswell and Bishops Green last Friday – and raised almost £1,000 for charity.

Santa took some time out of his busy agenda with sleigh ride on a route starting from St Lawrence church, Ecchinswell, before visiting Ecchinswell village and Bishops Green.

He then joined more than 150 villagers for a Christmas party and a disco at Bishops Green village hall.

Claire Kemp, one of the organisers, said it proved a “magical evening” and added: “The queue to see Father Christmas was going from one end of the village hall to near the main doors.”

A raffle saw more than 60 prizes donated, with holly wreaths on sale alongside hot dogs, guess-the-weight-of-the- cake and under eights fancy dress competitions, craft activities, mulled wine and face painting.

The event raised £950, for the Ecchinswell Bell Restoration Trust, Bishops Green Community Association and The Warren Pre-School.

The event was dedicated to the memory of Simon Lipscombe who lost his battle with cancer on November 2. He was a major fundraiser for charities in the local community.