An impressive turnout of Scarborough Tablers, friends and partners met up at the Crown Tavern at 6.15pm on Monday, 8 December 2025 for that evening’s round of the Santa Sleigh.
Two Scarborough 41 Clubbers were also along for the ride: Ben Kitto (Rudolph) and David Henderson (Santa).
Rudolph skillfully navigated the Sleigh through some tricky turns and narrow gaps whilst Santa waved himself silly and Ho Ho Ho-ed all through the evening.
To your correspondent the object of the exercise wasn’t primarily the raising of money for charity from the Sleigh although this was a close second.
What was evident from the evening was that the Sleigh brings unbridled happiness to all the neighbourhoods visited. Children ranged in their reactions from wildly enthusiastic and excited to looks of awe and wonder at the man in the red suit.
To see kids and their families come out into the cold – some in their pyjamas – just to wave to Santa and to say hello and Merry Christmas was heart-warming and it has to be said quite moving in this modern cynical age.
The families are overjoyed that the kids get to see Santa who always promises to come back again with their presents on Christmas Eve. Older citizens enjoy seeing the Sleigh and Santa and those on their own enjoy a wave and a quick chat with good wishes exchanged with the Elves and Santa. People of all ages take photos or videos – even the ones who don’t or can’t come out or downstairs. And the teenagers met on the way round entered into the spirit and were smiling and waving as Santa went past. Wonderful!
Congratulations to a depleted Round Table for keeping such an admirable tradition alive for 2025 and for an excellent turnout.
If you haven’t helped with the Sleigh it is to be recommended to you: you will get at least a good walk around the streets of Scarborough or a great view of proceedings if you are Santa from the Sleigh. Your heart will be warmed and it will certainly begin to feel properly like Christmas.
Season’s greeting to you all from the North Pole,
The real Santa’s little helper
You must be logged in to post a comment.