Covid-secure Camelon Winter Festival brings festive cheer to village

The streets of Camelon were well and truly alive with Christmas cheer as the village held its annual festive celebration.
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Santa Claus and his elves arrived on Saturday for the weekend-long, coronavirus-secure Camelon Winter Festival – an event that saw more than 300 gifts handed out to children.

While his reindeer were unable to attend, Father Christmas enlisted the help of a trusty horse and carriage so he could pass out the presents.

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Residents were entertained by a travelling, van-mounted LED screen featuring the voice of local singer Dionne Hickey, community contributions from The Moving Message Board and inspiring videos produced as part of a Camelon’s Got Talent project.

Santa and elves handed out gifts during Camelon Winter Festival. Picture: Michael Gillen.Santa and elves handed out gifts during Camelon Winter Festival. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Santa and elves handed out gifts during Camelon Winter Festival. Picture: Michael Gillen.

Terrific tales were also featured on the big screen, including those of a well-being choir who wrote a song about lockdown and a retired businessman who has taken up turkey farming.

Thorough planning and a £9950 award from the National Lottery Community Fund ensured the event was a success.

Ann Henderson, Camelon Winter Festival chairwoman, said: “It went even better than we ever imagined.

Santa and his helpers took to the streets as part of Camelon Winter Festival to spread Christmas cheer. Picture: Michael Gillen.Santa and his helpers took to the streets as part of Camelon Winter Festival to spread Christmas cheer. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Santa and his helpers took to the streets as part of Camelon Winter Festival to spread Christmas cheer. Picture: Michael Gillen.
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“I’m so relieved after going through all of the red tape with Covid.

“Normally we have our festive event in the community centre. When I saw everything was getting shut and cancelled I thought it was a bright idea to go to the streets.

“We thought we were going to have 100 to 150 people apply for a present from Santa – it was more than 300.

“The feedback has been positive. I thought on the Sunday, with the torrential rain, we’d struggle but people were looking for us.

Children were enthralled by a van-mounted LED screen displaying inspiring videos of Falkirk district artists and performers. Picture: Michael Gillen.Children were enthralled by a van-mounted LED screen displaying inspiring videos of Falkirk district artists and performers. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Children were enthralled by a van-mounted LED screen displaying inspiring videos of Falkirk district artists and performers. Picture: Michael Gillen.
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“I’d like to mention Liz McKinley, who is the treasurer. She was a walking satnav!

“We walked all the streets before the event so we didn’t miss anybody.

“I’d also like to mention the people we booked the horse and carriage from, Studlearoyal Horse Drawn Carriage. They were amazing.

“We need to thank the council and Trading Standards because they helped us through the risk assessment.

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“I was born and brought up in Camelon. Just going round the streets seeing people we’ve hardly seen for a year was fab.

“I loved the fact that everybody came together.”

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