Huntly Rotary Club call of annual visit from Cairngorm Reindeer

Huntly Rotary Club's Christmas festival will not go ahead this year.

Club officials said that in view of the Covid-19 pandemic it had decided that the annual event, which included a visit from the Cairngorm Reindeer pulling Santa in his sleigh could not go ahead.

The club announced last month that it would not be having its annual charity collection where Rotarians toured the town and outlying villages with Santa on his sleigh.

The popular event had evolved in recent years and linked in with a farmer's market, craft fair and charity afternoon tea in the earlier part of the day before the reindeer visit and a celebration of the switching on of the lights on the Christmas tree.

Concerns over managing the crowd and ensuring that social distancing was maintained led to the decision.

The pre Christmas event, has run for almost 30 years but has previously had to be called off due to severe weather.

Club President Ian Esslemont said: " Given the ongoing Covid restrictions and the uncertainty as to what will be in place in December, we’ve had to cancel this year’s Santa and Reindeer in the Square. Fingers crossed we will be able to have it all back in place for 2021.’’

Rotarians will still be erecting and decorating a Christmas tree in The Square.

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