Families flock to Huntly Square for short notice Santa visit
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HUNTLY'S community spirit sparkled on Sunday afternoon when people turned out in droves for a hastily arranged visit from Santa.
Fears over the spread of Covid-19 led Huntly Rotary Club to call off their plans to host a visit from the Cairngorm Reindeer and Santa on Sunday afternoon.
As news of the decision spread, a chance remark from a Huntly dad of two, working offshore led to a flurry of planning.
Sam Combe, who was marooned in Shetland due to bad weather, suggested that someone plan a Santa visit to avoid children being disappointed.
His wife, Corey and community stalwart Di Mitchell were spurred into action by the expressions of disappointment on social media.
As people got to hear of the plan to ensure that Santa's visit to Huntly was not cancelled they got behind the two mums with offers of help.
Huntly's firefighters who were due to be in The Square during the morning for the festive farmers market offered to extend their visit and bring Santa to the town centre with lights and sirens sounding.
The farmers market team helped out by extending the road closure signage.
Lisa Morrison Investments donated £100 to buy sweets, Tesco also donated a trolley full of sweet treats and Nessa Begg Robertson pitched in with even more sweets.
On Monday, the surplus boxes of sweets were taken to Gordon Rural Action (GRA) for any youngster who missed the event to collect.
Local DJ JP was roped in to play some Christmas Music and Sami at the Turkish barber provided the electricity for his equipment.
Huntly Golf Club offered up warming soup for anyone who wanted to pop down afterwards.
As Santa emerged from the fire engine there was a huge cheer.
He took his place at a table next to the Christmas to greet young visitors and long queues formed.
The two women were delighted by how many people turned out.
Ms Mitchell said: "It was just unbelievable - so much achieved in 24 hours. There was nothing in the advice to says outdoor events could not happen and we asked people to be mindful of social distancing and adults to wear masks. People of all ages were just so glad to have something to come to, especially for the kids. People said time and again that because of Covid kids had missed so much and they had been so looking forward to seeing Santa - it's just part of Christmas."
Mrs Combe, added: " We needed to do something for the kids. There was a real sense of disappointment when the original event was called off. It was great to have so many people turn out, Huntly's community spirit has not disappeared with Covid.
"We are really grateful to everyone who pitched in to make it happen."
DJ JP said: "I had no hesitation to get involved. It's been great to get everyone out, we needed to do something to cheer folk up."
