Charity giveaway launches a Magical Christmas Event for all children at Bolton Abbey. When Father Christmas arrives at Bolton Abbey’s Strid Wood for the enchanting annual event ‘The Christmas Village’, it’s a sure sign that the festive season is well underway.
The launch of this magical Christmas event took place over the last weekend in November and was particularly delightful as it was enjoyed by 32 children who had been gifted complimentary tickets by the Bolton Abbey estate. The young visitors, invited along by two carefully selected children’s charities were invited to step out on this enchanting journey with the elves to visit Father Christmas, creating festive crafts and making music along the way.
The chosen charities were the Principle Trust’s Children’s Charity, whose aim is to help improve the quality of life for underprivileged, disadvantaged or disabled children across Yorkshire; along with the Skipton and Craven Ukrainian Support Group, who support the 100 plus and growing number of refugees, who have been steadily arriving since the spring.
The Principle Trust Children’s Charity aims to help their children and families’ quality of lives, primarily through the provision of free holidays and respite breaks. They also work with Embrace, who support children that have been victims of serious crime.
Jenny Coonan, Holiday Coordinator for The Principle Trust commented;
‘For many families supported by The Principle Trust, Christmas can be a particularly difficult time. Thanks to the team at Bolton Abbey, needy local children enjoyed a magical festive experience they might otherwise have only dreamt of’
The children from the Ukrainian Support Group included young Nadia Yuriichuk. Nadia lives in Carleton with her parents, Ivanka and Igor. She was delighted with the fun times had with the elves, according to Jane Rogers, Nadia’s host, who shared her joyful experience:
“Nadia is such a little sunbeam. Despite having very little English, she threw herself into the experience, racing around with the other children and having great fun. She was so excited to meet the elves, loved making her own magic Christmas dust and was in awe of meeting Father Christmas. She positively skipped along as we followed the lanterns towards Father Christmas’s home. This was an adventure she will remember for a long time to come.”
Dedicated Relaxed Sessions
New to this year’s event is the availability of dedicated ‘Relaxed’ sessions, these are held at select times, usually at the start of each day, when it’s quieter and with special attention being given to the specific needs of neurodivergent children, and children with additional needs and their carers, who may like to meet with Father Christmas and the Elves.
Full details of these dedicated sessions, and what to expect of the facilities, activities and environment offered in these sessions, can be seen in more detail on this link: https://boltonabbey.com/whats-on/relaxed-visits-to-father-christmas-2022/
General Information on The Christmas Village
Limited dates are still available until December 22nd from 9am til 5pm (last entry at 4pm)
Please dress suitably for this outdoor event and a torch will be useful for the darker woodland area, make sure footwear is sturdy. Pushchairs are welcome, but no dogs on this occasion.
15 minutes’ walk from the car park via Strid Wood to the Christmas Village, so allow plenty of time, whilst not arriving more than 5 minutes early for your timed slot.
Full details and a Q n A section can be found online, see:
www.boltonabbey.com/whats-on/father-christmas-2022/
Online Booking only and pre-booking is essential
Child prices – from £28; Adult/Older sibling price – £10 (not inc a festive gift from Father Christmas).
