Harrogate businesses have once again been helping to bring Christmas magic to the local community by supporting three worthwhile projects this year.
Harrogate businesses support Christmas community projects Harrogate businesses have once again been helping to bring Christmas magic to the local community by supporting three worthwhile projects this year. The Green Elf Project, The Unity Christmas Shows and Harrogate Neighbour’s Dinner with Santa all aim to give a big dose of Christmas cheer to all ages. School children from three local primary schools are set to learn all about the importance of recycling and reusing at Christmas this year. After the success of last year’s Green Elf Project, Suzanne Vaughan of Enchantica’s has once again been working with a team of charity and educational sponsors to enable more schoolchildren to come along and enjoy the show. Year 2 classes from Western Primary, Grove Road Primary and Oatlands Infants will be travelling on foot or by electric bus courtesy of The Harrogate Bus Company to the Cedar Court Hotel. The Harrogate Bus Company General Manager Steve Ottley said:
"We're delighted to help Enchantica’s bring the joy of Christmas to our town by providing our sparkling festive tour bus to take lucky youngsters to Harrogate's very own Elf Village, where the magic happens. "All those on our special journey will need to be on Santa's good list, and as always, we'll pull out all the stops to put 'elf and safety' first!"Once at their destination, the children will move through Elf School, the Enchanted Forest of Wishes and the Elf Village on their way to the Christmas Tipi, discovering all about sustainability and how recycling is important for the environment as they go. With the support of business sponsors, the Green Elf Project educational theatre show promotes the benefits of being eco-friendly through interactive activities hosted by Father Christmas and his elves. Ruth Donnelly, Director at sponsor Doma Architects, said:
"As architects we strive to bring joy to people through improving and designing homes in as sustainable way as possible. We are therefore thrilled to be able to support Enchantica's Green Elf project that spreads the word about sustainable practices to young children. "Enchantica's sprinkle joy to so many throughout the year, we are honoured to be able to help this festive season.”In addition, families from Harrogate charity The Unity were once again invited as Father Christmas’ VIP guests at Elf Village for some dedicated quiet shows. The Unity offers accessible events for Harrogate families living with disability, neurodiversity or from vulnerable backgrounds. Lynn Westerman from The Unity said:
“Visits to Father Christmas can be stressful for many families, which is why we value the experience of the incredible team at Enchantica’s, not only for their undeniable performing talent and creativity but, more importantly, their experience and ability to very naturally adapt their show to the individual needs of each audience member. “The families really do appreciate this opportunity at what can typically be a very difficult time for anyone living with difference. Many have told us that it is the very first time they have managed to bring their child to meet Father Christmas – we’re so grateful for the generosity of all the sponsors in allowing us to give this wonderful gift to them.”Lyndsay Snodgrass of sponsor Verity Frearson said:
“We are absolutely delighted to once again support the community projects that the Enchantica's Father Christmas Experience are putting on this year. "It’s so lovely to see local businesses pulling together to help fund some of the inclusive shows for those who would not normally get the opportunity to attend.”The third of Enchantica’s Christmas Community Projects is new for 2023 and saw the festive joy and cheer extended to older members of the community via an invitation to have dinner with Father Christmas last week. Working alongside local organisation Harrogate Neighbours, this special festive meal generously put on by The Cedar Court Hotel, aimed to help combat loneliness and provide something special to look forward to this Christmas. Orsolya Foldi, coordinator at Harrogate Neighbours said:
“What an amazing experience it was for our residents at Cedar Court! The meal was beautiful, the whole Santa experience with the Elf village was brilliant! And one resident said this was one of the best days of his life!”Suzanne, Director at Enchantica’s said:
“We’re so grateful to the wide range of Harrogate businesses who have kindly supported this year’s projects.”The roll call of sponsors includes: Hindson & Collier, Doma Architects, Verity Frearson, Thompsons Chartered Accountants, RedHouse Originals, Nicholls Tyreman, North Residential, Richard Grafton Interiors, Transdev, Specsavers, Morgan Clare, North Yorkshire Council, Myrings and Starling Independent, along with main event sponsors Harrogate BID and event hosts The Cedar Court Hotel. Gyles Behbood of sponsor Thompsons Chartered Accountants said:
"Christmas in Harrogate is always a very special time of year and this should be the case for everybody in any circumstance or period of their life. "We are absolutely delighted to be supporting Enchantica's and its great causes, to give everyone the opportunity of having a very happy and memorable Christmas."Enchantica’s Harrogate Father Christmas Experience is sponsored by Harrogate BID and hosted by the Cedar Court Hotel. All weekend shows are now sold out but they have released extra shows this Thursday and Friday at 1pm for anyone with children not in school. Book at www.enchanticas.co.uk/christmas/ Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
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