Historic Christmas Tradition Under Threat
A cherished Christmas tradition that has brought joy to generations of families in Newton Aycliffe faces being scrapped after council bosses enforced new safety regulations. The town's beloved Santa sleigh parade, which dates back to the 1960s, could become another victim of what locals are calling excessive 'elf and safety' rules.
The annual Christmas Eve festivities in this County Durham town have long featured a team of Father Christmases riding on sleighs through the streets, handing out sweets to excited children. However, Great Aycliffe Town Council has proposed changes that would effectively end the 65-year tradition by preventing the continuous parade through neighbourhoods.
Compromise Rejected as New Rules Bite
This isn't the first time the tradition has faced challenges. Back in 2018, the council nearly cancelled the festivities due to legislation prohibiting people from sitting on the back of moving vehicles. A compromise was reached at that time, with the Santas agreeing to wear seatbelts and sit inside trucks out of sight.
Now, council leaders have introduced fresh regulations demanding that the Santa-carrying sleighs cannot travel continuously around the town. The new rules state they must remain stationary when greeting children, meaning residents will have to leave their homes and meet them at designated stops instead of watching from their windows.
Community Backlash and Volunteer Concerns
The proposed changes have sparked anger among locals, with a public committee meeting scheduled at Newton Aycliffe council offices to discuss the matter. Stuart Mawson, a 56-year-old ambulance worker who has volunteered as Santa for the past two years, described the idea as "hairbrained."
"I got an email stating that it's all changing - they're getting rid of the Santas driving round the streets," Mr Mawson revealed. "They are saying it's difficult because of the size of the flatbed trucks that it's affecting parking. Yes, we know parking can be tight sometimes, but we only go so far up."
The volunteer Santa expressed his disappointment at potentially losing a tradition tied to "community nostalgia," adding: "It's not just the kids, it's seeing the adults watching their children's faces light up too."
Council Defends Changes Amid Safety Concerns
Great Aycliffe Town Council has defended the proposed changes in an official press release, framing them as improvements to the event. The council stated that under the new plans, Santa will stop at various locations around the town at designated times, giving people choice about when and where to see him.
"No household in Great Aycliffe will be more than 500 metres away from one of the stops, and in many cases even less than this," the council claimed. "Santa will also remain at the stops for a longer period of time to enable children to see him and have their photographs taken."
The council also cited volunteer shortages as a concern, revealing that two routes last year were "close to being closed" due to volunteers not turning up. A total of 36 volunteers are needed to cover the event, and last year only family members stepping in at the last minute prevented cancellations.
Tradition Versus Modern Safety Requirements
Mr Mawson remains unconvinced by the council's arguments, particularly questioning the accessibility for families without cars. "Beforehand people could watch it from their houses and wave. Some people aren't in a position to come out - I'd love to know who came up with the hairbrained idea," he said.
The council spokesperson responded: "Our town is growing, and with more parked cars and narrow streets, it's become harder to keep the tours safe and reliable. Finding enough volunteers and suitable vehicles has also been a challenge."
The Council's Health and Safety Advisor and insurers have advised that adjustments need to be made to ensure the safety of both residents and volunteers. The spokesperson added that the updates would "ensure everyone can enjoy the magic without worry" while reducing the risk of anyone missing out on seeing Santa.
However, Mr Mawson has indicated he may not continue volunteering if the changes are finalised, stating: "I don't think I will do it - I want to keep traditions. It's a tradition that shouldn't be broken."
