Children meet Father Christmas on town tour

FATHER Christmas has been touring Henley and Shiplake in his sleigh this week.

Each night, Santa and his “elves” have visited different areas and played Christmas music to encourage donations.

Children’s faces lit up when the bright red sleigh adorned with fairy lights visited Gainsborough Hill.

Emma Darani and her daughters, Milly and Lily, were especially excited.

Milly, seven, said: “I love reading, it is my favourite thing to do, so I have asked Santa for books and also sketch books because I really enjoy art too.”

Lily, three, said: “I asked Santa for two reindeers and a new Barbie doll.”

Santa’s helpers are not knocking on doors to ask for money due to the threat of coronavirus but donations can be made online. Each day’s visit starts at 6pm and his journey can be tracked on the Facebook page of Henley Lions Club, which has helped to organise the initiative. The remaining schedule is as follows: Sunday (December 12):  Blandy Road, Makins Road, King James Way and roads off St Andrew’s Road and Coldharbour Close.

Monday: King’s Road, York Road, Clarence Road, Mount View, Crisp Road, Clements Road, Luker Avenue and roads off.

Tuesday: Peppard Lane, Western Road, Cromwell Road, Belle Vue Road, Berkshire Road and Manor Road.

Wednesday: Elizabeth Road, Nicholas Road, Valley Road and roads off and Deanfield Road.

Thursday: Damer Gardens, Hamilton Avenue, Upton Close, Queen Street, Friday Street and the town centre, including Gravel Hill, West Street, Northfield End and New Street.