Santa trades his sleigh in for a festive speedboat

Roy Battarbee, right, with friends on his speed boat converted to Santa’s sleigh

Neighbours got together to try to bring a little joy to their community after discovering the annual Santa on a sleigh would not be going round the estates this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

So Roy Battarbee decorated his speedboat as a sled with lights and rigged up a sound system to play music, while he and other neighbours dressed as elves and Santa.

They have been touring the estates of the village bringing cheer to one and all at the end of a challenging year and have done it all at their own expense and in their own time.

They went round the Billinge streets and were due to do the same today.

Roy, 58, of Crookhurst Avenue, said: “I found out from the Rainford Round Table that the Santa sleigh wouldn’t be coming to Billinge as usual due to Covid. I thought it’s been a rough year and I’ll see what we can do.

“So I decided to use my own speed boat and use that as a sleigh, with elves who are some neighbours and a Santa on it.”

And Roy set up the sleigh so music was being played on it and lights, while he towed it in his van.

He said: “We wanted residents to view the sleigh from their doorsteps or gardens from safe distance.

“I put music and lights on the sleigh and towed it with my van and we also got some elves and Santa costumes, so probably spent a few hundred pounds sorting it.

“We’ve not got presents but it’s just a chance for people to have a look and bring a bit of entertainment and put smiles on people’s faces.

“The sleigh went all round the estate on the main road and roads off it.”

In the future he said he might consider doing it again even when the usual Santa sleigh can return.

His neighbour, Andrea Brown, of Wells Avenue, who plays an elf, said: “We just thought that it would be a good idea with it being such a depressing time.

“We’ve all been affected by Covid in one way or another and it was Roy’s idea to bring a bit of joy and it’s fun for the kids.

She added: “It’s also an excuse for adults who are big kids to have a bit of fun.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers ...