IMPORTANT UPDATE Poynton Round Table's Santa Sleigh will be back on the streets of Poynton. Sadly COVID is still around so we'll have to do things simular to last year and a little different to usual to help protect everyone and make sure Santa is ready for his big day on the 24th December.
Santa is coming to Town Poynton Round Table's Santa Sleigh has been making memories for over 30 years, bringing together young helpers from in and around Poynton and bringing festive cheer to the people of Poynton. We're often told that Christmas only starts when the sleigh is in town, so although 2021 will be very different to usual (well similar to 2020) - with COVID-19 safety restrictions in place to keep the public and our members safe - the Santa Sleigh will be coming to town this December! You can see his planned schedule for Poynton here.
Due to the COVID restrictions, we will not be able to stop door to door and collect cash for local charities. We regularly help over 30 local causes each year, which includes schools, clubs of all kinds, older age group clubs and activities, health charities and individual sponsorships (www.poyntonroundtable.co.uk/donations). If you are able to help us with our fundraising, anything you can spare will be gratefully received and we have the following ways to make a donation safely.
How will this year be different: Given the unpresented times and to keep everyone safe it will be very different to normal. We hope however, the sight of Santa, his sleigh, the lights and the Christmas music will bring a festive smile to everyone’s face (especially the children). Some of the changes are:
The sleigh will not be stopping, it will move slowly through the streets. You will have to grab photos of him on the move and from a COVID safe distance.
Santa will not be chatting in close contact, but he does have a microphone and big sound system so will be giving it lots of Ho Ho Ho’s and maybe even the odd song.
Santa will not be handing out any sweets. Maybe parents could get some sweets ready to give their children from Santa.
Santa will not be collecting Christmas Lists. Santa is asking that the children post them to the north pole or send digitally via https://www.emailsanta.com/email_santa.asp
Donations for local charities and good causes should be via TEXT or to our JustGiving page (details below). We will not be collecting cash or card/mobile donations this year
Below are a number of FAQ's about this years Santa rounds.
How to donate To be COVID safe we will not be collecting cash and will not be taking card payment on the Santa Sleigh this year. You can however still show your support and donate to us to help with our fundraising for and donations to local charities, groups and good causes.
Donate via TEXT message
Donate via TEXT MESSAGE We are collecting for local charities, groups and good causes. You can donate any amount via Text, for example: Text POYNTON 2 to 70460 to donate £2 Text POYNTON 3 to 70460 to donate £3 Text POYNTON 5 to 70460 to donate £5 Text POYNTON 10 to 70460 to donate £10 Text POYNTON 20 to 70460 to donate £20
Texts cost your donation amount plus one standard rate message.
Friday 17th December(6pm start) Higher Poynton, Shrigley Road North, Green Lane, Carleton Road, Pool House Road, Melrose Crescent, Middlewood Road.
FAQ's COVID-19: Will this year be different? The answer is YES – there are many changes to how the Poynton Round Table Santa Sleigh 2021 will run this year to meet COVID-19 safety measures.
Will Santa be stopping on my street? No. That is the simple answer. Santa will be visiting streets in a rolling sleigh and waving to all his fans. The sleigh WILL NOT stop at any point unless to perform a U-turn as per the route or as an unexpected safety precaution.
Can I take a photo of Santa? Yes, but we must stress that there will be NO Santa stops so Santa will not be getting off the sleigh to meet his fans. Feel free to come to your window, door or driveway to give a wave and take a social distanced photo of Santa. The sleigh will be in constant motion but hopefully at a low speed to get a clear photo.
Can I get a photo of my children with Santa or on the Sleigh? No. We will be applying COVID-19 safety measures so Santa will remain on the sleigh at all times and not getting off to have photos with his fans nor allow his fans to get on the sleigh.
At what times can we expect to see Santa? On a weekday Santa will begin at about 6pm and on a weekend about 4:45pm. We try and finish each route by 8:30pm at the very latest. To avoid missing Santa passing by, its best to follow Santa and his sleigh via the live tracker shared on this website.
Will Santa be giving out sweets? Sadly no. Maybe you can have some sweets ready to give your children as a gift from Santa.
Why can't Santa appear earlier/later? The guys of Poynton Round Table are all volunteers, all of whom have full-time jobs and families, meaning we cannot get out earlier on weekdays. The sleigh is also at its best when its in the dark. The Santa Sleigh is aimed at younger children who need their sleep, and many of whom will have school the following day; which is why Santa disappears at the time he does.
Will Santa be out regardless of the weather? Santa will always try and get out regardless of the weather (even if it means him and his elves get soaked). We can't ever recall missing a round, however, Rudolph may in exceptional circumstances have to cancel Santa's Sleigh going out due to:
Ice on the road,
Snow blocking roads,
Torrential and prolonged rainfall.
If its unsafe for Santa, his elves, the sleigh or members of the public to be out in extreme conditions then we will update you via our social media (https://www.facebook.com/PoyntonRoundTable & https://twitter.com/PoyntonSanta). We will try our upmost to return to the cancelled route where possible.
We missed Santa on our route! If you miss Santa we are sorry. However, he will be back on December 24th overnight to deliver presents to all the boys and girls of Poynton.
Who runs the Poynton Santa Sleigh? The Poynton Santa Sleigh is run by members of Poynton Round Table, affiliated to the National Association of Round Tables. All members give up their time voluntarily to organise and run the sleigh every December.