Parish spreads some socially distanced Christmas cheer

Parish spreads some socially distanced Christmas cheer

A Christmas-tree trail in shops and a display of messages of positivity from Islanders on screens at the former Beghins site and at Queensway House, between USC and Monsoon, have both been extended due to their success.

And a group of friendly elves and Christmas characters recently carried out some socially distanced present drops for children who had booked to take part in entertainment sessions with the parish so that their parents could shop. However, these sessions had to be cancelled because of changing Covid-19 restrictions.

Town centre and events manager Vicky Trehorel said: ‘I didn’t want children to be disappointed, as there has been enough of that this year, so the characters agreed to do some physically distanced present drops instead to make sure the children still got the gift and snack pack they would have received on the night. In the interest of safety – and to make sure we spread Christmas cheer only – they left presents outside the door and then stood three metres back and said hello to children and had a short conversation with them.

‘This way we still helped parents out with spreading some festive cheer and the children still got a magical memory on which to finish 2020 while everyone kept safe.’

She added: ‘Kelly Pontes is, the St Helier senior ambassador for 2020/21, very kindly offered to help out the elves by wrapping the presents, which Bambola helped to pick out and match to each child’s age so it’s been a great demonstration of a Christmas in partnership to keep the spirit alive, and I am very grateful to them and Performers Jersey for being so committed to making it happen.’

The screens are sharing messages of love, appreciation and good cheer for family, friends and heroes, and messages can be submitted by going online to sthelier.je/la-fete-de-noue. The screens are being updated once a week.

Meanwhile, maps for the Christmas-tree trail are available on the Facebook page, St Helier Town Centre and Events. Those taking part just need to follow the map, take ‘elfies’ [pictures] with the trees, and email those images to victoria.trehorel@posh.gov.je, together with their address so that they can receive their own tree-trail ornament as a prize. Each tree represents a good cause or charity.

Both the screens and the tree trail have been extended until 31 December.

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