Wow! Santa's new sleigh wins all the plaudits

The introduction of a Rotary club’s brand-new Santa sleigh has gone down a bomb – achieving more plaudits than its owners could have imagined.

As soon as the sleigh was driven onto Sainsbury’s car park at Shrewsbury’s Meole Brace retail park it immediately attracted admiring glances and no small number of ‘wows’.

“Despite the sudden cold snap of weather, the sleigh was admired by all age ranges,” said David Morris, president of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club which has launched the newly designed sleigh.

He went on: “With most of the younger generation taking the opportunity to talk to Santa personally, they also climbed on board the sleigh to check out the new luxurious upholstery. 

“After spending just under four hours at the store, the sleigh was whisked off to 'Sign & Poster' to have its new livery applied by their expert staff.''

David added: ''Wow! What a day. Santa and his elves just could not believe people's generosity. Not only were people eagerly popping cash into the collection buckets, but Sainsbury's warmth and helpfulness in allowing us to park the sleigh by the main entrance was really so very gratefully appreciated. 

“A special thanks, however, goes to Sign & Poster for their unparalleled kindness in providing - and fitting - the sleigh's new livery.  It was a pleasure to work with such a pleasant group of people and an amazingly professional and well organised company. 

“We are so incredibly lucky to have a company like this on our doorstep. We are certainly really blessed here in Shropshire''.

The sleigh will not only be seen at supermarkets in Shrewsbury, but on the streets of the town from Mount Pleasant to Gains Park and Radbrook.

Said Rotarian Marcus Watkin, who was on duty as an elf at Sainsbury’s: “The footfall was mainly mums with pre-school children, but there were people asking where the sleigh will be going.

“I think once some extra lights are fitted, it will be great.”