At Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre near Brough in East Yorkshire, Santa will be approaching the busy run-up to Christmas with a little help from one of his most senior elves – who is a modest 76 years young.
With a new team on Christmas this year, the centre has put the effort into making the displays more customer friendly yet keeping that traditional Christmas feel. “I feel we have ticked all the boxes,” general manager Mike Waugh told GTN Xtra. “The early Christmas sales have been very positive and we are moving into the busy weeks of Christmas with a HO HO HO in our step
“We opened our grotto a week earlier this year with a positive feel from customers. It's only our third year running the grotto but the early signs are that it's going from strength to strength and with breakfast with Santa sold out already and only a few spaces left on the tea with Santa, the future looks merry.”
Mike and his team know the success of the grotto is down to Santa… “but he's helped out by the sweetest Elf you could ask for. All the children love her as much as we all do at Ellerker Lodge.”
Elf Carole Martin celebrated her 76th birthday in November. “We think she could be Santa's most senior helper, though you wouldn't think she's just turned 76! Carole makes every child's Santa experience so so special.”