Santa recruited at short notice

• I WOKE up and thought that the little children are missing out on the memories that we all have at seeing Santa.

So a quick dash to an empty Sainsbury’s to buy lots of small things, Malcolm and I spending the rest of the day wrapping presents, a quick call to Santa in Swiss Cottage, really Jonny Bucknell, and a WhatsApp message to the mums of small children around us and, hey presto, we had an impromptu event!

Children looked on with wide eyes at Santa. We all had a surprise half an hour socially distanced.

Another lovely event was Rev Paul Nicholson and his volunteers at St Peter’s Church on Sunday. We were all socially distanced and masked.

We had lovely singing from Belsize Choir and readings and afterwards we went to the garden and sang hymns together and took pleasure in the mulled wine which Victoria Coren and David Mitchell had provided, very generous by all who helped for that evening. Thank you.

Our Village Square is lit up. It is funded by our Traders – a big thanks to them; and Roni’s stayed open and I could get my coffee on Christmas Day. Not bad eh!

Neighbours in Belsize Lane got together after the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day so we could all wish each other Happy Christmas so we can be assured that we aren’t alone after all.

One lovely neighbour offered to cook us both Christmas dinner which we declined as we had already bought our food but the sheer offer gave us a glow. It can only get better.

LINDA GROVE
NW3