The annual Rotary Santa sleigh brings joy to Watford

Santa and his sleigh will be visiting the streets of Watford again this Christmas

Run solely by local volunteers, the rotary club of Watford’s sleigh helps raise funds for those most in need this December; every donation goes straight to local causes. 

This year, Watford’s beloved Santa’s sleigh tradition was ‘in danger’ due to a lack of voluntary support. However, organisers were thankfully able to add numbers to their team much to the town’s delight. With every penny being raised supporting local charities, it’s a joy that Santa’s sleigh is able to return this Christmas after over 20 years of it parading the Christmas streets of Watford. 

Vibe 107.6 FM presenter Tina Fuller had Simon Feldman (‘Chief Elf Coordinator’) and Jenny (Head of Marketing) into the studio to discuss the details, and predominantly what makes the tradition so magical. 

Jenny revealed that “the Santa sleigh we have at the moment was kindly donated by the Warner Bros. Studios” with its own special effects snowing machine; “it’s absolutely amazing”, Jenny adds. 

Simon states that they are aiming to accumulate £18,500 in donations which “goes straight back locally to good causes”. “Help Santa, help Watford” by donating to local charities like New Hope, Random Café, and more. Contactless card payment will be available and any donations, as little as they may be, are warmly welcomed. Santa’s sleigh will be stopping at the following locations on the following dates:

Monday 2nd December – Garston – Lemonfield Drive, Mutchetts Close, Chichester Way, Cranfield Drive, Bucknalls Lane, Tudor Manor Gardens and Coates Way. 

Tuesday 3rd December – Garston – Cuffley Avenue, Bovingdon Crescent, Codicote Drive, Gaddesdon Crescent, Garston Lane, Woodhurst Avenue, Fourth Avenue, First Avenue, Second Avenue, Third Avenue, and Garston Lane.

Thursday 5th December – The Meriden – The Phillipers, The Pelhams, Fairfolds, Bowmans Green, York Way, Turnstones, Westlea Avenue, and Eastlea Avenue.

Friday 6th December – Leggatts – Leggatt’s Wood Ave, Ash Tree Road, Pomeroy Crescent, Berry Avenue, Cherry Tree Road, Hazel Tree Road, Oakdene Road, Beechwood Rise, Bushey Mill Lane, Bushey Mill Crescent, and Northfields Gardens.

Monday 9th December – Sandringham and North Watford – Sandringham Road, Balmoral Road, Southfield Avenue, Munden Grove, Knutsford Avenue, and Hilbert Avenue.

Tuesday 10th December – Tudor and Knutsford – Douglas Avenue, Tudor Avenue, Bushey Mill Lane, Tudor Avenue, Tudor Walk, Knutsford Avenue, Westfield Avenue, Eastfield Avenue, Tavistock Road, Devon Road, Byron Avenue, Carisbrooke Avenue, and Devon Road.

Thursday 12th December – Woodside and Leavesden – Haines Way Shops, Sheepcote Way, Queenwood Crescent, Sheepcote Lane, High Road, Ganders Ash, Stud Green, The Brow, Louvain Way, Weall Green, and Louvain Way, The Brow.

Friday 13th December – Courtlands - Leaford Crescent, Gammons Lane, Chilcott Road, Comyne Road, Hudson Close, Courtlands Road, Goodwood Avenue, Minerva Drive, Greenbank Road, Rosecroft Drive, Courtlands Drive, and Strangeways.

Monday 16th December – Kingswood - North Approach, Greenwood Drive, Fern Way, Kingswood Road, Hillingdon Road, Meadow Rd, Perivale Gardens, Briar Road, Appletree Walk, and Sycamore Close.

Tuesday 17th December – Leavesden Green Estate - North Approach, Moss Road, Kingswood Road, Briar Road, Orbital Crescent, Evans Avenue, Clarke Way, Rushton Avenue, Harris Road, Ross Crescent, Harris Road, Hemming Way, and Summerfield Road.

Thursday 19th December – Cassiobury - Langley Way Roundabout,  Hartford Drive, Devereux Drive, Woodland Drive, The Gardens, Orchard Close, Orchard Drive, and Langley Way.

Friday 20th December – Watford High Street – Corner of Metro Bank in Watford High Street (10am-4pm).

Friday 20th December – Cassiobury – Cassiobury Drive Roundabout, Belmont Wood Avenue, Langley Way, Richmond Drive, Parkside Drive, and Cassiobury Drive.

Saturday December 21 to Monday December 23 – Dome roundabout Sainsbury’s

“It’s something that we’re definitely really passionate about making sure it continues in the community for generations to come” Jenny says, further noting that the team are still looking for volunteers to keep the sleigh going year after year. Fewer than 20 volunteers have been “giving up their Decembers to make this happen for everyone’s benefit”. The team would be glad for any additional help to keep the tradition alive, so if interested head to www.santawatford.co.uk and hit ‘volunteer’ to get involved. 

Check out www.santawatford.co.uk and Watford Santa Sleigh Facebook page for more information.