Father Christmas is making his first appearance for some time at Graylingwell Park and we would love you to be a part of it, whilst also helping raise vital funds for Children on the Edge, as well as local CCDT community youth projects. Families that are shielding, isolating or uneasy of going to public events can also book via zoom - further details below...

To make sure the event is entirely COVID secure we are limiting the number of people that can see him at any one time but you will get a 15 minute time slot to enjoy a magical moment.

The festive setting will help us all to get in the spirit of Christmas after the many challenges of November's lockdown and will be the perfect start to the festive season. Should the lockdown be extended and the event need to be cancelled all tickets will receive a full refund.

Pre-booking is essential and tickets will cost £6.50, to include the visit with Santa and a gift for one child, with a maximum of one adult per child. Important safety and social distancing guidelines are provided below to ensure the minimum of risk.

Three spaces will be made available online for each 15 minute interval, allowing for three children accompanied by a maximum of one adult per child, keeping within the rule of 6. IF you would like to book the whole 15 minute session as a family group/bubble containing up to a maximum of six people (i.e. it could be up to five children with one adult, or four children with two adults) please book all three children's spaces and any additional children beyond the three paid for will need to pay on the day.

If you choose to book just one or two children's spaces, you will potentially be joined by others booking at the same time from other households, ensuring numbers never exceed 6 people, and social distancing is observed at all times.

To ensure social distancing please do not arrive more than 5 minutes before your allocated booking. There will be hot drinks and snacks available for you to buy at the event, with craft activities available to purchase and enjoy at home - please pay by card wherever possible, but cash will be accepted for those unable to use cards.

SECURITY MEASURES:

• In the event that our Father Christmas Grotto is unable to go ahead, you will receive a full refund on extension to the lockdown should it occur.
• Please do not attend if any member of your group is displaying symptoms, or if you have been told to isolate by NHS Track and Trace.
• Due to current government guidelines, bookings are limited to a maximum of six people per session - maximum of one adult may accompany each child, unless the full 15 minute session is purchased for one household with no more than 6 people allowed in to Santa's Grotto per session.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults must be included within group numbers. One adult per child is admitted free of charge.
• Children will receive an age appropriate gift from Father Christmas. These gifts will be quarantined for at least 72 hours after being wrapped.
• Father Christmas will be wearing a face mask. A minimum distance of 2 meters must be maintained between visitors and Father Christmas at all times. Seating will be provided to help ensure the minimum distance. Accompanying adults will be asked to wear a facemask throughout the visit.
• An opportunity for a 'socially distanced' photo with Santa will be available at the grotto.
• On arrival, please follow the one way system in the grotto, and use the hand gel provided. A member of the CCDT team will take your temperature on arrival and those exceeding 38 degrees will not be able to enter.
• Pre-booking is essential. Tickets are non-refundable.
• Please note, a socially distanced queuing system will be in place to avoid the gathering of groups.

A ZOOM APPOINTMENT:

By booking out a 15-minute time slot it will be possible to have Santa’s undivided attention to hear all about the children’s Christmas lists and wishes for the new year. A grotto wouldn’t be the same without a gift from Santa which can be delivered by Santa’s little helpers to those living within Chichester, if booked at least 48hrs before Santa’s meeting. For those living a little further afield the gifts can be collected in advance from The Pavilion, on Graylingwell Park from 9:30am-2:30pm.

For families looking to enjoy the virtual experience, it is necessary to buy all three tickets available for the 15 minute time slot of their choosing as Santa wants to focus all of his attention on the children zooming to his sleigh, and then email the team at info@chichestercdt.org.uk to make arrangements for gift collection/delivery and to receive a zoom link direct to Santa.