Santa Claus is coming to Dilton Marsh!

CHILDREN of Dilton Marsh will be able to hand their Christmas wish list direct to Santa this year as generous locals have taken time out of their busy schedules to construct a Santa float by hand! 

The Santa float will be passing through the streets of Dilton Marsh from 6pm on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th December and children are encouraged to use it to post their Christmas card to Santa. There will be collections on the nights for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Macmillan and the Dilton Marsh community Santa float fund. 

A spokesperson for the Santa float group said, “We had so many people leave so many positive comments about the float last year, that a member of the parish council asked if we would repeat it this year. 

“So, with the support of the parish council, the hard work from our newest member Luke Harris (who has become head of operations), the sponsors Quality Van Dilton Marsh, All Drainage Services in Westbury and Dilton Recovery, not to mention the work from the original team of Mike, Ashley and Sam, we are ready to set out for the second year running with a brand-new sleigh on the 10th and 11th December. We look forward to seeing your face and don’t forget to post a Christmas card to Santa!” 

The Santa float in Dilton Marsh came about last year as three locals decided that children’s spirits needed a lift after life under covid restrictions. Mike Miles, Ashley Couldrake and Sam Couldrake designed and constructed the festive Santa sleigh (and his reindeer friends) in Ashley and Sam’s house.  

The group cut costs by sourcing recycled materials and were fortunately donated materials from social media. The rest was paid for out of the group’s own pockets.