To our VisitEastbourne
fans… you’ve stuck by us all year round through scorching heat waves and the December
wind and rain, so here’s our Christmas gift to all you good girls and boys – an
exclusive interview with the man himself…
Santa Claus!
Santa, we are delighted you are taking time out of
your busy pre-Christmas schedule to talk to us today. You
must be busy at your Christmas Cottage in Drusillas Park
Everything is going very
merrily indeed. I have a lot of help from my elves and we are having a lovely
time meeting all the boys and girls at Drusillas Park
Have the people of Eastbourne
been good this year?
Yes, Eastbourne
has such a wonderful community spirit I think you’ve all been amazing this
year. You r
Santa Fun Run event for charity tickled me greatly, what fun I had jogging
along! And your 12 days of Christmas Competition was a great celebration and I
was happy to supply the gifts early - it’s so important at Christmas time to
celebrate what we have, and to help those in need.
Like all animals, it is
very important that I care for my reindeers properly to ensure they remain
happy and healthy; after all they have a very important job to do!
I always make sure they
are well fed and have plenty of fresh water and during December I give them
extra helpings of grass, moss, birch and willow leaves to help them through the
long night on the 24th December.
My pre-flight checks
involve a thorough look at their antlers and hooves! After Christmas male
reindeers lose their antlers before new ones grow back again for next year.
During the winter months, their hoof pads also shrink and tighten to help with
the cold conditions…and reduce slipping on rooftops!
What other animals live near your main home at the
North pole?
When I’m back home at the
North Pole, I see a whole host of other wildlife, including polar bears, seals,
whales, arctic foxes, arctic wolves and sometimes the beautiful snowy owl, like
the two at Drusillas. I have to come to the zoo though to see penguins - they
live in the South Pole which lots of people don’t realise!
Do you have any special gifts for the people of Eastbourne ?
Next year is going to be
very exciting indeed as we have another great list of events planned with Magnificent
Motors, Carnival, Tennis, Extreme, Airbourne, two beer events and much more!
How do you celebrate on Christmas Day?
Well delivering presents
all around the world is quite exhausting, so I always have a little nap and
feed the reindeer when I get home. I’m
usually refreshed by mid morning, so with a little Santa magic, I might take
Mrs Claus to the free Christmas Day concert at the Redoubt Fortress for some
festive singing and dancing.
What festive gifts will you and Mrs Claus be
getting each other this year?
I have a book on
Eastbourne History for Mrs Claus as she is very excited to go to the new
Ancestors Exhibition at the Pavilion in February. She’ll be ready to see the
fascinating reconstructions and findings that the Ancestors team have
uncovered.
I’m hoping for panto
tickets to see Aladdin at the Devonshire Park Theatre – the evil Abanazaar is
being a bit greedy wanting the magic lamp, so he won’t be getting any Christmas
presents this year!
What’s your favourite Christmas Film?
It’s got to be White
Christmas, I try and watch it every year but I am extra excited this year as
the stage version is on at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre! Opening on 19 December
and running to 4 January, the show is based on the paramount film and includes
some fantastic festive cheer and songs, including the famous ‘White Christmas’.
I can’t wait!
Thank you Santa for taking the time to talk to us,
before we go - any special requests?
A mince pie or two and a
carrot for Rudolph would be lovely, however the most important thing is for you
all to have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, help those
around you and celebrate your wonderful town of Eastbourne
Merry Christmas Santa!
Visit Santa in his Christmas
Cottage at Drusillas
Park
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