A CHERISHED festive attraction will return virtually this year to ensure children across the city get a personal message from Father Christmas.
Usually thousands of people would head to Coventry Transport Museum to see the man in the big red suit and his two reindeer at at the museum, taking a trip on the famous Vintage Sleigh Ride.
But, due to the restrictions around Covid-19 and social distancing, Coventry Transport Museum is unable to operate the Sleigh as usual this year.
Despite those restrictions, the museum is still helping families make cherished memories and is offering personalised messages from Santa to children – and adults – which they will receive in the comfort of their own home.
Each video will be personalised and include details such as name, age, siblings, pets, hobbies, and even whether Father Christmas will be entering via a chimney or door on Christmas Eve. Digital messages need to be booked through the museum by November 22 to arrive in time for Christmas.
Jane Murphy, Corporate Services Director at Culture Coventry, the charity which runs Coventry Transport Museum, said: “We can’t run the Vintage Sleigh Ride in the same way as we have in previous years because of the restrictions currently in place.
“However, Santa is paying us a visit in a different way this year, and will instead create personalised messages for children of all ages, straight from his grotto.”
For those who may wish to visit the Sleigh in person, Coventry Transport Museum is offering a new visitor experience for limited numbers, which will include an afternoon tea in a winter wonderland with tasty sandwiches, mouthwatering cakes and festive drinks.
Elves will also be on hand to entertain visitors, and Santa himself will make an appearance.
Bookings for the Vintage Sleigh Ride and Santa Tea experience can be made for families of up to six people from two households, as well as single households with more than six people in line with government guidance.
Jane added: “The afternoon tea experience is not the same as the usual festive offer – it is a catered two-hour experience for six people which includes a lengthy private sleigh ride, a delicious afternoon tea, a personalised gift for every child, a socially-distanced visit from Santa, entertainment from Father Christmas’ elves and museum tickets.”
There are two daily sessions each day for the Vintage Sleigh Ride and Santa Tea Experience – they are between 11am and 1pm and from 3pm to 5pm on the three Saturdays and Sundays before Christmas – December 5 and 6, 12 and 13 and 19 and 20.
For more information about the personalised video message from Santa and the Vintage Sleigh Ride and Santa Tea experience click here.
