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It is with a very heavy heart that I have to share some difficult news.
After months of trying to find a new home for Santa's Village Oswestry, I have made the incredibly difficult decision that Santa's Village Oswestry will not be going ahead.
I cannot begin to tell you how deeply disappointed I am to be writing this.
Since announcing that I was looking for a new venue, so many wonderful people have gone out of their way to help. I have received countless suggestions, introductions, contact details and recommendations for possible venues, and have had many conversations with people who genuinely wanted to help make this happen.
The biggest challenge has always been finding a venue that was not only large enough, but also available for the length of time the event required. Santa's Village Oswestry wasn't simply an event that could be set up for a weekend. It took weeks to build, several weeks to welcome visitors, and time afterwards to dismantle everything safely. In total, we needed a venue for approximately eight weeks. Sadly, despite everyone's kindness, time and incredible efforts, we were unable to secure a venue that could meet those requirements.
I could have compromised on the venue or scaled back the experience, but that has never been what Santa's Village Oswestry stood for. Every child and every family deserved a magical experience, and I wasn't prepared to deliver anything less.
To everyone who shared my appeals, suggested venues, made introductions, passed on contact details, offered advice or simply wished me well, thank you. Your support has meant more than I could ever put into words. The kindness shown by our local community has been overwhelming, and I will always be grateful to every single person who took the time to try and help.
From the very beginning, my dream was to create something magical that families could look forward to every Christmas. An event of this scale needed to cover its costs to make it sustainable, but my priority was always the experience. Seeing children's faces light up, watching families make memories together and bringing a little Christmas magic to Oswestry made every late night, every challenge and every obstacle worthwhile.
Although this chapter has come to an end, I sincerely hope that one day someone is able to create an event that captures the same magic and continues to bring families together while supporting Oswestry, its businesses and our local community during the Christmas season. I truly believe our town deserves something special at Christmas, and I hope that dream continues.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who visited Santa's Village Oswestry over the years. Without your support, smiles and belief in what we were trying to achieve, none of it would have been possible. The memories we created together will stay with me forever, and I hope they will with you too.
Thank you once again for believing in Santa's Village Oswestry and for being part of an incredible journey.
Please continue to support the wonderful businesses, organizations and community groups that work so hard to make Christmas special in Oswestry. They deserve our support just as much as they have given me theirs.
With heartfelt thanks,
Amanda Jones
Santa's Village Oswestry
Meet Santa's Helpers
Come and meet Dippsie the naughty Elf, The Grinch and Max his lovely dancing dog. Make a wish at the Magical Wishing Tree and listen to a Christmas story while you wait to see Santa.
How Magical