This Christmas at St. John's Wood

In the run up to the Festive Season, the St. John’s Wood NW8 Business Association is thrilled to present a number of special events taking place at the Christmas Grotto for local children this December: the Children’s Christmas Lucky Dip and the exciting chance to meet Santa Claus. The Christmas Grotto, kindly sponsored by Bargets Estate Agents, Drake Algar Flowers and Igloo of St John’s Wood, will be positioned at the south end of the High Street.

Welcoming the children to the beautiful Grotto will be a very special Santa – local Police Community Support Officer, Nick Rosling. With his jolly demeanor and his very own white beard to boot, the respect Nick holds with residents and retailers alike provides an incredible opportunity to further strengthen the relationships between the Metropolitan Police and local community.

"Having our local Police Officer as Santa Claus in our brand new Christmas Grotto makes for just such a wonderful community event. St John's Wood is encouraging local families to come to the street and by engaging in the Christmas Lucky Dip or presenting Santa with their letters to his workshops is sprinkling that extra helping of pixie dust in the run up to the festive season” - Clive Beecham, Chairman of the St John's Wood NW8 Business Association.

The Grotto will be open for the posting of letters to Santa's workshops in the North Pole, a visit with Santa himself and a gift of a goody bags on 7th and 14th of December from 2 – 6pm. As well as the presence of carol singers to add to the Christmas spirit, there will be no charge to see Santa, and there are lovely goodie bags to walk away with as well!

On the Thursdays 5th and 12th of December from 3.30 – 6pm and Sundays 8th and 15th from Noon – 4pm the Grotto will be hosting a Children’s Christmas Lucky Dip. A minimum donation of £2 a ticket is suggested, and the Lucky Dip aims to raise funds for St John’s Hospice. Each ticket is a prize winner; the star prize being the opportunity to be a Zoo Keeper for the Day at the local ZSL London Zoo. Other prizes include a children’s bicycle, generous gifts from the local stores, and many, many more!