A MAJOR crisis has been averted in the village of Ropley thanks to the intervention of the great man himself, Father Christmas!

Every year for the last two decades Father Christmas has made the Ropley Victorian Christmas market one of his first ports of call, allowing children to have an early audience with him before he visits other venues.

But this year his hard-working team had muddled the date and he was already booked for another event next Thursday, November 26, so it looked as if he would be missing from this important festive occasion.

But then, according to organising committee representative Norma Day, “something amazing happened”.

She said: “Father Christmas got in touch with the organisers of the market and told them how much he appreciated the hard work that they put in, decorating Ropley village hall to turn it into a winter wonderland, preparing his magical grotto, polishing the Mini Santa Express, brewing the wine, baking hundreds of mince pies, and filling the hall with a fantastic array of stalls selling everything that is needed for the most wonderful Christmas, so how could he possibly let them down?

“He couldn’t! Nothing would keep him away from Ropley on that day, which is one of his favourite outings, is what he said, and so he will be there waiting in his grotto to welcome the children who will have ridden on the Mini Santa Express to see him and no-one will be disappointed.”

The Victorian market runs from 6pm to 8pm in Ropley village hall where there will be stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations, cakes, and even a special one with just gifts and treats for dogs.

There will be the usual complimentary mulled wine and mince pies for all adult visitors and a special gift for the children visiting Father Christmas. Admission to the market and Father Christmas is free, and there is ample car parking at the hall.