Big hearted care home staff sparked Christmas joy as Santa rolled in for a spectacular festive lights switch on.

The much-loved annual parade saw Father Christmas make a grand entrance at the Pendine Park care organisation aboard a custom-built sleight painted by residents during arts and crafts sessions.

Joined by a team of hardworking elves, Santa toured all five of Pendine’s homes at the Summerhill Road site before lighting up the grounds with a dazzling display.

Pendine has been running this event for the past five years – and staff said this year was the best yet.

Santa and his team of happy helpers jumped on board a sleigh – and a motorbike decorated and ridden by helper Sven Bloqust  – to bring festive cheer to Cae Bryn, Highfield, Bryn Bella, Penybryn and Bodlondeb meeting residents and their visitors.

Santa flicked the switch on the lights which lit up the grounds to a huge cheer,  wished residents and visitors a very Merry Christmas and heaped praised on the staff for their efforts in putting the event together.

The successful event was a result of weeks of hard work by staff from all departments across Pendine.

Deputy manager of Bodlondeb Arlene Elano said it was the start of a very magical time at the home.

“This starts all the festive fun here at Pendine,” she said. “It has been a shame about the rain but everyone has still very much enjoyed themselves. A lot of relatives have come along to join the fun as residents have been looking forward to this so much.

“We put the decorations up a few days ago but the lights around the ground really show that the festive season has started. We have lots of Christmas parties to look forward to, it’s a very magical time for everyone here.”

Peter Stevens and his wife Hilary, whose son Ben is a resident at Bryn Bella, joined the festivities and praised the efforts made by staff to bring joy and Christmas cheer.

He added: “I can’t speak highly enough of the team here. They go above and beyond to make sure residents feel at home.
“Ben can’t communicate but he understands everything that is going on. Staff here have really taken the time to get to know him and it’s those efforts that have made such a difference to him and us.

“The staff are like a gift from the Gods.

“This event has been fantastic and it’s just one of many efforts staff have made since Ben has been here to bring joy to his life and the lives of everyone here.”

Carer Mary Prytherch, 55, dressed as an elf and handed out chocolates and sweets to help spread some cheer.

Mary, from Pentre Broughton, has worked as a carer at Pendine for over 20 years.

She said: “Things like this really make a difference to our residents and it’s so important for their well-being. Everyone is happy and smiling and having a good time, that happy atmosphere makes all the difference.”

The care organisation’s consultant artist-in-residence Sarah Edwards headed up the event’s organisation from start to finish.

She said: “Everyone gets involved and it’s a real joint effort form all the staff to put this event together.

“This has kicked off our annual festivities for the past five years and it gets everyone here into the Christmas spirit.

“It brings real joy and Christmas cheer and it’s something that residents and staff look forward to each year.

“The maintenance team have been fantastic in putting everything together and everything has run like clockwork.”

Mark Jones, Deputy Head Gardener, was proud to see the outdoor Christmas tree lit up for residents to enjoy.

He dressed as an elf for the event and joined Santa and his team of helpers in meeting and chatting to residents.

“It’s lovely to meet residents, said Mark. “We are always busy working and don’t often get much time to stop and have a chat, so it’s been great.”

Lee Williams, maintenance manager, said he was proud of his team’s efforts in putting the event together, adding: “The lads made the sleigh in their own time for the first event in 2020. Every year they add something to it to make each year bigger and better.

“Everyone does this bit to make sure our residents and their visitors have a good time.”