Christmas in Haworth makes it to the news

... And not for the good reasons. If ever there was a funny, sad and weird story, then this is it. Excellent to draw those Christmas morals and question the meaning of this season. Perhaps the "Christmas Carol" of the future:

Tourists seeking a traditional Christmas have been coming to the picturesque village of Haworth, West Yorkshire, for years, drawn to its unchanging nature and its links with the Brontë sisters. But this year the cobbled streets that are usually filled with yuletide cheer have become home to a festive feud.

A rift between Mrs Santa Claus, a regular fixture on the village seasonal circuit, and a stand-in Santa Claus from the Traders’ Association, has soured the jolly atmosphere.

Sweetie Ruttan, 59, known to Haworth’s children as Mrs Claus, has pulled out of official activities over a £5 entry fee to the new grotto, a charge that she says goes against the spirit of Christmas.

[...]

Mr Beighton, who also accused the couple of ruining his social life, described how he had to hide from children, lest he spoil Christmas for them. “We can’t have two Santas roaming the streets of Haworth. If children saw us together it would spoil the magic,” he said. “So I have had to duck and dive to avoid them, but because they are renegades I don’t know when they are going to appear. One day they didn’t turn up, the next day they were walking down the street.

That has to be one of the funniest thing ever. Imagining the ducking and diving of a man dressed in a Santa Claus outfit is simply hilarious!

When Mr Beighton stepped in as the “official” Santa, Mrs Ruttan made it clear that she did not approve. She said: “He has the manner of a slug, and the traders could not stop me from being Mother Christmas and giving the children sweets. The grotto is in a garage near a chip shop and looks crap.”

Ha! Mind your vocabulary, Mrs Claus.

The association had printed flyers and tourist brochures as early as January promoting Haworth’s events for the year and a Santa’s grotto was included. These had gone to coach companies running excursions to the village where the Brontë sisters once lived.

See the coaches we were talking about on our previous post. Next Christmas they will put together a special line for the War of the Clauses, we are sure. The Brontës will have to make do with being put upon during this season of peace and love.

Kevin Hensby, chairman of the Haworth Traders’ Association, said that 400 children had visited the grotto. “It’s something fantastic for the kids. If you come here you want more than just a sweetie from Santa. Things change — you have to move on.”

Move on, Mr Hensby? By ripping off children who want to see Father Christmas and get some sweets?! Come on, it's the season of giving for something.

Anyway - do read the whole article, it's one of a kind. And afterwards don't forget to place your bets as soon as you can stop laughing. You have to wonder what the Brontë family would have to say about this happening in their village.

Categories: In_the_News, Haworth