Romiley and Marple Lions Christmas at the DMR
News shared by Terry Harding of Romiley and Marple Lions:
Sadly, we have now decided that there will be no Marple Santa Dash in 2024 but our other main Christmas activity at the Dragon Miniature Railway is unaffected and will go ahead as usual with the fantastic support of Brian Lomas and his DMR (at Dobbies' Marple Garden Centre). They really have given us wonderful support over the years and work side by side with the Club every Christmas during our busiest and most successful fundraising period.
We first teamed up with them in 2009 and I think I can safely say that many local families (and probably some from outside the area) look forward to visiting Father Christmas in his beautifully decorated grotto or just having a train ride round the equally beautifully decorated circuit. Brian and his team of volunteers really do transform the whole area into a Christmas Winter Wonderland.
Children and adults alike never cease to be captivated!
Although the Club is usually only "working on the Railway" during the Christmas period, the DMR is obviously active throughout the year - open at week-ends, on Bank Holidays and during school holidays. Always well worth a visit. In addition to the Christmas Grotto, another highlight of the Railway's year is Halloween - when the circuit and the tunnel are again spectacularly decorated.
It is always a pleasure to work with Brian and his colleagues, or just visit them for a brew and a chat. Romiley and Marple Lions (and the area we "serve") have much to thank them for. Last year, after much hard work by all concerned, Father Christmas reigned supreme and was able to receive visitors in his Grotto.
Plans coming together for Christmas 2024
As usual, the Club will be bringing Father Christmas to the Grotto prepared for him by the Dragon Miniature Railway at Dobbies' Marple Garden Centre. He will arrive at 11am on Saturday 30th November and the Grotto will then be open every weekend through to Christmas. For the first two weekends the opening times will be Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4.30pm. The last two weekends will have an earlier opening time of 10.30am. Should there be any additional opening times they will be announced by the Railway.
As ever, many thanks for publicising this and the Marple Santa Dash. Your continued support is invaluable and very much appreciated.
