Christmas present for MP’s son was a surprise gift in Santa’s grotto at the Arkley Christmas bazaar

Visiting Arkley Christmas bazaar was a chance for the Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson to get into the seasonal spirit and make his acquaintance with Santa Clause.

Santa (Ellis Rich) welcomed the MP into his grotto and gave him a present for his eight-month-old son.

The village hall was packed for the event despite a wet and windy Saturday afternoon.

Mel Garfield (right), one of the organisers of the bazaar, joined the Reverend Cindy Kent selling raffle tickets.

Cindy, who has almost completed her first year as vicar of St Peter’s Church, Arkley, said she has been impressed by the lively nature of the Arkley village community.

“I am enjoying being their priest. We are making progress in attracting new members of the congregation which is always a challenge for the church today.

“Only the other day we did five baptisms at St Peter’s – five children from three different families, so that is something to celebrate.”

Sue Rich, who manned the door to Santa’s grotto, said they welcomed the great support there had been for the bazaar.

Proceeds were to be split three ways between St Peter’s Church, the Arkley association for community events and the cost of insurance and maintenance of the defibrillator which the village installed on the wall of a house in Rockways earlier this year.

Money for the defibrillator was raised at community events for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation – community get togethers which have generated other events including a summer fayre and now a Christmas bazaar.