JOLLY
Michael Facherty, 72, from Caversham, knows if you’ve been naughty or nice…
Pulling on my big red suit, lined with snow-white fur, I could feel the jolly spirit of Christmas coursing through me.
With my real grey beard and tiny, circular glasses, Iknew I looked the part – anyone who looked at me would expect me to burst into a deep laugh and shake my belly like a bowl full of jelly.
‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’I’d say. ‘Merry Christmas everyone!’
Settling into my armchair in Henley Town Hall, surrounded by piles of presents while Christmas music played in the background, all I could do was wait…
Wait for the crowds of excited little faces to come running in.
And as soon as the doors opened, hordes of children did exactly that.
As they waited to meet me, they craned their necks for the best view.
After all, it’s not every day you get to meet Father Christmas!
‘Gosh, you’ve grown up!’I’d exclaim as the next little one settled themselves on my knee.
‘Do you know who I am?’one little boy asked.
Father Christmas should know his name, his favourite toys, games, foods… but at local community events where you never know who’s going to come in the door next, I learned to think on my feet…
‘Of course, I know who you are,’I chuckled. ‘You’re Josephine!’
It’s a classic trick I’ve had up my fur-lined sleeve for years!
And the shocked expression on the little boy’s face made me laugh.
Year on year, seeing the children’s faces light up as they share their Christmas wishes with me keeps me coming back to my Santa suit.
And after almost 40 years of becoming Santa Mike, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
When my son Matt, now 43, was a little boy, I first donned my Santa suit when I was on the PTAat his primary school.
And after my first meet and greet, I knew this was something I’d stick with for a long time.
Even when I retired back in 2011, I wanted to continue spreading festive cheer – so every Christmas, I make a special festive appearance.
Now, December is the busiest time of year for me – while the real Santa is off delivering presents, I’m here keeping up his public image!
From settling into my grotto at Henley Town Hall, to waving at the crowds along the Henley River Cruise aboard a boat and even making a debut at the Marylebone Christmas Light Switch On, I’m always spreading festive cheer.
Even my wife Sue, 71, helps me by writing out the ‘Nice’certificates for the child
