Watch out for Elmer the Patchwork Elephant as the festive lights are switched on


Picture - Positively Putney

Look out for Elmer the Patchwork Elephant in Putney from Saturday (28 November) as his Christmas trail brings a splash of colour to the town centre.

Thirteen special Elmer posters will be appearing, each with a QR code you can scan to gain rewards to be redeemed in Putney businesses or for Elmer activities for the kids.

They are based on the Elmer books by author David McKee, who lived in the town in the 1970s and made Festing Road the home of his classic children’s character, Mr Benn.

Positively Putney have partnered with Anderson Press to bring Elmer the Patchwork Elephant to the town, and you can download a trail map at positivelyputney.co.uk/ElmerinPutney.

Take your photo with an Elmer poster and share on social media for a chance to win an Elmer Christmas hamper and a family ticket to Chessington World of Adventures to ride on ‘Elmer’s Flying Jumbos’.

Saturday is also the day when Putney’s Christmas lights will be illuminated, although Covid restrictions sadly mean the usual switch-on event can’t be held. However, a virtual festival will still take place, which Positively Putney will live stream on its Facebook channel from 3pm-6pm.

It promises a show which will include performances from local schools, interviews with Putney business owners and managers, a Christmas quiz and a chance to ‘Dial In To Santa’.

Putney’s shopkeepers will also be anticipating a major boost from 2 December, following the Government’s announcement that ‘non-essential’ retailers can re-open at the end of the English national lockdown.

In the meantime, you can still start some local Christmas shopping as Positively Putney has put together a handy list of businesses that are currently open in some form – either in store, via click&collect or with home delivery.

You can check their list on this link: http://positivelyputney.co.uk/putney-businesses-that-are-open/, and remember that many are offering discounts during the current Black Friday week.

November 27, 2020