Phantom secret Santa stalks park leaving gifts in trees

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Friday, December 18, 2009
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This is SouthWales

A PHANTOM secret Santa is spreading goodwill about Llanelli's award-winning Millennium Coastal Park.

Hundreds of toys have been left in trees over four miles of the park.

Some have even been gift wrapped. Whole sackfuls have been found hanging in the Christmas tree like Corsican pines growing in the park.

Rangers have been collecting hundreds of the surprise finds.

Some have been brought in by cyclists and walkers who have been shocked by the abundance of the colourful tree decorations.

The first cache of toys was discovered by a regular park walker in October who took the toys to charity shops before alerting park rangers.

Since then the toys have been found over six-miles of park perched in trees around the Nicklaus-designed Machynys Peninsula Golf Course, on the Mabinogion Walk through trees at Sandy Water Park and four miles away in Burry Port Woodlands.

The phantom Santa seems to be building to a crescendo with the 25th approaching with three sacks of toys collected on Monday (14th Dec.)

Park manager Rory Dickinson said: "I know it is the season to be jolly and giving but whoever is responsible for this Santa attack has gone way overboard.

"There have been lots of visitors in Santa hats in recent weeks but we have no idea who is responsible.

"It is an extreme form of littering but we are showing Christmas spirit by climbing aboard the sleigh of this phantom Santa and have been finding worthy recipients for hidden stashes of gifts."

The gifts vary from giveaway toys with McDonald meals to fluffy teddies, toy trains and tracks and even blocks in a trolley.

Some of the toys had been out overnight in wet weather and because of "elf and safety issues", some had to be skipped. "We would be happier if Santa could bring them to us for distribution," added Mr Dickinson.

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4 Comments

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    by amy, llanelli

    Tuesday, December 22 2009, 10:41PM

    “its nice that there is someone out there that wants to c kids smile but on the other hand who knows what could be in the boxes it could be something really bad so who would want to take the risk in letting a child find them. im a mum of 2 and i think its good idea but safety reasons i wouldnt let my children pick them up.”

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    by Santas Little Helper, port talbot

    Saturday, December 19 2009, 1:15PM

    “Totally agree with Phil and Christmas Cracker, why cant they be left for the children to find them. Its nice to see someone trying to spread a bit of christmas cheer at the moment, as we are in the midst of some of the most depressing and desparate times. Merry Christmas!”

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    by A Christmas Cracker, SA1

    Friday, December 18 2009, 12:54PM

    “Surely "an extreme form of littering" is empty beer cans, fast food wrappers etc etc, not someone trying to get in the festive spirit with a bit of fun? Tak it in the spirit intended and leave them for the children to find!”

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by PHIL, West Cross

    Friday, December 18 2009, 11:48AM

    “Why don't they leave them for children to find? This is obviously what "Santa" intended.”

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