"I thought Lapland was in the Arctic Circle,” said a disappointed and disgusted Councillor Brian Terry, Town Mayor of Ringwood. “The one advertised at Matchams is not in the Arctic Circle and is most definitely not within Ringwood or the New Forest, but across the border in Dorset. I very much regret that the organisers of that event have associated themselves with our town. We have many attractions in Ringwood for visitors, not least our historic town centre and shopping facilities.”

Town Councillor Barbara Woodifield, who is also President of the Ringwood Chamber of Trade, is equally disappointed by the events at Matchams. She said, “the Chamber of Trade, with the generous sponsorship by Sainsburys, Churchill Retirement Living, Waitrose and Letchers Solicitors have organised a free Christmas event on the 5th December where children and their parents will see camels and wise men, Mary and Joseph and the donkeys and, of course, Father Christmas on his sleigh pulled by huskies in the Market Place.”

To round up the pre-Christmas festivities, Councillor Terry highlighted the traditional free Christmas Eve Carol Service in the Market Square where Father Christmas returns to receive presents from local children, which he will then give to those less fortunate in this Christmas period. “These events represent the true spirit of Christmas,” added Councillor Terry.

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