Parsonage Lane Play Group lays on elf and fairy trail, Santa's grotto and 'stay and play' toy library

Parsonage Lane Play Group is bringing some much-needed Christmas joy to tiny tots in Bishop's Stortford.

Children can meet Santa, enjoy a 'stay and play' toy library and explore an elf and fairy trail around the park on both Mondays in the run-up to Christmas.

Under Government Covid restrictions, parent and child groups can operate with protective measures in place, so baby and toddler group organisers Zara Fryer, Hannah Prince, Emma Jayne Worrell and Carrie Williams saw a chance to put on socially-distanced festive fun.

On Monday mornings (Dec 14 and 21), Father Christmas will greet youngsters from a distance in his outdoor grotto and give them an early present. A maximum of two children from the same home or childcare bubble can attend each five-minute slot.

While this is taking place, free 'stay and play' sessions are running in the community hall. Children can play with toys from the playgroup's toy library in their own socially distanced space. Every toy is sanitised and quarantined after use.

Booking is essential as there are only 11 spaces for each session to allow for social distancing. Slots for Santa's grotto and the 'stay and play' sessions can be booked via bookwhen.com/parsonagelaneplaygroup.

A hand-made elf and fairy trail adds more magic to Mondays. Zara said: "We've created some Christmassy scenes to look out for as you follow the path around the field."

Booking for this is not required, but visitors are asked to keep two metres from other families. There is a postbox, where children can pop in their letters to Father Christmas, at the end of the trail.

Zara said: "We'd love our visitors to bring items along to add to the trail. These could be painted rocks, flowerpot houses, fairy doors or any other magical creations you come up with."

For further information, visit the playgroup's Facebook page or email parsonagetoylibrary@gmail.com.