Westhoughton Community Network

group for and run by community groups in Westhoughton

Santa is coming to Westhoughton - 2022 Visits

December saw Santa out and about in Westhoughton travelling around on his sleigh, assisted by the Elves of the Rotary Club of Westhoughton.

Marking the return of the evening tours (the first since 2019), for 11 evenings and one day at Sainsbury's sleigh bells and Christmas songs could be heard as Santa enchanted children ahead of Christmas.

This year you were able to track Santa as he makes his way around Westhoughton with the Santa Sleightracker app. Download via Google Play or the Apple App Store (search for Rotary Club of Westhoughton or enable show location).

As Westhoughton grows routes are being reviewed, and whilst it is not possible to visit everywhere, with the routes below and the day at Sainsbury's it is hoped most local children will get a chance to see Santa.

Latest updates on the Rotary Facebook Page - comments and tags welcome as the tour progresses and we spread some Rotary Christmas Cheer!

Santa visiting Westhoughton

"Thanks to the money we collect from generous local people with our Father Christmas sleigh, we are able to fund our community events and donations."

"… the kind of financial support given to us by Rotary has become even more important and appreciated."

"First one door opens, then another… excited adults and children come out as they realise that the Rotary Sleigh is back on their street."

No matter the weather, on the following evenings in December, starting his tour from 6pm finishing around 9:00pm, Santa will be visiting these areas:

  • Friday, 9th December
    Over Hulton.
  • Monday, 12th December
    Southfield Drive / Dobb Brow / Green Meadows / Greenfields.
  • Tuesday, 13th December
    Molyneux Road / Captain Leas area / Forest Drive.
  • Wednesday, 14th December
    Cherwell Road / Wayfaring.
  • Thursday, 15th December
    Eatock Way area.
  • Friday, 16th December
    Daisy Hill - The Hoskers / St. George's Avenue / Daisy Hall Drive.
  • Saturday, 17th December
    Sainsbury's Westhoughton (daytime, 9am to 3pm).
  • Sunday, 18th December
    Hunger Hill (the Tavern side of the estate, 5pm).
  •  
  • Monday, 19th December
    Metal Box / Chew Moor
  • Tuesday, 20th December
    Quakerfields / Hart Common / Hewlett Way / Perseverance Close.
  • Wednesday, 21st December
    Daisy Hill - Hydrangea Close / Hartford Road / Old Vicarage / Landedmans.
  • Thursday, 22nd December
    Daisy Hill - Hydrangea Close, Hartford Road, Marsham Road, Marlbrook Drive, Old Vicarage.
  • Friday, 20th December
    Madison Park / Wingates / Church Street.

As well as giving children a chance to see and meet Santa as his float travels around Westhoughton, this is a key fundraising activity for the Rotary Club of Westhoughton which uses the gratefully received donations to support local community groups and charities, handing out grants to some 20 deserving groups doing good work at the Annual Presentation Evening in the Spring.

Update 21/4/23: The total collected this year is £5,640. The Rotary Club of Westhoughton is very grateful to the wonderful people of Westhoughton for their generosity. The hard-pressed elves couldn't have achieved this without solid support from our Inner Wheel ladies and also an extended team of willing volunteers - their support is as ever greatly appreciated.

Rotary Club of Westhoughton Santa Float presentation evening 20/4/23 - recipients of cheques (photo: Phil Wood)

The presentation evening took place at the Mercure Bolton on 20th April 23 with 19 organisations receiving a cheque: Inner Wheel; Remap; Senior Solutions; Wednesday Club; Kidz2gether; Bolton Dementia Support; Samaritans; Friends of Westhoughton Station; Blessings in Disguise; Prostate Cancer Support; Hog Haven (hedgehog rescue); North West Blood Bikes; Fortalice; The Guides Association; Wingates Band; Westhoughton Community Assist (WAS); Derian House; Bolton Hospice and Parkinson's Society. Full Report.

Santa visiting WesthoughtonThe Rotary Club of Westhoughton is grateful to Bolton Kia for once again loaning a tow-car for Santa's sleigh, as well at to James Booth Bolton for their support. The tour is only possible thanks to all the volunteers giving up their free-time without whom… And of course, for local people's support and generosity during their collections, which really do make a difference.

 

Have a lovely Christmas!

 

 

Participating Groups

Local Amenities

Photos & Videos

Music

Useful Links

Community Events

  • Westhoughton Library
    Library now open for books, general reading and computer access. With current refurbishment complete, community activities on both ground and upper floor have resumed. Info | Community Plans.
  • Senior Solutions Christmas Fair
    Tues 21 Nov (12-4pm)
    Winifred Kettle Centre (BL5 2NG)
    Traditional festive fair with variety of stalls, refreshments, tombola. Learn about work of this group looking after and enhancing the lives of older people.
  • History Group
    Monthly meetings - 3rd Thurs (10:30am)
    Westhoughton Library
    After two months Wingates Band Story exhibition came to a close 31/10 - a tremendous success from 'National Heritage Open Days' events (talks & entertainment) to fascinating displays. 16 Nov mtg sees talk on '153 Church Street' by Alison Whitaker. A Christmas meal early December in Bolton.
  • Wingates Band 150th Anniversary
    150th Anniversary celebrations has seen an exhibition, a exhibition, Houghton Weavers reunion, special concerts culminating in an event at Bolton Parish Church (St. Peter's) 4/11/23 with guest soloist Peter Moore (LSO).
    The brass band heads into Christmas period with concerts at St. John's Wingates (12/12) and St Vincent's Church, Over Hulton (18/12). Catch up with band News and Concerts. Official Website | info.
  • Robert Shaw / Book of Quint
    Special event with Ryan Dacko, author of 'The Book of Quint' took place at Wetherspoon's 1st July, celebrating Westhoughton-born Robert Shaw and introducing the backstory of the shark hunter from Jaws. It was a great success with people coming far and wide, leading to Amberley publishing deal.
  • Hub at Westhoughton
    The Hub at Westhoughton on Central Drive is home to a range of groups and activities serving the community. Information Leaflet.
  • WOW! Women of Westhoughton
    Thursdays from 7:00pm
    John Holt Centre (BL5 2NR)
    Est. 2013, women's group for shared interests, talks, outings & social networking. New meeting venue. Updated programme.
  • Rotary Christmas Float
    in December Rotary Club of Westhoughton were out and about visiting local estates and were at Sainsbury's ahead of Christmas. They are very grateful for public support and donations they raised raising £5,640, which will help local charities. Presentation evening took place 20/4/23 with 19 organisations receiving cheques.
  • Daisy Hill FC Fixtures (Home)
    League Division 1 North
    New Sirs (BL5 2EB)
    Cutters season in full flow. New management, new signings and clubhouse improvements. Support your local team. KO Sat 3pm or Mon 7:45pm. £5 adults / £3 concession / £2 U18s / U12s free w/ adult.
  • Lockdown information (Covid-19)
    For 16 months life and community was disrupted by measures to deal with the pandemic. It has been a long and impactful period, thankfully things are opening up again there is a return to normal. Watch for updates as community re-engages here and on
    Westhoughton.net Facebook Page.
  • Town Centre Masterplan
    Proposals for investment in Town Centre (Market Street focus) were consulted upon in 2019-20 with a Steering Group meeting to discuss plans for £4m investment and significant changes to Market Street, Central Park, Carnegie Hall and Town Hall.
  • Hope Community Centre
    The Central Drive church and community space is currently closed pending refurbishment discussions with Bolton Council. Hope Church services take place in the Hub.
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