At Wharfedale Men’s Shed, we’re used to tackling ambitious projects, but when Ilkley Round Table approached us to rebuild Santa’s Sleigh, we knew we were in for a challenge of epic proportions. This was no ordinary sleigh – it was a beloved, well-travelled (and extremely battered) road trailer that needed some serious TLC to prepare it for its Christmas fundraising rounds through Ilkley, Burley, and Addingham.
The team, led by Bob M. (the ever-patient and resourceful leader), included Dave, Loz, Neil, and Stephen. Due to COVID lockdown restrictions, the entire job had to be carried out in Bob’s driveway – a feat that transformed the space into Santa’s top-secret workshop!
The task list was as daunting as Santa’s “nice list” on Christmas Eve. First, the chassis was stripped down to bare metal and painstakingly repainted. Next came the wheels and hubs, which received a full refurbishment. Then the team built a brand-new body, painted it Santa-approved red, and tackled a dazzling set of decorations and Christmas lights. Hours of careful wiring ensured the lights shone as brightly as Rudolph’s nose.
After weeks of hard work, the sleigh emerged, gleaming and ready to bring festive cheer. It’s safe to say that WMS saved Christmas in style!
Check out the photos and video for the full sleigh transformation – it’s a Christmas miracle in action!
