Shropshire Star

Britain’s ‘longest-serving’ Santa struggles to understand how many presents some children receive

“I’m going to make it hard for the next person who says he is the longest-running Santa.”

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Ron Horniblew, 82, from Luton, dressed as Santa at his home, as the pensioner who claims to be the UK’s longest-serving Santa has said he has no plans to retire despite racking up 53 years in the job (Joe Giddens/PA)

Ron Horniblew claims to be the UK’s longest-serving Father Christmas, and he’s got some advice for parents during the festive season.

The 82-year-old pensioner, who says he has no plans to retire, has been in the seasonal business for 53 years now.

Ron says he longs for a return to the “old days” when children received just a few presents. He also said that the best toy a baby can receive is a “cardboard box with some paper in it” – he believes this keeps children entertained for hours and encourages them to use their creativity.

Asked if he was tempted to throw in the sack, he said it was just his “old knees” which held him back, adding: “[I’ve] no plans at all to retire, no.”

Longest serving Santa
A collection of Polaroid pictures showing Ron during his long Santa career (Joe Giddens/PA)

“I’m going to make it hard for the next person who says he is the longest-running Santa,” he said.

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