REINDEER games are afoot in Dunchurch after mischievous pranksters continued a decades-long tradition of dressing up the village’s statue for Christmas.
The statue of Lord John Douglas-Montagu-Scott has been dressed up as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer this year.
A spokesperson for the Dunchurch Festival Group said: “Children of all ages worried that the roadworks in the center of the village will hamper Santa getting their presents to them on Christmas day need not worry anymore.
“Rudolf the rednosed reindeer has turned up to reassure people. The roadworks will be no trouble for this magical reindeer, as he will fly over them helping Santa to deliver the all-important gifts.
“No one has any i-deer who dresses the statue, but it is believed to be the Dunchurch Pixies.”
Anonymous tricksters have given the statue a festive fancy dress costume every December for over 40 years, with Lord Scott appearing as Peppa Pig, snowman Olaf from the Frozen films, the Grinch, an Olympian, The Queen, Spider-Man, a Star Wars stormtrooper, a Minion, Paddingon, a Smurf, and Postman Pat in recent years.
The tradition captures the imagination of local residents and global web users alike, with many taking pictures and selfies at the statue – which this year has a sleigh for children to sit in and pose for photos.
Lord Scott was a prominent 19th century Guards Officer and MP who lived in Dunchurch and owned land around the area. He died in 1860 aged 50, and his family are still among the largest landowners in Europe.
