Fifteen Years of Christmas Cheer — Our Final Santa Ride in Olney

This December we gave Santa Claus our final ride around Olney in our beloved Triumph TR6.

Despite the wet and chilly morning, the town was full of warmth. Families lined the streets, little ones clutching hot chocolates topped with marshmallows, eyes wide with excitement. Even residents watching from behind their windows waved as we drove past street after street, Christmas music playing and Santa perched proudly on the back.

As always, it was our favourite ride of the year — the Santa Run. Hundreds of people were out waving, smiling, and soaking up a good dose of festive cheer. It was so lovely to see children, parents and grandparents all enjoying the moment together, and to hear Christmas tunes echoing through the town. We were even sent a little video by someone who caught us driving past — moments like that never fail to make us smile.

For those of you new to our page, here’s a little background on Santa’s rather unconventional “sleigh”…

“When I was a little boy, I absolutely loved the TR6 — I always dreamed of owning one. It took a few years (and Santa never quite responding to that particular wish!), but eventually that dream came true. Since then, my TR6 — affectionately known as Little Tommy — has been at the heart of some of my best memories. From attracting my first serious girlfriend (now my beautiful wife), to touring to Le Mans Classic, being the occasional wedding car for local newlyweds, or simply acting as my go-to work car, the TR6 has been ever-present throughout my life” - Paul Tombs, Owner of Facts Discs.

Over time, it’s become something of an icon around Olney. For the past 15 years, Paul and a dedicated team of Santa’s helpers — Mark Luckin, Jonathon Shaw and Chris Ford — have been involved in taking Santa around the town. Each year, the red Triumph TR6, complete with loudspeakers in the boot, Father Christmas perched rather precariously on the back, and Yuletide tunes filling the air, has become a familiar and welcome sign that the festive season has officially begun. What started as a simple idea has quietly grown into a much-loved local tradition.

But Olney has grown too. New roads, longer routes, and earlier start times to try and cover as much of the town as possible have made us pause for thought. The Santa route now stretches to around 25 miles, winding through back alleys, cul-de-sacs and tight one-way streets. As much fun as it is, it also comes with responsibility — and there’s always a sense of relief at the end of the run knowing nothing (and no one!) has been clipped along the way.

And so, this year marks our final Santa Ride in the TR6. While we’re now looking for new volunteers to take up the reins and carry this wonderful tradition forward in a new way, we couldn’t be prouder of what it has become. From Little Tommy to Santa’s Sleigh, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to the incredible Olney community — for your waves from doorsteps and windows, your smiles, your kind messages, your encouragement, and for welcoming this little tradition into your Christmas year after year. Your support is what made it truly special.

🎄 Wishing everyone in Olney a very Merry Christmas, a safe and joyful festive season, and a Happy New Year. Thank you for the memories — here’s to the past 15 years and to what comes next. 🎄