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24

Dec 2020

Community
Community

Doorstep jingle founder Mary leads the ringing in Harrogate

Published: 24 Dec 2020, 18:35 GMT

Updated: 24 Dec 2020, 19:28 GMT

by John Plummer

Comment

0

The Stray Ferret went to St John's Grove, Bilton, home of the woman who came up with the idea — Mary Beggs-Reid — to witness the phenomenon that has captured the nation.

https://youtu.be/ICByRXlfDug

Hundreds of thousands of people from Britain and beyond stood on their doorsteps at 6pm tonight and rang bells as part of an idea that started in Harrogate

Bilton woman Mary Beggs-Reid came up with the idea of a doorstep jingle to “spread festive spirit and help Santa’s sleigh fly”.

More than 500,000 people pledged to take part and this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Ms Beggs-Reid pledging his support.

The Stray Ferret went to St John's Grove, Bilton, where Ms Beggs-Reid lives, to witness the phenomenon.



TV crews from the BBC and Sky were due to be present but the signing of the Brexit trade deal prompted them to change plans.

But the Stray Ferret was there to capture the moment when Mary led the countdown. After two minutes of jingling, carols were sung.

Mary’s inspiration for the event came from the film Elf, where New York folk sing together to power Santa’s sleigh with their Christmas spirit.



Read more:



  • Boris backs Harrogate Christmas Eve doorstep jingle

  • Harrogate Christmas Eve Doorstep Jingle goes global