Snow proves no obstacle to Harpenden Cubs’ Christmas deliveries

Harpenden’s Cub Scouts braved the snow to deliver Christmas cards on behalf of elderly residents.

The Cubs set out for the 34th year in a row to deliver cards collected from different postboxes around the town.

Around 3,500 cards were sorted by 85 Cubs at the Crabtree Fields Scout HQ on Saturday, December 9. They set out to deliver the cards around the town the following day, despite the heavy snowfall.

Rikki Harrington, who originated the scheme and organises it every year, said: “This is the first year ever we haven’t managed to get them all delivered on that Sunday because of the snow.

“This is the 34th year we have been doing it. The Cubs visit some elderly people that they know personally and then we have 11 postboxes at various points around Harpenden - in churches, in charity shops and in various old people’s homes.

“They go round with a parent and, depending on whether the cards are in their immediate neighbourhood they walk, sledge or go by car.”

The event was attended by Harpenden mayor cllr Rosemary Farmer. Rikki estimates that the scheme has saved users around £60,000 in postage over its years of operation.

He said: “It’s great fun. The snow added a new dimension to it. We always stick to our ‘be prepared’ motto so we always leave at least one week between delivery and Christmas itself, with at least one full weekend. This year we left two full weekends.”

The extra time allows the cubs to solve the mystery of cards with vague addresses and deliver them to the right places.

Rikki said: “They had a fantastic day.

“I think we were all very worried when we saw the forecast developing, but there were smiling faces and they got to build snowmen and then go off to deliver the cards.

“We had great feedback from the Cubs and their parents, as well as the people we deliver the cards from.”