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Danderhall decks its halls with generous donation

A MERRY Midlothian village is set to sleigh this year’s Christmas festivities following a donation of 1000 chocolate selection boxes from Cala Homes (East).

Danderhall decks its halls with generous donation

Article Source: Cala Homes
Last Updated: 8 December 2023 13:15

Santa gets sweet support from homebuilder

As Danderhall gears up for its seventh annual Santa’s Grotto event this year, local children attending the event will receive a sweet treat donated by the homebuilder.

Billy Dyer, chairman of the village’s Christmas festivities and wearer of the famous red suit believes Cala’s donation ensures no Danderhall child will be left without a present.

Billy said: “To get this backing from Cala is heart-warming and will have a huge impact for the local children who come to these events year in year out.

“Not only does the gesture solidify Christmas spirit, but Cala’s donation allows us to invest in other crucial areas for our festive events, making them even better than last year.

“As a community, it’s really important to get that extra little bit of support from businesses operating in the area so to have that backing from Cala is very much appreciated.”


Danderhall’s annual Santa’s Grotto events will take place on 16 and 17 December at Newton Church Hall with any leftover selection boxes from the weekend’s event being donated to the Dalkeith Foodbank, ensuring every box finds its way down someone’s chimney.

Billy, 66, will also be donning the beloved red Santa suit as he travels around the district, along with a trusted elf – visiting homes in a custom-made sleigh on December 18 and 19.

Derek Lawson, Strategic Land Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “Billy and his team help make Christmas magical and play an often-overlooked role in communities.

“Giving Danderhall’s Santa a sack-full of selection boxes is a small token of our intent to be a positive part of this area and to ensure we’re always giving back. It felt right that we step in.”


Cala is currently building a new 620-home development on land at Newton and Wellington Farms, located between Old Craighall and Millerhill. The site includes 155 affordable homes as well as land for a new primary school, park and ride, community allotments and a link road from Old Craighall Road to the City of Edinburgh Bypass.

Information and updates will be available on Cala’s website.

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