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Milton Keynes Winter Wonderland cancelled after complaints Milton Keynes Winter Wonderland closes after complaints
(about 1 hour later)
A Winter Wonderland event in a park in Milton Keynes has been cancelled on its second day after complaints from parents and the withdrawal of its charity partner the Papworth Trust. A Winter Wonderland event in Milton Keynes has been cancelled on its second day after complaints from visitors.
The event at Campbell Park, which included paid-for events such as ice skating, opened on Saturday. The attraction at Campbell Park, which included paid-for events such as ice skating, opened on Saturday.
Its Facebook page was deluged by parents angry at the quality of the Wonderland. But its Facebook page was deluged by people angry at what was on offer. Santa's Grotto was said to be staffed by young, thin men and an ice rink was described as "a few plastic sheets".
Organiser Lorenzo Franco said 200 people had been refunded their money. Wonderland organiser Lorenzo Franco claimed 200 people had been refunded.
Charity withdraws Facebook page removed
Speaking on Saturday, before it was cancelled, he said the event had suffered "teething problems". Speaking on Saturday, before the cancellation, he said there had been "teething problems".
The Winter Wonderland MK Facebook page was taken down on Saturday after a barrage of criticism from parents. After a barrage of criticism from parents, the Winter Wonderland MK Facebook page was taken down on Saturday.
Those who had paid £6 to take their children to Santa's Grotto found it was closed for much of the day and when it did open the Santa's were described as being young thin men in santa suits. Those who had paid £6 to take their children to Santa's Grotto found it was closed for much of the day and, when it did open, the Santas were described as being young, thin men in Santa suits.
They complained that the advertising suggested more than two husky dogs and two reindeer would be at the Winter Wonderland. Visitors also complained that the advertising suggested more than two reindeer would be at the Winter Wonderland.
Following the criticism the charity partner of the event the Papworth Trust said in a statement: "As the benefitting charity associated with the Winter Wonderland MK event, we have been concerned to hear about the issues on the opening day. Grandmother Lesley Keys, from Bedford, took her seven-year-old grandson on Saturday.
She had paid in £65 in advance for various attractions including a visit to Santa's Grotto.
"When we arrived we were told Santa wouldn't be there until after 4pm. We were told we could walk through the woodland, which turned out to be a tent with some statues," she said.
"We saw some husky dogs but there were no rides [on the dogs].
"The fairground rides were poor and the ice rink was a few plastic sheets. My grandson was very disappointed."
Following the criticism the charity partner of the event, the Papworth Trust, said in a statement: "As the benefiting charity associated with the Winter Wonderland MK event, we have been concerned to hear about the issues on the opening day.
"We are sorry to hear about people's experiences of the day. After consulting with our volunteers and listening to the public's feedback, we have sadly decided to withdraw our volunteers and our association with the event."We are sorry to hear about people's experiences of the day. After consulting with our volunteers and listening to the public's feedback, we have sadly decided to withdraw our volunteers and our association with the event.
"We were hoping that this event would raise money for our work helping older and disabled people with essential support and care. "We were hoping that this event would raise money for our work helping older and disabled people with essential support and care."
Mr Franco said he was sorry if anyone was "disappointed in any way" adding that it was the firm's "first event". Mr Franco said he was sorry if anyone was "disappointed in any way", adding that it was the firm's "first event".
He said he never said the ice rink had real ice and added that complaints would be dealt with in the "proper way". He said he never said the ice rink had real ice and promised that complaints would be dealt with in the "proper way".