PHOTO: DEEP BENEATH ABERSOCH CRAFT CENTRE LIES A SECRET CHRISTMAS ELF HUB BY: TURTLE PHOTOGRAPHY
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eep beneath Abersoch Craft Centre lies a secret Christmas Elf Hub. In that labyrinth of long-forgotten caves and tunnels that used to connect the village to St Tudwal’s islands, the Christmas elves were busy in their underground workshop. Their Elf Hub was a riot of Christmas colours. Making toys and costumes in every colour of the rainbow for the village children. November was their favourite month, as a rush of Christmas lists and letters to Santa came pouring in from excited children across the Llyn peninsula. The flying fingers of the elves, and the whir of machinery in their workshop, told a tale repeated across the land. Secret Elf Hubs like these existed all around the world, making presents for local children for Santa to pick up and deliver on Christmas Eve. The Christmas elves wished the tunnels beneath the sea to the islands were still open. Some of
their biggest and best workshops were there, deep beneath the lighthouse. But a long, long time ago a naughty elf with magic powers had found his way to St Tudwal’s and worked his wicked spells on the island elves, telling them they should be charging Santa for their work, that they could all be rich if only Father Christmas wasn’t so mean. It wasn’t true, Santa and his elves had always done their Christmas work for free. Making the children happy was all the reward they ever needed. But Elfred the naughty elf kept on causing trouble, nearly ruining one Christmas by refusing to hand over any of the presents made on the island if he wasn’t paid in gold. Finally, Santa had to tell his loyal elves to block the tunnels and leave the island elves to themselves. It was a sad, sad time. Lots of the elves had been firm friends and would have stayed that way if only Elfred hadn’t come along. Now they were the enemies they never wanted to be, Elfred forever using his magic powers with the island elves to cause trouble and try to spoil the spirit of Christmas in
Abersoch. This Christmas everything was going well. Angharad, the Head Elf, had all the Christmas lists and letters spread amongst her worker elves, who were happily beavering away. Everything was on target to be ready for Christmas Eve. Even the big storm forecast for the 1st of December didn’t worry Angharad. Her team could cope with some power cuts or floods – they were well on top of their work. December dawned surprisingly brightly, the sun shining on Abersoch Harbour, everyone in the village looking forward to the Christmas Festival that evening. But as the day went on, the skies darkened and darkened until they were nearly black – like a giant bruise hanging over the village. The winds roared ever stronger, sending huge waves crashing over the harbour wall. Then the rains came down, until the high street
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