Reverend tells kids Santa isn't real, leaving them in tears
- Year 6 pupils at Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School were left in tears after Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain told them that Santa does not exist.
- Parents expressed outrage and demanded an apology from the vicar, leading to a festive initiative by the school to restore holiday spirit.
- The vicar later admitted his comments were an error in judgment and issued an apology to the school community.
In Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, a controversial incident occurred during a Religious Education lesson at the Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School where the Reverend Dr Paul Chamberlain, a vicar from St Faith's Church, spoke to a class of year 6 students. He delivered a blunt message stating that Santa Claus does not exist, which reportedly left many children in tears. This unsettling revelation was not only a surprise to the pupils but also sparked outrage among their parents, many of whom felt that the vicar had ruined the Christmas spirit for their children. Several parents expressed their anger in various forums, calling for an apology from the clergyman. The Reverend had initially been invited to give a talk centered on the Nativity story, a vital part of the Christian celebration of Christmas, but his comments about Santa seemed to overshadow that message. Outraged parents filed complaints after witnessing their children cry due to the vicar’s direct comments about Father Christmas. This resulted in the school staff organizing efforts to restore festive cheer by encouraging students to create badges that read "Lee-on-the-Solent believe". Such initiatives reflect a necessity to foster a sense of magic and wonder during the holiday season, which many believe had been compromised by the Reverend’s words. In response to the backlash, Rev Dr Chamberlain acknowledged his remarks as an