Maureen Chandler with Julian Coghlan, MD of Park Christmas Savings, at the awards ceremony

Bridgwater great-grandmother honoured for 50 years helping families save for Christmas

Paul JonesApril 1, 20250 Comment0

SINCE 1975, Maureen Chandler has put skills honed during her career as a wages clerk to good use in her spare time – managing Christmas savings for her friends and neighbours.

The 86-year-old, from Bridgwater, has been managing festive funds for the community for more than 50 years.

Now, the former British Cellophane worker has been recognised with a special long-service award from budgeting club, Park Christmas Savings.

The great-grandmother was honoured with a gong and a cash prize at a special awards ceremony in Liverpool, which she attended with husband Derek, who is 90.

“I was thrilled to be presented with the special long-service award,” she said. “Derek and I were treated like stars for the night and to add to all the excitement, I even won the prize draw.

“I will be spending it on some nice treats for my grandchildren and new great-grand child.”

Maureen has been known as Mrs Christmas in her part of Bridgwater, collecting savings from the community each week, which is then used to cover costs during the festive season.

However, she said Christmas clubs had changed beyond all recognition in her five decades.

“A lot has changed since I started my little side-line as a Park agent,” she said. “Back then, no one had mobile phones or laptops and it was all done on notepads – from recording the weekly payments to the hamper orders.

“Over the years I must have helped countless families on a budget get prepared for Christmas. I absolutely love being a Park agent. These days I’ve just four customers now – all members of my family – but it still brings me so much happiness.”

Katherine Scott, director of marketing at Park Christmas Savings, said: “Maureen is a wonderful example of what Park Christmas Savings is all about – supporting families in enjoying the best of Christmas in an affordable way.

“Park is so proud of all of our 23,000 agents across the UK who help hundreds of thousands of families budget with Park every year, stress-free. They are real-life Christmas angels.”

Park, part of PayPoint Plc, was founded in 1967 in Liverpool and is the UK’s largest family Christmas savings club.