Sturminster Newton’s Father Christmas found the town’s gonk nativity scene so offensive he has handed back his Community Star Award
Sturminster Newton’s festive decorations are a cherished tradition, with campaigns like Make Stur Sparkle adding seasonal cheer and attracting shoppers to the town. However, this year’s Christmas display sparked unexpected controversy when a nativity scene in the Railway Gardens – featuring three carved wooden gonks and a baby gonk – was suddenly removed. Had the Grinch paid a visit to the Exchange? Social media buzzed with questions: Was this a case of festive sabotage? Conspiracy theories swirled, but it soon emerged that the gonks had been removed following a complaint that the display was offensive.
Image courtesy of David Strelley
Was it a troll?
With the issue appearing to centre on the baby gonk, Cllr Pauline Batstone asked whether it might be replaced with something more baby-like to mitigate the complaint. Unfortunately this was not supported by the other councillors, who swiftly had the gonks restored: this time with a bit more straw for baby gonk, and additional lighting.
Far from quieting the situation, the controversy only drew more attention. Visitors flocked to see the nativity scene, and comments poured in on social media:
‘I’ve never seen them before, but now I’m glad someone complained – I’ll have to come and have a proper look now!’
‘Just been to see this controversial festive installation (although I didn’t let my three-year-old Labrador look at it, as he is quite sensitive).’
The display was not a traditional religious nativity but a practical option for an outdoor environment like the Railway Gardens. Suspicions about the complaint ran high: ‘You cannot seriously tell me that they offended someone.’
‘Possibly someone identifying as a troll?’
Sacreligious and offensive
At the full council meeting on 8th January, it was revealed that the person making the complaint about the gonks was the town’s Father Christmas himself – and the town council was definitely on his naughty list.
Deeply offended by the display, he had not only formally tendered his resignation as Father Christmas, but also returned his recent Community Star Award. Pauline Batstone spoke on his behalf at the meeting, and it transpired that while Father Christmas (real name Vic Burge, but referred to consistently as Father Christmas throughout the council meeting) had no problem with the three large gonks, as someone with deep Christian beliefs he felt that representing baby Jesus as a gonk was wrong: ‘I have no problems with the Gonks as Wise Men/Kings but to have a Gonk complete with red nose and beard portraying the son of God is, in my opinion, both sacrilegious and offensive.’
He went on to criticise the council for reinstating the gonks, adding lights and placing them in a more prominent position after his concerns were raised.
‘I find it shameful that the mocking of the Nativity should have been allowed to take place – and even more so that when it was pointed out how offensive this would be to many people in the town. The thoughts of those people were ignored.’
Despite Father Christmas’s strong feelings, public reactions were not generally in his favour. Many Christians voiced no objection, with one commenting:
‘As a Christian, I am personally not in the least offended – in fact I am pleased to see this display! Some people will always take offence to Christianity being mixed with paganism, but I for one celebrate that we can all share this season!’
Only one formal complaint about the display was received by the council.
Father Christmas also returned his Community Star Award, stating: ‘Despite the success and interest my time as Father Christmas has brought to the town, I cannot support a town council that is so shortsighted to feel that Christians are fair game to offend. While I am happy to receive the thanks of the people of Sturminster, I have no wish to receive thanks from a town council with such a lack of vision, perception and taste.’
Although Pauline Batsone had some sympathy with Father Christmas, other councillors were less supportive. Andrew Donaldson responded: ‘Madame Chair, Christmas is over. The gonks have gone to sleep. Let us leave it at that. I’m fed up with the whole thing.’
Don’t Mess with the gonks
But why the fuss over gonks? Gonks were originally seen in Nordic and Scandinavian mythology. Mistaken by some as a Santa Claus figure, they are not specifically tied to Christmas. In Scandinavian folklore, gonks love cold weather and getting into people’s homes where, if they are treated with kindness and respect, they bring good luck and protect the family. However, if you don’t treat them well, they can cause all kinds of mischief in the year to come.
Chairman Helen Lacey summed up the council’s position:
‘We are here to serve a whole town, not just individuals. It’s very stupid to hand this award back. Returning it is throwing it back in the face of the townspeople. It’s not just from us – it’s from the whole community. It’s an insult to Sturminster.’
This episode underscores the challenge of balancing inclusivity with tradition in a multicultural society. Father Christmas has demonstrated integrity in standing by his Christian beliefs, but the gonks’ playful charm clearly resonated with much of the community.
As the decorations come down and the town looks to the year ahead, one thing is certain: gonks or grievances, Sturminster Newton’s festive spirit is unlikely to fade. Who will end up on the naughty list next Christmas?
