Christmas 2018. A 5000 sq ft set piece of festive fun and frivolity on the 5th floor roof top of Fenwick Newcastle. The excitement and anticipation of visits to Santa are some of my most magical and memorable feelings of Christmas. Layered on top of those I wanted to recreate the childhood thrill of stepping out of bounds. An invitation of sorts to explore a place you wouldn't usually be permitted to go, and to discover there something truly playful and thrilling.

All the delightfully traditional elements are included but wrapped with a twist of the unexpected. Reindeer joke with each other in Geordie accents, as an intriguing carpark of Elf-mobiles entices you to sit behind their tiny wheels. Will you find the Tree of Lost Mittens as the snow begins to fall in the forest? And was that really your name spotted flashing on Santa's computer screen with a behavioural update?! 

I like to think if Charles Grey was to pivot 180 a top his monument, he would behold upon the roof top of Fenwick Newcastle a magical place of anticipation, discovery and delight. A secret place where memories are made.