by Ivy, age 9 from Bristol, England, asks Santa about Santa Claus 2, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Bristol’s trading history.
Dear Santa, my name is Ivy, and I am nine years old. I live in Bristol, England, where my nan says a famous old bridge stretches high across our gorge, built by one of the cleverest engineers in history.
Dear Ivy, that bridge has always impressed me flying past, your nan picked a truly ingenious hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is Santa Claus 2 a good movie? My dad says it is better than the first one, but my mum disagrees completely.
It has plenty of charm of its own, Ivy, especially the parts about finding the right partner to share the workshop with. Your parents disagreeing about a sequel is a very traditional part of family movie nights, honestly.
My nan says the Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by a very famous engineer. Is that true?
It is true, Ivy, Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed that remarkable bridge, stretching gracefully across the Avon Gorge. I always enjoy that dramatic crossing on my way to your rooftop.
My nan says Bristol was once a really important city for trade with ships sailing all over the world. Is that true?
It is true, Ivy, Bristol’s harbor was once one of the busiest trading ports in the country, ships coming and going from all corners of the globe. That kind of connection to the wider world has shaped your city’s character for centuries.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ivy Hartley
Bristol, England
P.S. Can you settle the argument between my mum and dad once and for all?
I stay diplomatically neutral on movie sequels, Ivy, family peace matters more than my opinion.
