Instead of going ahead with his planned Christmas assembly, Rev Tatton-Brown decided to improvise with tales of St Nicholas and how he had brought back to life young children who had been murdered by an evil butcher after revealing to them that Father Christmas did not exist.
The Grinch-like Vicar said he’d had to abandon a prepared speech for the school children due to a ‘technical glitch.’ He later admitted: ‘I got it wrong.’
Rev Tatton-Brown , who is due to retire next month, said in a letter to the school: ‘’I was very sorry to hear of the trouble following my assembly on Wednesday.’
‘I didn’t intend to upset anyone or to dispel children’s beliefs in Santa Claus… I understand that they’re disappointed.’
He continued with an apology for his actions: ‘I got it wrong. It wasn’t intentional. I can’t undo it. I am sorry if this was misunderstood.’
Many children had reportedly made comments to their parents about the assembly, leading to many mums and dads making complaints and suggesting that the school boycott the church's carol service.
In a letter to the school, Rev Tatton-Brown wrote: ‘I fully support parents who want their young children to enjoy the Christmas stories, including Father Christmas, and I had no intention of undermining their belief in the reality of Santa Claus.’
The school’s headmistress, in the spirit of Christmas, chose to accept the Vicar’s apology.
Mrs Flack also told The Mirror that the school would still be using St Andrews for their Christmas service and that they look forward to welcoming the church’s new Vicar in the New Year.