Sean Batty urges Renfrewshire residents to choose local this Christmas

Weather presenter has been promoting his new festive children’s book at events across the region, including Paisley and Brookfield

Sean Batty has been sharing the magic of Christmas

as across Renfrewshire – and he’s urging locals to spread some seasonal cheer in the region’s shops too.

Paisley’s popular STV weatherman has released his first festive children’s book and has been selling it in person at local festivals, markets and other events across the country.

And he says meeting shopkeepers, stallholders and other community enterprise owners has proven another powerful reminder about the need to get behind local shops, services and attractions.

Sean is also an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local, the campaign urging people to think local first and prioritise spending with businesses in their home area.

Speaking after launching The Worst Christmas Weather EVER! at Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub, as well as taking part in Brookfield Christmas Market, Sean said: “I’m passionate about the weather and love Christmas so it has been so exciting sharing my new book with young readers.

“Getting out and about at this special time of year – meeting so many local businesses – has also been a powerful reminder about how we need to get behind them and show them our support.

“In my book, Santa asks children around the world to become Ho Ho Heroes by becoming eco-friendly and helping to protect the planet. But we can all become heroes for our local high streets by choosing local this Christmas and throughout the year.”

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local, is leading the charge in calling for people to shop local during the final countdown to Christmas.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “A successful Christmas season really can define the year for many local businesses.

“So many local businesses have served our communities for generations. By getting behind them we can help safeguard their future, as well as the jobs of our friends and neighbours, as well as ensuring the foundations are in place to help create vibrant, successful town centres of the future.”

One of the ways by which people are being urged to support their community is through the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, which is available in every region of Scotland.

In The Worst Christmas Weather EVER!, Sean uses Santa Claus to share a fun, exciting – yet thought-provoking – message about climate change, encouraging children to take an interest in the weather, just like he did as a seven-year-old. 

It takes readers on an adventurous ride around the world, using real-life weather events to tell an exciting and thought-provoking story. From record-breaking snowfalls in Japan to wildfires in Australia, floods in South Sudan, and even unseasonably warm December weather in the Scottish Highlands (based on the record 18.7°C recorded in Achfary on December 28, 2019), the book  draws inspiration from actual climate events.

Sean, who has toured the country championing the Scotland Loves Local message to choose local, explained: “I wanted the story to be as realistic as possible because climate change is not something that needs exaggerating. The extreme weather Santa encounters is based on real events. It’s not about scaring kids – it’s about educating them through fun and adventure.” 

In the book, Santa’s festive journey is full of unexpected calamities: losing presents in the snow, rescuing koalas from bushfires in Australia, crash-landing in Ethiopia’s dry landscape, and even getting caught in a winter tornado over Kentucky.

But the story doesn’t end there. Santa calls upon children around the world to become Ho Ho Heroes by adopting eco-friendly actions that help protect the planet and ensure a smoother delivery for Santa in the future. 

“The book is a fun way to encourage kids to think about their own environmental impact,” Sean said. “It’s all about inspiring positive change while still embracing the magic of Christmas.” 

The Worst Christmas Weather EVER! is available in various local book shops across the country, with more details available at www.seanbatty.co.uk.