Christmas in Frome

Christmas party invitation to all the children of Frome

Frome Children’s Festival is holding the annual Children’s Christmas Party at the Cheese and Grain on Sunday 16th December. 

The event is open to all the children and families of Frome, and will be packed with sparkles, music, magic, Santa’s grotto and party food to decorate. As the excitement builds and the weather chills, more of what is in store for this day of fun will be revealed in the coming weeks!

The seasonal fun is brought to the town by the Frome Children’s Festival organisers, Purple Elephant Productions, whose aim is to ensure all families and children are included in activities and events throughout the year, either for free or at very low cost.  

Director, Sue Willis said,  “We warmly welcome all youngsters in our community, regardless of their family circumstances.  We hope the whole family will join the Christmas party and take part together, so the entry price is just £1 per child this year to make it as accessible as possible to as many as possible. Put the date in your diary!”

The Christmas party is currently partly supported by local companies including Asda, Hunting Raven, Chicken House Books and Mrs B’s Catering, together with Frome Lions and Rotary clubs. The organisers are now actively seeking other local companies to offer support, donations and sponsorship to continue their vital work. 

The company’s ethos is to encourage creativity, imagination and fun for families large and small and to offer special consideration to those with additional needs.  

Sue Willis added,  “It is a balancing act. We offer very low cost, sometimes free, events to all, but in order to do that we rely on the very goodwill of local companies.  Frome has an amazing community spirit, so we are very lucky.  

“This year, we are actively seeking new donors and new sponsors so that we can continue our annual events.  We are in our 5th year now and have a lot of really exciting ideas for some special entertainment for the Christmas party, but we need some additions to the budget and would love to hear from local business-owners willing to help.”

The Frome Children’s Christmas Party will be held at the Cheese and Grain on 16th December from 10am-2pm. Just turn up and pay-on-the-day.  Any local businesspeople willing to add to the fun and festivities by becoming sponsors or donors, are encouraged to contact the organisation via their website www.fromechildrens festival.org or email sue@ fromechildrensfestival.org

Big Christmas Get Together!

Frome’s Big Christmas Get-Together is returning for the eighth consecutive year. 

This event provides a free Christmas lunch and festive celebrations for about 120  Frome residents who may be alone for all sorts of reasons, or who just want to celebrate Christmas with others. The event brings people together to create a memorable day and provides people with company and good times in a great community gathering.

One of the guests from last year summed up what it meant to them by saying, “I’ve had a really difficult and sad year and was dreading Christmas, so to get such a warm welcome by strangers made me feel very special. I can’t believe that lots of local shops were so generous too. I was so happy to see that people still care.”

Organisers of the event say, “Frome Town Football Club has been the kind hosts for the celebrations for several years now and the event would not be possible without their support and the generosity of over 40 businesses in and around Frome who donate their services or produce to the event. In addition, nearly 200 people volunteer their time in December to make this happen. 

“All costs are covered through donations from a phenomenal public response to collections at events like the Christmas Independent Market and the switching on of lights ceremony. This year the Rotary also kindly supported the BCGT with bucket collections at the fireworks show on the 3rd of November.

“The event is free to attend, but places need to be booked in advance. We are working closely with Active and In Touch, Fair Frome, the weekly day centre lunch club and many local groups and community services, to ensure the whole community is welcomed on this special day. Guest forms are available at Frome Library.

“Volunteer positions have been filling up rapidly, but organisers are still looking for a few more volunteers on Christmas day including drivers to pick up guests from, and then back to their homes, help with serving the food, entertainment and carol singers and people to help for few hours with clean-up from 4.00pm. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity to be more involved with a worthwhile community project, make new friends and make a real difference to people’s lives at what can be a challenging time of year.”

If you would like to make sure Christmas happens for people who need it, please contact Sam at fromechristmas@gmail.com or through Facebook/fromesbig christmas, or on their new website www.bigchristmasgettogether.org. All guest enquiries can also telephone Margaret on 01373 465418 to find out more.

Santa specials by train!

SANTA specials are coming to Midsomer Norton Station next month, offering children the chance to meet and travel with Santa on board the train.

Little engine Joyce will be chugging up the line to fetch Santa on Sunday 2nd December so that the children will be able to meet him on the train as they ride up the line. Santa will be travelling on the train giving out presents and good cheer on the 2nd, 9th and 16th December. Of course it’s not just about children. Adults will be able to ride on the train and collect a mince pie and Christmas punch as part of the Christmas celebrations. Events organiser Zaida Haworth said, “Tickets are limited and already going well. Go to the website to get yours soon.”

It’s been a busy few weeks at the station. Hallowe’en weekend saw great spooky activity at Midsomer Norton Station. Pumpkin carving was attacked with such gusto, and by so many children with their families, that emergency pumpkin supplies had to be obtained from a local store. The spooky trail was greatly enjoyed, giving adults a chance to see round the historic the site while the children hunted for clues. And then there was a present! 

The ‘track gang’ volunteers who have achieved track laying up to the southern infill.  Now they are putting out an appeal for funds towards more ballast for the rails. The Trust is appealing for donations to their “£20 for a Ton’ fundraising campaign, where the public can make donations towards the purchase of the ballast required.  Donations can be made in person at the station, or via the Trust’s website. All persons donating are encouraged to complete a Gift Aid form to make their donation go even further.www.sdjr.co.uk/ fundraising

Volunteers at the station look forward to more steam next year and would welcome more people to join them to help at Midsomer Norton Station.

You’d better watch out! Mother Christmas is coming to town to help raise money for Frome’s Big Christmas Get Together…

A new take on Santa’s Grotto, featuring “Mother Christmas”, will be hitting The Frome Independent on Sunday 2nd December, helping to raise vital funds for Fair Frome and Frome’s Big Christmas Get Together.

The Frome Independent has teamed up with Frome-based theatre company Rare Species to bring market-goers a new twist on the traditional Santa’s Grotto.  Never-before-seen characters “Mother Christmas and her festive attendant” will be receiving visits from children at the final edition of The Frome Independent. Visits to see Mother Christmas will cost £3.50 per child, with funds raised going to Fair Frome and The Frome Big Christmas Get Together, a community lunch which is held on Christmas day for anyone who doesn’t want to spend Christmas alone.

Each year, The Frome Independent team work with Fair Frome and Frome’s Big Christmas Get Together, to help them raise as much money as possible –  often with the help of some theatrical friends. In 2017, The Little Victory Ball came to the market with their wartime raffle, where visitors could buy a ticket in the hope of winning some authentic 1940s’ prizes. In 2016, Rare Species brought their comedic versions of HRH the Queen and Prince Charles to the event, who encouraged market visitors to dig deep. A total of over £3,000 in donations  was raised for Fair Frome over the course of the market day.

Fair Frome coordinator, Wendy Miller-Williams, said the charity would love to repeat the fundraising success of previous years. She said, “Fair Frome has been very busy this year and expecting to continue in growth across all of our projects next year – food bank, furniture bank, community lunches and our campaigns aimed at tackling inequality. Our community is so very supportive in terms of food, furniture, cash donations and volunteer hours.  We will be out in force at the next Independent Market, so please do stop for a chat with us and if you can spare any cash it will be used effectively.”

As well as Mother Christmas’ Grotto, the market will also host Swing Dance Frome, who will be leading dances and demonstrations on the pop-up Village Green outside Frome Library. Also down at The Village Green there will be a number of festive family art activities, including one led by science students from Frome College, who will be helping market-goers make chromatography Christmas decorations.

There will be nostalgic tunes throughout the day from The Vintage Mobile Disco, plus live music from some of the best bands from the region on the Market Place Stage. Frome Community Choir and Jackdaws Songbirds will be singing carols and festive favourites at various times and locations throughout the market day.

 As well as all of these festive activities, The Frome Independent’s final market of 2018 is a great place to start Christmas shopping, with over 200 designers, makers, craftspeople and vintage traders lining the town centre. There will also be farmers and local food producers across the market, and a feast to be had from traders serving up hot and cold street food, ranging from Hong Kong bubble waffles to handmade Somerset sausage rolls and everything in between.

The Frome Independent’s final market of 2018 takes place on Sunday 2nd December from 10am – 3pm across Frome town centre. For more information visit www.thefrome       independent.org.uk

Frome’s Big Christmas Get Together takes place on Christmas Day at Frome Football Club, for more information on how you can get involved email frome christmas@gmail.com

St John’s Christmas Fair

St John’s Church, Bath Street, Frome will be holding a Christmas Fair in the church on Saturday 24th November from 9.30am to 1.00pm.

There will be refreshments and lots of stalls, including bric-a-brac, books, jewellery, toys and games, clothes, produce and cakes, and tombola. Entry is free.

Christmas Fair in aid of We Hear You

Local counselling charity, We Hear You, is holding a Christmas Fair in Frome Town Hall on Saturday 1st December from 11am to 4pm.

Stalls hosted by local businesses, designers and makers will be selling a range of Christmas gifts, craft activities for children, festive refreshments and the chance to meet Santa in his grotto. Fundraising officer Helen White says, “We’re looking forward to watching WHY supporter and local legend, Rachel Clark, switch on Frome’s Christmas lights on the 30th and continuing the festive theme the very next day with our fair!’

“We’ll be asking people for a donation of £1 on the door and it’s £3 for children to meet Father Christmas in our specially-designed grotto. Huge thanks to Wainwright Quarry in Radstock for sponsoring the grotto this year. We’d also love to hear from local school choirs who’d like to come along and sing some carols for us in half-hour slots throughout the day, so please get in touch if your school choir would like to be part of the day.

“The impact of a life-threatening diagnosis is enormous for everyone concerned, and for those who have lost loved ones, times like Christmas can be especially hard. WHY exists to support people coping with its effects and every penny raised by events like these is vital to help us reach the people who need our help. So please come along, have a lovely day and help us get our 25th anniversary year off to the best start.”

To get in touch about your school choir singing carols at the fair, please call 01373488577 or email fundraising@wehearyou.org.uk. To refer yourself for free professional counselling with We Hear You, please call 01373455255 or email info@wehearyou.org.uk.

Frome Cheese & Grain Christmas Farmers’ Market

Make a date in your busy festive diary for Sunday 23rd December 10am-2pm when Frome Farmers’ Market at the Cheese & Grain pulls out all the stops to create a ‘food hall ‘ of local seasonal festive food.

You can collect your turkeys from either Beech Ridge Farm or Kimbers (pre-order to avoid disappointment) or any other ‘bird’ which you fancy,  plus the chipolatas and bacon or game.

Tradition dictates that you get your brussel sprout tree from Tracy Collins’ vegetable stall, plus all of her winter vegetables, all freshly grown in Wiltshire! 

This year we have all of your alcohol needs covered with traditional cider from Honey Pot Farm, real ales from Micro Brewery ‘The Incredible Brewing Company’ and sparkling wines from a local vineyard plus Somerset Gin. There will be lots of last-minute present buying opportunities such as Mendip Lavender and hampers of preserves from Root Connections.

With Christmas music and a special festive atmosphere, it will be a great opportunity to spend a few hours shopping and socializing and enjoying the refreshment facilities of the Cheese & Grain just before the big day!

For more information about the market and its producers visit www. somersetfarmersmarkets.  co.uk  and sign up for a monthly newsletter.

St Catherine’s Christmas Pop-Up

Join St Catherine’s Christmas pop-up for shopping, food and drink from Frome’s finest on 15th December.

Businesses will club together once again to put on their third pop-up festival on Saturday 15th December from 12-7pm, just in time for Christmas.

They say, “Following the huge success of the summer event, the Christmas edition looks set to be bigger and better than ever with the festivities spanning not just Catherine Hill, but Palmer Street and Stony Street too.

“Local businesses will be opening their doors for late-night shopping (until 7pm), to host pop-up events, workshops and one-off shopping experiences. In addition, organisers have secured road closures throughout St Catherine’s and will be hosting a series of street traders including food, drink, designers and musicians that will turn St Catherine’s into a hive of festive activity for all the family.”

Event organiser, James Borley says, “We’re very excited to be bringing a bigger and better event to St Catherine’s, with a great mix of local designers, makers and craftspeople from the local area.”

Food traders confirmed for the event include: Nook – new to Frome, an Australian-inspired juice and bowl bar. The Bubble Wafflery – Hong Kong-inspired waffles and ice cream. Palmer Street Bottle – craft ales, beer and cheese. Rye Bakery – sourdough pizza from Frome’s finest. Le Vin Blanc – pastries, mulled wine and festive treats. Other traders will include: The Smoke Folk – ​an award-winning smokery based in Frome. Dark Moon Chocolate – vegan chocolate and truffles. The Raw Soap Co. – ​natural goat milk ​soaps​​ using raw milk.  Plus many more! 

For more information on the events taking place, or to find out how to get involved, please head to ​www.stcatherinesfrome. com

Frome Lions’ Tree of Remembrance and Lions & Rotary clubs’ Father Christmas float routes

The Frome Lions Club will once again be erecting a tree of Remembrance in front of Rook Lane Chapel over the festive Christmas period, so that people can remember their loved ones or causes special to them. 

The people of Frome and surrounding area are invited to make a donation to the Lions club in memory of their loved ones or special causes. The lights on the tree will remember each individual or cause and each donor will receive a personal acknowledgement and the names and causes will be also be displayed at Rook Lane until early January

The tree will be dedicated by the Reverend Colin Horn during a short carol service to which all are cordially invited on Friday 7th December at 6.15pm. Music will be supplied by Frome Town Band and the dedication conducted by the reverend Colin Horn. Following the blessing, light refreshments of mince pies & mulled wine are available. All donations received will be used by the Lions in its local charitable work.

Further details and donation forms can be obtained from www.fromelions. org. uk or you can email Keith. mcLeod@frome lions.org. uk or clive.smith@fromelions.org.uk 

Float Routes

Members of Frome Lions and Rotary clubs will be assisting Father Christmas on his travels around Frome and surrounding villages.

The float makes its first trip on Monday 3rd December and continues until Saturday 22nd December.

Father Christmas would ask that residents are considerate when parking their vehicles on the day of his visit, in order that as many people, young and old can enjoy this long-standing Frome spectacle.

All monies raised by the float will be used by the Lions and Rotary clubs in their local charitable work. 

Monday December 3rd from  5.15pm. Vallis Road, Wallington Way, Britains, Kersey Court, Marley Way, Kissing Batch, Weston Walk, Wallington Way, Vallis Road, Whatcombe Road, Upper Whatcombe, Valley View, Orchardleigh View, Valley View, Upper Whatcombe, Whatcombe Road, Low Water, Hill Ground, Whatcombe Road, Weylands, Hodders Close, Welshmill Delta Close, Singers Court, Henley Way, Foundary Way, End In Delta Close.

Tuesday 4th from 5.15pm. Dommetts Lane, Green Lane, Westfield Road, Churchill Road, Critchill Road, Flint Close, Westover, Orchard Close, Westover, Westwood Drive, Eastwood Drive, Westwood Drive, Westover, Warleigh Close, Yeomans Lodge, Catherstone Close, Critchill Road, Barn Close, Critchill Road, Beverley Close, Critchill Close, Whitemill Lane, Critchill Grove, End At Junction With Marston Lane

Wednesday  5th, from 5.15pm. Badcox, Weymouth Road, Ecos Court, Somerset Road, St Aldhams Close, Oakfield Road, Nunney Road, Old Nursery Site, Oakfield Close, Acorn Close, Broadway, Dorset Close, Nunney Road, Nunney Barton, Lynfield Road, Portland Road, Portland Place, Robins Lane, Houston Way, Leaze Road, Vallis Road, Horton Street, Orchard Street, Vallis Way, Selwood Road, Trinity Street, Welshmill Hill. 

Thursday  6th, from 5.15pm. Wallbridge, Great Western Way, Rivers Reach, Fishers Brook, Garsdale, Portway, Newland Gardens, Victoria Road, Garston Road, Avenue Road, Wallbridge Avenue, Portway, Locks Hill, Buttlers Gardens, Knightstone Heights, Charles Road, Foster Road, Walker Road, Adderwell Road, Knights Maltings, Primose Court Etc.

Friday  7th, from 5.00pm. Nunney, Berry Hill, Ridgeway, Dalemore Mead, Towards Nunney Catch, Flowerfield Glebelands, Westover, Towards The Bridge, Bridge Street, Horn Street, Towards Holwell, Towards Nunney Catch, To Trudoxhill, Ashfield Close, Towards Marston Bigot And Tytherington.

Saturday  8th, from 4.30pm. Great Elm, Through To Mells. Top Street, Little Green, Down Past School, Mells Park, Towards Vobster, Mells, Longfield, High Street, New Street, Fairview, Then To Buckland Dinham, Higher Street, Rogers Close, Main Street, Church Close, St Michaels Close, Main Street, Lowere Street.        

Monday  10th from 5.15pm. Stonebridge Drive, Beaconsfield Way, Laburnam Close, Pine Court, Poplar Close, Gypsy Lane, Briars Close, Larchfield Close, Lavender Court, Mulbery Court, Walnut Walk, Brunel Way, Alder Walk, Holly Court, Birch Walk, Laurel Close, Accacia Drive, Magnollia Drive, Wedmore Close, Somerton Gardens, Charterhouse Drive, Wellow Drive, Foxcote, Shoscombe, Cheddar Close, Priddy Close, Collett Way, Hawksworth, Wainwright, Blagdon Walk, Compton Gardens, Doulting Court, Croscombe Gardens, Stevenson Drive, Trevithick Close, Gooch Close, Chuchward Drive, Dean Close, Braithwaite Way, Sterling Way.

Tuesday  11th from 5.15pm. Vine Gardens, Parkhill Drive, Clumber Drive, Lewis Crescent, Heath Drive, Foxbury Close, Leystone Close, Hawthorn, Leys Lane, Leys Hill, Packsaddle Way, Chapmans Close, Pedlers Grove, Farmhouse Drive, Grange Road, Meadow Road, Champney Road, Fairfield Close, Tankeys Close, Northcote Crescent, Mendip Drive, Selwood Crescent, Mendip Close, Eastleigh Close, Leversedge, Lilly Batch, Sedge Mead,.

Wed. 12th – Clear.

Thursday  13th, from 5.15pm. Windsor Crescent, Berkley Road, Fermoy, Clink Farm Court, Forest Road, Pennys Piece, Elmleigh, Nightinggale Avenue, Jay Close, Blackbird Way, Chaffinch Avenue Swallow Drive, Linnet Way, Wren Close, Chestnut Close, Sycamore Drive, Cypress Way, Stonebridge Drive, Aspen Close, Lime Close, Beech Court, Rowan Court, Ashtree Road, Maple Court.

Friday  14th, from 5.15pm. Roddenbury Close, St Johns Road, St Marys Road, Armstrong Road, Boundary Avenue, Wythburn Road, Coronation Road, Monmouth Drive, Winscombe Court, Wynford Road, Wyville Road, Linsvale Drive, Linsvale Close, Whitestone Road, Woodhayes Road, Wivenhoe Close, Bramley Drive, Bartlett Close, Farley Close, Waverley Close, Whichelm Road, Whitehorse Drive, Wayside Close, Westcott Close Ludlow Close, Holmbury Close, Stanier.

Saturday  15th, from 4.30pm. Butts Hill, Slips Close, Newington Close, Water Lane, The Butts, Rossitors Road, Cherry Grove, Lower Keyford, Rossitors Hill, Keyford, Sunnyside, Stevens Lane, Culverhill, The Mount, Austin Close, Southfields, Mountsfield, Feltham Drive, Feltham Lane, Tower View, Aldhelm Court, Mount Pleasant, The Robins, Little Keyford Lane. 

Monday  17th from 5.15pm. Spring Gardens, Innox Hill, Lower Innox, Leonards Barton, Mill Close, Welshmill Rd Spring Road, Elliot Close, Wickham Rise, Rosedale Walk, North Parade, Fromefield, Stoneleigh Rise, Leys Lane, Rodden Road, Beechwood Avenue, Beechwood Close, Bath Road, Mendip Lodge Site, Oldford Caravan Site.

Tuesday  18th from 5.15pm. Christchurch Street East, Alexandra Road, Summer Hill, Randolph Road, Singers Knoll, Woodland Road, Keyford, Knights Court, The Cooperage, Locks Hill End At Junction, Locks Hill & Knightstone, Go To Chapmanslade. Through Village, On Way Down To Brimhill Rise.

Wed. 19th – Clear.

Thursday 20th, from 5.00pm. All Of The Estate Behind Asda, Wallbridge, Harris Close, Waters Edge, New Road, Hillside Drive, Ellworthy, Frome Care Village, Styles Hill, Styles Park, East Hill, Styles Avenue, Styles Close.

Friday  21st, from 5.00pm. The Butts, The Grove, Cabell Road, Pinmore, Cabell Court, Marston Road, Masons Way, Courts Barton, Barton Walk, Marston Lane, Marston Close, Marston Mead, Cranmore View, Georgian Court, Whitewell Road, Stourton View, Weavers Court Richmand Road, Malthouse Court, Delmore Road, Firwood Road, Whitewell Close. Somerset Road.

Saturday  22nd, from 12.30pm Christchurch Street West, Bath Street, Park In Town Centre Leave 2.45pm For Hospital 

Saturday  22nd from 3.45pm. Church Street, Frome Road, Warminster Road, Sandy Lane, Sandy View, The Weavers Homefield Close, Goose Street, The Lays, Bath Road, Mill Close, Horse Close, Old Road, New Estate, End Here Go To Rode. Church Street, Orchard Road, Nutts Lane, Marsh Road, Main Road, High Street, Fairfield, Brewery Close, The Mead, Lower Street, Walnut Close, The Mill, Trowbridge Road, Bradford Road, Churchfields, End At The Bell