PURPLE Elephant held their first large-scale event since the 2019 lockdown – The Frome Children’s Festival – and have declared it a big success.
Almost 600 children and adults attended the Festival, held in the Cheese and Grain’s car park, its market hall and its studio workshop-rooms as well as in the woods adjacent to the river walk.
“This free, 4-hour long event was a smaller offering than in previous years – where attendance has reached over 2,000 people,” said the organisers, Purple Elephant, the Frome-based charitable organisation. “Unable to hold the festival in 2020 due to Covid, we were keen to provide an uncrowded festival with timed-entry and a greater chance to social distance to ensure that everyone’s summer holiday this year remains healthy and fun.”
Director Sue Willis explains “Frome families were amazing. Everyone took their turn with patience and a positive attitude; it was a real joy to feel somewhat ‘normal’ again with so many cheery faces enjoying a special day.
“What a town full of children to be proud of. I’d like to take a moment to say also how proud we are of the young volunteers who joined us and gave their time and energy. We are super grateful to all our volunteers but the Children’s Festival just showed that we have lots of fantastic teenagers who take the initiative, work really hard and are great company.
“Although officially a little smaller than usual, this year’s special day offered children and their families the chance to build dens, rope-climb trees, take part in forest school activities, make music, skateboard, play giant scrapstore games, have their faces painted, be a part of accessible multi-sports, listen to stories, model with clay, be adorned with glitter-paint, join science fun experiments, dance along with disco moves, decorate cakes, chill in the sensory room, join a yoga session, eat delicious food, make green-screen special effects mini films and more!
“Without the goodwill and hard work of all the activity providers, a host of volunteers and the Cheese and Grain, this annual town event would not be possible. Organisers would like to encourage everyone to follow Purple Elephant Children’s Festival on social media so that they get a chance to see photos of the day – a day that was only possible thanks to the generous support of The National Lottery Community Fund and Frome Town Council.
“Frome Town Council’s funding, as well as their onsite-teams of workers, have been a vital part of the Frome Children’s Festival for many years now. Money from FTC’s People’s Budget along with the funds provided by The National Lottery Community Fund meant that the whole event was free for all who attended. However, within Frome there are a significant number of families who are either financially disadvantaged or who face complex challenges; the provision of a free day of fun, with targeted pre-event communication, allows the festival to be accessed by those who otherwise often miss out.
“The organisers wish to thank the funders for their continued support and would also encourage those who enjoyed the day to let their employers know as Purple Elephant are currently looking for additional business-sponsors to help them continue to deliver their Toy Library, Early Years Support, Befriending and Holiday-activities as well as the Children’s Festival.”
Learn more about the Children’s Festival and other local services for families via their website www. PurpleElephant.org.uk
