Father Christmas gets ready for a fundraising journey around Frome

Father Christmas has asked the members of the Frome Lions and Rotary clubs to help him when he visits the residents of Frome and surrounding villages again this December.

In the run up to Christmas, he will be doing the rounds once again with the Frome Lions and Rotary Clubs’ Santa Sleigh, starting on Monday 2nd December when he will travel around the Stonebridge area starting at Briar Close. 

“Father Christmas is very pleased with the float, which was provided by the team at John Wainwright and Company two years ago. He has kindly been offered the services of Recovery Frome this year, not that he expects to call on their services, but thanks Simon and the team for being available to help if required,” said a member of the Rotary Club of Frome, Richard Lines. 

In addition to being able to visit roads previously too tight for the old float, he will be visiting additional roads that have opened up since his visit last year.

The float will be out for 17 days throughout December, finishing on Saturday 21st December before Father Christmas heads off to Lapland to complete preparations for the big day on the 25th.

“Father Christmas would like to remind all of the young children, which he loves, to post their handwritten letters, which can be posted in the post box on the float,” said Richard.

“Rest assured, boys and girls, that Father Christmas will, as usual, be reading all your letters in time for the delivery of presents, but please make sure you include your name and address so that his helpers can send a response to your letter.

“Father Christmas will be keeping us all informed of his outings and any updates on his dedicated Facebook page, linked at the end of the story.”

Helpers from Lions and Rotary Clubs of Frome will be out this year collecting your generous donations that will go to help many ‘deserving causes’ in and around Frome.

“We understand times are difficult and we appreciate any support that you can give. We will make sure it is used to support those in our community who are in desperate need of support,” says Richard.

“Father Christmas is very keen that we keep up with technology and this year we will have some collectors carrying contactless donation points. One great benefit is the ability to claim Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, which will increase your donation by 25% and make your generosity go further. These collectors will wear distinctive white hi-vis jackets.”

Treasurer for Frome Rotary Club, Norman Elmer, said, “Another great benefit of an individual making a Gift Aid declaration is that we can use this donation to claim Gift Aid on the bucket collection, which can double the benefit of such kind donations.”

Mobile phone users can also donate by text. To donate, text SANTAFROME and either 1,3,5,10 or 20 to 70085. 

In addition, there is a JustGiving web page where donations can be made using the link enclosed at the end of the story 

Kim Barter, president of Frome Rotary, said, “The funds raised, which are split with the Lions, have all been used to support our ‘Frome Deserving Causes’ account, which has supported many groups, charities, families and individuals around Frome this year.”

President of Frome Lions, Dan Norris, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be able to run the float around Frome and surrounding villages again this year. We are planning to bring a heap of seasonal joy and excitement to brighten up everyone in the community as Christmas approaches.”

So that you can see where Father Christmas is as he travels around Frome with his helpers this year you can track him at   https://glympse.com/!santafrome

The team will publish this link online and on the Frome Rotary and Lions websites, as well as all social media pages. Don’t forget that there will be times when there is no phone signal and the tracker may not be available but we expect most of the routes to be visible on the tracker.

For more information about Father Christmas’ route, visit the dedicated Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/santafrome

To donate via the JustGiving page, visit the website  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/santafrome24

Monday 2nd December – 5pm – Stonebridge

Gypsy Lane, Briars Close, Beaconsfield Way, Larchfield Close, Lavender Court, Mulberry Court, Walnut Walk, Poplar Close, Pine Court, Laburnum Close, Stonebridge Drive, Maytree Close, Brunel Way, Alder Walk, Holly Court, Birch Walk, Laurel Close, Acacia Drive, Magnolia Drive, Wedmore Close, Somerton Gardens, Charterhouse Drive, Wellow Drive, Foxcote Gardens, Shoscomble Gardens, Cheddar Close, Priddy Close, Collett Way, Hawk’s Worth Close, Wainwright Drive, Blagdon Walk, Compton Gardens, Doulting Court, Croscombe Gardens, Stephenson Drive, Trevithick Close, Gooch Close, Churchward Drive, Dean Close, Gabriel Close, Braithwaite Way, Stirling Way.

Tuesday 3rd December – 5pm – Packsaddle

Rossetti House, Vine Gardens, Park Hill Drive, Clumber Drive, Lewis Crescent, Heath Drive, Foxbury Close, Leystone Close, Hawthorn Road, Leys Lane, Leys Hill, Packsaddle Way, Chapmans Close, Pedlars Grove, Farmhouse Drive, Grange Road, Meadow Road, Champney Road, Fairfield Close, Tankey’s Close, Northcote Crescent, Mendip Drive, Selwood Crescent, Mendip Close, Eastleigh Close, Leversedge Road, Lilly Batch, Sedge Mead.   

Wednesday 4th December – 5pm – Innox Hill and Fromefield

Spring Gardens, Innox Hill, Lower Innox, Leonards Barton, Mill Close, Welshmill Road, Spring Road, Elliot Close, Wickham Rise, Rose Dale Walk, North Parade, Fromefield, Stoneleigh Rise, Leys Lane, Rodden Road, The Cedars, Beechwood Avenue, Beechwood Close, Bath Road.

Thursday 5th December – 5pm – Forest Road area

Windsor Crescent, Berkley Road, Fermoy, Clink Farm Court, Forest Road, The Copse, Penny’s Piece, Elm Leigh, Nightingale 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, Princess Anne Road.

Friday 6th December – 5pm – Nunney and Trudoxhill

Frome Road Nunney, Castle Hill, Horn Street, Market Place, High Street, Berry Hill, Dallimore Mead, Catch Road, Flowerfield, Glebelands, Westover, Nunney Catch, Westover Lane, Delamare Park, Theobold Road, Pipers Way, Castle View, Walkers Drive, Jackdaw Drive, Trudoxhill, Ashfield Close

Saturday 7th December – 4.30pm – Great Elm, Mells and Buckland Dinham

Great Elm, Mells, Top Lane, Little Green, Mells Green, Holes Lane, Longfield, High Street, New Street, Fairview, Buckland Dinham, Sandscross Lane, Rogers Close, High Street, The Cross, St Michael’s Close, High Street, Lower Street.

Monday 9th December – 5pm- Clink

Roddenbury Close, St John’s Road, St Mary’s 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 Court, Bramley Drive, Bartlett Close, Farley Close, Waverley Close, Wych Elm Road, White Horse Drive, Wayside Close, Westcott Close, Ludlow Close, Holmbury Close, Stanier Close. 

Tuesday 10th December – 5pm – The Butts and The Mount

Butts Hill, Slipps Close, Newington Close, The Butts, Rossiter’s Road, Cherry Grove, Water Lane, Salisbury Terrace, Lower Keyford, Rossiter’s Hill, Keyford, Sunnyside Place, Stevens Lane, Longleat Close, Culverhill, The Mount, Austin Close, Southfields, Mountsfield, Feltham Drive, Feltham Lane, Tower View, Dragonfly Close, Little Keyford on the Green, Mount Pleasant, The Robins, Little Keyford Lane.

Wednesday 11th December – 5pm – Locks Hill

Christchurch Street East, Eastgate Court, Alexandra Road, Summer Hill, Randolph Road, Singer’s Knoll, Woodland Road, Keyford, Knights Court, The Cooperage, Long Ground, Locks Hill, Knightstone Heights, Charles Road, Foster Road, New Buildings, New Buildings Lane, Walker Road, Adderwell, Knights Maltings, Locks Hill, Caxton Road, Printworks Road, Bookbinders Mews, Butlers Gardens.   

Thursday 12th December – 5pm – Whatcombe Road

Vallis Road, Wallington Way, Brittains, Kersey Court, Marleys Way, Kissing Batch, Weston Walk, Wallington Way, Vallis Road, Whatcombe Road, Upper Whatcombe, Valley View, Orchardleigh View, Upper Whatcombe, Whatcombe Road, Low Water, Hill Ground, Whatcombe Road, Weylands, Hodder’s Close, Welshmill Lane, Delta Close, Singers Court, Henley Way, Foundry Barton.   

Friday 13th December – 5pm – Critchill

Dommetts Lane, Green Lane, Westfield Road, Churchill Road, Critchill Road, Flints Close, Westover, Orchard Close, Westover, Westwood Drive, Eastwood Close, Westwood Drive, Westover, Warleigh Close, Yeomans Lodge, Catherstone Close, Critchill Road, Barn Close, Critchill Road, Beverley Close, Critchill Close, Whitemill Lane, Critchill Grove.

Saturday 14th December – 11.15am- until 2.30pm – Market Place

Rowden House, Badcox, Christchurch St West, Bath Street, Market Place.

5pm – Beckington

Church Street, Frome Road, Warminster Road, Shepherds Way, Tudor Drive, Spinners Close, Wool Close, Sandy Lane, Sandy View, The Weavers, Homefield Close, Goose Street, The Lays, St Lukes Road, Bath Road, Mill Lane, Horse Close, Valley View, Old Road, Great Dunns Close, Little Dunns Close.

Monday 16th December – 5.30pm – Rode

Turnstone Close, St Lawrence Lane, Church Lane, Orneage Close, The Old Brewery, Nutts Lane, Marsh Road, High Street, Fairfield, The Mead, Lower Street, Walnut Close, Trowbridge Road, Bradford Road, The Sportsman, Churchfields.

Tuesday 17th December – 5pm – Badcox

Badcox, Weymouth Road, Ecos Court, Somerset Road, Queens Road, St Aldhelm’s Close, Oakfield Road, Nunney Road, The Acorns, Nunney Barton, Lynfield Road, The Old Nurseries, Oakfield Close, Acorn Close, Broadway, Dorset Close, Nunney Road, Portland Road, Portland Place, Robins Lane, Houston Way, Leaze Road, Vallis Road, Horton Street, Orchard Street, Naish’s Street, Goulds Ground, Gould’s Lane, Trinity Row, Vallis Way, Selwood Road, Trinity Street, Welshmill Hill, Dyers’ Close Lane, Maisemore Terrace.

Thursday 19th December – 5pm – Portway

Victoria Road, Garston Road, Avenue Road, Wallbridge Avenue, Portway, Portway Gardens, Newland Gardens, Portway, Garsdale, Rivers Reach, Fishers Brook, Great Western Terrace, Great Western Street, Wallbridge, Harris Close, Tucker Close, New Road, Hillside Drive, Ellworthy Court, Styles Park, Easthill, Styles Avenue, Styles Close, Styles Hill.

Friday 20th December – 2pm – Sainsbury’s

4.45pm –  Keyford Meadows Estate

5pm – Marston Lane

The Butts, The Grove, Cabell Road, Grove Mead, Pinmore, Cabell Court, Marston Road, Masons Way, Court’s Barton, Barton Walk, Marston Lane, Marston Close, Marston Mead, Cranmore View, Georgian Court, Whitewell Road, Stourton View, Weavers Court, Richmond Road, Malthouse Court, Delmore Road, Firwood Road, Whitewell Place, Somerset Road. 

Saturday 21st December – 11am until 2pm – Asda

5pm –  Edmund Park

Blackberry Road, Clover Close, Buttercup Close, Marigold Road, Daisy Close, Campion Road, Burdock Road, Lily Road, Dandelion Road, Lichen Road, Reedmace Road, Bluebell Road, Iris Road, Bullrush Close, Rosemary Way, Elder Close.

Saturday 21st December – 7pm – Chapmanslade