The Frome Rotary and Lions Santa Float will be making its way around the town and surrounding areas to raise funds for local causes in the run-up to Christmas.

The float, which has been travelling around Frome at Christmas for over 50 years, will start on Monday 1st December and travel around the town with volunteers before finishing its rounds on 22nd December.

Frome Rotary Club President Richard Lines said, “Frome Rotary Club is delighted to be heading out during December to help Santa as he brings joy to all Frome residents. Santa has also allowed us the night off on 3rd December, the anniversary of our club charter, as we hold a Gala Event at Orchardleigh to celebrate past and present members who have supported the Frome community for 100 years.”

There are a few changes on some of the routes this year. The float will start at Stonebridge and end at Briar Close, with a reversed route around The Mount and The Butts to avoid roadworks.

Letters

As part of the annual fundraiser, handwritten letters to Father Christmas can be posted in the post box on the float.

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

Donations

Santa’s helpers from the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Frome will also collect donations, which will go towards deserving causes in and around Frome.

Richard said, “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.

“Santa 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.”

President of Frome Lions Club, Allison Rumming, said, “If you are not in Frome whilst the float is out, or you would like to make your donation at a time to suit you, please use the link below, which will allow all of your donation to go to the clubs, who will ensure it helps your community.”

To keep up to date with Father Christmas and the sleigh, visit his dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/santafrome

Santa float route

Monday 1st December

5pm – Stonebridge

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

Tuesday 2nd 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.

Thursday 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.

Friday 5th 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 6th 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 8th 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.

Tuesday 9th 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.

Thursday 11th 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.

Friday 12th December

5pm – The Mount and The Butts

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

Saturday 13th December

11.15am until 2.30pm – Market Place

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

Saturday 13th December

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 15th 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 16th 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.

Wednesday 17th 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.

Thursday 18th 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 19th 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,

Saturday 20th 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 20th December

7pm – Chapmanslade

Monday 22nd 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.