Frome’s ‘Operation Christmas Cheer’

THE Frome community is rallying round to celebrate Christmas so everyone can still enjoy the festive season, despite the pandemic.

The Christmas lights are up, householders continue to Light the Night with their window displays (see page 22!), Father Christmas is heading to town, and local shops and businesses are back open and welcoming your support. Churches are also holding events with restricted numbers and/or online events.

Local charity, Active and In Touch, who are supporting those who are vulnerable or feeling isolated, are asking for more volunteers to help them keep in touch with people over the festive season. Following on with the work of Frome Town Council, who set up the response to the pandemic, the charity is offering a telephone befriending service, a chance to meet with a volunteer on a walk, sending Christmas cards, and supporting a hamper delivery scheme to those who will be alone this Christmas.

With other towns cancelling their usual Father Christmas visits around the streets, Frome Lions and Rotary clubs have pulled out all the stops to ensure that Frome children are not disappointed this year.

They say, “Father Christmas has once again asked the members of the Frome Lions and Rotary clubs to assist him  this Christmas.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to run the float around Frome and surrounding villages this year. Following a huge amount of special preparation, and great support from the local council and police, we will be able to bring some seasonal joy and excitement to brighten up everyone in the community as Christmas approaches.”

“The position relating to the Covid-19 regulations this year requires some alternative arrangements having to be made,” say the Lions and Rotary clubs. “Having been approved by the authorities, the Santa Float will be running from December 4th on 17 days before the big day on the 25th December. The dates and routes are listed on page 24 and can also be found on the Frome Lions and Rotary websites and Facebook pages.

“The most significant change will be that no house-to -house collections will take place and helpers will not be knocking on individual doors, or collecting cash at the roadside. Mobile phone users can donate by text. To donate text SANTAFROME and either 1,3,5,10 or 20 to 70085. Full details will be on either side of the float. 

“In addition, there is a Just Giving website, where donations can be made using www.justgiving.com/campaign/santafrome. If anyone has been saving up all their pennies, all is not lost! There will hopefully also be a cash donation drop off point in the centre of Frome. Details will be provided on all social media outlets.

“Unfortunately, handwritten letters to Father Christmas cannot be accepted this year, and for this reason the post box on the float will not be in use.  It will still be possible to send them by email to santa@fromelions.org.uk and they will be forwarded to Father Christmas.  Responses to letters will be sent and rest assured, boys and girls, that Father Christmas will, as usual, be reading all your letters in time for the delivery of presents. 

“Spectators are requested not to approach the float or marshals at any time. They are also requested to ensure they comply with social distancing regulations and please remember the rule of 6 if groups are gathering.  Please also remember HANDS – FACE – SPACE.

“All of this is of course subject to review following any adjustments to instructions which may be issued by the government or local authorities relating to Covid19.”

Routes For the Frome Father Christmas float 2020

Please note: Some roads might have to be missed out, if the Santa float has difficulty passing parked cars. As a result of Covid19 restrictions, marshals will not be able to knock on doors to get them moved. 

AMENDED VERSION

Friday December 4th – 5.45pm 

Nunney, Bridge St And Castle Hill, Berry Hill, Dalemore Mead, Towards Nunney Catch, Flowerfield, Glebelands, Westover, Nunney Catch, To Trudoxhill, Towards Marston Bigot And Tytherington

Saturday December 5th – 5.45pm

Great Elm Through To Mells. Top Street, Little Green, Down Past School, Mells Park, Towards Vobster, Mells, Longfield, High Street, New Street, Fairview, The Bell Pub Buckland Dinham, Higher Street, Rogers Close, Main Street, Church Close, St Michaels Close, Main Street, Lower Street. 

Monday December 7th – 5.30pm

Stonebridge Drive, Beaconsfield Way, Laburnam Close, Pine Court, Poplar 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, End At Junction With Brunel Way

Tuesday December 8th – 5.30pm

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, End At Junction With Grange Road.

Wednesday December 9th – 5.30pm

Windsor Crescent, Berkley Road, Fermoy, Clink Farm Court, Forest Road, Elmleigh, Pennys Piece, 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, 

Thursday December 10th –   5.45pm

Dommetts Lane, Green Lane, Westfield Road, Churchill Road, Critchill Road, Flint Close, Westover, Orchard Close, 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

Friday December 11th – 5.30pm

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, Averly Close, Whichelm Road, Whitehorse Drive, Wayside Close, Westcott Close, Ludlow Close, Holmbury Close, Stanier. 

Saturday December 12th – 5.30pm

Butts Hill, Slips Close, Newington Close, Water Lane, The Butts, Rossitors Road, Cherry Grove, Lower Keyford, Rossitors Hill, Keyford, Sunnyside, Stevens Lane, Lower Keyford, Culverhill, The Mount, Austin Close, Southfields, Mountsfield, Feltham Drive, Feltham Lane, Tower View, Aldhelm Court, Mount Pleasant, The Robins, Little Keyford Lane. End At Manor Road.

Monday December 14th – 6.15pm

Lower Innox, Leonards Barton, Mill Close, Welshmill, 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,  

Tuesday December 15th – 5.45pm

Christchurch Street East, Alexandra Road, Summer Hill, Randolph Road, Singers Knoll, Woodland Road, Keyford, Knights Court, The Cooperage, Locks Hill, Knightstone Heights, Charles Road, Foster Road, Walker Road, Adderwell, Knights Maltings, Locks Hill, Butlers Gardens.

Wednesday December 16th – 5.45pm

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, Upper Whatcombe, Whatcombe Road, Low Water, Hill Ground, Whatcombe Road, Weylands, Hodders Close, Welshmill, Delta Close, Singers Court, Henley Way, Foundary Way, Delta Close.

Thursday December 17th – 5.30pm

Badcox, Weymouth Road, Ecos Court, Somerset Road, St Aldhams Close, Oakfield Road, Nunney Road, Nunney Barton, Lynfield Road, Old Nursery Site, 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, Vallis Way, Selwood Road, Trinity Street, Welshmill Hill, End At Whatcombe Rd

Friday December 18th – 5.30pm

Victoria Road, Garston Road, Avenue Road, Wallbridge Avenue, Portway, Newland Gardens, Portway, Garsdale, Rivers Reach, Fishers Brook, Great Western Way, Wallbridge, Harris Close, Tuckers Close, New Road, Hillside Drive, Ellworthy, Styles Park, East Hill, Styles Avenue, Styles Close, Styles Hill

Saturday December 19th

5.00pm- Beckington Castle Corner, Goose Street, Church Street, Warminster Road, Sandy Lane, Sandy View, The Weavers, Homefield Close, Goose Street, The Lays, Bath Road, Mill Close, Horse Close, Old Rosd, New Estate

7.00pm- Rode, The Bell. Church Street, Orneage Close, Old Brewery, Nutts Lane, Marsh Road, Main Road, High Street, Fairfield, The Mead, Lower Street, Walnut Close, Trowbridge Road, Bradford Road, Churchfields, 

Monday December 21st – 5.30 To 7.15pm

Edmund Park Estate

Monday December 21st – 7.30 

Chapmanslade Through Village, On Way Down To Brimhill Rise, Then On To End By Garden Centre.

Tuesday December 22nd – 6.00pm

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,  Malthouse Court, Delmore Road, Firwood Road, Whitewell Close. Somerset Road.