Issue 315 – A Spectacular way to kick off the festive season

Frome kicked off the festive season when hundreds of people braved the wintry weather and turned out for the Frome Spectacular and the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights.

The Spectacular on Sunday 28th November was officially opened by the Mayor of Frome, cllr Helen Sprawson-White.
There was “something for everyone” to enjoy on the day including carol singing, as well as a variety of stalls held by local groups and organisations. Many of the town’s shops also opened specially for the day.
Children and their parents saw Santa turn up to the celebrations with his trusty reindeer. As well as meeting Santa in his grotto, children also had the chance to meet his reindeer and donkey up close.
Later in the day, the lights were lit up when eight-year-old Charlotte O’Shea switched them on, with help from the mayor and MP David Heath, from the balcony of The George. Charlotte was given the privilege after winning the town council’s competition to design the mayor’s Christmas card.
Councillor Helen Sprawson-White, Mayor of Frome said, “It really was a great day, very cold but as usual the Frome public came along to support the event. It was great to see the whole community get together.
“It just goes to show that when the organisations and individuals pull together to provide input, how successful we can be working together.
“A highlight for me was seeing the joy on Charlotte’s face as she turned on the Christmas lights, to be in a position to provide such an experience is fantastic. Those are memories she will always have.”
Westway precinct and the Cattle Market car park hosted charity stalls and activities, which included a free skating rink which collected £70 in donations for the air ambulance, a circus workshop, reindeer and donkey pen, fairground rides, craft tent, local scouts barbecue, carol singing, santas grotto provided from Positive Action on Cancer which raised over £900, free balloon modelling, the Cheese and Grain Christmas market and bell ringers, live entertainment from the Street Bandits, and a torchlight procession provided by Frome Area Christians Together.
Mayor Helen Sprawson-White also wished to thank David Bryn who led the Carol singing. “It was great to see the sheer number of people who supported the event despite the temperature,” she said. “A light spell of snow from the Friday had settled, it looked and felt very festive. The skate rink and reindeer were very popular this year, as were the fair rides – there really was something for all ages and a huge thank you to the whole community for coming together.”