Ready, set, glow – Join the Winter Woodland magic: come and create lanterns for festive parade

The celebratory Christmas Lights Switch On is set to take place on Friday 22nd November, 5pm to 7pm and once again, Frome Town Council are inviting residents to join in the festivities by making their own unique lantern for the parade.  

This year’s theme is Winter Woodland. Creations will include mice, deer, foxes and badgers and it is your opportunity to get as imaginative as you can.  

To ensure a healthy ratio of lanterns to people, the council team asks for a maximum of two people per lantern in the parade. 

If you would like a bit of direction, bookings are now open for the community workshops. The first one is at Frome library, on Saturday 2nd November, 10am to 11.15am. The rest will be held at the Silk Mill on Friday 15th November at 5pm, Saturday 16th November, 10am-12pm and 1pm to 3pm and Sunday 17th November, 10.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm. 

All the sessions are free; you just need to purchase the material kits which come in a variety of sizes and are available at the workshop or ahead of time from Discover Frome at the library, or the Town Hall. Booking is essential; please see the event page. 

Cllr, Mark Dorrington said, “The Christmas Lights Switch On signals the start of the festive season in Frome and always starts with a sparkly bang, thanks to Frome’s enthusiasm and creativity. So, we are calling on you again to get involved and make it an event not to be forgotten!  

“We are also very excited about the entertainment for this year, ranging from traditional Christmas cheer with Frome Town Band and Frome Choir to international swing singer and showman Andrew Bourn, to the uplifting and energetic The Enrichments. Make sure the date is in your diaries.” 

Father Christmas is also coming to town thanks to local charity We Hear You (WHY). You can book a slot between 4.30pm and 7.30pm for up to four children to visit Santa in his grotto at the WHY office (opposite Frome Museum). The grotto costs just £4 per child, with a gift and a sweet treat and the money raised at the grotto supports WHY’s vital emotional support services for children, young people and adults who have been affected or bereaved by cancer and life-threatening conditions. 

The search for the Mayor’s Christmas Card has also begun, with children up to age 12 being asked to submit their Winter Woodland artistic offerings for this year’s card by 5pm Friday 25th October. 

Find out more about Frome’s Lights Switch On, book lantern workshops and find links for the Christmas card competition and the WHY Santa’s Grotto at www.discoverfrome.co.uk/christmas-in-frome

Pictures: Chris Bailey