Midsomer Norton and Radstock are preparing for seasonal events after Frome kicked-off its Christmas celebrations with a lively light switch-on and lantern parade.
Crowds gathered in the Market Place for the official start of the Christmas season and the switching on of Frome’s Christmas lights on Friday, November 22.
Musical entertainment from Frome Town Band and Frome Community Choir, Andrew Bourn and The Enrichments was followed by the eighth annual Light the Night lantern parade.
Hundreds of willow and paper lanterns, featuring designs such as toadstools, hedgehogs, and snails inspired by a winter woodland theme, were carried from St John’s Church to the Market Place, accompanied by music from Jamma de Samba. Local restaurants stayed open late and a pop-up food court in the Westway precinct offered a range of festive food and drinks.
Artists Mel Day and Aliss Vaas first worked with Frome Town Council on a lantern parade for the Christmas celebration in 2017 and the parade has grown year on year, even going ahead during the pandemic, when the in-person event became a lantern trail, with lanterns on display in Frome’s windows around town.
Aliss and Mel said "The Frome Christmas light switch on is our favourite event of the year. The glow from all your beautiful lanterns will see us through the winter. Thank you all for taking part!"
Frome’s Mayor Cllr Andy Jones said: “Huge thanks to Mel and Aliss, to the musicians and Amirah the stilt walker, the team at Frome Town Council, the local businesses involved and of course to everyone who took part in the parade or cheered it on. We hope you had a wonderful night and we wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year from all of us at the council.”
Fair Frome and the Frome Christmas Get Together’s collection at the event raised £960. Lenka Grimes, of Fair Frome, said: “What an amazing event. Thanks so much to everyone who donated. Half the money raised on the night will go towards The Frome Christmas Get Together, offering good company, good food and Christmas cheer in three locations, plus a home delivery option.
“The other half will help Fair Frome meet the increased demand on the food bank this Christmas for food, clothing and furniture – and to provide Christmas treats for those who might otherwise miss out. If you didn’t have a chance to donate on the night, there’s still time – please visit https://localgiving.org/charity/fairfrome/ and give whatever you can.”
Find out more about Frome Light the Night and artists Aliss Vaas and Mel Day at https://www.fromelanterns.co.uk/