A WARM glow enveloped Frome’s Market Place last week as crowds turned out in force to officially welcome the festive season into the town.
The ever-popular ‘light the night’ event saw the Market Place packed with onlookers as the lantern parade made its way into the town centre last Friday (November 22), culminating in the Christmas lights switch-on.
Hundreds of willow and paper lanterns including toadstools, hedgehogs, snails and other designs inspired by the winter woodland theme made their way from St John’s Church to the Market Place, led by rousing sounds from Jamma de Samba.
Musical entertainment from Frome Town Band and Frome Community Choir, Andrew Bourn and The Enrichments preceded the eighth annual lantern parade.
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Town centre eateries opened late, offering festive refreshments, and a pop-up food court in the Westway precinct added Greek wraps, churros, vegan nachos, burgers and mulled wine to the mix.
Picture: Chris Bailey
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.
The parade even went ahead during the pandemic, when the in-person event became a lantern trail, with lanterns on display in Frome’s windows around town.
Ms Day and Ms Vaas 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!”
In another Frome Christmas tradition, Frome Mayor councillor Andy Jones was joined on the balcony of The George Hotel by Father Christmas, and as usual invited a special guest to join him in switching on the Christmas tree lights.
This year, it was Frida Scott, a Year 4 pupil from St John’s First School, winner of the mayor’s Christmas card competition for 2024.
Cllr 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.
The ‘light the night’ event is in its eighth year Picture: Chris Bailey
“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.”
The town’s food bank 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.
Crowds were treated to a range of musical performances Picture: Chris Bailey
“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.”
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