So this is Christmas, and what have you done? It’s a question many people in Frome can answer with pride! Our fantastic charities, nonprofits and community groups are at the heart of our wonderful community and so many of us benefit from their work.
There have been so many fabulous events – my personal highlights were go-kart building at Weylands with Super Roots, the biggest lantern parade yet and my chance to act as MC at the Light the Night event, and our 50th Birthday celebration of Frome Town Council in Victoria Park. The Community Café in Victoria Park has now closed for the winter, but has become a hub of enjoyment and activity in 2024. They’re doing a special one-off opening on Christmas morning, so do pop down to enjoy a hot drink with the team. In the town centre, The Good Heart continues to provide support for so many groups alongside delicious food, including their pay-it-forward scheme, which provides a hot meal for anyone in need. Fair Frome’s vital services provide food, furniture and support for people facing hard times, and Purple Elephant’s work helps children and young people to thrive, as well as hosting an amazing annual Children’s Festival!
Anne and I were pleased to support one of our other local charities, We Hear You, when they celebrated their 30th Anniversary with a fundraising event at Elmhay Park on the Orchardleigh Estate. It was a lovely evening of music and food – that I must admit went on well past my bedtime! We were also invited to Christmas Lunch with Art for Wellbeing, who provide therapeutic art sessions for people who have suffered serious illness or trauma. And I very much enjoyed the Artists’ Christmas Market at the Bennett Centre, hosted by Frome Open Art Trail.
It was also a great pleasure to cut the ribbon and officially open the new Roundhouse. Huge thanks to artisan carpenters Martin Roscoe and Richard Chisnall, thanks as ever to the rangers, who do so much work here and elsewhere to maintain and develop our open spaces. Thanks also to the local community who have been so patient while this footpath has been closed for this work, together with the work the Environment Agency has been doing close by.
I’ve been invited to so many Christmas celebrations as Mayor that I’ve become quite the connoisseur of mince pies, but an extra inch or two on the waistline is a small price to pay to support the many community activities that use this festive season to thank their supporters for all their work through the year. Frome Town Council is no exception, and recently we invited our hardworking volunteers who have supported us this year to join us in the Town Hall for a little festive cheer.
So this is Christmas, and what have you done? Quite a bit, it seems – well done Frome!
I hope you all enjoy a very Merry Christmas and wish you a great 2025.
