Radstock’s new Town Team appealed to the Town Council this week to help with a major Christmas event which, if successful, could become an annual festive celebration.
It is proposed to hold the town’s big Christmas event on Saturday, 5th December, to link up with Radstock Museum’s Christmas Fayre and the Churches Together Christmas Tree Festival. Once the Museum’s event is finished, it is proposed that a land train would be able to link up both sides of Radstock and people could move freely over to Victoria Hall, where events would continue, with the traditional Christmas light switch-on at the Miners’ Wheel and the closure of the new link road, with rides for children and a lantern parade along Fortescue Road, which may see a community project where people can decorate the town with hand made pom poms, culminating in a ‘tree of wishes’ for people to leave Christmas messages for loved ones.
However, this all needs to be funded, and the Town Team is now asking the Town Council if it would be prepared to help with public liability insurance, legal notices and road closures. A further investment of £4,000 is being sought, to include the funding of the land train, the most expensive element, and possible street performers.
Jo Milling, speaking on behalf of the Town Team, said: “This event could make a real difference to Radstock, particularly after the year the traders have had. Linden Homes have already kindly offered £1,000 towards the Christmas lighting for the town centre.”
Cllr Bruce Shearn added that “This is something Radstock has needed for a long time”, with Cllr Chris Dando also offering his support. The proposal will now go to the Celebrating Radstock committee on the Town Council for a decision. The event so far has the backing of the Big Local Project, who are helping organisers access potential sources of funding.