A few weeks ago, Megan Tudor of Radstock had a conversation with her mum that the metal safety barriers surrounding the Christmas tree in Radstock were rather an eyesore, spoiling the look of the tree and Radstock town centre.

Megan wondered why Radstock could not have a wooden picket fence around the Christmas tree as there is in Bath. Radstock Town Council, who organise the tree and Christmas lights in the town, agreed that the barriers do not look the best, but are essential for safety reasons. Megan’s mum Lucy wondered whether local timber merchant, Charltons, would sponsor and make a wooden picket fence and discussed the idea with a neighbour, Madeline Jenkins.

Madeline and Lucy both spoke to Radstock Town Council about the idea and they were supportive. Madeline then visited Tom Charlton, at the timber yard, who agreed at once that Charltons would be delighted to make a picket fence for the town’s Christmas tree, and not only that, but he could have something ready in time for this year.

By this time, the tree and the metal barriers were already up, so Madeline measured the metal barriers and gave the measurements to Tom. By the end of the week, the picket fences were made.

For this year, Radstock Town Council have attached the wooden fencing to the metal barriers, but in the New Year, Charltons will add wooden feet to the fencing, so that it will stand up on its own in the years to come. Tom Charlton has also said that he will paint the fence white and store it every year.

The Town Council, Megan, Lucy and Madeline would like to thank Tom Charlton for his generous gift to the town and hope that the residents and visitors of Radstock like the new, and soon to be further improved, picket fencing.