SWT confirms Christmas offer for Taunton
16 November 2022 : Council news, Community
Somerset West and Taunton (SWT) Council is once again making preparations to bring some festive cheer to residents visiting Taunton in the run-up to this year's Christmas.
Seasonal high-street lighting hired by SWT has now been installed along with a spectacular Christmas tree taking pride of place outside the iconic Market House in Fore Street, generously donated by Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm.
The tree was transported and erected by Wheelers of Bridgwater on Monday (14 November), with help from the Council’s Localities team and Western Fabrications who built the support clamp.
SWT has contributed a grant of £9,000 towards the celebrations this year, officially starting this Sunday, 20 November, with Taunton WinterFest and the lights switch-on.
Managed by Ben De-Vey’s Family Fun Fair, Winterfest 2022 will take place between 10am and 8pm and will be offering free family entertainment throughout the day, including meet and greets with Naughty Christmas Elves, a Snow Queen and Nutcracker on stilts, a free Santa’s grotto, funfair rides and a large Christmas Market.
The Christmas lights will be switched-on at 6pm by the Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Sue Lees, accompanied by the Chair of SWT, Cllr Hazel Prior-Sankey.
Cllr Lees said: “Taunton’s Christmas celebrations are one of my favourite events and I’m really looking forward to turning on the lights this year. Residents and visitors will have plenty to enjoy from meeting the light-up Snow Queen to seeing the live on-stage performances, there’ll be something for everyone to keep them entertained.
“It’s important that we continue to support the recovery of our local businesses and I hope that many residents and visitors can attend, as well as wishing them a safe and welcoming experience in Taunton. I'd also to thank our staff, partners, sponsors and everyone else involved for their support in helping us to arrange these events.”
On the Saturdays of 10, 17 and 24 December, SWT is offering free parking for Christmas shoppers after 3pm in its Taunton car parks (excluding Kilkenny) and free all-day parking at its car parks in Wellington and West Somerset.
The ever-popular Carols Around the Bandstand will return to Vivary Park at 6.30pm Monday, 12 December, with details to be announced in due course.