A WINTER wonderland will be set up at a beauty spot as part of alternative plans to celebrate Christmas.
Witham Town Council has cancelled its original plan to host a festive market in December amid concerns over social distancing.
But councillors say they are determined to put a smile on residents faces after a difficult year and have announced four new attractions planned for the Christmas season.
They include:
Witham’s Wonderland Walk
The River Walk will be transformed into a one-off attraction. It will be lit up from Bridge Street towards Maldon Road in a dazzling array of extended Christmas lights displays and features.
Further details and regular updates will be provided through the town council’s social media pages and new website in the coming weeks.
It will be set up between December 1 and January 5 and will be free entry.
New Friends at Christmas –
The Council says it wants to address concerns over social isolation and mental health issues caused by the coronavirus lockdown by introducing a community letterbox.
Residents will be encouraged to write a Christmas card or letter to a stranger and post it into the box, which will be set up at the Town Hall.
The post will then be collected and dished out to vulnerable people who are isolating. It is hoped the scheme will create new friendships and relationships.
The letterbox will be set up on November 16.
Branching out for Christmas
The council will organise a Christmas tree collection to ensure every care home in the town and supported living accommodation is decorated for the festive season.
It will be done to show the town’s thanks and gratitude who have continued working during the coronavirus pandemic.
The scheme will not use tax-payers money so council bosses are instead asking the public to donate and help light up Christmas trees across Witham.
The Christmas Box
Residents will be asked to help put together Christmas boxes which will be dished out to those spending Christmas Day alone this year.
An appeal will run from November 16 and December 18 which will see the public and businesses asked to donate small gifts which will help to bring some much-needed cheer to someone at Christmas.
Donations should be handed in at the Town Hall in Newland Street.
Message from the town council
Bosses say they typically spend £15,000 a year on organising Christmas celebrations. However, they will be splashing out £50,000 on this year’s events and schemes due to savings made because of the cancellation of community events throughout the year.
A spokesman said: “Let’s face it, it’s been a dreadful year for everyone more or less.
“We feel by throwing the best Christmas we can with the money we have as a small council is one way we might just take the pressure off people’s shoulders for a few weeks and help them forget, or at least feel less stressed about coronavirus.
“This year, whilst recognising that virtual events have been the order the day and lots of fun for many people, the council feels it is more important than ever that local people have a reason to leave the house and celebrate Christmas responsibly, and safely.
“It is for this reason that no virtual events will be held by the Town Council.”
“In-between these four core campaigns and attractions will also be bundles of competitions, exposés of community cohesion this year and just maybe a little extra Christmas surprise for Witham when all is said and done.
“To the people of Witham, the town council says this; help us to all work together this year to make Christmas 2020 in Witham, a truly special one to remember.”