Festive celebrations across west Dorset have been dealt a blow as Christmas events have had to be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

While it is stressed that Christmas lights will be displayed in our towns, there will be no big switch-on and entertainment events that usually attract the crowds and help to raise spirits while also supporting high streets and good causes.

Despite the gloom, people are still encouraged to visit town centres to enjoy the lights while doing their Christmas shopping.

West Dorset's swimming events held between Christmas and new year that support charities are also in doubt with the Lyme Lunge the first to be confirmed as cancelled. 

The main December event to be cancelled is Bridport's Christmas Cheer which will not take place this year due to restrictions on large gatherings and social contact.

The event generally includes dance performances, carol singing, live music and a lantern procession. It is complete with the customary turning on of the Christmas lights.

A spokesman for Bridport Town Council said: “The committee has made the very difficult decision to cancel the Bridport Christmas Cheer event 2020. Whilst we appreciate this is disappointing news, we hope you can understand the steps we need to take to keep everyone safe.

“Bridport Christmas Cheer is one of the biggest and busiest town centre events and the committee feel that we are unable to deliver the event safely and ensure social distancing particularly in its usual format.”

The switch-on event at Beaminster has also been cancelled. However the town council is extending the area which will be lit up and will also be putting on live music in the square on Saturday mornings throughout December.

Town clerk Christine Bright said “The switch-on event in the town usually gathers a large crowd and we didn’t want to encourage this in the current climate. People can still come to see our lights and do their Christmas shopping.”

Meanwhile, Rob James, chairman of the Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Committee, said: “Lyme has developed a big reputation for its Christmas lights display which illuminates Broad Street and we intend to make this year’s display even better than previous years.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold a switch on event or the lantern workshop and parade.”

No decision has yet been made on the West Bay Christmas Tree on the Green event.

A spokesman said: “The plan is still to have the tree up on the green but a decision has not yet been made on whether the event will be going ahead.”

The annual Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market has also been cancelled.

A spokesman said: “The event can’t go ahead for obvious reasons. We held out for as long as we could but it just doesn’t seem feasible this year.”

The Estate will be hosting three shopping events in November and December. These events will include market stalls and musical performances and the café will be open until late.

  •  Bridport's Christmas Cheer committee plan to deliver a Christmas market as an extension of Bridport’s historic street market on Saturday December 12.

The committee is also working with Crowdfunder, which plans to launch a virtual Christmas market. If you would be interested in taking part in this virtual Christmas market, please contact the event co-ordinator, Terri Foxwell, on terri.foxwell@bridport-tc.gov.uk by Friday October 9.

 

Swim events

The area’s festive swims are also in doubt, with one event confirmed as cancelled.

Organisers of the Lyme Lunge, which usually takes place on New Year’s Day, are meeting tonight.

However Jim Moseley, secretary of organisers Lyme Regis Rotary Club confirmed yesterday that the event would not happen.

Organisers of the Charmouth Christmas Day Swim have yet to have made a decision.

John Rickard, vice-chairman of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Supporters. "Obviously we hope the Christmas Day swim will take place but it is too early to say either way. It will depend on the Covid measures in place at the time."

Boxing Day's West Bay Wallow did not happen last year due to the weather.

The News was unable to confirm yesterday whether this year's event would be happening.