SNOWMEN are taking over Clifton-upon-Dunsmore thanks to a resident’s novel fund-raising idea.
Over 40 snow-people have moved into the village as part of the Clifton Snowman Festival.
Creative villagers have built snow characters such as The Very Hungry Snow-Caterpillar, The Snowman and Snowdog, and even a melted Donald Trump in their front gardens.
Spotters can download a map to find the snowmen and vote for their favourites in return for a donation, with proceeds to be split between Clifton Primary School PTA and NHS Charities Together.
Organiser Rhian Harris said she wanted to come up with an alternative to the Christmas advent windows event she arranged last year.
She said: “I had to think outside of the box this year, to make sure it was Covid-19 safe.
“I put some options on our village Facebook group for people to pick. A snowman festival was our winner, because it didn’t involve gatherings of any kind – it was simply a walk around our village, which most of us do daily anyway.
“Creating the displays has given people something to take their minds off the doom and gloom of lockdown, and it’s evident that they’ve enjoyed doing it.
“Some of the displays are just genius, and it’s been really well received by the community. The locals have all expressed what a lift the snowman festival has given them.
“For the visitors walking around, there have been many positive comments about how lovely it has been to have something to look forward to.
“For everyone else, the snowmen have raised a smile, and given the kids some new scenery for the walks they’ve been doing for what feels like forever.
“It really has created a warm and gooey feeling to end a year that hasn’t felt quite so happy.”
The festival will continue throughout December. Visit https://tinyurl.com/y5znzfnz for a map of snowman locations.
The snowman with the most votes will be announced on Christmas Eve on the Clifton Life Facebook group. To vote for a minimum £1 donation, visit https://tinyurl.com/y3lrcaye or pick up a slip from Clifton Stores.
