The List Frome - April 2023

FROME’S SHINING STAR

Morag Stuart & Emma Warren

Determined to catch some early morning light, we recently ventured out across the fields with our essential strong coffees. “No dog?” the first passer by asked. “Just you?” said the next. Through a couple more fields, then the sun breaks over the horizon and we take it all in. Families weren’t dragged out. Just us. Rare silence.

Anyone that knows us will know that we love to talk. Catching up on the phone with an old friend while you’re snuggled up on the sofa, cuppa in hand, is bliss. We can be more in touch these days than ever before.

Often those chance encounters join social circles that have been long forgotten. Second cousins are somehow easier to keep up to date with via random sports chat or their latest stories tell us they’ve just seen our favourite band on the other side of the world. That school friend that moved away has just returned. Your auntie’s neighbour is setting up a new shop which happens to be next door to the café your gym mate runs. We know how strong the Frome venn diagrams are. It’s easily the best thing about our brilliant town.

Morag’s other job is connecting local volunteer drivers with people who may be isolated or just need a bit

of temporary help getting to the shops or a hospital appointment. The charity Active and In Touch is quite literally a community lifeline. Many of us are still learning how to push ourselves socially a little further after lockdown. Making conversation with a stranger can be a powerful thing. Being able to offer practical help which may turn into a different type of friendship, can feel like the best magical recipe for everyone.

Social media and clever communication technologies have moved us into new realms. We wouldn’t be without them, though it’s always good to have the occasional lack of signal reception of course. What we both believe is that you can’t beat real life chats on a street corner, the water cooler at work, the fresh bread aisle of the supermarket, the allotment sheds or the market fruit stalls. It’s why we love wandering through all corners of town at The Frome Independent. We love Carnival, the fairs and bandstand music in Victoria Park, bumping into neighbours at the library. We love all the live music in our brilliant venues. We LOVE pub gardens on a sunny afternoon even more. We wish all our readers a happy Easter break and hope you’re able to connect with those who mean a lot to you, say hello to a stranger and enjoy the quiet magic of Springtime.

Design: blackinkstudio.co.uk

Front cover: Daniel Musselwhite Jewellery Copy deadline for

Tri. Art Summer School

7th - 19th August

Tri. Art are excited to announce the return of their award-winning Senior Summer School this year, where students aged 12-21 years will perform the hit musical ‘Our House’. The musical is packed with high energy Madness songs, a fast-paced storyline and energetic dance routines. Workshop style auditions will be held at the Merlin Theatre on Sunday 23rd April. No experience is necessary as everything is taught on the day.

There is also something for the younger students (aged 7 - 12 years) with a skills week and an opportunity to perform in the main show. Workshop dates are 7th - 11th August and 14th - 19th August (if taking part in the performances). Students do not need to audition for the junior workshop.

For more information or to request a registration form email tri.arttheatreschool@gmail.com

Tom Meighan

Cheese & Grain, 6th April, £26 adv

Former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan is back with a live tour and new album, ‘The Reckoning’, released in April. Tom has sold four million albums, headlining Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds and most other major festivals in Europe. He’s had five No 1 albums as the lead singer of Kasabian, but what he hasn’t done in his career, until now, is write songs. In addition to the rock power and pounding groove of Kasabian, there is a blissed-out euphoria, a tenderness and a

lyrical depth resulting from a period of emotional maturity. The first taste of Tom’s solo music is Would You Mind, a semi-acoustic anthem he wanted people to be able to own for nothing as a free download, to raise awareness of mental health.

A born frontman with an unmatched ability to get a crowd jumping, Tom’s natural enthusiasm means he can’t wait to return to the stage. Joining Tom are keyboardist/guitarist Bnann Infadel, guitarist Chris Haddon, bassist Ele Lucas, guitarist Brodie Maguire and drummer Gareth Young.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE GOOD

THURSDAY 20 APRIL - 7PM | ADULTS £16 / FRIENDS £12

ROWAN MCCABE PRESENTS

DOOR TO DOOR POETRY: NATIONWIDE

FRIDAY 21 APRIL - 7.30PM | £12.50

SHODDY THEATRE LTD PRESENTS

SHODDY DETECTIVE AND THE ART OF DECEPTION

SATURDAY 29 APRIL - 7.30PM | ADULTS £14 / STUDENT £10

WE ARE ACTING

Tri.Art Theatre School and Dance Academy host weekly classes in Dance and Theatre to children aged 2 plus through to adults across numerous genres and styles. Our classes are designed to build on artistry, confidence and creativity and can be examination led, just for fun or keeping fit.

tri-art.co.uk

BOX OFFICE 01373 455420

01373 465949

merlintheatre.co.uk

Bath Rd . Frome . BA11 2HG

MUNGO’S HIFI

SAT 1ST APRIL

£20 ADVANCE

TOM MEIGHAN

THURSDAY 6TH APRIL

£26 ADVANCE

THE WURZELS

SAT 8TH APRIL

£19.50 ADVANCE

THE FILLERS & KINGS OF LYON

FRI 14TH APRIL

£22.50 ADVANCE

THE ANIMAL GUYZANIMALS UNLEASHED!

SAT 15TH APRIL

£14.50 ADVANCE

DREADZONE

FRI 21ST APRIL

£27.50 ADVANCE

PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT

SAT 29TH APRIL

£38.50 ADVANCE

All tickets are subject to a service charge of £1.50

Record Store Day UK

Raves from the Grave, 2 - 3 King St, 22nd April, from 8am - 5pm, free

Our favourite record store stocks a huge range of music across all formats (CDs, Vinyl and DVDs); everything from rock, pop, 50s/60s, reggae, prog, punk, metal, dance, drum ‘n bass, folk and world. Their brilliant team pride themselves on outstanding service, offer a worldwide ordering service, and customers are encouraged to browse and chat! The first Record Store Day took place in 2008 and is celebrated at independently-owned brick-andmortar record stores around the world. This is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store — the staff, the customers and the artists — to come together and celebrate the unique culture of record stores and the special role they play in their communities. Expect queues, first come, first served, bring your own bag! ravesftgrave@gmail.com

Trad Jazz

The Three Swans, 26th April, 8 - 10pm, Free

The New Academic Feetwarmers are a traditional jazz band playing the happy foot-tapping jazz of old New Orleans. The band started at Frome College in 1973. This secret gem is to be found on the fourth Wednesday of every month, a fantastic mix of Jazz, Blues, Ballads and Stomp. Instruments include trumpet, clarinet, sax, trombone, banjo, bass, piano and the washboard.

Swing Time Frome

The Station, 14th April, 7.30 - 10.30pm, £10 cash

A monthly social swing dance on the first Friday of the month, along with regular swing dancing classes, have returned to Frome (after a break over the pandemic). Swing dancing is a 1940s partnered dance, and these classes specifically teach Lindy Hop for beginners and dancers of all levels. It’s a wonderful way to bring people of all ages together. New members are always welcome.

Wylye Valley Art Trail

29th April - 8th May

The Wylye Valley Art Trail is an inspiring and eclectic festival of visual art and craft set in 73 venues across southwest Wiltshire: open studios and workplaces, galleries, art group exhibitions, student groups, virtual exhibitions and other fascinating events including ‘hands on’ activities, demonstrations, workshops and talks. This year there are over 250 exhibitors, ranging from award-winning artists with international reputations, to those just starting out on their creative journeys.

This is a unique opportunity to view a wide range of artistic skills, from painting to print-making, furniture-making to photography and sculpture to ceramics, as well as contemporary art forms such as digital art, installation, video and art using recycled materials.

The first event was 22 years ago in 2001, when 34 studios, workshops and makeshift galleries threw open their doors, stretching a vibrant trail across this beautiful corner of Wiltshire. Since then, it has taken place every two years, organised by a small

The Vintage Bazaar

Cheese & Grain, 22nd April, 9am-2pm

Visiting the Spring Vintage Bazaar is a wonderful way to blow away the winter cobwebs and indulge in a bit of eco-friendly retail therapy. At this unique event you can purchase from some of the country’s best dealers in vintage textiles, decorative antiques and French brocante, as well as a handpicked selection of designer makers. The Vintage Bazaar has been running for over ten years and has earned a reputation for not only providing the best quality vintage, but also for the show-stopping displays each dealer puts on. It has become a firm favourite with fashion and interior designers as well as makers and vintage afficionados who come to source decorative antiques, vintage fabrics and ephemera. Early arrival recommended! www.thevintagebazaar.co.uk

team of volunteers, growing in size and bringing a wonderfully colourful and varied patchwork of visual creativity across the landscape to the attention of enthusiastic and art-hungry visitors.

For more information please contact info@wvat.co.uk or phone 07730 400784 www.wvat.co.uk

SCULPTURE CERAMICS TEXTILES INSTALLATION GILDING

PRINTMAKING

RECYCLED ART PAINTING

JEWELLERY

MOSAIC LEATHER

PHOTOGRAPHY WOOD

ILLUSTRATION

DIGITAL ART

ARTIST’S BOOKS

FURNITURE

METALWORK

GLASS

MIXED MEDIA

DRAWING wvat.co.uk

Sat 29 April - Mon 8 May

73 VENUES / 240+ ARTISTS EXHIBITIONS / OPEN STUDIOS WORKSHOPS / GALLERIES

WYLYE VALLEY ART TRAIL 29 April - 8 May

A celebration of visual art in south west Wiltshire Free trail brochures available at tourist information centres, libraries, arts centres & lots of other places from mid- March. Download the App at wvat.co.uk

Joanna Sims ims

Significant Form, Sandra Porter RWA

The Whittox Gallery, 22nd April - 18th June

This exciting solo exhibition brings together two phases of Sandra’s work separated by 32 years, the Siena Series of paintings from the 1990’s and her latest watercolours and prints. Sandra is interested in the symbiotic relationship between drawing, painting and printmaking. Grids, stripes and sometimes curves, feature heavily in her work; their beginnings inspired by architecture, often grand as in St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow or Siena Cathedral in Italy.

Sandra was born in Bath and grew up in Midsomer Norton. After spending 19 years in London, combining teaching, painting and printmaking with having a family, she returned to the West Country. Sandra has since been an active member in our local art scene, as organiser/curator of exhibitions for Black Swan Arts in Frome, as well as making her work from her studio in Norton St Philip, and exhibiting her own work here in the UK and internationally including New York and Brazil. Sandra now concentrates solely upon her own work.

Hauser & Wirth Somerset

Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, Free (donations to chosen charities welcomed)

Occupying a former farmstead in Bruton, Hauser & Wirth Somerset is home to a vibrant programme of art exhibitions, events, learning activities and artists’ residencies, which connect with the local community and landscape. Piet Oudolf, the acclaimed Dutch landscape designer, has created the landscaping scheme for the entire site, including the Oudolf Field – a large perennial meadow situated behind the gallery buildings.

Food and drink options on site include the stunning Roth Bar and Grill for breakfast, lunch and dinner (advance bookings recommended) and also the new Durslade Farm Shop. Don’t miss the Jenny Holzer

Sculpture Trail and Make Hauser & Wirth Somerset is a short walk away on Bruton High Street. The gallery is a destination for contemporary making, showcasing work from the best emerging and established makers.

hauserwirth.com | @hauserwirthsomerset

Private View & Meet the Artist on Saturday 29th April 2 - 4pm (all welcome)

FACETS, MEL DAY

WHYGallery 16th April - 4th June

Multimedia artist Mel Day returns to the Why Gallery with a collection of new work exploring people, plants and places. Works explore a playful use of collage, drawing, paint and stitch. Mel has spent time drawing the plants in her garden and thinking about how we are rooted to the wild, using symbolism like the Green Man and body decoration.

Exhibition opening Friday 15th April, 6-8pm, (all welcome)

LOCAL COHEN

Thursday 30th March | Doors open 7.30pm

An evening of Leonard Cohen by local artists

Tickets £12 | from Ticket source use QR code or from Rook Lane Chapel cash only 10am to 3pm weekdays.

CRUK CHARITY BALL

HOSTED BY TONY HODGES

Saturday 6th May 2023 | Doors open 7pm to 11pm

Tickets £55pp | Available from Rook Lane Chapel, cash only weekdays 10am to 3pm.

rooklane@nvbarchitects.co.uk

01373 468040 | www.rooklane.org.uk

SAME SAME BUT SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT

Owner Rik Lyall is pleased to be taking charge of the pub he owns after 5 years concentrating on his brewery; Frome Brewing Co Ltd which is located on the Commerce Park. Rik has owned the pub since 1999.

The Griffin will continue to do food and serve the drinks that customers are familiar with.

www.fromebrewingcompany.com

Dan Musselwhite

Bringing sparkle to everyone

If you’re a regular visitor to Frome’s art centre Black Swan Arts, you may have noticed a big change recently. The makers shop at the front of the building now shares space with a new craft shop, studio and workshop for award-winning jewellery maker, Dan Musselwhite. Like many artists in the area, Dan began his career in Frome in one of the small start-up studios running along the corridor between the Round Tower and River House café.

Dan has been a jewellery designer for over twenty years, starting out as an apprentice aged just sixteen. Before making the leap on his own, he trained under well-respected jewellers in Winchester and Bristol for several years. He moved to Frome in 2018, drawn by the town’s array of independent shops and creative spirit and is now enjoying running practical jewellery courses from his beautiful new studio. He makes rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces, using fluid lines and highly polished metals to create exquisite highly individual pieces. He works using traditional methods and tools, nothing is mass produced. Drawing inspiration from his surroundings and an appreciation for Eastern culture, Dan’s work reflects the simplicity of nature and the fluidity of movement associated with Eastern martial arts. He’s currently working on two new collections but also offers bespoke work, whether that’s repairing a much-loved wedding ring, or working with customers on a completely new piece for a special occasion.

...he competed against a diverse range of designers to create jewellery against the clock, and to very specific briefs.

You may also recognise him as a finalist in the first series of BBC Two’s ‘All That Glitters’ in which he competed against a diverse range of designers to create jewellery against the clock, and to very

specific briefs. It was a terrifying experience for Dan, but the group became good friends, and a highlight was when the contestants were challenged to create an engagement ring for a young couple, who went on to pick Dan’s design.

Dan offers regular one-day and in-depth five-week courses in jewellery design. They are suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced designers looking to start up their own business, and everyone leaves with their own unique piece of jewellery.

Dan’s work is available to buy direct from his studio and online via his website, where you can sign up to his newsletter and find out about his courses too. www.danielmusselwhite.co.uk

COURSE DATES

Saturday May 13th Sand casting ring workshop

Saturday 27th May Stacking ring making workshop

More Spring & Summer dates coming soon

MON 3

Words Poetry Group

Black Swan Arts, 2.30 - 4pm, Free

The Naff Art Club

Three Swans, 7.30pm, Free

Sacred Song Circle:

Vaishnavi Brassey & Amy Bisazza

Makers Yard, 6.30 - 8pm, £10

MON 17

All About Spring (Ostara)

American Museum 10am - 1pm, £50

Book Club Makers Yard, 7 - 8.30pm, £5

TUE 18

Heritage Cafe Cheese & Grain, 11am-12.20pm, Free

Group Soundscape:

Gong Bath with Helen Stillwell Mells Tythe Barn, 7.15pm, £20

WED 5

Mac Macartney: Vision & Purpose in Uncertain Times

Bennett Centre, 6.30 - 9pm, £8 donation

Annual Town Meeting

Frome Town Council, 7pm, Free

Beginners’ Swing Dance

The Station, 7 - 8.30pm, £10

Climate Change & Civil Disobedience

Rode Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, Free

WED 12

Frome Film Club present: There is no Evil Merlin Theatre, 8pm, £6.50

Life DrawinG Black Swan Arts, 7pm, £16

THU 6

Trio Paradis: The Sea (Family Concert)

Christ Church, 1.15pm, Free

Tom Meighan

Cheese & Grain, 7pm, £26 adv

National Theatre Live: Life of Pi Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £16

Samana

HydeAway, 8pm, £10

THU 13

Dawn Walk The Newt in Somerset, 6.30 - 10am, £45

MAKE: Open Shed Remakery, Welsh Mill Hub, 6 - 9pm

Cosmic Dance The Station, 7.30 - 9.30pm, £10

Frome Celtic & Transatlantic Music

Sessions Lamb & Fountain 8.30pm, Free

WED 19

Women in the Workshop

Sophia Eloise @ Black Swan Arts 6 - 7.30pm, £15

A Pinot Pilgrimage

Eight Stony Street, 7 - 10pm, £32

Pop-Up Comedy Cross Keys, Rode, 8 - 10.30pm, £15

TUE 25

Energy Exchange:

Regenerative Gardens 42 Acres, 10am - 3pm, Free

Frome Celtic & Transatlantic Music Sessions

The Griffin, 8.30pm, Free

WED 26

Trad Jazz with New Academic Feetwarmers

Three Swans, 8 - 10pm, Free

Life Drawing

Long Gallery, Black Swan Arts 7 - 9.30pm, £16

Digital Photography Workshop

American Museum, 2 - 5pm, £60

THU 20

Sound & Soma Taster

Event Room Frome, Unit 1a, Scott Road, 10am - midday, Free

Outdoor Mushroom Growing 42 Acres, 10.30am -3.30pm, £100

National Theatre Live: Good Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £16

Laura Reznek HydeAway, 7.30pm, £10

THU 27

Food as Medicine: Bringing Wild Food into your Kitchen 42 Acres, 10.30am - 3.30pm, £125

Counselling Skills online course (10 weeks) Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy 6.30 - 8.30pm, £28 per session

FRI 7

Gorilla Riot

The Tree House, 7.30pm, £13.50 adv

Concrete Junglists 23 Bath Street, 9pm - 2am, £10/£12 Bath Comedy Festival Various venues

SAT 1

Mungo’s Hifi ft Tom Spirals

Cheese & Grain, 7.30pm, £20 adv

The New Bend Exhibition

Tour with Curator

Legacy Russell Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 11am - 12 pm, Free

Home, I’m Darling

Frome Drama @ Merlin Theatre 7.30pm, £14

sat 8

Bike Ride with Missing Links Tower View, 10am - midday

Open Mic Night 23 Bath Street, 7 - 10pm, Free

Dave B’s Shakin’ Stevens & Friends Show

Frome Town Football Club, 7.30pm, £10

The Wurzels & Skimmity Hitchers Cheese & Grain, 8pm, £19.50 adv

SUN 2

The Frome Independent Town Centre, 10am - 3pm, Free

Magpie Market

Cheese & Grain, 9am - 2pm, Free

An Afternoon Gala Recital: Songs of Love, Lust & Life Cooper Hall, 4pm, £20

Jazz Jam

The Cornerhouse, 7.15pm, Free

SUN 9 Easter Day

Flea Market & Craft Fair

Frome Showground, West Woodlands 10am - 3pm

LIVE MUSIC Bar Lotte, 5.30pm, Free

FRI 14 MC Battle in aid of MIND

Bath St, 7 - 11pm, £5/£3 Made in Tennessee Memorial Theatre, 7.30pm £23.50 adv

The Fillers & Kings of Lyon

& Grain, 8pm, £22.50 adv Swing Time Frome The Station, 7.30-10.30pm, £10 cash

FRI 21

WHY 6x6 Community Silk Mill & Black Swan Arts, 6pm - 8pm Dreadzone 30th

show Cheese & Grain, 8pm, £27.50 adv

Rowan McCabe presents: Door to Door Poetry Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £12.50

Acid House Party with Bez 23 Bath Street, 9pm - 2am, £16

FRI 28

Frome Art Society Spring Exhibition

Preview Black Swan Arts, Long Gallery 6 - 8pm, Free

Visionary Arts

Collective presents:

Raja Ram Silk Mill, 6pm, Free

What’s my age again?

Loft Bar @ 23 Bath Street 10pm - 2am, £5

sat 15

Let’s Dance: Music for Miniatures RISE, 10.30 - 11.15am, £5

An evening with Richard Lennox Holy Trinity Church, 7.30pm, £10

Earth to Sky concert Christ Church Hall, 7.30 - 10pm, £15

The Joe Martin Band Assembly Rooms, 7.30pm, £12.50

SAT 22

The Vintage Bazaar

Cheese & Grain, 9am - 2pm, £3

Art Club with Rachel

Gale Makers Yard, 10am - 12.30pm, £15

Forage and Ferment

Masterclass Get Pickled @ Redford House 10.30am - 4pm, £50

Jukebox Engineers

The Sun, 9pm, Free

SAT 29

SUN 16

Frome Wessex Camera & Photographic Fair

Cheese & Grain, 10am - midday, £2

Young Open 2023 last day)

Black Swan Arts, 10am - 4pm, Free

Community Lab: ‘Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Free

Foraging Day Durslade Farm Shop @ Hauser & Wirth, 10am - 4pm, Free

Meet the Artist: Sandra Porter

The Whittox Gallery, 2-4pm, Free

Mozart - Requiem St Margaret’s Church, Corsley, 7.30 - 9.30pm, £15/£5

Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £14

sunday 11 June 2023

cooper associates county ground

taunton, somerset

Tuesday 27 June 2023

Broadlands, Romsey

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: TICKETMASTER.CO.UK

LIONELRICHIE.COM

(TAUNTON ONLY)

Victoria Park café

Anew community café opens in Victoria Park this month, offering a welcome space for people to come together over simple, delicious food and drinks. The café menu offers a variety of options, including vegan and gluten-free choices, and will be continually developed with feedback from park users using locally sourced suppliers.

The café’s mission goes beyond just serving food, drinks and ice creams. The team are passionate about building a strong and inclusive community in the park. By building a shelter up by the café, they hope to create a hub where people from diverse backgrounds can connect and engage in meaningful conversations.

“We believe that a warm cup of something nice and a nibble of cake have the power to bring people together whilst fostering a sense of community. Our goal is to create a space where everyone feels welcome and included.”

The café team will be building a range of community programmes while also supporting events that get people active and engaged in the park, and are very open to connecting with providers or community groups who would like to collaborate. Whether you’re wanting an early morning coffee when walking your dog, a place to meet friends and grab a quick bite or an afternoon cream tea while the children play, the new community café has something for everyone. So why not stop by and experience its welcoming atmosphere for yourself?

www.victoriaparkcafe.org

Email: contactcultivatingcommunity@gmail.com

BLACK SWAN ARTS

Black Swan Arts’ popular Young Open returns to the gallery from 4th March to 16th April. One hundred and fifty brilliant artworks by young people aged between five and nineteen years were selected from over three hundred pieces entered. All the work is being exhibited in the Long Gallery and Round Tower. There will be an art trail over the Easter holidays and an activity table so that children (and adults) can produce their own artwork to display.

Winners from each age category were chosen by judges Nick Fraser, Frank Goffey and Amy Yates. There is one more prize to be won. This is chosen by visitors to the gallery who can vote for their favourite piece to win the People’s Choice Award. Those voting will be entered into a prize raffle to win a River House café voucher. Don’t miss out on this fabulous opportunity to see the wonderful young talent on display – it is uplifting and inspiring in every way.

EASTER GIFT GUIDE

Rachel Jackson Electric Goddess Eternal Sun medium pendant in silver.

Marchbank Jewellery £110

Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Easter Egg, Durslade Farm Shop Hauser & Wirth

Large £20 Small £10.95

Colourful bird mobile by Esther Kent WHY Gallery £25

‘Land of the Summer People’ large tote WHY GALLERY £25

Eggs! By Katie Dale and Jenny Lovlie Hunting Raven £6.99

Create Your Own Collage packs by Jo Norman The Whittox Gallery Shop LARGE £12 | SMALL £8

Easter treats The Old Bakehouse

Greetings cards: Blackbird with Eggs by Kat Lendacka The Whittox Gallery Shop £2.75 each

EASTER EVENTS

HOLIDAY FUN FOR ALL

1 - 10 APR

Easter Trail Palette & Pasture, Trudoxhill | 10am - 4pm | £7.50 p’child

1 - 14 APR

Easter Holidays Trail –

Let’s Bug Out! The Bishop’s Palace, Wells | 9.30am - 5.30pm | £8 p’child (valid 1 yr)

1 - 16 APR

Easter Eggcitement American Museum, Bath | 10am - 5pm | £2.50 & admission

1 - 16 APR

Bowood’s Spring

Adventure Bowood House & Gardens 10am - 5pm | £40 p’family

1 - 16 APR

Easter Egg Hunt

Fairfield Animal Centre, Southwick Country Park

10am - 4pm | £2.50 p’child

1 - 16 APR

Peter Rabbit Easter Trail

Fairwood Lakes, Westbury | 9am - 4.30pm

Free to members, £6 p’child

1 - 16 APR

Alice in Wonderland

Easter Eggstravaganza

Longleat | 10am - 6pm | Free to members £29.95 p’child

1 - 16 APR

Easter Egg Hunt

Stourhead | 9am - 3pm | £3 & admission

1 - 16 APR

Easter Trail

The Newt in Somerset, Bruton | 9am - 6pm Free to members, £68 adult annual

1 - 16 APR

Big Easter Event Wookey Hole Wells | 9.30am - 4pm | £17.65 p’child

7 - 10 APR

Easter Adventure Trail

Prior Park Gardens, Bath | 10am - 5pm | £3

7 APR

Steam Train Gala

East Somerset Railway | 11am - 3.30pm | £12/£10

9 APR

‘Family Hangout’ Easter Party 23 Bath Street | 12 - 5pm | Free

9 APR

Children’s Easter Party

Assembly Rooms | 2.30pm | £8.50 p’child

15 APR

The Animal GuyzAnimals Unleashed!

Cheese & Grain | 3pm | £14.50 adv

with wine expert Sarah Helliwell, 8 Stony St

April is always when I feel Spring is finally on its way. I can’t wait to start using some of the wonderful fresh produce that Somerset has to offer, with some great wines to match. The days are starting to get longer this month and with (hopefully) a little sunshine arriving for the long Easter weekend, rosé wines make the perfect choice for enjoying a glass on its own outdoors or with food.

Réserve

de

Gassac rosé

south west of France | £10.00

From seafood and fish to aromatic Thai dishes, the Réserve de Gassac rosé is delicate and crisp with subtle berry fruit and a little herbal note. This is one to keep chilled and on hand over the bank holiday…. Just in case! The bright and delicate flavours of the Gamay grape are perfect for lighter and fresher flavours of the season, and while Beaujolais wines

have been a little out of fashion in recent years, they really deserve a second look.

MORGON

Anthony Thévenet £27.70

This Morgon from young winemaker Anthony Thévenet is as good as they get; vibrant and silky, it is perfect served with roast duck at Easter.

cook eat

BY OUR RESIDENT FOODIE KATIE FRASER

EAT SEASONALLY

Spring is my favourite time to make lunch. Big leafy salads groaning with goodness offer a welcome change to the winter soups and stews. It’s the perfect time to change up your diet and introduce ingredients you may not have seen locally for some time. Seasonal food is fresher, sweeter, tastier and just better for you. It hasn’t had to travel across the world and doesn’t need pesticides, waxes and preservatives to keep it looking fresh. It also reduces the demand for out-of-season produce, therefore supporting local produce and local producers.

This month, load up on salads with as many different seasonal foods as possible. Here’s a few to look out for:

artichoke / asparagus

beetroot / broccoli

purple sprouting broccoli

carrots / kale / lettuce

radishes / rocket / sorrel

spinach / spring greens

spring onions watercress

Seasonal herbs to sprinkle on top:

basil / chives / dill

wild garlic

Fill your April plates with these April foods, your favourite protein and a punchy condiment. An English mustard vinaigrette is always a good choice in my eyes.

Bon appétit!

Katie runs hēt – a Frome-based takeaway serving up tasty food with heat.

Follow on Instagram @het_frome or email hetfrome@gmail.com to order.

SW Plumbing

So Pilates

Body and mind - breath and energy

Sophy is one of those hidden gems who will make you wonder how you coped with life before discovering her classes. She is passionate about Pilates, having taught for over 22 years, and has a winning combination of infectious enthusiasm, wisdom, encouragement and calm expertise.

As an active and outdoors child, Sophy was always climbing trees. Her early arboreal love developed into her first career as a high-flying trapeze artist, co-founding the acclaimed aerial-dance company ‘Momentary Fusion’.

“At 24 I was told that I was too old to be a trapeze artist - I went on to have a wonderful career in aerial arts. And on that journey, I fell in love with exploring what the body could do, the need for rest, reflection and tuning in to your whole body’s needs, moment by moment. I love to help people experiment, overcome and explore through the body and mind.”

Sophy trained as a Pilates instructor for mat and equipment with the Pilates Foundation UK. She built a successful Pilates career in London with a private studio, health club and corporate clients, eventually running international Pilates holidays before moving to Somerset. Today she runs her SOpilates practice from her tranquil Pilates studio in the heart of Frome.

One of her specialities is helping cyclists understand what strength and flexibility they need, to either just ‘enjoy’ the ride or work specifically on riding further with no pain. She is passionate about supporting more people to enjoy their physicality and movement.

“I feel fantastic, more energised and toned than I have done for many years, I really enjoyed it and just want more!”

Not all veterinary practices are the same We are available to care for your pets, horses and animals 24/7

If your pet is overnight with us, they are never left alone Garston vets - a truly independent approach to animal care for over 100 years.

Frome 01373 452225

Melksham 01225 617779

Trowbridge 01225 754021

Warminster 01985 213350

www.garstonvets.co.uk

Westbury 01373 301448

Our top pick this Spring?

Frome-based forager David Hamilton’s Where the Wild Things Grow

(Paperback £10.99)

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 - Gold Medal & Best in Show Garden Designers of the Year 2022 - House & Garden

Cover art by Marta Zafra

MY FROME

Something you may not know about me is when I was at college, I was asked to compete in the European Gate Post Hole Digging championship!

I enjoy listening to rugby podcasts , and The Archers is my factory reset time on Sundays when I’m not working.

Seeing my son learn water polo and my daughter act makes me happy.

I couldn’t believe how supportive the people of Frome were when I had my accident in September. Your kindness was quite tear-jerking (literally). Physio is going well, but it’s a long road to full recovery.

I wish more people would vote as so many grumble about the state of local and national politics, but don’t bother voting.

- Stuart Needs -

I was born and bred in Frome (working on the family flower stall since I was 5 years old) but now live in Holcombe with my young family. I could never be far away from Frome, and the flower business operates from market towns in the area.

My favourite thing to do in Frome is working on my stall in the centre of town. I love catching up with friends, meeting new people, chatting to strangers and selling my flowers. I’m a lucky chap to be working outdoors with happy people.

Curried chips from Pangs is my go-to lunch choice, they’re the best. And you can’t beat Robin’s doughnuts and granary loaves from The Old Bakehouse. I regularly use all the cafés along Cheap Street, where I can stroll up easily from my market stall.

I like to go to Vobster Quay for a swim, it’s such a beautiful spot. My favourite place for a walk is Cranmore Tower near Frome, the woods there are lovely.

I would like to see free or more affordable parking in Frome. The high street shops are struggling, and I know many of my regulars struggle to get into town.

You can see me every week in the middle of Frome I am a 3rd generation flower farmer who sells fresh flowers on my market stall at Boyles Cross on Wednesdays and Saturdays and also at Bradford on Avon on Thursdays.

Follow me on Facebook for more photos of my homegrown flowers and latest news @stuarttheflowerman

Nestled in the heart of rural Somerset, All Hallows is a traditional prep school with a modern approach.

With Dr Richards at the helm, a qualified Educational Psychologist as well as an educationalist, it is a school which is doing things differently and distinctively: Children’s happiness and wellbeing underpin our whole approach and  pupils feel they truly belong.

This, together with  inspirational teaching and an innovative and flexible curriculum, enables the children to thrive.

All Hallows is an independent prep school with children moving on to their chosen senior school confident in who they are and ready to make the most of the opportunities that await.

www.allhallowsschool.co.uk

Open Morning ~ Saturday 29th April

Please contact Jackie Truelove, All Hallows’ Registrar, to find out more, secure your place, or to arrange a bespoke tour.

01749 881609 admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk