The List Frome - December 2022

Rose Langley

For some people, writing about Christmas in November might feel a bit forced, maybe a little too early. Not for me. I’ll take several months of festivities, thank you very much. Admittedly, the supermarket version of Christmas isn’t something that makes me feel all warm and cosy inside, and I imagine that, for those who work there, the Christmas shine will have become a little dull after endless weeks of the nation’s favourite festive songs on repeat. But, from early November on, I am smelling spice in the air, counting down the days until I can drink hot buttered rum again (though pregnancy = sobriety this year, booo!),

My general modus operandi for the run-up to Christmas is to plan to make lots of festive things: food, decorations, gifts – I’ll make them all! I’ll make a yule log this year, and maybe a gingerbread house. I’ll cut out paper garlands in the shape of stars and angels and watch them flutter above the fire (hazard alert). I’ll dip colourful candles, sew my son a new stocking for the fireplace, potato print cards and wrapping paper, make an unfathomable amount of mince pies and bottle up my slow gin. I’m going to make some slippers for my husband from a jumper of his that I accidentally felted. I’ll make chocolates and bath bombs and little bottles of booze for my family. In short, I’ll be a one-woman Christmas machine, spreading joy and festive spice wherever I go.

And perhaps Christmas needn’t be so allencompassing to be enjoyable. Maybe a simple, yet still merry, little Christmas is just what we all need.

But then of course, there is real life. And my baking skills. And time. And work. And parenting. And growing an entire human. And my inability to finish projects (I see you, half-knitted, unidentifiable woollen items at the back of the cupboard). Maybe I could just buy a yule log. I think my family would prefer that. And surely, after the disaster that was the pair of slippers I made for my brother (which fell apart on Christmas day) I could always swerve that plan too. In fact, maybe my way of enjoying Christmas this year will be by doing very little. Less is, after all, more. And perhaps Christmas needn’t be so all-encompassing to be enjoyable. Maybe a simple, yet still merry, little Christmas is just what we all need.

Merry Christmas you brilliant lot. X

07957878717

at Owl Gallery

Though the space in Frome’s Owl Gallery is modest, the resident artists, known affectionately as Owls, have decided to spread their wings and make room for an exciting rotation of guest artists to showcase their latest works.

The inimitable Clive Walley will be the very first guest artist to exhibit, as the Owls start a new era of supporting artists, both local and from further afield, with their dedicated exhibition space.

Clive Walley has been instrumental in many people’s lives while earning global recognition and respect for his ground-breaking work in the exploration of paint and film. He has, quietly and modestly, influenced and enlightened, and will continue to do so. Owl now has eight of his stunning paintings, from a series of works in which he has experimented with the application of paint. This process, as with his works in the past, has led him to designing and forming tools specifically to help create the effects he has imagined with the paint. These are vehicular tools and equipment aiding him on his artistic journey and all of which are integral parts of his creative process.

Clive’s paintings will be on show at Owl until the New Year and the open evening will take place on Thursday December 1st at 7pm.

Maker’s Yard Christmas Art Market

Maker’s Yard, December 3rd, 2 – 6pm

Maker’s Yard will be hosting their second Christmas market this December. Local designer-makers, artists and other interesting traders will be selling their wares to a backdrop of festoon lighting, mulled cider, music and a whole load of Christmas spirit!

You’ll find Maker’s Yard at 37 Lower Keyford, BA114AR.

NYE Party + The Hammervilles

Cheese & Grain, December 31st, £16.50

Famed for their energetic rock/pop floor fillers, The Hammervilles are the perfect band to kickstart 2023. Playing everything from Adele to Guns N’ Roses, their unique and high-energy show is a can’t miss. They bring with them the ultimate party starters Punk on Your Hits, who play rock versions of classic pop hits - think Busted and Blink 182 playing Venga Boys and All Saints songs!

Clive Walley

James and the Giant Peach (Wood)

Merlin Theatre, December 7th – 10th, £10 - £14

The story of this magnificent peach is faithfully told by James himself and the insect characters – Miss Spider, Old-Green-Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybird and Earthworm. The play begins at the end of the story, when James and his friends are living in the giant peach stone in Central Park, New York. A tour guide brings a party of tourists to see this major attraction, and James and his friends tell the story of how they came to live in New York.

A beautiful reimagining of Roald Dahl’s classic tale, and a perfect Christmas treat!

The Camp’s Gate

Frome Cricket Club, December 8th, 7pm, £10/£8

Palestinian dance and theatre group, Alrowwad, are touring the UK this December with a performance of The Camp’s Gate organised by Frome Friends of Palestine.

This powerful performance brings together music, theatre and traditional Palestinian dabka dance to tell the story of the elderly Abu Ahmad. Specially created by Alrowwad Centre for Arts and Culture, The Camp’s Gate, uses music and dance to recount Abu’s past and present, his displacement, life in a refugee camp and his hopes of freedom.

Alrowwad Centre for Arts and Culture was established in Aida refugee camp, Bethlehem, Palestine, in 1998. It is a not-for-profit organisation which strives to empower children and women by

Pomona Festive Supper Club

St Mary’s Church Hall, December 10th, 7pm, £55

As with all good things in Frome, Pomona Supper Club didn’t stay a secret for long, and is now a popular date in all Frome foodies’ diaries. This month, Lucy will be creating a festive feast in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s Church at Innox Hill. The five-course menu will include dishes such as Westcountry pork and pistachio terrine, braised pheasant with pomegranate molasses, jewelled green lentils with sherry, and sunken chocolate soufflé with armagnac prunes. Guests will also be treated to a glass of mulled wine and, of course, a glass of Pomona. To book, email pomonasupperclub@yahoo.com

offering opportunities to develop skills in music, dance, theatre, photography and film-making, and many performers have previously performed sell-out tours in the UK, USA and Europe.

Tickets at £10 are available from Frome Friends of Palestine via Eventbrite or on the door.

the list recommends

DECEMBER AT 8 STONY STREET

December 31st, 7.30pm, £65

Bring in the New Year at 8 Stony Street. From 7.30pm, the festivities will kick off with cocktails, followed by canapés and four delicious courses. Wine flights matched to each course will be available on the night, or you can choose from the usual large selection of carefully selected wines from the shop. DJ Vinyl Groove will play live throughout and into the night.

December

11th,

3 - 7pm, £10

A festive fair with a difference! The beautiful building of 8 Stony Street will play host to a selection of incredible suppliers from the culinary world, showing over thirty of the best wines for Christmas. Pop along and sample all of these interesting and unique wines with cheese boards to accompany. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The

Frome Independent

Frome Town Centre, December 4th, 10am – 3pm

The final edition of The Frome Independent this year is on Sunday 4th December, and they’re cramming in even more stalls than usual across Frome town centre! If you’re looking for unique gifts for Christmas, TFI have most bases covered, with everything from jewellery, leather goods, outerwear and underwear for adults, games and outfits for children, to gifts for your home, pets and more.

With visitors full of festive cheer, December is the biggest fundraising month - Fair Frome will be back at the market to raise vital funds for their work - please dig deep and give generously to this incredible charity.

With more stalls and more parking, this is bound to be the best market of the year yet!

Artwork by Matt Wellsted

Dave

Pearce,

Dance Anthems

Cheese & Grain, December 3rd, £18

The creator and original presenter of BBC Radio 1’s Dance Anthems, Dave Pearce has been a driving force in the UK dance scene for many years. He is renowned for his energetic uplifting and anthemic “big room” sets incorporating Trance/Electro house and Progressive interwoven with reworked classics and also for his Trance Anthems and Pure Trance sets.

Call to Artists

Frome Open Art Trail, 2023

Frome Open Arts Trail is a hugely popular annual event, bringing together Frome’s vast creative community. Running at the same time as the annual Frome Festival, artists will open their studios and workspaces for the Frome Open Art Trail. The Trail takes place in town and surrounding villages, the artists exhibiting the fruits of their creativity including paintings, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, glass work, photography, jewellery and metal work.Applications to take part in the 2023 trail are now open. To apply, go to frome-open-art-trail.co.uk

Carols in the Courtyard

River House, December 22nd, 7pm, free

entry

All ages and singing voices are welcome to join Frome’s Songbirds in their now annual Christmas event, bringing carols to the courtyard of the River House at Black Swan Arts. Christmas cocktails, hot drinks and festive bakes will be served up there from 7pm.

THE IRON GATES

A HIVE OF CREATIVITY

The Iron Gates is home to a group of talented and creative individuals, each working from their beautiful studio shops, from where they also sell their stunning and varied wares. Bought by couple Alfie and Camilla, the building underwent extensive renovations and now has a new lease of life as part of Frome’s evergrowing creative community.

The building was originally a family house, built in 1696 by the Sheppards family who were magistrates, hence the name the Iron Gates. The courthouse was an extension to their house, built in 1710. For the past 30 years, it was a beloved pet shop, selling everything from parrots and fish, to hamsters and rabbits.

“When we were renovating the Iron Gates, we found some pet shop relics, like a dead tarantula in the basement. We also found out that the stairs were shipped over from Australia,” says Camilla.   “As the building is a listed grade 2* building, all interiors

and renovation were in line with the Mendip consent team - we had to buy reclaimed wood for the floors and reinstate doorways to how it was suspected they once looked. FIreplaces were also reinstated in a style and look that complimented the building.”

For the tenants, the community, both within the building and in the wider sense, has been just as important as the working space. Jeweller Emma Aitchison explains, “The Iron Gates has been filled with an all-female creative work force, which has been wonderful. It’s a great space to share, collaborate and support one another on our new journeys as studio/shops.  And the response from locals has been really positive and supportive too. Everyone seems really pleased that the ‘pet shop’ has been given a new lease of life, and filled with creative spaces and shops. People are particularly impressed with the quality and detail of the renovation of the building, enjoying the way it showcases the architecture and is sympathetic to its surroundings.”

Eye of the Wood Studio

Josie Mitchell Jewellery & Emma Aitchison Jewellery

Residents of the Iron Gates include:

Emma Aitchison Jewellery

Inspired by her passion for the natural world, Emma’s jewellery is bold and timeless. Made in small batches, using 100% recycled metals, Emma’s work is in much demand, being stocked both in Toast and the Tate Gallery. emmaaitchison.com | @emmaaitchisonjewellery

Electra Danielle

Electra is a creative upholsterer using traditional techniques such as caning and seat weaving. Her workspace doubles up as a beautifully created store, Eye of the Wood, selling candles, homewares and unique, locally grown plants. Electra will be running caning workshops in the new year. Contact her directly for more information. Electradanielle.com | @electradanielle

Louisa Worskett

Painter and artist printmaker, Louisa’s work focuses primarily on the intellectual properties of mark-making. Her practice is fundamentally rooted in drawing, both observationally and in the exploration of the abstract. Louisa, along with Sally Whelan, runs weekly lifedrawing sessions. These will start again in January. Contact either artist for further information.

@louisaworskettart

Silken Favours

Silken Favours founder Vicki Murdoch puts a modern and utterly wearable spin on the cute and kitsch. Each Silken Favours scarf is painstakingly designed using traditional pen and ink technique, expressing a long-term obsession with nature. Heartfelt and beautifully decorative, these prints also feature on cushions, wallpaper, scrunchies and notebooks, adding a playful touch to your home interior. Silken Favours is stocked at Liberty and Fortnum and Mason. silkenfavours.com | @silkenfavours

The Healing Hub

Josie Mitchell Jewellery

Josie creates delicate, handcrafted jewellery that is mindfully designed to help soothe anxiety and stress through the use of grounding textures and tactile movement. Josie has created a unique aesthetic that encapsulates the natural world and the grounding effects it has on well-being. josiemitchelljewellery.com | @josiemitchell.jewellery

Laura Holden

Laura Holden is a textile artist and curator with a background in fine art textiles and prop making. She designs and hand makes joyful cushions and creatures inspired by folklore and vintage illustration. Laura’s aim is to make charming, meaningful objects that become part of a home’s landscape. Lauraholdenstudio.com | @lauraholdenstudio

Sally Whelan

Sally Whelan’s figurative oil paintings and portraits have a strong narrative and bold composition that provoke curiosity from the viewer. Her pieces possess a witty charm and a well observed sense of humour, uniquely blended with a hauntingly dark undercurrent. paintersally.com | @painter.sally

The Healing Hub

The Healing Hub is the main stockist of an old Frome favourite ‘Herbs on the Hill’, selling herb-infused products for the bath and body. Dotted around the shop, you can find a carefully curated range of crystals. Catherine Reeves, who runs the shop, has an extensive knowledge of their benefits and also offers one-to-one crystal healing. @thehealinghubfrome

December at The Iron Gates

All studio shops will be open for late night shopping on the December 8th and 22nd, 3 - 8pm, giving visitors the perfect chance for some Christmas gift buying. Hakko House will also be serving up delicious sushi to hungry visitors.

For some festive fun, pop down to the Iron Gates Christmas party on December 15th, 4 - 9pm, where there’ll be some brilliant food vendors, as well as Crafty Nectar, who will provide mulled wine and cider for all three events.

For more information go to theirongates.com | @theirongatesfrome

ALL WRAPPED UP FESTIVITIES AT THE SILK MILL

This December, party people WRAP (Winter Rendezvous and Party) will be taking over the Silk Mill with an exciting line-up of events designed to get everyone in the party mood, transforming the space into a Christmas themed venue with lighting installations, a full stage, bar and amazing acts for the two weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve. The WRAP team are creating a warm, inviting venue to host a wide range of events from different promoters. Think giant disco balls, great function bands, funky Christmas trees, lighting installations, mulled wine and a massive NYE finale party.

A cabaret show will kick off the festivities on December 20th, hosted by Chris Fitchew, who will be bringing some of the UK’s top cabaret acts together for circus, comedy, drag and burlesque performances. Gourmet turkey burgers are available, just add it to your ticket purchase.

On the 21st, Frome Music Club x BÆRFÜT DJ project will be playing house, drum ‘n’ bass and club classics late in to the night. Expect great tunes from one of Frome’s premier DJ collectives and help support the BÆRFÜT DJ project raise some funds.

On Thursday the 22nd, masters of the south-west music scene, the Soul Strutters, take to the stage. This collective have been performing together for ten years at venues and festivals across the country. Fronted by lead singer and bassist Eric-Mylod Okafo, the four professional musicians share a love of all things groove, disco, funk, soul and R&B. The 4-piece are regarded as high-octane, super-tight and guaranteed to get people dancing with their infectious grooves and musicianship. PLUME will be supporting with their mix of jazz, funk and trip hop. This instrumental trio know how to groove.

On Christmas Eve the bar is open, the tunes are on and it’s free entry! A chance for a quick pint and a catch-up with old friends before Santa arrives.

On Thursday the 29th, family favourites Rocktopus will be bringing a bit of rock to your Christmas. Rocktopus are a real life rock band for kids and

families, with two albums on international release and a whole load of exciting live shows and festivals under their belts. They’ve written a whopping 600 songs with children during their school workshops, combining their experiences as trained primary teachers and rock stars, to create songs and even music videos about school values, PE, health and fitness.

Straight after Rocktopus, the Vinyl Social take over: vinyl only DJs spinning grooves from around the world to get you dancing!

And then the big New Year’s Eve finale! Join the Enrichments, one of the south west’s best party bands, in an evening of celebration to see in 2023. Led by singer Joe James, expect a night full of dancing to soul, funk, pop and rock classics. The evening features their full seven-piece line-up. Then DJ EMMA will join in to keep the party going until the wee hours with her infectious disco, house and dance classics.

Event times and prices can be found on the opposite page. All tickets are available from skiddle.com

ROSIE’S NO.1 CABARET SHOW

BACK WITH A BANG!

Rosie is back, bringing oohs, aahs and lashings of va-va-voom to the Mendips this Christmas with her Cabaret Extravaganza. Rosie is known for delighting her audience with an eclectic and eccentric mix of talented performers. This year she is lucky enough to be showcasing the fabulous Somerset folk singer Jane Taylor, plus stand-up comedians Fathia Sarispuspita, Kate Cheka, ‘drunk bride’ hula hoopist Amy Guerrier and, of course, character comedian Rose Wadham.

Rosie’s guests will also enjoy opera, burlesque, disco divas, character and stand-up comedy, live music plus gravity-defying headliner, pole dancing artist Vicky Peacock, director of Frome fitness studio Spindance.

Included in the ticket price are bubbly and canapés on arrival, gluten-free mince pies in the interval, three hours of brilliant entertainment and a stonking disco after the show ends.

All proceeds go to local charity Fair Fromeproviding practical support for people in need. The age limit for audience members is 16 and up.

The show takes place on Saturday, December 17th at the historic Tithe Barn in Mells near Frome: BA11 3PJ. Tickets can be bought via bookwhen.com/rosiescabaret2022 or in cash from Mells Village Shop.

Forget-me-not ear studs in recycled sterling silver from Christina Oswin Jewellery, £43

Silk covered luxury journal from Silken Favours, £26

Recycled glass vases by Phaedra Politis from OWL from £20 Ultra Glow Facial Oil by Hibi Botanics from Honey On the Hill, Oakville Naturals &The Frome Independent, £18

Inner Guidance Pendant from Josie Mitchell Jewellery, £140

Kids sewing kits from Millie Moon £7.50

Mugs (with various designs) from Hung, Drawn & Quoted, £12

Saucy

£16.99

Secret Garden Bramble Bangle from Christina Oswin Jewellery, £175

Streaming windows brass earrings from Emma Aitchison Jewellery, £174

Mushroom

Nourishing Body Oil by Hibi Botanics from Honey On the Hill Oakville Naturals & The Frome Independent £20

Giclee Print  by Paris from Kobi & Teal from £85

Herbs On The Hill Gift box from The Healing Hub, £30

1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle by Happy Place Puzzles from Of Cabbages & Kings,

Lucky Black Cat Cushion Laura Holden £48

Pallares Solsona Kitchen Knives, hand produced in Northern Spain from Frome Hardware From £28 - £48

Trinket bowls in porcelain, oxides and gold by Rebecca Wordsworth from OWL, From £25

Vintage

Alex Monroe Mountain Goat/Capricorn in 22ct Gold plate on silver, from Marchbank Jewellery £210

Wild Light by Angela Harding from Hunting Raven £25

£10

Fromie Gift Card from Fromie Gifts £10-£100

Vintage

Beanie, made in the UK from British wool from Johnny Szymanski £37

Patchwork stocking kits from Millie Moon £20

Colouring Art Gallery by Rosie Flo from Black Swan Shop £16.99

Christmas Tree Decoration from Hung, Drawn & Quoted,

butterflies in single frames by Tess Chodan from OWL, £30

cook - eat

BY OUR RESIDENT FOODIE KATIE FRASER

Party Pissaladière

This is the ultimate people pleaser and a perfect nibble for your Christmas drinks party. Rich, salty and delicious, pissaladière is a traditional dish from the South of France, and whose close cousin, pissalat, is said to date back to the 1st century. It’s easy to see why this winning formula has stood the test of time. Serve warm with a French sparkling white such as a Crémant or Blanc de Blancs, or with a fruity Burgundy Pinot Noir. It eats just as well with a green salad for a light meal.

Pissaladière

for 6 - 8 people

. 250g strong bread

. 14g dry yeast

. 1 tsp sugar

. 5 tbsp olive oil

. 35g butter

. 1.5kg onions, finely sliced

. pitted black olives

. 2 x 30g tin anchovies

. a bunch of thyme

. sea salt

Start with your dough: sprinkle dried yeast and sugar over 120ml warm water, stir and leave for 10 mins to froth up. Mix 1 tsp salt to the flour, add yeast mixture, mix then knead for 8 mins until smooth. Coat a clean bowl with olive oil, pop in your dough, and leave covered in a warm place until doubled in size (this should take around an hour).

(If time is of the essence, you can use ready rolled puff pastry).

While your dough is proving, slowly cook onions in 3 tbsp olive oil and butter, with leaves from half a bunch of thyme and a good pinch of sea salt, for 30 - 45 mins. Stir occasionally. Onions need to be really soft and caramelised, but be careful not to brown them. When cooked, set aside to cool.

Brush a baking tray with olive oil. Knock back your dough, roll it out to the size of your baking tray (around 30 x 25 cm will give you a good thickness) place it on the tray and cover with the onions. Drain anchovy fillets, cut each in two down the middle and arrange into a diagonal criss-cross pattern over the onions. Pop olives in each ‘triangle’ and sprinkle with the remaining thyme leaves. Leave to prove again while you heat the oven to 220˚C, bake for 20 minutes or until crispy, and enjoy!

Katie runs hēt – a Frome-based takeaway serving up tasty food with heat. To join the mailing list and be first to see weekly Friday menus and more email hetfrome@gmail.com Follow on Instagram @het_frome

URQUHART & HUNT

RED-EYE FOR CHRISTMAS?

The Frome Fossil

My great-aunt Daisy and her husband once ran a saloon in the American Wild West. It (and her marriage) didn’t last long, alas, and she was soon back in Somerset. We never learned any juicy details about this enthralling episode, because by the time we got to know her she was a highly respectable old dear living very quietly with some goats in the Mendips. She appeared every Christmas Day at our grandparents’ house, and always gave us each the same thing – a torch. “Very useful in the country,” she would say. Not as useful as a Colt 45 in Dodge City might have been, sadly. And that’s the Christmas present I really wanted.

However, hope lived on. I had another frontier connection. My godmother also lived in the USA and had once (so I was told) declared she was going to buy me a real cowboy outfit for Christmas. It never appeared, of course. But I was perfectly happy with the Davy Crockett hat made by my mother from a scruffy old piece of fur, the broken air rifle donated by a neighbour, the home-made bow and arrows, and the feathers scrounged from Mrs Tucker’s hen run. With these I could be anything from a gunslinger to Crazy Horse. Or even Robin Hood.

All the same, I remember those torches – black, heavy, metal-cased, with enormous leaky batteries. For some reason they live on in my memory long after I’ve forgotten far more glamorous, or expensive, or lovingly chosen, presents. Maybe it’s because they had a story attached to them, however tenuous. Aunty Daisy may have left the Wild West far behind her, but her gifts still trailed hazy wisps of romance –the swinging doors, the spittoons, the jingling spurs, the creaking holsters, the two fingers of red-eye.

And how can we match that? What Christmas presents can we give our grandchildren and grandnieces that will carry any borrowed magic at all? We can choose toys and games and bikes and stuff with all the love and money in the world, but a lot of them will end up forgotten or dumped, just because they don’t find a niche, a hook, in the mind. To do this, they have to be beautiful – like a great book or a silver ring – or unique – like a hand-made puppet or a woolly hat. Or they can just be very useful in the country.

ALL HALLOWS

Preparatory School

Nestled in the heart of rural Somerset, in a stunning location just 15 minutes from Frome, All Hallows is a day and boarding prep school for children aged 3 to 13.

A school with pupils’ happiness and well-being at the heart of all decisionmaking, an Educational Psychologist leading the way as Head, a creative and dynamic curriculum, which is producing outstanding results .

Last Year, 69% of our Year 8’s received a scholarship to their chosen Senior School. Over the past 5 years, our Year 8s have been awared 224 scholarships covering all aspects of school life.

Part of the Monkton Family of Schools, All Hallows is an independent 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

storage elf for your xmas presents