The List Frome - February 2022

FEBRUARY 2022

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E M N! O A C TI AC

ISSUE 131

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CRIMES

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Artists & Makers Of Frome With Woodcutter Robbie Jones

YO U R G U I D E TO E VE RY TH I N G FR O M E

Valentine’s Gift Guide, Frome Style

D N IE o C

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ISSUE 131 FEBRUARY

Rose Langley

O

n the day of writing, it is a beautifully crisp and misty morning. I’ve just

the wood that is completely unknown to us. We couldn’t work out our bearings and, after a while,

returned from a walk with Fred (our long-bodied Romanian rescue dog) that took us a little longer, and further, than planned. We went down through the fields to the river and sloshed about in the icy water and lost several

realised that we were still walking away from our start point. But with snacks in our bag and the sun in the sky, we just gave in to the process of exploration and followed the paths where they led. Letting go of the need to know where we were, or how far we were from the car, made space for a kind of freedom that I haven’t often experienced since childhood, when my brother and I used to head off into the fields by our house to make dens and splash in streams, only called home by the distant sound of one of our parents ringing a cow bell to signal dinner would be ready soon. By the time we made our way back to the car it was getting dark, and we had successfully forgotten to check the time since the walk started. We’d been out for just over four hours, which I still feel is a miraculous feat with a five-year-old!

Letting go of the need to know where we were, or how far we were from the car, made space for a kind of freedom hours (which should have been spent at my desk) just pottering over bridges and watching the water whooshing along. Now I am home I feel invigorated. The time spent outside is one reason, but the other is the almost childish enjoyment of ignoring the time. With deadlines, school drop-offs and pick-ups, meetings and social arrangements, our days are underlined by the time. So the freedom I found in just ignoring the hour and following the urge to wander, was exquisite.

Recently, we were in the woods near Alfred’s Tower. We usually follow the same route – it’s good to have a predictable time frame for walking when you have a small person. But this time we took a different path and ended up in a part of

» The List Recommends

4-9

» Cover Story

10-11

» Valentines Gift Guide

14-15

» Artists & Makers of Frome

18 - 19

» Home & Garden

26 - 29

» The Fossil

30

It’s not often we get to just ignore time – the reality of our lives doesn’t allow for it on a daily basis. But try this, and see how you feel: take a day, like a Sunday, where you don’t have to be anywhere by any time. Leave your phone at home, fill a backpack with snacks, and just head out. As the days grow longer, and the light lingers a little more each day, take the opportunity to go offline, off grid, and off the clock, and see where you end up.

Design: blackinkstudio.co.uk Front cover: New Old Friends Copy deadline for the March issue: February 11th

Published by Rose Langley, trading as Make a List Publishing, Sole Proprietor Editor Rose Langley 07957878717 rose@thelistfrome.co.uk . thelistfrome.co.uk *The publishers shall not be liable for any loss occasioned by the failure of an advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions or misprints.

» the list recommends «

Abigail Reed - Finding Light Black Swan Arts – until February 6th Artist Abigail Reed moved to Frome in 2019 after 15 years in Bristol, where she was based at Jamaica Street Studios, led art workshops for the RWA and various community groups, including Bristol Children’s Hospital. She now works from her studio at the Silk Mill, and is currently exhibiting at Black Swan Arts. Abigail has recently found inspiration in the landscapes around Frome. She walks frequently and takes photographs which are then translated into drawings back at the studio. She seeks transformative moments like being

in a forest shrouded in mist, or walking at dusk to find the last of the sun. Whether it’s being reflected off an impassable puddle or casting its warmth over a snowy track, the quest is for light and wherever it falls.

A local disused quarry is a favourite place, a desolate area abandoned after use. It has now become a place of hope as young silver birch trees populate it and nature thrives in the absence of human life. Working on the wall in her studio, Abigail uses rich compressed charcoal that is layered heavily onto the paper; light is extracted with fingertips and a combination of erasers that are cut small to capture detail. Thin sticks of willow charcoal are used with extreme precision to draw fragile saplings and branches that reach towards the sky. “There is something magical about using the bare minimum of materials to conjure up a world of one’s own, drawing is so readily available, you just pick up the charcoal and start drawing, and that immediacy suits my thinking. You have to work with energy and vigour to capture the idea. If a drawing becomes overworked, it loses something and the moment is gone.”

Meet the artist, Saturday February 5th, 3-4pm For more information see: www.blackswanarts.org.uk or follow Abigail on Instagram @abigailreedartist

Eddie Martin The Why Gallery, 3 Stony St, Frome Until now, Eddie Martin has probably been best known in Frome for his musical talents, being one of the UK’s foremost blues musicians. But his upcoming exhibition at the Why Gallery reveals another side to Eddie, with his vibrant and joyous still life paintings. This will be Eddie’s first solo show, and will run from February 26th – April 17th. You can see Eddie’s work on Instagram @ eddiemartinart

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Judge Jules Cheese & Grain, February 19th, 8pm, £18 Judge Jules – The Club DJ that has been there, done that and done it all again for almost three decades has influenced an entire generation on Kiss FM and Radio 1 and continues to dominate the playlists of millions. Gracing the world’s most iconic clubs and festivals including Gatecrasher, Ministry Of Sound, Global Gathering and Creamfields, Judge Jules has released over 100 tracks, with 40 top ten hits. He comes to Frome this February, bringing the euphoric magic of his legendary Ibiza residencies

E D BY R N E - I F I ’M H O N E S T T U E S DAY 1S T F E B 7:3 0 P M D O O R S £ 2 5 A DV (+ S E R V I C E C H A R G E ) C H E E S E A N D G R A I N .C O M M A R K E T YA R D . J U S T I C E L A N E F R O M E . B A11 1B E

RUZZ GUITAR’S BLUES REVUE ALBUM RELEASE NIGHT F R I DAY 4 T H F E B 7:3 0 P M D O O R S £ 1 0 A DV (+ S E R V I C E C H A R G E )

FROME PUNK FEST S AT U R DAY 12 T H F E B 5PM DOORS £ 12 A DV (+ S E R V I C E C H A R G E )

JUDGE JULES S AT U R DAY 19 T H F E B 8PM DOORS £ 18 A DV (+ S E R V I C E C H A R G E )

M A R K T H O M P S O N ’S S P E C TAC U L A R SCIENCE SHOW S AT U R DAY 2 6 T H F E B 2 :3 0 P M D O O R S £ 14 A D U LT / £ 12 C H I L D (+ S E R V I C E C H A R G E )

BOX OFFICE 01373 455420

UNTIL 27 FEBRUARY

UNTIL 27 FEBRUARY

F R E E W O R K S H O P : 19 F E B R U A R Y 2 P M - 4 P M

galleries | round tower | studios | shop | cafe 2 Bridge St . Frome . BA11 1BB | 01373 473980 Open 7 days a week | FREE ENTRY

www.blackswanarts.org.uk Registered Charity No.292463

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» the list recommends «

Sunday Morning Concert: Lotte Betts Dean and Dimitris Soukaras Rook Lane, February 20th Described as singing ‘with warmth, joy and an open heart’, Lotte returns to Rook Lane with guitarist Dimitris Soukaras. ‘Travels with a Guitar’ leads us from the haunting tunes of John Dowland via guitar music from Greece to the vibrant rhythms of Manuel de Falla.

Doors open 11am, concert begins 11.30am. Tickets are available from www.fromeconcertsgroup.org

CLUB ORIGAMI

I Spy With My Little Eye

Merlin Theatre, February 22nd, 11am and 12.30pm, £10/£8

Merlin Theatre, February 27th, 2.30pm, £11.50/£9.50

Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper? As you scrunch the paper, see how your imagination begins to dance… Dive into the magical world of Club Origami, an immersive and interactive dance show inviting family audiences to create, imagine and explore whole new ways of thinking, playing and moving. Dance, fashion and live music meet the magic of origami to sweep us up on a spirited and inspiring adventure in a land made purely of paper and play.

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Australian vocalist Lotte Betts-Dean is a versatile mezzo soprano whose performance experience encompasses contemporary repertoire, early music, art song, opera, experimental music and non-classical collaborations. Lotte won both the 2019 Oxford Lieder Young Artist Platform and the 2020 Overseas Prize as well as the Audrey Strange Prize for an outstanding singer at the Royal Over-Seas League Competition. She will be accompanied on guitar

by Dimitris Soukaras who is a D’addario Artist, a Yeoman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, a beneficiary of the Stradivari Trust, winner of the IGF’s Young Artists Platform, and a Eurostring Artist 2018/19. He has received 20 prizes in international and national competitions, and most recently he won the David Russell Guitar Prize, adjudicated by the maestro himself.

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Molly and Bingo the puppy are having a birthday party and, best of all, you’re invited! There’ll be a terrific treasure hunt, sensational sing-along songs and lots of fantastic games to play, including Molly’s favourite game, I Spy With My Little Eye! Based on the brand new picture book by Steven Lee (How the Koala Learnt To Hug) and brought to you by the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, this beautifully interactive musical celebrates everything great about being a kid – and everything great about having one.

Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like a book…

THE PEOPLE’S THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE 27 FEBRUARY - 2.30PM LITTLE BIG DANCE PRESENTS

CLUB ORIGAMI 22 FEBRUARY - 11AM & 2.30PM

Show your other half just how well you know and love them by choosing their perfect read

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE THE BOOK OF DUST – LA BELLE SAUVAGE 17 FEBRUARY - 7PM

(or give us a call and we’ll choose it for you!)

01373 473111 winstonebooks3@gmail.com 9-10 Cheap Street, Frome shop.winstonebooks.co.uk 01373 465949 merlintheatre.co.uk Bath Rd . Frome . BA11 2HG

BOOK ROOK L ANE CHAPEL

for your special day DAT E S F O R 2 023 AVA I L A B L E

01373468040 rooklane@nvbarchitects.co.uk www.rooklane.org.uk/weddings @rook_lane_chapel Rook Lane Chapel

©sophia_veres_photography

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» the list recommends « THE FROME KINDNESS FESTIVAL The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one.

© Ida Applebroog. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Emily Po ole

Next month, Frome will be hosting its first Kindness Festival, from March 1st – 6th, celebrating the contribution that kindness makes to our relationships, to our mental and physical health, and to the inspiring can-do culture of our town. Coordinated by local non-profit group, The Good Heart, the festival aims to offer something for everyone, bringing local people together in fun, magical and uplifting ways. Kindness costs nothing, and all the groups, schools, businesses and organisations in Frome are invited to take part in whatever way suits them best. As winter draws to a close, watch out for a week of unexpected and creative acts of kindness and

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Ida Applebroog, Right Up To Now 1969 – 2021

appreciation around the town, kindness window art (in partnership with Window Wanderland), a series of lunchtime self-care sessions, kindness story-time, yoga and crafts events for families, kindness workshops in local schools, a discussion about Kindness in Politics (we’re ever hopeful!) and the Humankind book club event being organised by Hunting Raven, Frome’s independent bookstore. And more! For more information, to sign up for festival updates or to find out how to get involved, visit www. thegoodheart.uk or The Good Heart Facebook page.

Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show

Hauser and Wirth Somerset, Jan 29th – May 2nd Feminist pioneer Ida Applebroog has consistently explored the interconnected themes of power, gender, politics and sexuality throughout her career.

Over the past six decades she has navigated an indepth inquiry into the polemics of human relations, dissecting and reassembling the world around her, spanning diverse mediums and modes of display.

The forthcoming exhibition consists of highlights, travelling from the artist’s largest survey to date at Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid, alongside important new works created over the past year. Now in her 90s, the comprehensive survey speaks to Applebroog’s radical introspection as a woman and an artist, presenting life as it is and the repetitive patterns of our existence. Hauserwirth.com/somerset

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Cheese & Grain, February 26th, 2.30pm, £14/£12 If you think science is boring, think again; this is science like you have never seen it before. Designed for children and adults alike, Mark’s Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and magical properties of matter with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortexgenerating dustbins and even howling jelly babies!

Awarded ‘Best Kid’s Show at Edinburgh Fringe’ by The Derek Awards, this interactive show promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way!

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Crimes, Camera, Action!

Comedy and Mystery in theatre perfection

F

rome’s very own New Old Friends are back again with another hilarious murder mystery. The multi-award winning company were last seen at the Merlin in autumn 2021, with Crimes in Egypt, and now return with their critically acclaimed film-noir inspired piece: Crimes, Camera, Action. The show originally premiered in Bath’s Theatre Royal Main House last summer and is now remounted in Frome ahead of a large national tour.

Previous instalments in the ‘Crimes…’ series have been loosely based upon the cosy crime world of Agatha Christie, but this fast-paced romp whisks the audience away to golden-era Hollywood.

It takes the novels of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, brought to life so memorably on screen by Humphrey Bogart, as its starting point. The world-weary private eye in this case is Stan Shakespeare, initially hired by a screen starlet to look into her shady producer. Stan ends up embroiled in the mystery surrounding her death, which was captured on camera.

If you’ve seen New Old Friends before, you’ll be familiar with their particular brand of overtly theatrical entertainment; the cast of just four exceptional comic actors play multiple parts.

In this instance, we have: Stan Shakespeare the detective, a handful of screen ingénues, a lovelorn props master, a headstrong director, a transatlantic aristocratic apprentice, a trio of henchmen, teamsters galore, showgirls, robots, cowboys and, of course, a shady producer or two.

They achieve this cornucopia of characters with lightning-fast changes (sometimes before your very eyes) and a liberal dose of theatre magic.

“crammed to the gills with knife-sharp visual gags and murderously bad puns...” The Financial Times 10

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C o ve r S t o r y

The company is run by Frome residents and married couple Heather Westwell and Feargus Woods Dunlop. Heather performed in the original run of the show while over seven months pregnant, but with their first child now happily present, the couple are settling for directing and producing the tour. When The List spoke with Heather, she had this to say about the show: “Crimes, Camera, Action is such a special show for us. It is the show we were performing when the first lockdown hit, before we even made it to our official opening. And it was the first full production we mounted when the theatres reopened.

This is our third attempt to tour it, and we are so excited to share it with audiences up and down the country, starting with our home crowd here in Frome!”

“A nonstop bonanza of wit” The British Theatre Guide

We asked if she has a favourite moment in the show: “There are so many, starting with the opening credits right at the start, a full-on action sequence with slowmotion gunshots, but my favourite is probably the tongue-twisty linguistically ridiculous scene involving the three henchmen: Eye, Hey and Watt. You can probably guess where that goes, but it is so much fun getting there.”

New Old Friends formed in 2008, and have established a national reputation with their consistently inventive and imaginative staging,

toweringly high gag rate and commitment to audience-centric entertainment. We are lucky to have such a company here in Frome, so get out there and support live theatre at the Merlin, which rigorously adheres to all Covid-security measures.

Crimes, Camera, Action is on at: Frome Merlin February 11th and 12th 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 12th.

Tickets are available from merlintheatre.co.uk

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C o ve r S t o r y

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FROME WINDOW WANDERLAND RETURNS!

I

t’s not long now until the fifth annual Frome Window Wanderland, taking place over four days from Friday 4th to Monday 7th March.

Frome Window Wanderland is a fun community event where anyone can make a display in their own window and light it up for others to wander around and enjoy. The event follows the February half-term break, and organisers are holding several workshops at Black Swan Arts in the weeks before, giving adults and children the opportunity to create window decorations to take home to display, as well as some which will create a Community Window at Black Swan Arts. If you are stuck for inspiration for your window display, Frome Window Wanderland have linked with the Good Heart café this year as part of their ‘Frome Kindness Festival’ (March 1st-6th) and so are suggesting if you need a spark of inspiration that ‘Kindness’ could be the key.

Making a display can be as simple as hanging your favourite piece of clothing, placing your favourite book in the window, or maybe a front room disco or performance, it is completely up to you. You could even lend your window to someone else who wants to make a display. Just remember to sign up and register your address on the Frome Window Wanderland webpage. There will be downloadable maps of different areas of Frome this year, so you can plan your route and go for a wonderful wander in your neighbourhood.

Frome Window Wanderland runs from March 4-7th, 5.30 - 9pm . www.windowwanderland.com/ event/frome-2022. You can follow Frome Window Wanderland on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2022

Friday 4th TO

Monday 7th March 5.30 - 9.00pm To sign up to take part go to: www.windowwanderland.com/event/frome-2022

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Valentines Menu Native oyster Manchego & cauliflower croquetas Slow cooked Lamb, lentils & olives Garlic & chili greens Burnt Basque Cheesecake

We want to celebrate not only your love for your partner but Love in general, so everyone is welcome to join us on Friday the 11th.

£37 per person

@lorapitencspanishfood @lorapitenc_frome 21 Cheap Street, BA11 1BN , Frome

Vegetarian / Vegan / GF options on request

Booking is essential for dine in or take away.

AUSTRALIAN INFLUENCED CAFE HAWAIIAN POKE BOWLS SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES COLD PRESS JUICES AUSSIE COFFEE ACAI SMOOTHIE BOWLS JAPANESE BROTH BOWLS HEALTHY SWEET TREATS FREE COFFEE!

WHEN YOU BUY A BREAKFAST BOWL IN FEBRUARY

FRIDAY NIGHT TAKEAWAY BAO BUNS - 6pm-8pm

@nooktheshop for weekly menu

www.retributiondistilling.co.uk Distilled and bottled in Frome, Somerset

private catering available nooktheshop.co.uk

01373 471368

14 king st frome ba11 1bh @nooktheshop TUE-sat 8:30-4 THE LIST FROME

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Heart pendants in silver with 9ct gold Daniel Musselwhite Jewellery from £130

Vintage Needlepoint and

Lost In The Mist by Abigail Reed

Butterflies

Black Swan Shop

Tess Chodan at OWL

£325

£325

CAN’T BUY ME LOVE...

BUT YOU C AN BUY ME...

Tiger T-shirt Robbie W Jones £22.50 Two for Joy necklace

by Sonja Bennett

On Connection by Kae Tempest

Black Swan Shop

Hunting Raven

£94

£9.99

Ultra Glow Facial Oil & Botanical Bar Cleanser Gift Box Hibi Botanics £30

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Va l e nt i n e s G i f t G u i d e

Anthony Oram Limited edition ‘Love’ screen print.

The WHY Gallery unframed £30, framed £48

Geo Signet Ring Christina Oswin Jewellery £135

Porcelain Vase by Rebecca Wordsworth OWL £55

Silver Heart Earstuds Christina Oswin Jewellery

Lima Lima Ecosilver Eye necklace

£47 (for medium size)

The WHY Gallery £40

Frome Gifts Gift Card, to spend at 21 selected Frome businesses FROMIE GIFTS

Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud Hunting Raven £8.99

Owl Gallery 33 Catherine Hill, Frome. www.owlgalleryfrome.co.uk | Hunting Raven 10 Cheap Street, Frome. www.winstonebooks.co.uk Christina Oswin Jewellery 20A Cheap Street, Frome. www.christinaowsin.co.uk | Hibi Botanics Etsy or @hibibotanics The Why Gallery 3 Stony Street, Frome. www.thewhygallery.co.uk | Frome Gifts www.fromie.co.uk Black Swan Shop 2 Bridge Street, Frome | Daniel Musselwhite Studio 3, Black Swan Arts | Robbie W Jones Etsy

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Va l e nt i n e s G i f t G u i d e

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www.allabouttheyarn.co.uk E: info@allabouttheyarn.co.uk T: 01373 473 557 11, Catherine Hill Click and Collect and Free Delivery within a mile.

British-made woolly socks, knitting yarns and tops for crafting.

47 Vallis Way, Frome, BA11 3BA 015395 68341 | info@arbonsocks.co.uk

CER AMICS . JE WELLERY . PRINTS . TE X TILES 3 S T O N Y S T, F R O M E 0 1 3 7 3 47 2 4 0 4

COMMISSIONS WEDDING RINGS REPAIRS REMODELLING 20A Cheap Street . Frome . BA11 1BN . 01373 472505 Christina Oswin Jewellery @christinaoswin

christinaoswin.co.uk

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AnnieChalk Sloan Chalk Paint Stockist and homehome accessories Annie Sloan Paint Stockist andbeautiful beautiful accessories

Annie Sloan Stocklist Chalk | Wall Paint | Fabrics

1 Bath Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DG Annie Sloan Stockist 01373 764 472 | hello@matthewpaulinteriors.co.uk Chalk Paint | Wall Paint | Fabrics fi Matthew Paul Interiors 1 Bath Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DG 01373 764 472 | hello@matthewpaulinteriors.co.uk fi Matthew Paul Interiors

O pe n Mon d ay - Satu rd ay 33 C at h e rin e H ill

AFFORDAB LE FINE ART DIREC T FROM LOC AL MAKER S Annemarie Blake • Hans Borgonjon Tess Chodan • Anny Colgan • David Daniels Phaedra Politis • Rebecca Wordsworth

SHOP ONLINE AT

w w w. owl ga l l er y frome . co. uk

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ARTISTS & MAKERS OF FROME WITH ROBBIE JONES

W

e catch up with the ever so talented Robbie Jones, delving in to what makes him tick, from the rugged landscape of North Cornwall to the films of Studio Ghibli.

What is your artistic background?

I’m a self-taught artist with no formal art education, but I grew up in a creative family. I’ve always been encouraged to explore different art practices since I was young. I started illustrating and painting in an etching/traditional tattooing style and thought I should try to apply that style to woodcarving. After many years of trial and error, I found what worked best for me and it just kinda stuck.

What made you follow this path?

I had been working in a bistro for a few years alongside doing my artwork in my spare time. As my following grew through Instagram, and started to gain momentum with commissions and sales, I decided to take the plunge of going full time in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. I’m honestly so surprised and humbled I get to do this full time. I really can’t thank all my supporters enough.

What is your physical creative process? What materials and techniques do you use?

When starting a new woodcut, I always begin with a rough sketch. Once happy with that I’ll scale it up and apply it to a sheet of plywood and begin the process of cutting out the rough shape with a jigsaw. Once sanded and painted black, I’ll reapply my stencil and begin to carve into the wood using some palm gouges.

I’ve been using Flexcut Tools for the past 8 years or so. I highly recommend grabbing a set if you want to try out some printmaking. When the basic lines have been carved I’ll usually end up free-handing all the details in, ’til I’m happy with the final piece.

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TH ELI S TFR O ME

A r tists and Makers of Frome

It’s quite a lengthy process but it’s super satisfying, starting with a block of wood and ending up with the final carving.

What inspires your work?

I love traditional tattooing with bold, impactful lines and the imagery and style from old Japanese woodblocks. The creatures and landscapes found in movies from studios like Studio Ghibli influence my imagination. So I like to think my work is almost a strange combination of all those things squashed together: folklore, fantasy and our natural environment all feeding into one another.

How did lockdown affect the way you work and create?

It was a super tough time for self-employed artists and makers, the pressure from having to be constantly “on” and trying to keep your sales and inspiration coming in with all the doom and gloom going on outside. I personally came to learn that it’s ok to give yourself some space from your work and tell yourself to slow down.

Where do you work from? Tell us about your studio.

I’m currently still working from my living room.

It can be a little chaotic at times, having to rely on good weather to get outside and cut more wood out.

Hopefully I’ll be able to find the right studio space for my work in the future.

What is your favourite place to be for artistic inspiration?

Growing up on the north coast of Cornwall was always a huge inspiration for me, from the rough seas to the wild and empty moorlands. Also when travelling around I always love to stop off at the local museums and galleries for fresh ideas.

How can people see and buy your work?

My work can be found on the walls at the WHY gallery on Stony Street, and Skull and Dagger Tattoo on Bath Street.

Commissions are always open, so if you’ve got an idea of something you’d like turning into a woodcut, just give me a shout via email to chat more.

Robbiewjoneswoodcuts@gmail.com

What artists inspire you, and why?

Old tattoo artists such as Ben Corday and Percy Waters. If you’re interested in tattoo history I really recommend checking out their work to see how much it has influenced modern day tattooing. I love the work and films of Hayao Miyazaki. The amount of imagination in his films has always blown me away. Utagawa Kuniyoshi is another personal favourite for his Ukiyo-e woodblocks. I’m obsessed with old scientific illustrations. You can normally pick them up from any charity shops or markets, but Albertus Seba and John James Audubon are a couple of my favourite artists from that field.

If you hadn’t become an artist, what would you have done?

Probably something within the food industry. I love cooking, it’s always something l’ve liked to do to clear my head.

How do you find the Frome area, in terms of creativity and artistic community?

I moved here about 4 years ago and it’s been amazing!

I’ve met so many other local creatives who have been hugely supportive of my work. It’s great to be in a town with so many brilliant independent businesses with a real community feel.

Are theRE any artistic processes/disciplines which you haven’t worked in/with, but would like to?

I’d love to work with ceramics, maybe taking my style and seeing how well they work carved into some bowls/ vases. Hopefully one day soon I can give it a go!

Robbiewjwoodcuts Robbiewjwoodcuts www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RobbieWJonesWoodcuts

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A r t i s t s a n d Ma k e r s o f F r o m e

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IF YOU WANT YOUR BUSINESS TO BE INCLUDED IN FROME’S ULTIMATE TOWN GUIDE, GET IN TOUCH by: March 2022

The 2022 Annual is on it’s way. Beautifully designed, The Annual is an eye-catching publication, created to showcase the very best of Frome, with expert guides to:

SHOPPING / EVENTS / MUSIC & THEATRE / FOOD & DRINK ART & DESIGN / COMMUNITY PROJECTS / LOCAL ATTRACTIONS ACCOMMODATION / TOURIST INFORMATION DEADLINE: MARCH 2022 The Annual also includes a useful town map and greater area map. rose@thelistfrome.co.uk | 07957 878717

Gentle, effective, non-invasive, therapy for aches, pains, restricted movement, injuries, stress & many other problems.

Janie Godfrey - Frome Bowen Clinic 01373 452 422 www.bowenclinicfrome.com

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JOIN FROME’S COMMUNITY WILDLIFE MAPPING PROJECT

F

rome Town Council (FTC) has partnered with Somerset Environmental Record Centre (SERC) to create Frome’s own interactive digital wildlife map, and is asking residents and visitors to help gather data.

Anyone can take part and contribute; whether you are an experienced wildlife recorder or a novice, recording has been made fun and easy with a free phone app called Seek, using the iNaturalist platform, and all you need to do is: 1. create a free account on iNaturalist and join the Frome project https://uk.inaturalist.org projects/frome-town 2. download the Seek app by iNaturalist to your smartphone and link it to your iNaturalist account 3. start recording!

Alternatively, you can make a record with pen and paper, and upload it on iNaturalist at home, and if you don’t have access online, FTC will be more than happy to take your observations if you call 01373 480391.

FTC’s Resilience Officer, Joanna Morris, said, “This is such an exciting opportunity: the map will show the data submitted by individuals across the town and will be available for everyone to see. You can record all types of wildlife, whether on your walk to work or school, walking the dog or when relaxing in your garden. It will allow us to learn about species present in Frome, and to see how we can best support those species that need it.

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F TC W ildlife Project

“To give this new project a big push, we are calling all residents and visitors to Frome to start recording their sightings during the Great Somerset Wildlife Count (GSWC) - Somerset Wildlife Trust’s new community science initiative. There will be a number of different counts from GSWC throughout the year, focussing on different species of concern, starting with the Frog and Toad spawn count.”

Running from January 1st – March 31st GSWC are conducting a spawn count to collect important data on the location of breeding frogs and toads across the county. They want you to record both toad and frog spawn in your garden ponds, local community ponds, and any ponds you come across. Record your findings on the Frome Town project on iNaturalist and it will feed directly into the GSWC count too. Cllr Rob Collet is excited about the project launch, and told us, “This is a great way to get a baseline of wildlife in Frome. The data submitted by residents will inform management plans for our parks and green spaces, as well as our ecological emergency strategy aimed at reversing wildlife decline in Frome. Let’s get spotting and recording!”

For more information on the project, head over to www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wild-about-frome.

ALL HALLOWS Preparatory School- children aged 3 - 13

Set 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 creative and dynamic curriculum, with our pupils’ happiness and well-being at the heart of all decision-making, is producing outstanding results.

An independent school where children move on to their chosen senior school confident in who they are and ready to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

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Come and discover why our children are thriving Contact Jackie Truelove, our Registrar 01749 881609 admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk

WILD ABOUT WOMEN IN BUSINESS

J

ust one week after its 1st birthday, the hotdesking space for women founded in Frome - ‘Wild-Coworking’ - had to close its doors to members. When it became clear that COVID was here to stay, founder Jess Hellens worked at lightning speed to provide members with the company and safety net for which it’s become so renowned.

Wild became an online network of women-inbusiness overnight and provided a safe space for people to be completely themselves. A packed schedule of online business events and wellbeing workshops meant members were able to carve out some time for themselves as well as start, grow and scale their businesses. Fast forward almost two years and it’s now a thriving business network and co-working community of business owners based all over the UK. Lots of Founding Members are based in Frome and have supported Wild since day one.

So what is a co-working community?

“It’s a group of people who work together online and in-person. We have three drop-in virtual coworking sessions every week and they are MAGICAL. It sounds pretty dry, working together on zoom, but when you’re working by yourself at home, quite often the postie is the only person you’ve spoken to all day.

So this gives us a chance to see other humans, have a chat and also keep ourselves accountable for getting those tasks done that we’ve been putting off for ages.

Our monthly in-person co-working pop-ups also fill up our cups with the human interaction we all crave.”

Jess, founder of Wild Co-working.

At Wild you’ll find photographers, a Polish translator, hypnotherapist, VAs and PAs, doulas, website developers, project managers, a leadership coach, crochet artist, digital marketing experts, brand strategists, graphic designers, non-profit founders, a skin and hair care product founder, a dentist, an adventure club leader - and these are just the members based in Somerset.

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Wild founder Jess Hellens is on a mission to change the business landscape for women by helping close the gender gap of 1.1million missing businesses due to only 1 in 3 entrepreneurs being a woman.

She does this through community, education and advocacy. Creating a line-up of weekly events like Monday morning goals and intentions setting sessions and virtual co-working means the community can regularly keep in touch with each other. Monthly marketing and content planning think tanks help with creativity and confidence through group mentoring. The Wild library is full of business resources. Jess also offers 1 to 1 sessions to help overwhelmed business owners untangle their brains, creating a clear pathway to success.

Members join Wild to build their empires, and they stay for the community. It’s a powerful group of people who have got each other’s back when it can feel like they’re constantly battling the challenges of running a business. The ups and downs are a lot easier when you’re surrounded by a group of people who have either been there before you or are doing it alongside you.

Emma Haines joined Wild as a social media consultant who was on a mission to completely change her career and become a hypnotherapist.

Now fully qualified, Emma has hosted in-person workshops, and lots of members take advantage of having someone so gifted as part of the community. haineshypnotherapy.com @emmahaines_hypno

One of the fastest growing businesses has been created by Adventure Girl herself, Alice Keegan (@alice.keeg). Joining Wild as a graphic designer, she has carved out a new career and created ‘The Adventure Girls Club’ for freedom-seeking women who want to learn, grow their confidence and embody the adventure lifestyle. theadventuregirls.club

Two regulars at the Frome Independent Market were founded by Sara Hayward and Rose Drysdale. Sara is a crochet artist and her business is called Hook Celie Nigoumi joined Wild whilst working a fulltime job, with the dream to become a self-employed photographer. At the time it seemed so far away, but a year later she’s award-winning and is expanding her business into multiple niches.

Me Up (@_hookmeup_). She hosts a monthly ‘Stitch Club’ for local Frome people who are looking to hang out with other hookers, clickers and stitchers.

Rose has recently launched her sumptuous plant -powered and handmade skin and hair care range called Hibi @hibibotanics

“Joining Wild has been the BEST decision I have made for my business. Being in contact with supportive, like-minded people has helped me grow my business as a freelance photographer so much faster and more sustainably than I imagined. It’s incredible value for money, and I’ve been so grateful for all of the workshops, with professionals in areas from tax to marketing and both IRL and virtual Co-Working sessions over the past year.” Celie Nigoumi, photographer.

About Wild and how to join: wildcoworking.com | @wild_coworking Memberships open three times a year, head to the website to join the waiting list.

THE LIST FROME

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SPUD YOU LIKE? WITH THE Trug & Lettuce

M

y seed potatoes arrived the other day, which reminded me that it won’t be long until they’ll need planting – usually around Good Friday – and that means I need to start chitting them (encouraging them

potatoes have reached their “optimum” size in a process that’s called desiccation. It would be unfair to knock this approach as commercial growers will be bound by the ever-changing, supermarket requirements, but if we can grow

to grow shoots, before planting out).

our own, and do so healthily and enjoyably then that has to be better, right?

Potatoes have been around for ages. The Incas in Peru first cultivated them 10,000 years ago!

When the Spanish conquered Peru in 1536, they loved the taste. 50 years later, Sir Walter Raleigh introduced them to Ireland. And now they make up about 50% of most of our favourite national dishes.

Potatoes are super easy to grow, and they can just as easily be grown in containers as they can in the ground. What you grow will taste so much better and fresher than anything you can buy at the supermarket. They don’t come wrapped in plastic and, as you’ve grown them, you’ll know exactly what’s been used to nurture them. Did you know that commercial growers spray their crops several times in a growing season to control the growing cycle - including spraying the crop to prevent further growth when the

How to Get Started The first thing you need to decide is the variety you want to try. They come in various sizes, shapes and colours, but are largely classified as either earlies or maincrop.

Earlies are potatoes that you plant first (early - mid April) and take a shorter period to reach maturity. They lend themselves to smaller plots or containers as they can be planted closer together. By the middle of summer they’re ready to be harvested.

Maincrop potatoes take longer to reach maturity and stay in the ground longer. They’re planted from mid to late April and should be ready when the growth has started to die down - usually between September and early October.

Potatoes are super easy to grow, and they can just as easily be grown in containers as they can in the ground.

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Ho m e & G a r d e n

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www.garstonvets.co.uk THE LIST FROME

Home & G arden

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There really is nothing better than using your hands or a garden fork to lift out what seems like buried treasure, using your fingernails to scrape the soft skins, boil them and then eat them with salt, mint and a good dollop of butter. Yum! Once you’ve decided on the variety, you’ll need to order some seed potatoes. I’ve heard people say they’ve grown them from potatoes they’ve bought at the supermarket or even from potato peelings, but the only way to grow potatoes properly is from true seed potatoes that are certified virus free.

When your seed potatoes arrive, you ideally need to “chit” them. This is an easy process where you allow the eyes in the potatoes to sprout before they’re planted. All you need to do is put them in an egg box, eyes upwards and leave them in a cool, light room.

Watering the potatoes at this stage – whether yours are in the ground or in a container - should help improve the size of the potatoes and the overall yield. If you have a nitrogen-rich fertiliser then you can add it to your watering can; the potatoes seem to like it. The best yields are from potatoes that are grown in the ground, but if you haven’t got that luxury, don’t let that put you off from giving them a go. There really is nothing better than using your hands or a garden fork to lift out what seems like buried treasure, using your fingernails to scrape the soft skins, boil them and then eat them with salt, mint and a good dollop of butter. Yum!

When and where to plant When the shoots are sturdy and no more than an inch tall, you can plant them - they can be grown in most types of soil. They’ll need some sun and warmth, and some people aim to plant their potatoes in a trench that runs north-south. If you don’t have that much space then they can be grown in containers. I’ve grown them in specialist sacks, sacks of compost and in a galvanised tank. All I did was partly fill the container, put the seed potatoes in, shoots pointing upwards, and then covered them with more compost.

You can always add some specialist potato fertiliser to give them a boost too, though it’s not mandatory.

What next Watch them! If there’s a risk of frost when the shoots first appear then try and lightly cover them for some protection. When the growth - called haulm - is about 9 inches high, you need to start “earthing” them up.

This simply means covering the haulm with either compost or soil. If the weather is warm, and if you’re growing yours in the garden, then it’s a good idea to give the potatoes a good water by flooding the trenches between the ridges that will have been created as a result of earthing them up.

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Ho m e & G a r d e n

For gardening tips and ideas, follow us on facebook and instagram. @the_trug_and_lettuce @thetrugandlettuce

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By Frome’s admirable independent period Insulating for winter months property surveyor “Geoff has been exceptionally helpful in our buying journey. The survey Geoff produced went beyond what we expected, was extremely thorough and 01225 459it 389 detailed in a way that was easy to understand and www.shuttercraft.co.uk digest.” Rachael H Geoffrey hunt FRICS Chartered Building Surveyor. Author, Building Pathologist.

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RATS 0 TED 3 Th e Fr o m e Fo s s i l

A

ll creatures have their purpose in life.

Supposedly. Even the things we sneer at: squishy slugs recycle old leaves, stingy wasps demolish caterpillars, spooky spiders catch flies, smelly skunks eat rattlesnakes. But what, we wondered for a long time, was the use of our new terrier? He certainly did stuff - he barked a lot, he shrieked at other dogs, he pulled on the lead, he dug up the flower beds, he chewed the plaster off the walls. But none of it was what you might call constructive or public spirited.

Then, the other day I allowed him into our veg patch for the first time. It was like flicking a switch. He streaked up the path and nose-dived elegantly into the compost heap. Now a compost heap – as any gardener will admit – is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it will miraculously process all your spud peelings and apple cores and weeds and old newspapers and sprout stalks into lovely crumbly brown stuff which your soil will love. On the other, it offers a cosy combo of home and all-you-can-eat restaurant for our old pal Rattus norvegicus, who will move in, dig great tunnels, make grassy nests and procreate with frightening gusto.

So I was intrigued to see what happened in this close encounter between the mad dog and the great survivor. From the heap came a lot of scrabbling and heavy breathing. Then there was an ear-splitting squeak, followed by silence. I peered round the corner of the garden shed. There stood Ted, looming over a massive and very dead rat, its bowels unspooling like spaghetti . He looked up at me, head on one side, as if to say: “Yeah? What you staring at?” Whacking rodents was, clearly, what he did.

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Fo s s i l o n F r o m e

He was very good at it. A couple of days later, like a lightning bolt, he dispatched another. Then another.

And now the compost heap is a blessedly rat-free zone, which means I can dig into it without the risk of small furry things scurrying up my trouser leg.

What’s more, I no longer have to fiddle about with other forms of vermin control, which range from the tedious (live traps) to the extremely smelly (wheely bins full of rancid fish trimmings and – don’t ask).

Best of all, I’ll never be pushed to the final solution: poison. Ted is, in his bizarre way, an eco-warrior.

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