Morag Stuart & Emma Warren

I’m going to need a hammer,” she sighed. This isn’t how we thought our glorious spa day would finish. Life gets so frantic sometimestoo busy for the important stuff, like looking after yourself and taking time away from the office, phone, pets, family…. It’s summer, we thought. Perfect excuse to take a break, re-set our minds and just pause. It was all going so well. A stroll through the woodlands, swimming outdoors (is there anything better?), a healthy but not too virtuous lunch, followed by a relaxing spa treatment. Turns out that muscles tend to hang onto all that energy we have, the juggling and firefighting of daily life. It was just a regular massage. How did this much tension build up?!

The gorgeous sunshine is reminding us to enjoy all these daylight hours, with less rushing, more relaxing. The world is bonkers right now, but the natural world continues to shout out loudly, (reassuring us at 4.30am most mornings!) to reset and make a fresh start. It’s time to escape into the haven of outdoors, all those lovely hills and gorgeous pub gardens. We’re excited to see another recently renovated pub open again, The Bath Arms at Shearwater, right next to the Longleat estate. Marston Park is open daily for coffee, as well as each evening with Hakko House, DJs and loads of wellbeing offers. Our sunny town centre pub courtyards are bursting with late night chatter and good times. this issue is absolutely jampacked with events, festivals and community celebrations.

Time to shake off the worries, news headlines and to-do lists. We’re prioritising slower days, peaceful walks and those all-important times with good friends. Oh, and in case you don’t know where to start, this issue is absolutely jam-packed with events, festivals and community celebrations. It’s time to connect, try something new, go somewhere different and return to forgotten favourites in this wonderful town.

Design: blackinkstudio.co.uk Front

Bells Ring Out

7th - 16th July, Various venues

RING OUT shines a light on the historical bellfounding activities of the Cockey family in Frome, promotes church bell ringing as a vibrant cultural tradition, and presents new and exciting ways with bells. There will be walks, talks, tours and concerts throughout the festival. Listen out for the Frome Carillon ringing the hours from above the market square; visit a local bell tower or a bell engineering works and try your hand at hand-bell ringing or even ring a tower bell.

St Catherine’s Comedy Crawl

Eight Stony Street, Palmer Street Bottle, Moo and Two, Sat 15th July, 5.30 - 10.30pm, £15

Stand-Up comedy and beer, good times are here! The comedy folks who bring you Rode Pop-Up Nights, have partnered with some of Frome’s loveliest venues to transform them into pop-up comedy clubs, for a small and intimate experience. You choose your venue and the comedians come to you - food and drink is paid for separately on the night.

Hidden Gardens

14th - 16th July, 10.30am - 4.30pm, 40+ venues, £5

Enjoy a weekend wander admiring gardens around Frome, chat to owners over tea and biscuits, and explore some of the more remote corners of the town. From small town house gardens with ongoing projects, to mature rolling lawns, there’s always plenty to enjoy in Hidden Gardens. Entrance is via a virtual or printed programme, which has a detailed location map.

Blue House Gardens

Sun 9th July, 11am - 4.30pm, Free

The Blue House will be opening their fabulous garden for everyone to enjoy - it’s an annual festival highlight and hidden gem. Enjoy the Frome Lions refreshments on sale, including tea and coffee, wine and homemade cakes. From 2pm, the magnificent New Academic Feetwarmers will play traditional jazz to complete your perfect Sunday afternoon.

Frome Festival

From Friday 7th - Sunday 16th July, Frome will come alive with music, art and culture as the Frome Festival returns for its 22nd year. With over 200 events taking place across 10 days, the festival aims to celebrate the best of Frome, with events and activities taking place in many places and spaces across the town - from venues and galleries to pubs and parks.

Headliners include a stellar comedy line-up starring Miles Jupp and Sophie Duker, big music acts including Asian Dub Foundation and Newton Faulkner, and fascinating talks by, amongst others, John Hegley and William Dalrymple, who will give this year’s annual Bob Morris lecture.

This year, the festival celebrates the creative life of local poet Crysse Morrison by launching the Festival Poetry Competition. Over 300 entries have been submitted by local poets, and the prize-giving will be hosted by poet and stand-up comedian Elvis McGonagall.

At the heart of the festival is a programme of free and low-cost events generously supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. With accessible activities taking place every day of the festival, more people than ever before will be able to experience the joys of live music, art, literature and theatre.

For more information and tickets visit: www.fromefestival.co.uk

Frome Open Art Trail

8th - 16th July

The Frome Open Art Trail celebrates local artists and makers and takes place alongside the Frome Festival from 8th - 16th July 2023. Over the last few years, the trail has grown in strength and reputation, attracting an increasing number of art lovers who enjoy meeting and buying directly from the artists.

Homes, studios and workshops are mostly open 11am - 5pm every day, but please check the brochure or online listings as individual venues may vary.

“We are proud to be part of the local community and collaborate with other local creative organisations in Frome including Black Swan Arts, Frome Festival, Frome FM and many other local businesses.”

@fromeopenarttrail www.frome-open-art-trail.co.uk

LITERARY LUNCH: KATE MOSSE

Monday 10th July | 12pm-2.30pm

Frome Masonic Hall

Join us for a fabulous event with Sunday Times bestselling author Kate Mosse who will be talking about her latest novel The Ghost Ship –the third instalment of the thrilling Joubert Family Chronicles

Tickets £18 (includes a light lunch)

Book online: fromefestival.co.uk

Book by phone: 01373 455420

A light lunch is provided and a book signing will follow the talk.

ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION/ Newton Faulkner

Miles Jupp/Sophie

Duker/John Hegley/ London Gala

Orchestra/ Clare Hammond/ Ian Ballamy/William

Dalrymple

Music / Theatre / Dance

Comedy / Spoken Word & Literature / Exhibitions

Visual Arts and Crafts

Family Friendly Activities

Walks / Talks and Lectures

Late Night EVENTS + so much more www.fromefestival.co.uk

Frome First Fridays

Various arts venues, Fri 7th July, 6 - 8pm (art), drinks and music till late, Various Venues, Free

Frome First Fridays… numero three! Come and explore the town, join the walking trail, enjoy visiting Frome’s talented artists and makers opening up their studios till late each month. There will be food and drink along the way at each venue, including the Chubby Vegans, and a DJ till late in the courtyard of the River House café. The Gallery at the Station, the Whittox Gallery, the Silk Mill, Iron Gates Studios and Black Swan Arts will all be opening their doors to the public. Other venues join in July, especially for the launch of Photo Frome and the Frome Festival, so be sure to stop off at the Kobi & Teal, Of Cabbages & Kings, The WHY Gallery and Assembly too. You can be sure of a warm welcome, a fantastic summer evening packed full of great people, social times, drinks and dancing. Everyone is welcome, entry is free, no need to pre-book, no ticket required...just wander into town and enjoy First Fridays.

Old Showfield Park Run

Every Saturday, 9am, Free

A free, fun and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate - it’s up to you! It’s free to take part but runners should register in advance to get a time. Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive national initiative. There is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along to this fantastic weekly event in Frome. theoldshowfield@parkrun.com

Frome Symphony concert

Cheese & Grain, 9th July, 7.30pm, £12/£5

This large-scale concert features soloist Eliza Talman, and opens with Beethoven’s overture Leonore No. 3, famous for its off-stage trumpet calls. This is one of several overtures which Beethoven wrote for his only opera, Fidelio, the heroic tale of a woman who refuses to abandon her husband to die in prison. This is followed by the Haydn Trumpet concerto, and closes with Bruckner’s fourth symphony, “The Romantic”. www.fromesymphony.org.uk

Trowbridge Festival

Greenhill Fields, Southwick, 28th - 30th July, £125

Get ready for an exhilarating weekend of folk music, community spirit and unforgettable performances. Trowbridge Festival will showcase a stellar roster of artists, both national and local, guaranteeing a melodic feast for your ears. Local talent will also shine on the Club Stage, where home-grown artists will showcase their skills and entertain festival-goers. And for those who are feeling inspired, don’t miss the Open Mic sessions, where you can step up and share your musical talents with the crowd.

But Trowbridge Festival isn’t just about the music; it’s a celebration of arts, culture and community. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as you participate in singing workshops, witness mesmerising dance performances, and explore a variety of crafts and stalls offering unique treasures.

Weekend tickets, which include free camping and parking, are available now. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, camaraderie and celebration at Trowbridge Festival. www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk

Frome Food Fest

Cattle Market Car Park, Sat 8th July, 5 - 10pm, Free

The ever popular Food Feast is back at the Market Yard Car Park for more delicious food, drinks and live music. With a fabulous selection of street food and bars, there’s something for everyone.

Live music is from Frome’s Big Dog, the Hoodoos, plus Bristol-based soul and funk band, The Clean Up. The cacophonous Frome Street Bandits will be leading a procession through town, leaving from St John’s Church at 5.30pm, down Cheap Street to Boyle’s Cross, through the Westway, arriving by the Cheese and Grain for 6pm. Come and join the fun along the way, or gather with them at St John’s from 5pm.

SOS – Summer on the Stones

ECOS amphitheatre, Merlin Theatre, Tue 11th July, 7pm, £14

Back by popular demand, Frome’s very own live Abba band play all the smash hits within the beautiful setting of the outdoor stage amid the Ecos stones. Bring a picnic and a cushion, maybe a brolly just in case! Dress up (optional), sing, dance and have a great feel-good night out.

Freedom Sounds

23 Bath Street, Thu 13th July, 7 - 11pm, £10 (£7 concs)

Frome Friends of Palestine present an evening of eclectic music alongside a sumptuous Middle Eastern buffet. SheLaSoul will be spinning her soulful tunes, the Meltones will take us on a journey of sophisticated jazzy blues before a drum and bass DJ closes the night. The evening will include a talk by the amazing Freedom Flotilla and a direct link-up to Gaza.

Celebration

Assembly Rooms, Thu 13th July to Sat 15th July, 7pm, £12

Celebration by Harold Pinter is deliciously dark as well as highly entertaining, and strictly for adults or those who like their theatre provocative. Set in a fashionable restaurant, two gangster-ish brothers are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Violent, wildly funny, this one-act play displays a vivid zest for life.

Frome Festival Events At Rook Lane Chapel

PHOTO|FROME

Friday 24 June - 12 July 2023 | 10am - 4pm daily

8th & 9th Angelica Sun Prints Workshop, see Frome Festival information for booking.

WHY POP UP CAFÉ

Friday 7 July - Sunday 16 July

Weekdays 10am - 2pm | Weekends 10am - 4pm

WHY FUND RAISING EVENING

FROME SINGS THE LEGENDS

Friday 14 July | 7.30pm - 10.30pm £25 per ticket including food

RING OUT: A MISCELLANY OF BELLS

Sunday 16 July | 7.30pm rooklane@nvbarchitects.co.uk 01373 468040 | www.rooklane.org.uk

£5 per person book through Frome Festival. A resounding finale to the project, a talk and new music for bells and instruments by Helen Ottaway.

Whether you wish to enter the entertainment industry, increase your knowledge of the artistic acting process or wish to improve public performance skills, Mark’s methods have been regularly described as life-changing.

For more information, email: dramadirect@btinternet.com or call: 07977 068869

“Mark gave me the knowledge and confidence to be a professional actor more meaningfully than, I believe, any University or Drama School could ever have done.”

Jonathan Barnett

‘An exceptional tutor in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Highly recommended to actors of all levels’

Nanette Clarke