Morag Stuart & Emma Warren

It’s June! The month of Glastonbury Festival. There is no escaping it here in Frome. It pervades all areas of the town; whether you are a diehard music fan who has never missed a year, a family who have worked the festival for generations, a Sunday day tripper or just someone who enjoys spotting helicopters flying overhead and guessing which celebrity is arriving at the site in style. There is always a buzz around the town, and you are never more than a metre away from someone with a Glasto story. The Frome highlight last year was Sir Paul McCartney’s appearance at the Cheese & Grain. With only a few hours’ notice, the Frome grapevine worked overtime, resulting in ecstatic concert goers (Emma) and a disappointed majority (Morag) who were not in the right place at the right time when the news broke. There is already talk of who - if anyone - we may be lucky enough to have perform again this year. I know a few people who will be hovering around the venue hoping for the hot ticket in the days leading up to the festival.

Perhaps Glastonbury is really not for you. Well, you are in luck, you cannot move for summer festival offerings in our area. So whether your idea of a festival is moshing along to the Idles or singing along to Mr Tumble, there is something for you.

We have already been lucky enough to experience the Frome Local History Festival, and the Shindig at the Dillington Estate will be taking place when this issue drops. Now we are about to embark on the excellent Photo Frome Festival (our cover stars), a celebration that is definitely making its mark and will put Frome on the map as the ‘go to’ photography town in the South West. Bristol Pride Festival takes place at the end of June, and we have our very own Frome Pride at the beginning of June. We are also looking forward to the well established and very popular Frome Festival which takes over the town in July. There is something for everyone. Fancy some jazz? Head to Iford Manor at the end of June. Fancy dowsing? Head to South Zeal.

Festivals are all about celebrating what we love, and we certainly have plenty to celebrate here in Frome.

Design: blackinkstudio.co.uk

Front cover: Photo|Frome © Gideon Mendel Copy deadline for the July

June 5th

Refugee Week

The Good Heart, 21st June, 3 - 4.30pm, Free

A special Ukrainian Cultural Awareness session will be hosted by Iryna Ladyzhenska, Frome Town Council’s Refugee Hub Social Facilitator. The event aims to share information and news from our Ukrainian community and a chance to learn some interesting Ukrainian culture. Come and find out more in this free, fun, informative and interactive session. Refreshments included.

Peruvian Food Pop-up Frome

The Three Swans, 12th June, 6 - 10pm, £25-£30

To know a country’s food is to know its culture, and this could not be more true with Peruvian food. Filled with a variety of flavours and spices, this popular event is hosted by Frome’s finest Peruvian chef, Choco aka From Peru to You. Enjoy three delicious courses over a choice of two sitting times. Book online via Eventbrite.

Frome Carnival: Family Fun Day and Dog Show

Victoria Park, 3rd June, 12 - 5pm, Free

Fundraising events throughout the year raise operational costs for this much-loved annual highlight - the carnival is a charity that also supports individuals and good causes in the local area. Enjoy the brilliant dog show, selection of carnival royalty, bonnie babies, competitions, stalls and loads of fun fundraising events. Save the date for the two carnival processions on Saturday 23rd September.

Frome Town Band

10th June, 2.15pm and 3.45pm (Lions Fête)

16th July, 2pm - 4pm (Frome Festival)

Victoria Park Bandstand

Frome Town Band welcomes players of all ages and abilities in the area, providing an opportunity to come together to practise, share knowledge and encourage the enjoyment of brass band music. The band regularly plays at concerts, festivals, church services, fairs, fêtes, and organises fundraising and events within the local community. Membership includes loan of brass instruments, sheet music, uniform and group tuition within the band. www.frometownband.com

@rachelgaledraws

Say hello to Frome’s NEW Art Club for your little artists! Hosted monthly by local illustrator Rachel Gale at Makers’ Yard Studios. A space for children to explore their creativity through a curated series of art classes for 4-7 & 8-12 year olds. For more information simply scan here...BOOK NOW!

ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL ON SCREEN

THURSDAY 01 JUNE - 2PM

QUANTUM THEATRE PRESENTS A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AN OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

SUNDAY 11 JUNE - 2PM

KAIROS THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE HAUNTING OF RICHARD III

FRIDAY 30 JUNE - 7.30PM

JUNE

01373 465949 merlintheatre.co.uk Bath Rd . Frome . BA11 2HG

SUN 4 MA POLAINE

WED 7 IAIN BALLAMY

SUN 11 MARK LEWIS HEAVENOR

WED 14 SINNOBER

SUN 18 MĀSA

WED 21 IAIN BALLAMY

SUN 25 IZZIE YARDLEY’S SONG CLUB

WED 28 JEREMY STACY

The Great Big Green week

10th - 18th June

Explore the town’s green spaces and see how Frome is tackling the climate emergency. Events include a River Festival at Rodden Meadow, a picnic in Victoria Park, an elderflower champagne workshop and exploring foraged, reclaimed and rediscovered food ingredients. A selection of local village pubs will also be taking part in Veggie Week, where vegetarian and vegan delights will be on offer. www.greatbiggreenweek.com

Ultimate Slip n Slide

Redwood Rare Breeds Farm, Wanstrow, BA4 4SZ

Nestled within the rolling hills of Somerset, located just 5 miles from Frome. They are installing the Ultimate Slip n Slide this summer, the longest and fastest of its kind in Somerset. The Slip n Slide is 95m long and can be booked individually or as a group for 1hour-long sessions. Enjoy refreshments at the farm café or woodfired pizzas up on the hill at Field 725.

Frome Festival

7th - 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 ten days, the Festival aims to celebrate the best of Frome, with events and activities taking place in places and spaces across the town - from venues and galleries to pubs and parks. Alongside regular fixtures of the Festival such as the Festival Food Feast and Hidden Gardens, this year features a rich programme of free and low-cost events. This year’s Festival also features ‘Ring Out’ - a fascinating project exploring Frome’s churches and their bells. www.fromefestival.co.uk

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

2 July americanmuseum.org

Frome Triathlon

Sports Centre, 25th June, from 8am (Closing date for entries is 12th June)

Frome Triathlon Club is a local, friendly communitydriven club which gives anyone the opportunity to get involved in the sport of Triathlon. This popular annual event shows off some of the lovely roads around Frome and includes a sprint distance race as well as a Go Tri distance for beginners. Spectators can watch for free. The club still needs volunteer marshalls for the day, so if you’re interested please email: frometriathlon2023@gmail.com

Jackdaws 30th Birthday Concert:

Spread the word about the Bird!

23rd July, 2pm, £30

Hidden in the secluded peace of the Mells river at Great Elm is the internationally renowned Jackdaws Music Education Trust. Jackdaws is dedicated to improving participation in, and enjoyment of music, offering year-round courses for adult amateur musicians, weekend courses, education projects, a young artists programme, weekly community choirs and public performances throughout the year.

In summer 1993, Dame Joan Sutherland opened Jackdaws, a new music centre created by her friend and local resident, renowned opera singer, Maureen Wishart. Thirty years later, Jackdaws has grown to offer year-round music courses for amateur and professional musicians and inspirational music projects for school children in Frome and Somerset.

Celebrate with Jackdaws and help them to raise funds for future projects, at a Birthday Concert on Sunday 23rd July that features artists including the Eden Stell Guitar duo and pianist Mark Tanner. Tickets for this special event are on sale now and include a celebratory glass of bubbly and famous Jackdaws’ cake. www.jackdaws.org.uk

Marian Bruce. Artist, Designer ‘Creativity’

a Celebration

Merchant House, 16 Stony St

This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the creativity of Marian Bruce at her studio in the historic Merchant House in the heart of Frome. From over 40 years of artistic practice, she has selected a large, eclectic mix of work, large and small scale sculpture and working maquettes, wall reliefs, mixed media assembled objects, handmade and printed books, scrolls and concertinas, drawings, collage and prints - some embellished. Also included is a portfolio of theatre designs for contemporary dance and props made for Mark Bruce Company productions. There are photographic and written records of three collaborations with Crysse Morrison presented on the Merlin stage between 2002 and 2004.

Celebrating 50 years of Ammerdown

Opening and Meet the Artists

1st June, 7pm - 9pm, £5 incl cheese and wine

Art Exhibition: Hospitality, Peace and Reconciliation. Ammerdown believes in a shared world, where diversity and different identities are cherished, where all can live free from the fear of violence and abuse, with dignity and respect, and where differences and conflicts are transformed peacefully.

Local artists inspired by the theme of Peace and Reconciliation present painting, collage and 3-D work, from nest boxes to ceramics, as well as digital art and music. The individual artists share a wish to communicate the plight of creation and refugees, and the desire to build peace and communication within an increasingly fractured world. This exhibition seeks to reflect Ammerdown’s values and to communicate them in a host of different ways, approaches and media.

Much of the visual art work has focused on the plight of the oppressed and the complex vulnerability of humanity, acknowledging the courage of damaged and desperate people in crisis. You will see both studies and completed works, which document and express her deep empathy for the vulnerable in humanity globally, both past and present.

‘Passionate, skilful and unafraid, Marian Bruce’s work reaches into the wildest, most wounded regions of the heart to retrieve images of astonishing power and tenderness.’ Lindsay Clarke

‘CREATIVITY’ A CELEBRATION

MERCHANT HOUSE, 16 STONY ST ENTRANCE, STAIRWELL & STUDIO ONE

7 / 8 / 9 JULY / 11AM - 5PM 14 / 15 / 16 JULY / 11AM - 5PM

PRIVATE VIEW 5TH JULY 6 - 8PM marianbruce.co.uk marianbruceartist

SUPPORTING FAIR FROME NO WHEELCHAIR ACCESS. NO DOGS. YOUNG CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED

Photo|Frome returns with world-class photography and a much-expanded programme from 24th June until 12th July (some venues open longer) and all exhibitions are free to visit. There are a two-day symposium, workshops, Open Book call, Student Awards, and portfolio reviews.

Fifteen venues across Frome feature national and international artists, photography that explores South West history, and celebrate local, student and amateur talents.

Following 2022’s enthusiastic response, every aspect has been improved, starting with the theme. ‘Decolonising Environments’ was chosen as topical and challenging for artists, speakers, and audience alike. It explores the complex and often conflicting relationships between human communities, places and the natural world, to create an imagedriven conversation about political, cultural and economic ideas about our world.

MPB @ Rook Lane showcases Gideon Mendel’s acclaimed ‘Submerged Portraits’, part of his ‘Drowning World’ project, witnessing shared human experience of climate catastrophe transcending geographical, cultural and economic divides.

Christina Simons exhibits two series. ‘Australian Apocalypse’ documents bushfires which ravaged over 10 million hectares, killing nearly 30 people and an estimated half a billion animals. ‘Uncertain Land’ documents how people already internally displaced because of war in South Sudan also had to flee climate-change flooding.

Leah Gordon’s ‘Monument to the Vanquished, Part I, The Commoners’ illustrates the historic legacy of enclosure and loss of commons. Gobinder Jhitta presents ‘XAKU’, the special bond that preColombian societies Arhuaco and Kogi share with nature. Student Awards prize winners will also be showcased.

Jacqueline Ennis-Cole shares ‘Beneath Us’, woodland walks bringing to light the hidden history of oil extraction. Jesse Alexander’s ‘The Digging Season’ uses photography, drawing and planting to examine archaeology, ecology and the peat industry on the Somerset Levels. Keerthana Kunnath addresses sexuality, queer, womanhood and mental health, topics often overlooked in her homeland of South India and the South Asian community at large.

Beaford Archive is premiering the early 1970’s work of Oscar-winning cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins at Black Swan Arts in the Round Tower Gallery, together with documentation on Ash Dieback by artist-photographer Robert Darch, thus presenting both the first and latest photographers commissioned by Beaford.

The Whittox Gallery presents Arteh Odjidja’s ‘Rise for Bayelsa’ , the campaign to stop environmental degradation in the Nigerian delta. The UK Black Female Photographers group shares ‘Living the Dream’ celebrating culture, creativity and womanhood.

Gallery at the Station features ‘Intersectional Matters: Waste’ curated by Jacqueline Ennis-Cole with internationally acclaimed photographers, alongside local photographer Clementine Wilson premiering ‘No Fixed Abode’

Makers’ Yard presents ‘Moon’, beautiful work from the global Woman Photograph Collective. In partnership with the Frome Independent, ‘Faces of Frome’ pop-up studio returns, with last year’s photos at the Frome Heritage Museum. There is a student-curated exhibition (University of West of England) and Open Book call display at Frome Library, and another student-curated exhibition at 23 Bath Street (Boomsatsuma).

T-House from Italy will also stage thoughtprovoking outdoor exhibitions at various venues.

With local artists Rod Higginson and Anjalika Baier at Of Cabbages and Kings, Frome Wessex Photographic at the Town Hall and many more photography exhibitions at Eight Stony Street, Projects Frome, River House café and Café la Strada, there really is something for everyone!

Save the dates, come and explore the brilliant Frome venues and dive into the fascinating world of photography. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Photofrome.org

Frome Pride

1st - 16th June

Last year Frome held the UK’s shortest Pride (40mins). Having been received so warmly, this year our LGBTQIA+ community created the first Frome Pride season! It promises to celebrate, inform and build stronger links within our community. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or ally, everyone is welcome. For information and bookings: www.fromepride.org

WEEKLY IN-PERSON CLASSES

Tuesdays / Cheese & Grain / 6:45pm

Fridays / Rise / 9:30am

ONLINE

Wednesdays 11am

(Seated for adults with long-term Health conditions)

Love & Pride at the Frome Independent

4th June, 10am - 3pm, Free

Celebrating the town’s first full Pride season, Frome’s LGBTQIA+ group is taking over the market stage this month. In collaboration with Frome College’s Equality group, they’ll also have a stall and some lovely craft activities round by the Village Green. www.thefromeindependent.org.uk

Neil Blackmore: Radical Love

Saturday 10th June from 7pm

Frome Town Hall | £5

‘astounding’ and based on

Mon 12

Veggie Week! Green Week @ village pubs various, Tiny Forest Citizen Science Workshop

Egford Lane Park

3.30 -4.30pm, Free

Peruvian Food Pop Up with Choco Deiya @ The Three Swans, 6 - 10pm, £30

Bike Maintenance Class

Frome Community Bike Project 6 - 8pm, Free

Mon 19

The Coffee Connection (online) WHY & Dorothy House, 10 - 10.45am, Free

Quiz Night Fundraiser Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, Teams of 6, £2.50 p/p

Quiz Night The Griffin, 8pm

Tue 6

Mojo Moves: Pride Special Cheese & Grain, 6.45pm, £8

Wed 7

Behind the Scenes Tour

Iford Manor Gardens, 10 - 11.15am, £28

Frome Carers Group Cricket Club, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Free

Frome Stitch Club River House @ Black Swan Arts 7 - 10pm, £4

Turdoxhill Session

The White Hart, Trudoxhill 7.30 - 10.30pm, Free

Tue 13

Dr Bike: safety checks & repairs Frome Medical Practice 10am - 4pm, Free

Yoga in the Meadow Rodden Meadow, 12 - 1pm, Donation

Nature Reserve Open Day Rodden Meadow, 1 - 4pm, Free

DIRT! The Movie Sustainable Frome @ Town Hall 7 - 8.30pm, Free

Tue 20

Refugee Day Picnic Victoria Park, 4.30pm

Wed 14

Intro to fermented vegetables Get Pickled @ Lo Rapitenc 6 - 8pm, £45

T’Barry Prize Bingo 23 Bath St, 7.30pm, £3

Sinnober Bar Lotte, 7.30pm, Free

Frome Film Club present: Aftersun Merlin Theatre, 8pm, £6.50

Wed 21

Glastonbury Festival weekend Worthy Farm

Ukrainian Cultural Awareness session

The Good Heart, 3 - 4.30pm, Free

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

Iain Ballamy Bar Lotte, 7.30pm, Free

Thu 1

Royal Bath & West Show

Bath & West Showground, 9am £22 family

Drag Quiz Night Frome Pride@ Flow Bar, 7pm, £2

Spirit of ART

The Ammerdown Centre, 7 - 9pm, £5

Fundraiser for WHY 23 Bath St, 7.30pm

Thu 8

Speed Dating

The Walled Garden, Mells 6.30 - 8.30pm, £22

Really Truly presents: Celebrate Me Merlin Theatre, 8pm, £14

The Celtic & Transatlantic Sessions Lamb & Fountain, 8 - 11pm, Free

Pub Quiz & Raffle The Sun Inn, 7.30pm

Thu 15

Wellbeing Garden Tour Frome Medical Practice, 1 - 2pm, Free

Connectedness: Psychedelics & the Web of Life Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £22

Night River presents: The Magic Lantern HydeAway, 8pm, £12

Hells Bells: AC/DC tribute The Tree House, 8pm, £18

Tue 27

The Celtic & Transatlantic Sessions The Griffin, 8.30pm, Free

Wed 28

DIY hot sauce & fermented workshop Get Pickled @ Lo Rapitenc, 6 - 8pm, £45

Frome Folk Singers

The Darling Folk Creative @ Bennett Centre, 7 - 9pm, £8

Jeremy Stacy Bar Lotte, 7.30pm, Free

Pop Up Comedy

The Cross Keys, Rode, 8 - 10.30pm, £15

KEITH BRYMER | FRI 30

Thu 29

Jazz Festival: Antonio Forcione & Adriano Adewale Iford Manor, 6.30 - 10pm, £68

Keyford Local History Group Talk The Crown Inn, 7.30pm, Free

Eddie Martin live Eight Stony Street, 7.30pm, Free

Fri 2

Frome First Fridays

Venues across town centre, 6-8pm, Free

Pride Party

Frome Pride @ Flow Bar, 7pm - 1am, £12

Supper Club: 5 course tasting menu

Iford Manor, 7.30 - 10.30pm, £60

RUH Outdoor Cinema Night

Mamma Mia ‘Here we go again’ Warminster School, 8pm £6 (fundraiser)

Fri 9

Planted Country Stourhead, National Trust 9.30am - 5pm, £12

Iain Ballamy Trio

American Museum Gardens

5.30 - 9.30pm, £13

Pride – The Movie with Q&A Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £6

An Evening of Abba Memorial Theatre, 7.30pm, £26

Fri 16

Balloon Launch (weekend)

Tuckers Grave Inn, 6pm, Free

Frome Architect’s Eco

Home talk by Terry Pinto

The Good Heart, 7.30 - 9pm, Free

The Vaults Folk & Roots

Open Mic Bennett Centre, 7.30 - 10.30pm, £3

Frome Ska Reggae

Weekender

Cheese & Grain, 7pm, £30

Fri 23

Photo Frome: Preview Evening Rook Lane, 6 - 8pm, Free

Open the Box

The White Hart, Corsley, 7.30 & 8pm

Sat 3

Artist Talk: Lotte Scott

Black Swan Arts, 11am, Free

Frome Carnival Funday Victoria Park, 12 - 5pm, Free

Opening Celebrations: GRUPPENAUSSTELLUNG

Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 12 - 3pm, Free

An evening with Gregory Steward St Michael’s Church, Buckland Dinham, 6 - 9pm, £10 (fundraiser)

Sat 10

Frome 7s Festival

Rugby Club, All day

Lions Summer Fete

Victoria Park, 12.30 - 4.30pm, Free

Hunting Raven presents: Radical Love, Neil Blackmore Frome Pride @ Town Hall, 7pm, £5-10+ donation

Groovy 60’s & 70’s Evening Foxys Den, Hapsford, 7pm, £10

Sat 17

River Festival: Friends of the River Frome Rodden Meadow, 10am - 2pm, Free

Paddington Bear Day East Somerset Railway, 10.10am3.10pm, £16

Frome Heritage Tree Walk Green Week @ Cheese & Grain 2.30 - 4pm, £7

G4 Live Memorial Theatre, 7.30pm, £25

Sat 24

Bristol Ballistics Flyball Show West Woodlands Showground 8am - 7pm

Yoga & Mindfulness Day Retreat

Tithe Barn, Mells, 10am - 4pm, £65

Shake What Ya Mamma… 23 Bath St, 9pm - 2.30am Free before 10pm

Sun 4

Magpie Market

Cheese & Grain, 9am - 2pm, Free

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

Sunday Home

Ed sessions

Bennett Centre, 2 - 4pm, £10

Ma Polaine Bar Lotte, 5.30pm, Free

Sun 11

Horningsham Village

Fayre Horningsham Village Hall, 12 - 4pm, Free (fundraiser)

A Midsummer Night’s

Dream Merlin Theatre, 2pm, £16

The Sunday Gathering

Bennett Centre, 2pm, Free

Mark Lewis Heavenor Bar Lotte, 5.30pm, Free

Sun 18

Father’s Day Summer Party

Longleat, 10am - 8pm, £44.95

Green Open Doors Rode

Various venues Rode, Beckington & Norton St Philip, 2 - 5pm, Free

Open Day: public tours

Tellisford Mill, 11am, 2pm & 4pm, Free

Masa Bar Lotte, 5.30pm, Free

Sun 25

Frome Triathlon Sports Centre, 8am, £50

Izzie Yardley’s Song Club Bar Lotte, 5.30pm, Free

Bingo Frome Town Football Club 7pm, £5

Charity Quiz Night George Hotel, 7pm £10 p’team (fundraiser)

Fri 30

Keith Brymer-Jones Live: Life, Clay & Everything Memorial Theatre, 7.30pm

The Haunting of Richard the Third Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £15

Kate Mills: An Evening of Power & Soul

The Crown Inn, 8.30pm, Free

Rare Life: Formula, Sudley & [Ivy] 23 Bath St, 9pm – 2.30am, £5