The List Frome - April 2024

“This is the most amazing face oil I’ve used. I can’t rave about it enough”

“absolutely amazing”

“I’ve never been as dedicated to a skincare product than I have with these”

Rose Langley

Along with my eldest son, I have become mildly obsessed with TV shows about people who live wild lives, off-grid. We both, it seems, hanker after a more basic existence. True, we are not exactly at the forefront of modern life as it is (his friends often snigger at the modest size of our telly, which still seems huge to me!). I see in my son the need for physical freedom - the kind I experienced as a child. My urge to provide this seems, at times, to overwhelm any other adult instinct, and I start to plan our retreat to a shack on the side of some remote mountain in Scotland. Or should we buy a narrow boat and just cruise the waterways, wildlife living on our doorstep, fish swimming beneath our bunks?

We watch a programme about people living in the wilderness of Alaska, with no neighbours for hundreds of miles, hunting for our food, living entirely with nature. But this is too extreme for even the furthest reaches of my imagination. For one thing I adore my neighbours.For another, I fear my ability to fell a moose for dinner would be found pitifully wanting. Yet still a simpler existence, more in line with nature than in spite of it, calls to me and mine. And for someone with an all-or-nothing way of working, it is hard for me to pull back from the

mountainside shack dream, and see a way to bring this wilderness into our current town life. But, for my brilliantly wild boy, who should really be living up a tree, I need to create a compromise.

All children need nature, and the freedom it offers. They need it physically, emotionally, for their imagination and for their confidence. They need to feel the deepest possible connection to nature so that they grow up with the strongest desire to protect it. I see in my son, the calming power of being amongst the trees and in wide open spaces. I see it in myself. So I am bringing as much wilderness and nature in to our lives as possible. We spot birds of prey (10 points each), sit on the riverbank waiting for that shot of blue from a kingfisher whizzing past. I teach him about the plants we see in the fields, we gather wild herbs to make tea, discuss the animals that will be having babies, notice the signs of seasonal change. When it snowed recently we were up and out at 6am whilst the snow was still coming down. The only footprints we found belonged to animals and we eagerly took photos to identify later (a fox and a rabbit). I still want to flee to a wilder place. But in the meantime, all we need to do is get out, look up and breathe in - and we’ll remember that nature is all around us.

A Bunch Of Amateurs

Merlin Theatre, 25th - 27th April, 7.30pm, £15

This wonderful comedy, written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, is performed by the ever popular Frome Drama. Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford

Spring Emergence Walk & Workshop

Land, Food & Medicine at 42 Acres, 18th April, 9.30am - 3pm, £142

This is an invitation to connect with the plants of spring. Tune in to their subtleties and unique health benefits and uses. Guests will enjoy a guided morning foraging walk - tasting, smelling and safely

only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard but a sleepy Suffolk village – and instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save the theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic amdram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself along with his inner Lear.

harvesting the land’s gifts, learning the plants, barks, blossoms, and catkins of spring. Following a mezzestyle lunch using foraged wild greens, you’ll learn to make wild ferment soda, foragers’ hand cream, and wild nutrient salt. Tea, coffee and delicious cake are also provided. If you are interested in this workshop but do not have the means, 42 Acres welcome applications for bursary places. Please contact tasha@42acres.com

THE GREEN ROOM WINES

100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC | 100% VEGAN WINE BY THE GLASS, COURTYARD GARDEN

TASTING EVENTS & SPECIAL OCCASIONS CATERED FOR NATIONWIDE DELIVERIES

JOHN OTWAY AND WILD WILLY BARRETT

SATURDAY 06 APRIL7.30PM

THE ROYAL BALLET PRESENTS MACMILLAN CELEBRATED STREAMED LIVE FROM THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

TUESDAY 09 APRIL - 7.15PM

FROME DRAMA PRESENTS A BUNCH OF AMATEURS

THURSDAY 25 APRIL, 26

APRIL, 27 APRIL - 7.30PM

THE ROYAL BALLET PRESENTS SWAN LAKE

SUNDAY 28 APRIL - 2PM

Open

Shepton Mallet

Sunday Market

Shepton Mallet Town Centre, April 28th, 10am - 3pm

The new Shepton Mallet Sunday Market promises to showcase the best produce and makers the Southwest has to offer. Located in the heart of the Mendips in this historic market town, the Sunday Market will be full of great things, assembling sixty handpicked stalls with an exciting and diverse mix of produce and makers. This market will be held on the last Sunday of the month in April, July, September and November.

Expect a heady mingling of vintage, designermakers, food, antiques, home and garden, and art alongside live music and DJs, workshops and family activities including Sing-a-Ling, a children’s music and singing workshop.

Shepton Mallet Sunday Market is being produced by Black Sheep Events CIC, a team of dynamic locals and business owners, who share the aim of working together to regenerate their town, and put it back on the map as the thriving market town it once was. Market Manager Charlie Bolderow played a considerable role in developing nearby Frome’s reputation as a hub for creative industries, and managed the Artisan Market (now The Frome Independent), the Griffin pub and Black Swan Arts, She is now bringing this passion and expertise to Shepton Mallet. She says: “50% of the new market’s traders are businesses from Shepton Mallet or within a few miles of the town. This just proves what a vibrant and exciting part of the world we live in.”

Amber Smithwick, Trader Selection, moved to Shepton Mallet three years ago and fell instantly in love with the town and its unmatched community spirit. She opened a restaurant, Aurora Kusina, on the High Street a year after moving and soon met many like-minded individuals trying to make a positive impact. “Shepton Mallet has an inclusiveness like nowhere I’ve experienced before,” she says.

www.sheptonmalletsundaymarket.org.uk

@sheptonmalletsundaymarket

Saturday April 27th

The Cheese and Grain, Frome | 9am-2pm

Decorative antiques, French Brocante, vintage textiles and handmade delights

www.thevintagebazaar.co.uk

Written In Frome

Courtesy of our friends at Hunting Raven, we take a preview of two new publications, out this month, from two beloved Frome-based authors.

The Lifeline by Libby Page

First up, a welcome return by Libby Page to the world of The Lido. This time, the action unfolds in Somerset as Kate has swapped life in London to start a family in the country. But being a mum is far from what she had imagined and, as Kate struggles to put down new roots, she misses the sense of connection that swimming in the Lido provided. Will wild swimming help to fill that void? This is a comforting return to a familiar world, but with some really lovely new characters thrown into the mix.

Hardback £18.99

Published 25th April by Orion

Love is a Curse by Keith Stuart

Keith Stuart is the master of big-hearted, cannily observed, real-life drama. I’ve yet to read a Keith Stuart novel that I haven’t both laughed and cried through. Love is a Curse is no exception. Cammy has always known that a ‘curse’ hangs over the women in her family; that they are destined to lose the one they love. But she has always managed to brush the curse aside – until they day in her late twenties when her boyfriend is involved in a serious car accident… Another absolutely beautiful, heart-rending reach across the ages, which you simply will not want to end.

Hardback £20

Published 25th April by Little, Brown

If you would like an exclusive *Signed & Inscribed* copy of either (or both!) of these titles from Winstone’s Hunting Raven Books, you can purchase online shop.winstonebooks.co.uk

Wells Comedy Festival

May 24 - 26th

Big names in comedy will be heading to Somerset this May to take part in the Wells Comedy Festival. QI and Taskmaster stars Alan Davies and Lou Sanders will be joined by other hugely popular comedians, including James Acaster, Harry Hill, Nish Kumar, Rich Hall, Sophie Duker, Tim Key, John Kearns, Sara Barron, Kemah Bob and many more. Tickets are in high demand for shows at the weekend-long festival, so head to the website and get booking! www.wellscomfest.com

Stolen Moments

Christ Church, April 13th, 3-5pm, free

Award-winning saxophonist John Martin, famous for his unique multitimbral technique, joins Frome Jazz Club organiser Keith Harrison-Broninski in the beautiful venue of Christ Church to explore the wonderful jazz music of South Africa, including compositions by the legendary Abdullah Ibrahim, and other South African composers, along with their own original pieces.

A Call To Artists

Black Swan Arts Open 24

Black Swan Arts is calling all artists working in any form, material, method or technique in 2D, 3D or media to take part in this year’s Open, which runs from July to September. Process based, material based or concept based in practice or theory, traditional or contemporary, with or against conventions and concepts, established, emerging or returning - all are encouraged to apply. This year’s exhibition will be put together by an extraordinary and committed team of art professional volunteers and submissions will be viewed by five of the most talented arts professionals working in some of the most progressive art institutions in the world today. Every piece will be for sale, with a top price set at £1,000 to encourage collectors and first-time buyers to snap up works they love, and generous prizes will be awarded in several categories. For full details if the exhibition and how to apply go to: blackswanarts.org.uk

Easter Eggcitement

The American Museum, 29th March - 14th April

This month, the American Museum is going all-out for Easter. During the school holidays staff will host an Easter trail, with colourful egg installations to be found throughout the daffodil-filled grounds. Answer a simple question at each egg station to complete the trail and win a chocolate treat. There will be other festive activities including a crafting station and an egg roll race on the lawn each day.

Freedom Sounds

23 Bath Street, 20th April, 6:30, £15

An unmissable lineup of local musicians and spoken word artists come together for an incredible night of entertainment. The eclectic mix of musical talent will come from local bands Sinnober, Lorikeet and Blake, with solo performances from Jazz Morley and Mark Lewis Heavenor. Olly Davy from Dirty Laundry and Bambi will add some spoken word magic, and Merlin Nation and Will Floyd will light up the DJ booth. Organised by Frome Friends of Palestine, all proceeds from the event will be donated to UNRWA.

‘Mum’ by Ellen Carter

42 ACRES

Rewild, Renourish, restore

Afew miles from Frome, on the edge of the beautiful village of Witham Friary, sits 42 Acres, a regenerative estate, nature reserve and retreat centre. Despite the name, 42 Acres covers closer to 173 acres, consisting of wild meadows, vast open fields, woodland and parts of the Ancient Selwood Forest. A sanctuary for all life, human and non-human, the site is run from 100% renewable energy and the aim is to go beyond sustainable into regenerative, and leave everything they touch in better shape than they found it.

The 42 Acres land lives within 3km of four different river sources - the Frome, the Brue, the Wye and the Stour. Over the past few years, the team here have documented the return of a number of species that had been thought extinct in this region, including beavers, wild boar and pine martens. They have also encouraged barn owls, otters, hares, kestrels and buzzards to make the estate their home. “The whole team takes great pride in protecting these animals and providing plenty of habitat for them to thrive. Even in the areas we farm, our agri-wilding philosophy ensures that we share the land and can all live and eat from it. We hope that in years to come this idea will flow across many farms, just as the rivers do.” explains Alicia Holden, from the 42 Acres team.

“Our vision is to live in harmony with nature. This is best exemplified by our pioneering agri-wilding projects, which bring together agriculture and rewilding principles in tandem with the work on holistic health - joining the dots between inner wellbeing and outer wellbeing” says Tasha StevensVallecillo- former Head of Land & Food at 42 Acres and founder of Land, Food and Medicine, whose home is on site. “We believe it’s not enough to just live a low impact life or a life geared towards sustainability. In order to reduce harm to others, we have to show up and do our inner work as well.”

There are two sides to the site. The Farmhouse Retreat Centre is mostly used for larger partner

retreats with the likes of The Happy Pear and Satish Kumar, while The Hermitage Retreat Centre hosts 42 Acres homegrown offerings. Self-Guided Retreats and Wild Weekends both include accommodation, food and experiences and are guided by the broader vision. While slightly different in their format, both experiences allow a spaciousness for guests to be with whatever is coming up for them in that momentwhether its rest, silence, connection with themselves, a need replenish their gut health, or a yearning for a practice they can take back into their daily lives, the team try and create space and opportunity for guests to receive that and be with nature.

In the centre is a seven-acre wild swimming lake (home to many animals including beavers), which is surrounded by woodlands where you can bathe in the sounds of the forest, dine over fire and relax in the woodfired woodland sauna.

As well as led experiences, all guests are invited to explore the whole site - from the edible and ornamental walled garden, sacred bee garden and mushroom farm, to the regenerative produce garden which supplies food for the delicious and nutrient dense soil-to-gut menus served across the siteeverywhere you look you can see the agri-wilding vision in motion.

For locals, our soil workshops, garden grazing and foraging walks are really popular and our energy exchanges offer an accessible way of coming together and sharing knowledge - “storytelling is integral to reimagining our food culture” , comments Tasha. “In April and May we have our Spring Emergence Workshop, Miso Making Workshop and Potent Plants and Altered States.

For local businesses and independents we’ve recently opened our Mandala Barn for meetings and coworking. We’re also a very beautiful alternative for weddings and conscious celebrations - so drop us a line” says Alicia

The team at 42 Acres is small but mighty, and includes many multidisciplinary roles, covering everything from yoga and retreat bookings to teaching and product making. “Everyone comes together through a unified intention to convey our philosophies of agri-wilding, food as medicine and harmony with nature, self and others.” This goes beyond the team too, as 42 Acres works in partnership with others such as Land, Food and Medicine who run an artisan product kitchen on site, with the aim of producing food and medicine for the local community.

Through their monthly stall at the Frome Independent, 42 Acres sell produce - both foraged and grown in their produce garden - and medicinal produce, made in partnership with Land, Food and Medicine. “Frome Future Shed and Edventure have been very welcoming and we’re actively seeking more partnerships with local community groups, so that we can build on our dialogue and supply as many people as we can with the medicinal foods that we wild tend.”

“Many wonderful people from our the Frome community have been drawn to the work being done at 42 Acres,” explains Tasha. “Two years ago, we began teaching day workshops and offering shorter experiences, so that we could connect with our local community and those people who might not want a residential retreat. With the help of our energy exchange programme, we have planted over 8,000 native trees and over 1km of new hedges. Through creating new forests and edible hedges we are creating new sources of fuel, food and habitat for both humans and wildlife.”

“We have lots of plans for the future, which include the opening of yet more channels, connections and partnerships with our nearby community. We work best in collaboration - with practitioners, makers and artisans, as well as schools, charities and other groups. 42 acres is a place to share and grow, and the local community is a big part of that. We offer bursary places for all our workshops - enabling those on lower incomes to access knowledge and we’re also exploring a local membership, free monthly tours and a regular weekly programme of events for locals.”

For more information on workshops, retreats, energy exchanges and all the goings-on at 42 Acres go to www.42acres.com

Forest Firecook

Paddleboarding on the lake

THE FROME INDEPENDENT MARKET

MORE THAN A MARKET

For over ten years The Frome Independent has been a firm fixture in the Frome calendar. This much-loved street market started out with a dozen or so stalls on Catherine Hill, expanding gradually to the whole town centre event it is today.

On the first Sunday of the month from March to December the town bustles with thousands of market goers, enjoying not just the market but also Frome’s amazing independent shops and venues. What’s on offer varies every month but all market traders are from the Southwest, and the vast majority are from Frome or within 25 miles. You’ll find the best local food and drink, with extra choice from the Somerset Farmers’ Market around the Boyle Cross, plus a huge choice of delicious street food. Browse scores of designer/maker stalls down Catherine Hill, across the bridge and into Justice Lane, mooch around the relaxed atmosphere of the Flea and the Homes and Gardens stalls by the river.

you get high quality, ethically made products as well as supporting someone’s livelihood and boosting the local economy.

Hand in hand with Frome’s independent retailers, the market offers a refreshing alternative in an increasingly online world of mass production and throwaway consumerism. Buying directly from selected makers, you get high quality, ethically made products as well as supporting someone’s livelihood and boosting the local economy. As a bonus you get to meet people and have a chat - a human connection sadly missing at an automated checkout.

A not-for-profit organisation, Frome’s ‘More Than a Market’ always features free live music, showcasing local performers every month. There is also the festival feel of the ‘Village Green’, with the Vintage Mobile Disco, food, drink and free activities. Every month, the Frome Independent partners with local charities like Purple Elephant, Fair Frome and Bath Cats and Dogs Home to raise awareness and funds. This year expect more entertainment, capsule events and a couple of fun summer ‘takeovers’ with Frome Festival in July and the technicolour glory of Frome Pride in June.

Little Jack Horner’s

ALISTAIR BERG EXHIBITION THU 11

MON 15

Yin Yoga with Louise Vallis Farm, 12pm - 1pm, £10

TUE 9

The Pod - Easter Scrapstore

Cheese & Grain, 1.30 - 4pm, £1

The Royal Ballet presents Macmillan Celebrated (live stream) Merlin Theatre, 7.15pm, £16/£12

Sofar Frome Secret Location, 7.30pm, £14 (sofarsounds.com/cities/frome)

MON 22

Arcade Fridays

The Awesome Studio, 5 - 7.30pm, £6/£7 (accompanying adults go free)

FROME INDEPENDENT MARKET | SUN 6

MON 29

Arcade Fridays

The Awesome Studio, 5 - 7.30pm, £6/£7 (accompanying adults go free)

9

WED 17

Arcade Fridays

The Awesome Studio, 5 - 7.30pm, £6/£7 (accompanying adults go free)

THU 4

Easter Egg Hunt Vallis Farm, 9.30am - 12pm, free

Trio Paradis Cafe Concert Christ Church, 1.15pm, free

LADY NADE THU 18

WED 24

New Academic Feetwarmers Three Swans, 8pm, free

Energy Exchange: Regenerative Gardens 42 Acres, 10am - 3pm, free

THU 11

Alistair Berg exhibition preview

Owl Gallery, 6-8pm

Cheese & Wine Tasting The Stores, 7pm, from £28

THU 18

Spring Emergence Walk & Workshop 42 Acres, 9.30am - 3pm, £142

Night River presents Lady Nade HydeAway, 7pm, £15

THU 25

Miso-making & Zen Dash Workshop 42 Acres, 10am - 3pm, £125

Night River presents Hattie Whitehead HydeAway, 7pm, £12

Vallis Nature Talks Vallis Farm, 7pm, £6

A Bunch Of Amateurs Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £15

Retro Social The Awesome Studio, 7.30pm, £7

FRI 5

Arcade Fridays

The Awesome Studio, 5 - 7.30pm, £6/£7 (accompanying adults go free)

Norman Jay’s

Norman Soul Cheese & Grain, 8pm, £20

SAT 6

Forage and Cook with Hej Gro Vallis Farm, 1pm-6pm, price on a sliding scale

John Otway & Wild Willy

Barrett Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £22

SUN 7

Frome Independent Market

Frome Town Centre, 10am - 3pm

FRI 12

Qigong with Lara Vallis Farm, 9.30am-11.30am, £12

Arcade Fridays

The Awesome Studio, 5 - 7.30pm, £6/£7 (accompanying adults go free)

FRI 19

The Vaults Folk & Roots

Open Mic

The Bennett Centre, 7.30pm, £3/£5

SAT 13

Frome Farmers’ Market Boyles Cross, 9am - 1pm

Teepee Plant Supports with Organic Matters

Vallis Farm, 10am - 1pm, £65 (includes materials and refreshments)

Tri.Art Dance Academy presents The Secret Garden & Performing Arts Showcase 2pm & 6pm, £10/£7

SAT 20

Learn to Scythe Vallis Farm, 10am - 4pm, £110 (includes lunch and refreshments)

Freedom Sounds 23 Bath St, 6.30pm, £15 (all profits to UNRWA)

British Flowers and English Wine with Bramble & Wild The Stores, 2pm, £50

Frome Jazz Club presents Stolen Moments: The spiritual music of Abdullah Ibrahim Christ Church, 3pm, free

Frome Comedy Crawl various venues, 5pm - 10.30pm, £16.50, see popupcomedy.org for full details

SUN 21

Graham Dent Jazz Trio with Pete Canter (sax) The Cornerhouse, 7.30pm, free

FRI 26

Kate Rusby

Frome Memorial Theatre, 7pm, £29

Spring Barn Dance

Holy Trinity Church, 7.30pm, £6 - £20

Big Up! Jungle, Dancehall & Ragga 9pm, £2.50

A Bunch Of Amateurs Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £15

SPRING EMERGENCE WALK & WORKSHOP | THU 18

SAT 27

Dawn Chorus Walk and Breakfast

Vallis Farm, 6am - 10.30am, £18

Vintage Bazaar Cheese & Grain, 9am - 2pm

Tallulah Rendall, Mycelium Space 7.30pm, £15

A Bunch Of Amateurs

Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm, £15

SUN 28

Shepton Mallet Sunday Market Shepton Mallet Town Centre, 10am - 3pm

The Royal Ballet presents Swan Lake (screening) Merlin Theatre, 2pm, £16/£12

FROME MUSICAL THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS ANYTHING GOES

Frome Memorial Theatre plays host to the stage classic Anything Goes. Cole Porters’ iconic, joyful musical follows the mad antics aboard the ocean liner SS American as it sails from New York to London. Billy Crocker is a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is in turn engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Reno Sweeney, a night club singer and ‘Moonface’ Martin (public enemy no.13!) help Billy in his mission to win Hope’s heart.

The show promises audience members heartwarming romance, an uplifting score including You’re the Top, Blow Gabriel Blow, It’s Delovely and I Get A Kick Out of You, as well as dancing sailors, comical disguises, and farcical blackmail!

BOOK YOUR 2025 WEDDING AT

The show runs from Tuesday 7th – Saturday 11th May with a matinee on Saturday 11th at 2.30pm.

Opening nights tickets can be purchased for a discounted rate of £15. Tickets are available from Frome Memorial Theatre box office. Call 01373 462795 or go to: fromememorialtheatre.org.uk

For more information and to arrange a viewing please contact Sara by email rooklane@nvbarchitects.co.uk or call 01373468040 between 10am and 3pm most weekdays.

www.rooklane.org.uk/weddings

@rook_lane_chapel

GENTLE CHAOS

ALISTAIR BERG AT OWL

Alistair Berg works as an artist maker under the name Gentle Chaos. He moved to Frome last year from Cape Town and has a studio workshop near Buckland Dinham.

Alistair creates kinetic mobiles from various materials, and enjoys working with balance and connection to create a free-flowing (kinetic) form. Originally inspired by the work of Alexander Calder, he became fascinated with how a delicately tuned mobile will respond to the movement of the air around it, and be in almost constant motion.  As each arm of the mobile slowly glides with the air flow, it takes up a new position within the arrangement and, in doing so, alters the angle

and position of each subsequent arm, creating a dynamic dance within the piece.

Alistair will be exhibiting at Owl Gallery, with a private view on 11th April, 6-8pm. All are welcome to enjoy a glass of wine and conversation with the artist.

THE PERFECT CUPPA AT DUNK

There’s a new take on an old favourite for folk in Frome who fancy a nice cuppa.

Dunk is a vintage-style tea bar, with a staggering choice of no fewer than twentyfour traditional style biscuits to dunk into your favourite brew. Situated near the top of Catherine Street, this little gem offers a nostalgic trip back in time while delivering a mighty fine cup of tea. Owners Kate and Neil decided to build a vintage tea bar to encourage shoppers to make the extra journey up to the Badcox end of the street where there are many more shops to explore.

“We wanted to add something a little different” says Kate, “Frome already has a wealth of coffee shops and eateries so we thought it would be nice to have somewhere that gave a nod to the past. For the last three years we have been renovating the property and discovered a wonderful old charm beneath the surface that we didn’t know was there in the beginning. Dunk was born out of our desire to serve a decent cup of tea. It’s a sad fact that as the standard of coffee rose in the UK so the quality of tea declined.

At Dunk, our tea is served in the traditional swan metal teapots which are not only great pourers but hold the heat well. We use vintage pyrex cups which are made of glass and therefore keep the temperature of the tea much hotter than normal. The tea brews so much better with the right equipment. Our biscuit range is absolutely vast and covers almost every traditional biscuit you can think of, from the good old custard cream through to the more exotic fig roll.

Customers can choose to sit on the sofa in the front of the tea bar and watch the world go by, or they can take a table in the gallery at the back where we have extra seating and a wealth of artwork and creative books to look at. We also have a selection of vintage comics and annuals to lure you back into your teenage years.

As well as a wide selection of teas including decaf, Dunk also offer coffee and cold drinks and have gluten free and vegan biscuit options too. The premises are also dog friendly.

“Dunk was born out of our desire to serve a decent cup of tea.”

Dunk is part of Hung Drawn Quoted, the shop and gallery featuring the work of local artist and satirist Kate Talbot.

Kate specialises in social/political themes and her shop has become a popular destination for anyone who appreciates her humorous take on the state of our current government. The shop offers a comprehensive selection of cards and gifts all designed and made by Kate. The gallery at the back of the shop displays Kate’s original artwork which is both humorous and thought provoking.

Hung Drawn Quoted has a program of workshops in the gallery for anyone who wishes to try their hand at design and craft.

The cafe, shop and gallery are open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 to 4pm.

Pop in, the kettle’s on.

Saturday 6th April Forage and Cook

Friday 12th April Qigong with Lara Martin

Saturday 13th April wiLLow weaving

Monday 15th April Yin Yoga with Louise

Saturday 20th April Learn to sCYthe

Thursday 25th April

Mud and Past CLiMates taLk

Saturday 27th April dawn Chorus waLk and breakFast

PLASTIC FREE PERIOD PACKS FOR FROME STUDENTS

Green and Healthy Frome’s Plastic Free Period campaign is raising £4,500 to buy a ‘period pack’ for all young people in year 8 and year 9 in Frome who need one.

The Plastic Free Period project focuses on the potential carbon saving, cost saving and health benefit impacts for women, girls and all people who menstruate, as well as people experiencing incontinence through switching to plastic-free products. The packs that the project hopes to buy contain three pairs of period pants, a reusable pad, a waterproof bag and an information booklet. Period pants offer greater comfort, can be worn for longer without changing, and are washable and reusable.

Project champion Fiona Barrows said: “There are so many reasons to switch to plastic-free period products, but the stigma around periods is still a big barrier, as is the upfront cost of products. The more we can normalise and engage with our body and its

needs, whilst thinking about the impact our choices have on our planet, the more we can break down these barriers. We know that caring for the planet is a priority for many young people, but they don’t always have the buying power to go plastic-free. If we can raise the money to give a celebration pack to every year 8 and 9 student who needs one, that will go a long way to support those choices. This is an opportunity for you to support a young person in Frome to make the switch.”

The period packs cost £15, less than half the usual retail price, and the crowdfunder aims to raise £4,500, enough to buy 300 packs.

A single user of plastic period products throws away up to 200kg of period waste in their lifetime, which goes into landfill or can end up in UK waterways.

Although plastic-free period products cost more at the outset, the cost of plastic period products is estimated to be around £10 a month, or £5,000 in a lifetime. The packs therefore help create a habit which is not only greener but ultimately cheaper. Donate to the Plastic Free. Period crowdfunder at:

bit.ly/plasticfreeperiod2024  or in person at Frome Town Hall.

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

FROME MUSEUM RE-OPENS

WITH THE STORY OF THE FROME HOARD

Frome Museum re-opened in March after a winter break with a fresh new look and an exciting new display, ‘The Story of the Frome Hoard’. The Frome Hoard, the largest deposit of Roman coins ever found in a single container in the UK, was discovered by amateur metal detectorist David Crisp on 11 April 2010. It contained a staggering 52,503 coins.

The Frome Museum display features an exact replica of the original urn made by heritage potter Graham Taylor, along with replicas of a selection of the coins aged to reproduce how the hoard looked when it was first excavated. The accompanying display panel, accessible to visitors of all ages, tells the fascinating story of the hoard.

“We have new displays and interpretation boards this year, and we are especially excited about our major new permanent exhibit about the Frome Hoard.”

Michael Maggs, the Chair of Trustees, said: “We are very proud of the hard work our volunteers have done over the last few months to bring a smart new look to the upper gallery ready for our 2024 reopening. We have new displays and interpretation boards this year, and we are especially excited about our major new permanent exhibit about the Frome Hoard.”

The museum showcases the long and varied history of Frome. The Frome timeline illustrates the development of the town over the past 1500 years, alongside displays about the town’s industrial heritage, including the world-renowned Singer’s Foundry, whose work can still be seen across the world, and the wool and printing trades that brought prosperity to the town from the 15th century onwards.

Visitors can also see traditional shop reconstructions from days gone by, including Maggs the Chemist and the Garston Veterinary Practice.

The Museum’s library contains thousands of documents and maps relating to Frome and the surrounding area. It is open to researchers by appointment.

The Museum is open between 10.00am and 2.00pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and on Frome Independent Market Sundays. Admission is FREE.

To find out more, visit frome-museum.org