Issuu

ISSUE 183 / october 2026

What’s going on at The Village Frome?

O F

OSY NEI GHBOU

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Multicultural Frome

TEN YEARS ON THE HILL

C H R I S T M A S PA RT Y BOOKINGS NOW LIVE Regenerative Farm, Heritage Breed feasts, weddings, cottages and wild stays.

For bookings email enquires@pennardhillfarm.co.uk | 07795 806858

ISSUE 183 OCTOBER 2026

Rose Langley

his one is for all my antisummer people. It has arrived – Autumn, in all its cool gloriousness, is here and we can now heave a collective sigh, knowing that the sweltering heat and humid nights are behind us and chilly temperatures and darker evenings are drawing in.

Autumn traditions seem perfectly sound, based as they are around a gradual hunkering down – bliss.

The leaf litter crunching underfoot on my morning walks, the rooks in the trees at the end of my garden making their nightly racket almost four hours earlier than in the height of summer, and the sound of my neighbour chopping wood for her fire – these are the sounds that tell me my season is well and truly here and I am in a celebratory mood. Autumn, like Spring, is a short season that is full of movement and change,

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14-15

» Health & Wellbeing

18-20

» House & Home

26-29

» Calendar

but whereas Spring is all action and rebirth, Autumn is about slowing down and surrendering. So, unlike the activities of summer, which often make no sense to me (barbecuing on a hot day – barbaric!), Autumn traditions seem perfectly sound, based as they are around a gradual hunkering down – bliss. My favourite things to do at this time of year are berry picking, making crumbles, baking bread (it’s not great, but I like the process), lighting candles, slow cooking and making hedgerow booze. I will also, without fail, partake in the mandatory revisiting of one of my previously failed hobbies, normally knitting, and the rectangle of wool that I’ve had on the go since 2012 grows a few inches longer before once again being relegated to the back of the cupboard. If you are a fellow lover of Autumn, this is your time. And if you aren’t, fear not, it’s only approximately nine months until you can get the barbecue out again!

Design: blackinkstudio.co.uk Front cover: Moo & Two Photography: Ed Schofield Copy deadline for the November issue: Monday 5th October Published by Rose Langley, trading as Make a List Publishing, Sole Proprietor 07957 878717 . thelistfrome@gmail.com

*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 « Rivers Of England Rook Lane, 14th November, 7.30pm Genre-blending ensemble Rivers of England will take the stage for a special filmed recording session for their new album ‘…OR kestrel’. Known for fusing acoustic folk roots with jazz, blues, and rock, the band will perform a mix of classic tracks and brand-new material. The evening features stunning orchestral arrangements by Danyal Dhondy, who will also conduct the ensemble. Joining them on keyboards is the award-nominated film and television composer, Daan Temmink. Audiences will get a firsthand look at the band’s latest creative chapter, including a performance of their new title track, ‘…OR kestrel’. Written by lead singer Rob Spalding, the song sets the tone for the album – mapping a deeply personal struggle

between digital addiction and human presence. It serves as a sonic wake-up call, guiding listeners from the paralysis of screen fatigue back to the freedom of the natural world.

Halloween at the American Museum & Gardens 16th October to 1st November This Halloween, something strange is stirring at the American Museum & Gardens, as the Museum launches a brand-new after-dark light experience created especially for its historic estate. Halloween at the American Museum & Gardens invites visitors to step step beyond the ordinary and into an enchanting night of lights and frights. As darkness falls, familiar paths will take an unexpected turn, shadows will shift among the trees, and playful surprises will appear across the gardens. For the first time, selected areas of the Museum’s autumnal gardens will be transformed after dark, creating an atmospheric Halloween experience filled with glowing installations, eerie encounters and moments of seasonal spectacle. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Claverton Manor and the Museum’s hillside estate, the event offers a rare chance to see the gardens in a whole new light. 4

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Seasonal food and drink will add to the evening atmosphere, with American-inspired bites and Halloween treats including backyard dogs, dirty mac and cheese, toffee apples made with AM&G apples, themed cakes and brownies, blood slushies, mulled wine and hot chocolates.

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01373 468040 rooklane@nvbstudio.co.uk

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» the list recommends « No Dig with Charles Dowding The Village Frome, 25th October, 1 - 3pm Join Charles Dowding at The Village Frome for a special two-hour workshop exploring the principles and practice of no dig growing. With more than 40 years’ experience, Charles has developed his approach around growing healthy, abundant food while disturbing the soil as little as possible. The method centres on feeding the soil from the surface with compost and organic matter, allowing the natural life within the soil to do the work. During the workshop, Charles will cover the foundations of no dig growing, including creating productive beds, working with compost, managing weeds and growing more food with less time and effort. The session is suitable for growers at all stages, whether they have an allotment, vegetable patch, community garden or are simply starting out. The workshop reflects The Village’s aim to create a place where people can gather, learn and reconnect with the land. Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, tickets are available on a

sliding scale of £3, £6 or £9. Places are limited and advance booking is essential. Book online at thevillagefrome.co.uk

Autumn Foraging Workshop Vallis Farm, 24th October, 10.30am - 2.30pm This October, Vallis Farm’s Autumn Foraging Workshop is a chance to spend time exploring the farm and discovering some of the wild food that’s right under our noses. You’ll learn how to identify common edible plants, what you can do with them in the kitchen and some of the ways they have traditionally been used to support health. Then it’s back to the farmhouse for foraged mocktails around the fire, followed by a three-course lunch celebrating the best of autumn’s harvest. It’s a great way to spend an autumn day, whether you’re completely new to foraging or just curious to know more about what’s growing on your 6

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doorstep. Expect to leave well fed, full of ideas and looking at the hedgerows a little differently on the way home. Tickets are £65 per person and include refreshments on arrival, the guided foraging walk, foraged mocktails and a three-course lunch. More details can be found at vallisfarm.co.uk

» the list recommends «

‘Crime Tea’ with Peter James Join us for an afternoon event with the multi million-selling author The Assembly Rooms Friday 23rd October | 1.30pm £14 Ticket | £34 Ticket & Book* Book Tickets: bit.ly/peterjamesfrome Or pop into Hunting Raven

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» the list recommends « Kane Brown, Crowd Work King Merlin Theatre, 15th October, 8pm Coming off the back of his sold-out Don’t Listen To Me UK tour, Kane brings you his brand-new show Crowd Work King. One hour of purely unscripted, unplanned comedy; all based around audience participation. Everything is made up on the spot, so you can witness the comedy unfold in real time. A new, exciting dynamic to a comedy show when nobody knows what’s coming next (not even the comedian!) Each show will be uniquely different, so you can come along time and time again.

Peter James author event

A Brief Case Of Crazy Merlin Theatre, 9th October, 7.30pm

The Assembly Rooms, 23rd October 2pm Internationally multi-mullion selling thriller writer, Peter James will be coming to Frome for an exciting author event this October. Peter will be talking about ‘Dead in Three Two One’ the latest book in the beloved Roy Grace series - which has been made into the popular ITV drama series ‘Grace’, starring John Simm as the Senior Police Investigator. The event is part of Winstone’s Hunting Raven’s newly launched series of ‘Crime Teas’, so guests can enjoy a talk by a world class author with a cream tea included in the ticket price. The talk starts at 2pm with doors open/cream teas served from 1.30pm. Tickets can be booked at Winstone’s Hunting Raven on Cheap Street or online at bit.ly/peterjamesfrome 8

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Inspired by the timeless genius of Mr Bean, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, A Brief Case of Crazy is a heart-warming and hilarious physical comedy told through slick choreography, mime, clowning and puppetry. Meet Thomas, an awkward, introverted office worker with a quiet crush on his equally shy colleague, Daisy. His quest for love must contend with a boisterous boss named Simon and a rather bothersome briefcase that drags an awkward introvert into extraordinary events. Will his quest for love fail? Or will he discover it’s what’s on the inside that counts? A Brief Case of Crazy is a silent love story with a very loud heart.

WOT ITALIAN? FRI 2ND OCT / 8PM

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ALFIE MOORE, APOCALYPSE NOW BOOTHBY GRAFFOE & ANTONIO FORCIONE, WOT ITALIAN?

THU 1ST OCT, 7.30PM FRI 2ND OCT, 8PM

A BRIEF CASE OF CRAZY

FRI 9TH OCT, 7.30PM

MARK THOMAS, 40 IN STAND-UP YEARS

SUN 11TH OCT, 8PM

KANE BROWN, CROWD WORK KING

THU 15TH OCT, 8PM

THE THREE MUSKETEERS SHAKESPEARE’S GREEN-EYED MONSTER

FRI 16TH OCT, 7.30PM FRI 23RD OCT, 8PM

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

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» the list recommends « Halloween at Cheddar Gorge & Caves 24th October – 1st November Something spooky is happening deep underground at Cheddar Gorge & Caves this October half term, as Halloween arrives in Gough’s Cave. For more than 10,000 years, Cheddar Man has watched over the cave, but once a year he wakes the Skeleton Keepers to help look after it. This Halloween, however, the Skeleton Keepers have become a little too excited about the spooky season and have forgotten their jobs. Young Cave Explorers are invited to follow a Halloween trail through the cave, tracking down the spookified Skeletons, following clues, collecting secret letters and cracking the code. Complete the challenge and unlock an invitation to the Halloween celebrations. The fun continues in the Arts and Crafts Room, with ghoulish games, Halloween-themed arts and crafts, and the chance to collect a reward sticker or colour in their own.

A Day Ticket includes access to five attractions, including Gough’s Cave, where Cheddar Man was discovered, Cox’s Cave and its multimedia Yeo’s Journey experience, the Museum of Prehistory, Beyond the View immersive cinema and Jacob’s Ladder, which leads to the Lookout Tower and Cliff-Top Walk. Visitors can climb the 274 steps for panoramic views across the gorge and Mendip Hills. For more information, visit cheddargorge.co.uk/events.

The Vintage Bazaar Cheese & Grain, 17th October, 9am–2pm The Vintage Bazaar returns to The Cheese and Grain this October, bringing together a selection of vintage dealers, antique collectors and independent makers. Held just twice a year, the event features French brocante, decorative antiques, antique fashion and textiles, alongside carefully selected contemporary crafts. Each exhibitor is handselected, creating a varied collection of pieces for visitors to browse and buy. With an emphasis on sustainable shopping and objects with history, the bazaar offers everything from French linen and antique mirrors to patchwork, Victorian costume and vintage Christmas decorations. The event attracts designers,

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stylists, collectors and shoppers from across the UK, with many visitors travelling to Frome specifically for the occasion. It also provides an opportunity to explore the town’s independent shops and cafés, including those around Catherine Hill. Entry is £3, with refreshments available. For more information, visit www.thevintagebazaar.co.uk or follow @thevintagebazaarevents on Instagram.

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Cheddar Gorge & Caves, The Cliffs, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3QF Tel: 01934 742343

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» the list recommends « Celebrating Diversity at Multicultural Frome Festival Cheese & Grain, 11th October, 12–3pm Frome’s popular, free-to-attend Multicultural Festival returns to the Cheese & Grain this October, bringing local people together to share and celebrate the many cultures that make up the town, which is home to more than 70 nationalities.The afternoon will feature performances, music, dance and singing, alongside stalls offering a variety of crafts, activities and opportunities to learn more about different cultures and traditions. There will also be plenty for children to enjoy, with activities designed to introduce them to customs and traditions from around the world. Visitors can sample delicious savoury snacks, lunch options, drinks and cakes prepared by members of Frome’s international community. Small charges will be made to cover costs, so visitors are asked to bring cash.

Now an established annual community event, the festival offers local people the opportunity to showcase and celebrate their cultures, meet others from their own country, make new friends and discover more about how people live and celebrate in different parts of the world. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the afternoon. The event is hosted by the charity Young People Frome. For more information, contact lenkagrimes@gmail.com or azeemacaffoor@ gmail.com.

New Blood Black Swan Arts, Until 8th November The exhibition New Blood brings together a vibrant and diverse collection of work from recent graduates of leading local universities, including Bath Spa, Bournemouth, and UWE Bristol. Showcasing a wide range of disciplines, styles, and perspectives, the exhibition celebrates the bold creativity and fresh thinking emerging from the next generation of artists. Through painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media, the featured works reflect both personal narratives and wider contemporary themes. Featuring nine exciting artists — Lola Polson, Yasmin Seyfollahi, Emily Hawtin, Isabelle Davis, Amy Goodyer, Victoria Kendall, Araminta Uncles, Millie Barton and Gracie House — New Blood not only champions these emerging talents but also

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invites audiences to engage with the future of the local arts scene as it continues to evolve. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to discover new voices and support artists at a pivotal stage in their creative careers.

» the list recommends «

MUSIC LESSONS All Instruments Ltd.

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Decorative antiques, French brocante & vintage textiles www.thevintagebazaar.co.uk

Wild Winter: A Gathering for Conscious Teams

Gather your team around the fire in the ancient oak forest glade

Thu 10 Dec 2026 Thu 14 Jan 2027

Craft something of the land to take home, or graft a future orchard to support biodiversity and local food resilience Share a unique Wild Winter Menu with ingredients organically-grown and wild-foraged right here

www.42acres.com @42acresretreat Frome, BA11 5HL

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Ten years of Moo AND Two

en years ago, Moo and Two opened its doors on Frome’s Catherine Hill and was an immediate hit with locals looking for a local. Known for its cosy atmosphere as much as its exceptional coffee, and even the odd live music session, Moo and Two is now a solid fixture on the Frome scene. Moo and Two is a very personal reflection of its owner, Euan. “When I first opened the doors at Moo and Two, I would like to think I had a plan and some hope that it was going to work,” he says. “I had a passion for coffee, people and music which I hoped would be embraced by people who felt the same. I was, and continue to be, amazed by the sheer amount of support we received from day one. Our now long-standing customers, locals, people visiting for the day and holidaymakers have all been part of our journey and have helped Moo grow into what it is today – a place where people meet, friendships have been made, families have celebrated, stories have been shared, records have been spun and, of course, an extraordinary amount of coffee has been consumed!”

“Our own little part of Catherine Hill has continued to be somewhere people can stop, sit down, slow down and enjoy a little bit of time together,” During the last ten years, Frome has continued to change and grow. Moo and Two, however, has remained a constant on Catherine Hill. “Our own little part of Catherine Hill has continued to be 14

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Cover Story

somewhere people can stop, sit down, slow down and enjoy a little bit of time together,” says Euan. “Catherine Hill has always been a special place, and we feel incredibly lucky to have been part of it.”

“Every single member of the team has contributed something wonderfully unique.” Reaching ten years has also provided an opportunity to recognise the people who have made the café what it is. Euan is keen to acknowledge the staff, past and present, who have worked behind the scenes and on the front line throughout the decade. “They have made coffees, served cakes, cleared tables, solved problems, laughed with customers, supported each other and helped create the atmosphere that people have come to know and love,” he says. “Every single member of the team has contributed something wonderfully unique.”

For Euan, that atmosphere is central to what Moo and Two has become. “Moo and Two is a very special place and provides so much for so many,” he says. “A place to meet, a place to listen, a place to switch off, a place to be with others or just a place to be alone.” After ten years, there is plenty to look back on, from everyday coffees and conversations to celebrations, Christmas carols and all the small moments that make up a decade in a local café. But Euan’s focus is also on the people who have kept coming through the door. “We are incredibly proud to have made it to ten years,” he says. “We are proud to be part of Frome. And we are especially proud that after a decade, this still feels like a place where people want to come together.” @mooandtwo

As Moo and Two marks its anniversary, Euan has a straightforward message for the town that has supported it >>

“Thank you, Frome. Thank you, Catherine Hill. Thank you to our wonderful customers, our incredible staff, our friends, our neighbours and everyone who has supported us along the way. Thank you to those who have been here since day one and to those who have only just discovered us. Thank you for the coffees, the cakes, the conversations, the recommendations, the celebrations, the Christmas carols and all the memories. We are incredibly proud to have made it to ten years. We are proud to be part of Frome. And we are especially proud that after a decade, this still feels like a place where people want to come together. So here’s to the first ten years, here’s to Catherine Hill, here’s to Frome, here’s to our brilliant team, and here’s to the next ten years!” © Ed Schofield

Cover Story

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BACK TO THE LAND THE VILLAGE FROME

et on an acre of land at Critchill Manor Estate, The Village Frome is a growing community space bringing together nature, education, creativity, practical skills and opportunities to connect. The site includes woodland, meadow and growing space, two small cabins, a woodland shelter, cob oven and a shipping container being transformed into an affordable co-working and community space. Electricity and Wi-Fi have recently been installed, and a yurt is due to arrive soon. This will provide a warm, year-round space for groups, workshops, celebrations, community activities and private hire, while also creating an income stream to help support some of the less profitable activities on the land. The project began in 2019 as the Phoenix Learning Project, with a focus on alternative education. Education remains an important part of its work, but over time it became clear that local people were looking for something broader. The project was renamed The Village Frome to reflect what the space was becoming and what people were asking for. At its heart, The Village Frome is a place for people who want more community in their lives without necessarily wanting to relocate, join an intentional community or make a major commitment. It offers somewhere local where people can arrive as they are, meet others, bring their children, learn something, help with the land or simply sit around a fire. The aim is to make community feel simple and accessible rather than intimidating or like another huge commitment. People can attend occasionally or bring an idea of their own and develop it with support. The project is deliberately laterally led, allowing people with the time, skills or interest to pick something up and move it forward.

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This means The Village Frome continues to develop in response to the people using it. Larger community gatherings have consistently attracted more than 100 people, while a recent survey produced 50 written responses. These highlighted demand for affordable green spaces, informal meeting places, smaller and lower-pressure groups, support for parents, nature-based activities, practical skills and spaces where children can be included. People asked for “a space to just gather together and be”, affordable co-working, low-cost outdoor activities, support for single parents and places where neurodivergent children and adults would not feel overwhelmed. There were also requests for creative workshops, home education resources, spaces for teenagers and opportunities for families to build longer-term relationships. The new co-working space is a direct response to some of these needs. Parents bringing children to educational sessions may need to remain nearby, while others are trying to retrain, work freelance, run a small business or return to employment. Paying for a conventional co-working desk or spending hours in a café is not always realistic. The Village Frome aims to provide an affordable alternative, allowing people to work, study or retrain while remaining close to their children. Monthly community gatherings have also been growing steadily. Rather than highly structured events, they centre around sharing food, sitting around the fire, talking, making things, playing music and discovering what is developing on the land. Pia Valtanen Amies now holds a monthly Peace Garden moment, while Hanna Fisher has introduced dream weaving. The Peace Garden is a particularly good example of how an idea can grow organically. More than 200 plants were donated, while Charles Dowding contributed two tonnes of compost. Volunteers met weekly for a year to learn about permaculture, design the garden and build it. Their commitment helped it survive the drought, and it is now a thriving and peaceful part of the site.

The garden has also developed a life beyond the original project, with some volunteers continuing to meet there as friends, celebrating Solstice and birthdays and developing a sense of ownership of the space. They are also working with the Boys Village Group around what the land needs, giving children the opportunity to help create and care for the place. The Boys Village Group is another area where demand has shaped the project. The aim is to give boys in the years before their teenage years a sense of belonging, alongside opportunities for responsibility, rites of passage and celebrating who they are becoming. Strong interest from families has led to plans for holiday and weekend sessions. The Phoenix Project continues to run from Monday to Wednesday during term time for children aged approximately seven to 13. It offers an alternative, nature-based approach to learning, combining creativity, practical skills, outdoor time, emotional support and opportunities for children to follow their own interests. It is particularly valued by families whose children have struggled with mainstream education or need a smaller, more flexible environment. Children are also part of the wider life of the site, seeing adults growing food, building, volunteering and supporting one another. This modelling is central to The Village Frome’s ethos: community is something that can be practised in small, everyday ways, from looking after the garden and sharing skills to helping with a gathering or simply turning up regularly.

There have already been birthday parties, alternative education sessions, workshops, growing projects, volunteer days and community gatherings, but the project remains in its early stages. Its financial model is also developing, with the aim of balancing sustainability with accessibility. The yurt, co-working space, workshops and private hire will provide potential income, while grants, donations and volunteering can help keep other activities affordable or free. The project has received support from the National Lottery Community Fund, Groundwork UK, Frome Town Council, Somerset Community Foundation and others. The longer-term ambition is to develop a mixed model that allows the land to increasingly support itself without becoming unaffordable. Ultimately, The Village Frome is about creating a local place where people can connect, spend time outside, learn, contribute and feel part of something. It is about starting small, listening to what people need and creating the conditions for good things to grow.

For further information, or to get involved, go to: thevillagefrome.co.uk THE LIST FROME

What If You Only Needed Five Minutes?

ou know you should probably do a bit more exercise. You also know how this usually goes. You’re going to join a gym. Start running. Do three workouts a week. Maybe buy some new trainers. Definitely start on Monday. Then Monday arrives. There’s work to finish, children to collect, dinner to make, messages to answer and approximately 147 other things competing for your attention. Exercise gets pushed to tomorrow. Then next week. Then January. The problem isn’t necessarily that we’re lazy, it’s that we’ve made the entry price for exercise far too high.

Rest when you need to and repeat for five minutes. Congratulations. You exercised. Is five minutes the optimal amount of exercise? Of course not. But that’s the wrong question. The better question is: what can you actually keep doing? Because five minutes today, five tomorrow and five again on Saturday starts to build something. You get stronger. Exercises become easier. Five minutes occasionally becomes ten. More importantly, exercise stops feeling like this enormous thing you’re perpetually failing to fit into your life. And as the years pass, strength becomes increasingly

We think it only counts if we change our clothes, go somewhere, get sweaty and dedicate an hour to it. But what if you only had to find five minutes? Five minutes while the kettle boils. Five minutes before your shower. Five minutes between closing the laptop and making dinner. Try this. Sit down on a chair and stand back up ten times.

valuable. It’s what allows us to keep walking up hills, carrying children, moving furniture, playing sport, gardening, travelling and generally saying “yes” to things rather than wondering whether our body can still manage them. You don’t need to completely overhaul your life. You just need to start. And five minutes is a surprisingly difficult excuse to argue with.

Do ten press-ups against the kitchen worktop. Hold something moderately heavy – a kettlebell if you have one, a loaded shopping bag if you don’t – and squat five or ten times.

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Health & Wellbeing

Hadrian Howard is a fitness coach and founder of Strength for Life, helping people in Frome and the surrounding area build strength, fitness and physical confidence around real life rather than rearranging their lives around fitness. Find out more at www.strengthforlife.training or contact Hadrian on 07401 690610.

Are you reading this? So are thousands of others. If you would like to be seen by our incredible bunch of loyal readers, just get in touch: thelistfrome@gmail.com

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LIGHT THE NIGHT

Get Your Lanterns ready for November

rome Town Council’s Christmas Light Switch On and Light the Night Lantern Parade takes place on 27th November from 6pm to 7pm, marking 10 years of the much-loved part of the town’s festive celebrations. To celebrate the anniversary, this year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland, inviting residents to step down the rabbit hole and create lanterns inspired by the curious characters, and playful imagination of the classic story. In the coming weeks, Frome Lanterns will once again host a series of community workshops, helping people of all ages develop their ideas, learn new skills and take part in this muchloved town tradition. You will be able to book workshops via their website fromelanterns.co.uk.

Lantern kits are now available to purchase, ready to be transformed into unique lanterns for this year’s parade. Find them at Frome Town Hall (Monday to Tuesday, 9am to 5pm and Friday, 9am to 4.30pm) and the Discover Frome Information Point at Frome Library (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 1pm, and Wednesday and Saturday, 10am to 4pm). Mayor of Frome, Cllr Mark Dorrington, said: “The Lantern Parade is one of those events that feels uniquely Frome. It brings together imagination, community spirit and a huge amount of hard work from all those involved. Celebrating 10 years makes this year’s event particularly special, and I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t taken part before to pick up a lantern kit and get involved.”

“We love seeing people’s ideas take shape through the workshops and can’t wait to see where the Alice in Wonderland theme takes us this year.” Over the past decade, they have supported thousands of residents, schools and community groups to build lanterns, share skills and help shape an event that has become a distinctive part of Christmas in Frome. Mel and Aliss from Frome Lanterns said: “Ten years on, what still makes the parade special is seeing people of all ages take part and make it their own. Every lantern has its own story behind it, whether it’s made by a family, a school group or someone joining in for the very first time. We love seeing people’s ideas take shape through the workshops and can’t wait to see where the Alice in Wonderland theme takes us this year. You can book our first family lantern workshop on Saturday 31 October at the Library through our website. Keep an eye out for all our November workshops which will be available to book soon!”

More information, including workshop dates and event details, will be available closer to the time at www.discoverfrome.co.uk/ christmas-in-frome.

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Fine Without Dexter’s Extra Breakfast

egendary Frome musical introverts Dexter’s Extra Breakfast are proud to present their debut album, Fine Without, released on 1st October. Spanning thirty-odd years of songwriting, this collection of ten songs is both a document and a journey, or perhaps the document of a journey. Many of the songs have been the subject of previous, aborted attempts to get them recorded, but finally the band feel they have been given the treatment they deserve. Dexter’s Extra Breakfast came into existence as a vehicle for the on-and-off collaboration between singer Briony Walley and multi-instrumentalist Dave Clark. The project was nurtured by Frome’s vibrant musical community, with Handsome Llama Studios, Roots Sessions and Acoustic Plus all remembered with particular fondness. Featuring the soaring, heartfelt vocals of Briony Walley, the songs explore love and other aspects of the human condition. At the heart of the album is a family dealing with both the joys and burdens of love, alongside the difficult news coming from further afield. The album may never have happened had it not been for the ‘divine intervention’ of Mr Richard Kennedy, who kick-started a process that had somehow stalled. Dexter’s Extra Breakfast are grateful not only for his intervention, but also for his beautiful guitar playing and singing, which feature throughout the album. Dave Clark is responsible for the rest of the playing, apart from a cameo by Stephen Clark, who plays guitar on Teacup. The album was expertly mixed and mastered by Will Angeloro. At the heart of the album is a family dealing with both the joys and burdens of love, alongside the difficult news coming from further afield.

The single from the album is Home and Dry, a song about finding the one and knowing that the search is over. With the band feeling that they are now, perhaps, just a short bus ride from the great singalong with Dolly, it seemed like about time to finally make the album happen. CDs will be available exclusively from Blue Cross on Westway and Owl on Catherine Hill in Frome.

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Growing Skills, Community & Connection AT VALLIS FARM

allis Farm, a small but feisty farm on the edge of Frome, will celebrate its fourth anniversary later this year. Over that time, the 10 acre site has become a place focused on regenerating the land, supporting the local community and creating opportunities for people to connect with nature and learn new skills. Tamsin, Head of Land and Learning at Vallis Farm, says the response from the community has been beyond what they could have expected. “The regeneration of life on this modest 10 acres and the support from the local community has completely blown us away. It was our dream to curate a space that worked for both people and planet. Now that that dream is very much a reality, we’ve been able to look towards further goals.”

Vallis Farm Youth Club with Steph and Jonny

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At Vallis Farm, the team believes that reconnecting with the outdoors can be part of the answer. “The answer is always ‘go outside’,” says Tamsin. “Feeling low? Go outside. Bored? Go outside. And outside is what we have here.” “We need a ‘pipeline’ of people who want to work outdoors and make a positive difference to our planet.” There is plenty still to do at Vallis Farm, from planting more trees and digging wildlife ponds to maintaining the infrastructure already in place. The team also sees meaningful outdoor work as an opportunity for learning, particularly at a time when there is a growing skills gap in land-

The brilliant Lady V at a recent fundraiser with the Lucky 7s crew - photo by Brishan

based industries. “Meaningful work is good for all of us and there are so many opportunities to learn,” says Tamsin. “Couple that with a growing skills gap in the land-based industry and you have another solution. Education.” The farm is already delivering an accredited course in Market Gardening, with plans to create and deliver further accredited courses from 2027. The intention is to provide bursary places on every course and, eventually, apprenticeships, helping to address the post-16 opportunities gap in Frome. “Delivering qualifications which can move people towards careers in food growing, farming, arboriculture and agriculture so they can both get and even create jobs is what we really want to do,” says Tamsin. “We need a ‘pipeline’ of people who want to work outdoors and make a positive difference to our planet.”

give young people and the wider community the chance to experience outdoor learning and landbased work before making decisions about their future. “We want people to be well informed and not think that farming is just for those who live on farms,” says Tamsin. “We all have the right and ability to work outdoors and to make a meaningful difference.” The Education Centre CIC is now working towards a coherent and inclusive programme that will enable everyone to enjoy and learn outdoors. The team is looking for partners to help fund and deliver these programmes. To find out more or get involved, contact tamsin@vallisfarm.co.uk or visit www.vallisfarm.co.uk

To support this ambition, Vallis Farm has established Vallis Farm Education Centre, a community interest company (CIC) offering free school visits, community days, youth clubs for teenagers and work experience. The aim is to THE LIST FROME

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» WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2026 « T

» EVENTS CALENDAR «

1 2

7 T 8

Black Eyed Dogs RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 6.30pm Alfie Moore, Apocalypse Now Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm The Crafting Retreat Day with Swim and Sauna Vallis Farm, 10am - 3.30pm Boothby Graffoe & Antonio Forcione, Wot Italian? Merlin Theatre, 8pm Harvest Festival Vallis Farm, 10am - 3pm Threads Of Resistance - A Day Of Mending Frome Town Hall, 10am - 4pm Indian Summer (food, music, comedy) RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 6.30pm Atsushi RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 7pm Frome Independent Market Frome Town Centre, 10am - 3pm Yin and Sound Plant Rook Lane, 7pm Emma Harris RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 6.30pm Junk Food Supper Club The Stores Night River Presents: Ormella Archangel, 7pm Singer Songwriter Open Mic The Bennett Centre, A Brief Case Of Crazy Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm Singing Workshop With Katy Rose Bennet Rook Lane, 10am - 4pm Frome Farmers’ Market Market Yard, 9am - 3pm Poems & Pints RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 5pm Benjaluwi RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 7pm Groove Tota with Heather RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 10.30am Multicultural Frome Festival Cheese & Grain, 12 - 3pm Lino Printing Workshop Vallis Farm, 2 - 4.30pm Frome Concerts Group present: Carmenco Rook Lane, 3pm Mark Thomas 40 In Stand-Up years, Merlin Theatre, 8pm

FORCIONE, WOT ITALIAN? | FRI 2 OCT

W T F S

28 29

Rivers Of England Rook Lane, 7.30pm The Last Viking (film) Merlin Theatre, 8pm Kane Brown Crowd Work King Merlin Theatre, 8pm Rocking Horse Money RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 6.30pm Burnt Sugar Collective’s Autumn Supper Club: A Fireside Feast Vallis Farm, 7pm The Three Musketeers Merlin Theatre, 7.30pm The Vintage Bazaar Cheese & Grain, 9am - 2pm Autumn Botanical Gelli Print Workshop Vallis Farm, 2-4pm Lane & Jamma Gold RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 7pm Joe Strouzer RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 6.30pm Night River Presents: Blackaby Saddle Goose, 7pm ‘Crime Tea’ with Peter James The Assembly Rooms, 1.30pm Shakespeare’s Green-Eyed Monster Merlin Theatre, 8pm Winter Medicine Making Workshop 42 Acres, 10am - 4pm Autumn Foraging Workshop Vallis Farm, 10.30am - 2.30pm Northern Steve RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 7pm Fire In The Belly - Willy Guthrie Songs Rook Lane, 7.30pm Autumnal Dried Floral Wreath Making Workshop Vallis Farm, 1.30 - 3.30pm Wild Guardians 42 Acres, 10am - 2pm Trad Jazz Three Swans, 8pm Songs From The Porch RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 6.30pm

30 Jug Busters RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 7pm 31 Restroom Record Vinyl + DJs RYE Bakery, Station Approach, 12 - 9pm

RIVERS OF ENGLAND | WED 14 OCT

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01373 464040 frome@hunterfrench.co.uk @hunterfrenchfrome

01373 476901