The Council Chamber was packed when it played host to the Frome’s Annual Town Meeting on 5th April. The meeting is an opportunity to celebrate the past year and highlight achievements and shine a spotlight on good work that’s taken place throughout the year.
Mayor of Frome Sara Butler provided the meeting with an overview of her packed year and presented her Civic Awards to some very worthy recipients. Cllr Anita Collier, Leader of the Council gave the annual review. Many of the community groups and local organisations at the meeting enjoyed the music of Frome’s DJ Pete, with refreshments and food provided by Event Horizon.
Civic Award winners 2023
The Mayor’s Civic Awards celebrate those in the community who have gone above and beyond.
Reg Ling
Reg is a bit of a legend in Frome. Not only did he single handily rescue and restore the only remaining gas lamp in Somerset, he created the only Valentine’s lamp in the world! Each year Reg delights the gathered crowd on Valentine’s Day and sets off a rocket to signal the start of the lighting ceremony. Annually taking place on 14th February, the lamp has been lit on only two other occasions, one to mark the death of Princess Diana and last year to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. The award recognises all of Reg’s hard work in the upkeep of the Valentine’s Lamp and for the joy it brings to residents every year.
Frome Shed
The Mayor wanted to recognise the to recognise the team’s commitment and incredible dedication to the Frome Shed and all the wonderful opportunities this organisation provides to the people of Frome. Both Frome’s Men’s Shed and the Women’s Shed make and mend things together, they complete a host of their own projects plus many for the community and use their skills for the benefit of the town, for example making bird boxes, community games and assisting with the Coronation flag project. The award was picked up by Pam Curtis, Anne Jones and Ros Whitehouse, who are all members of the Women’s Shed.
Tabitha Clayson
Tabitha recently stepped down from being a Director of The Frome Independent Market, having spent almost the past 10 years creating and making the market into the institute it is. This award is to recognise Tabitha’s hard work in developing and running the market which has become central to Frome’s visitor offer.
Bob Ashford
Following nine years, Bob has retired from his role as Chair and trustee for Fair Frome. Bob has been with the charity since its inception in a tiny office in Palmer Street and seen the organisation grow and it now runs the Food Bank, Furniture Bank, Food at Five, Holiday Hunger, Baby Bank and other projects such as supporting the Christmas Get-together. This award is to recognise Bob’s commitment and incredible dedication to Fair Frome and the community it serves.
The meeting was a great opportunity to showcase some of the fantastic 53 community projects we’ve supported over the last 12 months with grants totalling £127,686 and you can watch a selection of those projects here.
View the Annual Town Meeting in its entirety here.
