On ‘Random Acts of Kindness” Day last week, it was lovely to see Gill Fone recognised for all her amazing work, as she steps down after forty years as Chair of Frome’s Talking Newspaper. Great work, Gill! Well done, and we wish you a very happy retirement!
Talking of amazing women, there’s a great way to celebrate them all very soon by joining the ‘Women Mean Business’ event on Friday, 12th March from 12:30 – 17:30. It’s being held on Zoom and will be run jointly by Frome Town Council and Engaging Women.
The event is totally free and will consist of talks, panels and workshops designed around celebrating and empowering women in everyday life and business and any gaps in between. It will be packed full of inspiring and insightful Frome based women sharing their stories, from adapting a business and surviving the impact of Covid, to lessons learned through lockdown but with an eye to the future.
All genders are welcome, and you can get your free tickets here: http://bit.ly/WMB-2021
At Frome Town Council, we’ve been very excited recently to be on the receiving end of the most amazing £300,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. Frome Town Council, Edventure and Frome Medical Practice in partnership have been awarded the money to support the ‘Green and Healthy Future’ project, which will develop community-led, practical initiatives that give people the opportunity to increase both their health & wellbeing and also reduce their climate impact.
It’s wonderful to contemplate the future through this project and to work towards our target of being carbon neutral by 2030, but for some people that’s the least of their concerns as they struggle to find somewhere to live.
We know that when the eviction ban finally lifts, so many people will be seeking accommodation of some sort, and will no doubt be adding to the numbers of homeless people who already exist. I’m a Director of Fair Housing for Frome, which is interested in helping with all the difficulties associated with awkward housing situations – whether it’s homelessness, sofa surfing, rental agreements or mortgage issues. We don’t actually own any property (an incorrect perception), but we are skilled in signposting people to those who can help. It’s quite noticeable on the organisation’s Facebook page, within the Frome Housing Notice Board, how many more people are now seeking one/two bedroomed houses or flats to buy, share or rent. So, if you’re aware of anyone with rooms to spare or property to rent, please direct them to this site so that we can help. https://www.facebook.com/fairhousingforfrome or you have any information you’d like to share you can also email info@fairhousingforfrome.org.uk. Thank you!
This week the Prime Minister has given us a clearer idea of what the future holds in terms of the easing of restrictions, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that the government set out some clear and helpful plans to help us all move slowly towards normality.
In the meantime, we just have to get on with it, so I sincerely hope you enjoyed your pancakes last week, I certainly did! That means, of course, that there are now just under forty days until Easter! On the one hand it’s wonderful to think that sunshine and springtime really are on the way, but it’s quite scary how quickly the time flies!
I’m off for a few more procedures next week, prior to my treatment, so I’ll be leaving you in the hands of my Deputy, Andy Wrintmore, who will be steering the Mayoral ship for a few days and I’ll catch up with you as soon as I can. Until then stay safe, enjoy your week, and please take of yourselves and your neighbours.
