Hi everyone, and welcome to the column. This is my fourth, and I’m thoroughly enjoying writing it and sharing town news with readers. I’m also really appreciating meeting so many new people and loving the random chats I’m having while out and about. Frome is full of interesting people with great stories, and a fascinating history.
I was reminded how much we have to be proud of when I was invited to our wonderful Share Shop’s awards party. The shop has gone from strength to strength as more and more people are realising that its far less wasteful to have a community ‘library of stuff’ to borrow than to keep buying things we rarely use. For such a tiny space, it has an astounding amount of stuff, as well as managing to pack in a fair few bodies for the awards, which were given to people such as Trustees who have worked hard to make it a success. Along with the community fridge, which is temporarily operating out of the Town Hall, and other initiatives, it’s a leading example of creating sustainable solutions to some of our big and local environmental issues.
As I write the town is in full swing for the Festival, which seems bigger and more varied than ever before this year. We’re able to attract major names across a whole range of fields, and there really is something for every taste and budget, with many events free to attend. Hopefully the sunny evenings will continue to provide the perfect backdrop.
This last but one weekend has seen the Glastonbury exodus! It does feel very quiet if you’re not one of those that ventures there, but it’s brilliant to see so many local business doing really well at the event, from caterers to willow weavers to face-painters and DJs. This year felt like a happy return and a good thing for local businesses that have struggled through the pandemic.
Finally, I can’t leave this week without mentioning the almost unbelievable event of Paul McCartney playing a surprise pre-Glastonbury gig at our very own Cheese and Grain. What a coup for the venue! And indeed the whole town, which was buzzing for a solid 48 hours as the news seeped out, tickets went on sale and the build up continued. The story made the national news; its not every day a Beatle comes to town, and it once again reminded me that anything is possible in Frome!
