Posted on June 26 2019
It’s that time of year again and we are eagerly awaiting the start of this year’s Frome Festival to kick start our summer!
Every year the festival chooses to celebrate and highlight the works of notable people from history, for 2019 they have chosen someone who’s roots lie deep in Frome soil, John Webb Singer. Born in The Butts area of Frome in 1819, this year marks Singers 200th birthday. In 1848 he opened a small foundry on the banks of the River Frome making church candle sticks. The foundry soon expanded to include 700 skilled workers that together cast some of the most iconic British bronze statues including the Justice statue atop the Old Bailey in London. Often the statues produced at the factory would be paraded around town on a cart for all to see before being loaded onto a train to be taken to their final resting place. It seems apt to be acknowledging the history of craftsmanship in Frome as it is still thriving today.
If you want to find out more about J W Singer and the foundry’s history there are multiple events and exhibitions happening throughout the festival particularly at Rook Lane Arts, the Frome Museum and the Black Swan Arts are running family friendly workshops teaching the basics of casting, booking required.
Every year the Festival expands, with so much more going on than ever before we didn’t want you missing out so we have put together a list of our top 10 events we thought you should know about!
The Postcard Is Always Innocent – Early Somerset Postcards- FREE, multiple dates throughout the Festival @ Frome Library
This touring exhibition is not to be missed. A nostalgic display of old postcards featuring images of Somerset all by unknown artists.
Hidden Gardens
- £5, 12th / 13th / 14th July 2019
@ Across Frome, buy the program to find out where.
This is where you get to find out what’s behind the hedges and over the
fences of Frome’s proudest gardeners and allotment holders.
What Are You Wearing?
- FREE, 7th July 2019 10:30 – 4:30
@ Silk Mill Studios
“How much do you know about the clothes you wear?” An informal drop in session full of games, talks, workshops and clothes stalls for those who are ethically minded.
Frome Art Trail, Open Studios
– FREE, 6th – 14th July 2019
@ All over Frome
Local artists welcome you into their homes and studios, a wonderful way to discover the hidden talent in Frome.
Cantina Tapas Bar
- Menu of varying prices 5th – 14th July
@ Silk Mill Studios
Come along and have some tasty tapas, a cold beer and hopefully soak up some sun in the open court yard of the beautifully restored history Silk Mill Factory.
Frome Tunnel Talks
- £12.50, Multiple dates throughout the festival
@ Frome Museum, Tickets available from The Cheese and Grain
The ever popular Tunnel Tours have sold out but if you don’t fancy going down a deep dark hole then maybe the talks are more your kind of thing. Learn about the mysteries of hidden tunnels that run under the streets of Frome from the comfort of the Frome Museum.
Food Feast
- FREE to attend, 6th July 2019 (Food not free but maybe a free sample here and there!)
@ Market Yard Car Park
A Festive Feast of deliciousness, that is all that needs to be said!
Frome Independent Market
- FREE to attend, 7th July 2019
@ Across Frome, from Catherine Hill to the Market Yard Car Park.
Most of you know about this by now but its always worth a visit.
Mad Dog Mcrea
- £15, 13th July 2019, 19:30
@ Cheese & Grain
“A unique mix of folk, rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ‘shake your ass’ music” This is sure to get you on your dancing feet and dancing the night away!
Wool, Woad & Water, A Creative Walk Through the Cloth Trade
- £10, 13th July 2019 14:00 – 16:30
@ Black Swan Arts
Learn about the history of Frome’s wool industry with a walking tour around Frome lead by creatives Christina Sanders and Carolyn Griffiths.
For the full program of events see the Frome Festival Website