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New rules could mean fewer housing plans decided by councillorsBy Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby with additional ...
04/09/2026

New rules could mean fewer housing plans decided by councillors

By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby with additional reporting by Frome Times

Fewer decisions on major housing plans could be taken by councillors after October following changes in UK planning law.

The Labour government has been making numerous changes to national planning policy as part of its pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes by the end of the current parliament.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced in early-June that it would be making changes to the ‘national scheme of delegation’ - a set of rules which governs which planning applications can come to public committee meetings.

These changes come into effect in Somerset on 31st October and may make it harder for large developments to be decided in public, especially where outline planning permission is already in place.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/KLqkwLk

Pictured: Town Council Planning and Development Manager Jane Llewellyn and Chair of planning committee Cllr Steve Tanner

Greens win Frome West by-electionThe Green Party has won the Frome West by-election for Somerset Council, with Dominic E...
04/09/2026

Greens win Frome West by-election

The Green Party has won the Frome West by-election for Somerset Council, with Dominic Ellison elected as the new councillor.

Dominic Ellison received 663 votes, 40.3% of the total, in the by-election held on Thursday 3rd September. Turnout was 21.68%.

Drew Gardner (Liberal Democrats) received 554 votes, Joseph Williams (Reform UK) received 218, Christopher David Wildridge (Labour Party) received 89 and David Salter Quantrill-Simon (Conservative Party) received 87.

The by-election was held following the resignation of Green Party councillor Michael Dunk, after an unsuccessful appeal against his conviction for his role in a Just Stop Oil protest in 2022.

He was among activists who climbed gantries on the M25 as part of a protest calling for an end to new fossil fuel projects. He was sentenced to 26 months in prison after being found guilty of causing a public nuisance and was later released on licence.

Under Somerset Council’s constitution, anyone convicted of a criminal offence and given a prison sentence of at least three months cannot remain as a councillor.

Read more in the next edition of the Frome Times out on 10th September.

Bereavement help points offer support to local peopleTwo bereavement help points have opened recently to offer a space f...
04/09/2026

Bereavement help points offer support to local people

Two bereavement help points have opened recently to offer a space for people to meet others who are grieving and share experiences.

The help points, run by Dorothy House, are held at The Good Heart on Palmer Street in Frome and Frome Livestock Market in Standerwick.

Dorothy House staff and trained volunteers are on hand to speak to people, share experiences and offer guidance and support. All sessions are free to attend with no need to book.

Organisers say, “Grief can feel overwhelming, isolating and unpredictable - but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our Bereavement Help Point group offers a gentle, understanding space to meet others who are also grieving, share experiences at your own pace, and find comfort in compassionate company.”

Read more here: https://buff.ly/wHsqgAN

15 years of learning for fun — and a fresh crop of courses for autumn at Frome Community Education Running classes for a...
03/09/2026

15 years of learning for fun — and a fresh crop of courses for autumn at Frome Community Education

Running classes for adults since 2011, Frome Community Education is 15 years old.

It was back in December 2010 that Malcolm Lloyd walked into Lidl and saw Sue Klepper. “How’s it going?” said Malcolm. “Terrible,” said Sue, “we’re thinking of running our own classes.” “That’s a good idea,” said Malcolm. And thus, Frome Community Education was born!

Joined by Margaret Binney, Sandy Usher, David Chandler and, later, by Mandy Crook, FCE produced its first brochure of classes for adults starting in September 2011, so that’s 15 years of bringing learning for fun to the good people of Frome.

Help was received from around the town. Kirsty Campbell, Jenny Dale and Mel Jones helped with various tasks while Butler & Tanner printed the brochure, Frome Town Council and Frome Lottery offered grants and the Cheese & Grain agreed to do the enrolments.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/djlDd4y

Pictured:
Directors Malcolm Lloyd, Margaret Binney, Sue Klepper, Amanda Crook and Programme Manager, Pia McGee.
Longest serving tutor Elaine Marie Ewens cutting the cake at the recent birthday celebrations

Take part in Frome’s Multicultural FestivalOrganisers of Frome’s Multicultural Festival are inviting local people to fin...
03/09/2026

Take part in Frome’s Multicultural Festival

Organisers of Frome’s Multicultural Festival are inviting local people to find out more about the event and get involved.

The free festival will take place on Sunday 11th October at the Cheese and Grain from 12pm to 3pm, celebrating the many diverse cultures of Frome, which is home to people from more than 70 nationalities.

People interested in getting involved are invited to meet the organisers at the Cheese and Grain cafe on 7th September from 5pm to 7pm.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/9DSifwm

Pictured: l-r Avtar, Anne, Azeema and Lenka

Bridge club reaches out to next generation of playersA bridge club in Frome is launching a new season of beginner lesson...
02/09/2026

Bridge club reaches out to next generation of players

A bridge club in Frome is launching a new season of beginner lessons this autumn, starting with a demonstration event at Frome Library this month.

The club will be running an ‘All about Bridge’ event at Frome Library on Saturday 5th September to give an insight into the game for anyone interested in learning to play it.

The event will consist of a simple bridge demo session where four people will be playing the game, along with lots of information about bridge and its history. It will run from 9.45am to 2pm.

Members of the club shared their skills at the town council’s play event at the Key Centre on 5th August, marking National Play Day 2026. It was the first in a series of initiatives by the club to showcase the game ahead of its new teaching year in October.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/gDgLIHQ

Frome resident launches midlife wellness brandA resident from Frome has launched a new wellness brand creating supplemen...
02/09/2026

Frome resident launches midlife wellness brand

A resident from Frome has launched a new wellness brand creating supplements aimed at supporting women through midlife and beyond.

Chris Curwen is the founder of Creatonics, which has launched what it describes as the UK’s first day-and-night creatine system formulated specifically for women over 40.

The brand has partnered with Bath-based personal trainer and Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams MBE, who has become a founding ambassador for the company.

A spokesperson for the Creatonics founding team said, “The company is born from the need to support women through the physiological shifts of midlife, perimenopause, menopause and beyond. Creatonics is redefining how women approach strength and healthy ageing. While creatine is widely celebrated for its muscle function and performance benefits, Creatonics is the first brand to optimise it specifically for a woman’s natural daily rhythm with a dual-formula approach.'

Read more here: https://buff.ly/XvdX2dD

Ex-Somerset councillor jailed over M25 protest reflects ahead of by-electionBy Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby For...
01/09/2026

Ex-Somerset councillor jailed over M25 protest reflects ahead of by-election

By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby

Former Somerset councillor, Michael Dunk, jailed for his role in a protest on the M25 has reflected on his career and his role in environmental activism.

Michael was one of two Green Party councillors elected to represent the Frome West division at the local elections in May 2022.

Known affectionately as ‘Mick’, he was among numerous Just Stop Oil activists who climbed gantries on the M25 in November 2022 to demand an end to new fossil fuel projects.

Following his release from prison and a failed appeal against his conviction, Michael was forced to step down in mid-July – with a by-election to replace him being held in the coming weeks.

Having been released on licence, he still has to see his probation officer once a month and has to give advanced notice if he is travelling outside of Somerset or further afield.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/aDqy0CV

Pictured: Michael Dunk in the garden of his home in Frome. Credit: Daniel Mumby

Lunchtime concert to bring American composers to FromeA lunchtimes concert at Christ Church, Frome, this month will comb...
01/09/2026

Lunchtime concert to bring American composers to Frome

A lunchtimes concert at Christ Church, Frome, this month will combine familiar works with music by lesser-known American composers.

The concert on Saturday 5th September at 1pm, will be given by violinist Helena Todd and Frome pianist Paul Eyre and will feature familiar works by Bartók, Gershwin, Chopin and Debussy alongside a little-heard work by William Grant Still and Amy Beach’s Romance.

William Still was an important American composer whose Afro-American Symphony was premiered by the Rochester Philharmonic in 1931, while Amy Beach’s Romance was first performed in 1893 by violinist Maud Powell, with the composer at the piano.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/hznvKup

Pictured: Helena Todd, Amy Beach, William Grant Still

Repairs to 300-year-old building to beginWork to repair one of Frome’s most historic buildings is set to begin after a f...
31/08/2026

Repairs to 300-year-old building to begin

Work to repair one of Frome’s most historic buildings is set to begin after a fundraising appeal raised more than £50,000 towards the project.

The Blue House, a Grade I-listed building on The Bridge, has been providing affordable accommodation for the town’s elderly men and women since 1480. The current building was renovated in 1728 and is the third building on the site.

Last year, the trustees launched a tricentenary fundraiser to raise £500,000 to cover structural repairs, including work on the windows, external stonework and roof.

With £53,924 already raised, they are due to start phase one of the works in October, which will focus on work above the gutter line, including the roof and flats at the top of the building.

Blue House Manager David H***e said, “Rather than trying to wait until we have got all of the funds, which could take us years, we will make a start with what we have got and start the works.

Read more here: https://buff.ly/48DLamM

Pictured: Trustees outside The Blue House

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