An exhibition of photography evoking memories and the culture of Tibet is to the staged in a Frome venue later this month.

Tibetan Memories  will be staged at The Good Heart which is on 7 Palmer Street, with a preview on Monday, 18 July and it will then run until Friday, 5 August. Opening times are noon to 3pm and 5 to 7pm on Mondays to Saturdays.

The exhibition is produced in co-operation with One A Photography and features images of the people, landscapes and Buddhist rituals of Tibet and its neighbouring countries (Bhutan, Nepal and India).

More than 20 photographs will be on display in the café and people can enjoy these while they sample the simple, flavourful and tasty plant-based dishes provided by resident Tibetan chef Namdi and his catering company Tibetan Memories, which is based at The Good Heart.

"I am delighted to see these images of my homeland, my people and my faith adorning the walls of my café," Namdi said.  

 The people of the high Himalayas and their mystical Buddhist beliefs and rituals have fascinated western visitors and onlookers for over 150 years. Tibet and its neighbouring Himalayan countries remained relatively isolated due to their inaccessibility. As a result, their culture and traditions have been preserved to this day. 

The images on display at The Good Heart depict places such as Lhasa and the Potala Palace (the official residence of The Dalai Lama before he went into exile). Also depicted are lamas, monks and nuns, temple and festival rituals. 

One A Photography is a new gallery which opened up in Frome in May of this year. Its name derives from its address at 1a Scott Road –the road which leads from the Market Place into the Westway Precinct. It specialises in photography and holds a wide range of images including press photographs, portraits, landscapes and photojournalism.

Gallery owner Lockhart Murdoch said that he has collected historic images of Tibet and its neighbours for some years now. 

As a regular customer at The Good Heart he thought he would sound out Namdi about giving the café interior a "Tibetan feel". Namdi was keen on the idea. 

Namdi was also very excited to see, among the images on display, one of his own personal Lama to whom he is devoted. 

Among the pictures are images of young monks receiving a blessing in Haramshala, Himachel Pradesh, India. This is the home in exile of the Dalai Lama and it has a substantial Tibetan population. Namdi himself spent many years there.

Good Heart proprietor, Alison Murdoch (no relation to Lockhart) embraced the idea wholeheartedly. The Good Heart is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting kindness and wellbeing in Frome and the surrounding areas. Alison says she is delighted to be hosting this exhibition and hopes it will help to promote both the café business and public awareness.

The photographs will be available for sale.