News in Frome

Wing Walk to help raise vital funds for Active and In Touch this summer!

Three brave volunteers have already stepped up but there is room for a few more...If you have a head for heights and would like the thrill of a lifetime as well as raising funds to help lonely and isolated people in Frome, this could be the challenge for you!

Frome stallholders - and their customers - were told late on January 17 that contrary to earlier speculation the Frome Mendip Market WILL continue.

However it will only be on the Wednesday.

Network Rail is about to start some more work in Frome.

From tomorrow (January 18) they are undertaking essential works to the Pilly Vale railway bridge. The works are scheduled to carry on until March 12 , with the footpath under the bridge being closed from February 1.

A young Frome Town footballer has been nominated for a top footballing award.

Sixteen year old Ethan Fielder has been nominated as Player of the Term nomination for the Southern Division of the ESPFA.

Somerset County Council's gritting teams covered more than 20,000km and spent over 970 hours on the county's road over the festive period keeping key routes clear for key workers.

The team of 54 drivers and nine supervisors from the Council's contractor Skanska were kept busy throughout the holiday season as freezing temperatures gripped the county, including a low of -5.6C at Nunney Catch near Frome on New Year's Eve.

A new specialist school has already attracted attention from possible pupils in Frome following being given the go-ahead by the Department for Education (DfE) to fully open next week.

The team at Abbot's Way School say they are delighted that all their children can start being taught from Monday (January 18), now that the DfE has given the organisation the green light, following checks that all schools have to undertake before they open.

With the COVID-19 lockdown underway and freezing weather outside ,Mendip District Council are encouraging all residents, particularly the most vulnerable, to pick up the phone to get free personal advice to keep their homes warm, reduce energy costs and save money.

The call marks this year's Big Energy Saving Week (18-24 January 2021), a national campaign to help people get the financial support and energy saving advice they are entitled to.

Frome Medical Centre has been praised for its great work rolling out the coronavirus vaccine.

One of the first to get the dose was 91 year old Betty Duke who said: "It amazes me that some people don't want to have it. The way it was all arranged was very efficient and we didn't have to wait at all."

During the first lockdown, the community in Frome really pulled together and many selflessly gave up their own time to help those who needed it to get through the pandemic. Once again, we find ourselves back in lockdown and we're still seeing lots of amazing community organisations supporting our most vulnerable residents during these challenging times, and again, many of these groups are in need of more hands-on-deck and volunteering support.

Cllr Rich Ackroyd who regularly volunteers, adds: "From the vital ShopForMe Scheme run by Active and In Touch which aids those shielding and unable to shop, to our local schools needing people to help run testing sites when they re-open, not forgetting helping with transport for our most vulnerable to reach their vaccination appointments - your help is needed more than ever. If you have some spare time that could help others, the support will be gratefully received and much appreciated."

The Frome and Somerton MP David Warburton has posted that he has lost a total of eight stone, but said it was not due to any diet.

The MP posted a before and after photo on social media, something he told his followers he is not a fan of, of his new slim line look.