News in Frome

Frome Town Council, Edventure and Frome Medical Practice in partnership have been awarded £300,000 by the National Lottery Community Fund. The Green and Healthy Future project will develop community-led, practical initiatives that give people the opportunity to increase both their health & wellbeing and also reduce their climate impact.

The weather outlook for the rest of the week is that as winter proper starts - the current cold spell will continue - with making many of us very hopeful for some snow.

However the local weather man in Kilmersdon, while he doesn't want to dash any hopes, said that the rest of the week will be unsettled with rain or showers and some brighter intervals you are only likely to see snow on the top of the Mendips.

Thirty five homes across Frome have already signed up to the 'Windows of Hope' project - with organisers hoping to have over 50 by the weekend of 11th - 13th December.

Christ Church School is also getting creative, making window kits in school and sending them home with pupils.

Frome Medical Practice is continuing the roll out of its flu vaccination programme and is now calling on patients who are between the ages of 50 – 65 to get in touch to book their flu jab appointment. This is a new target group for the flu vaccine, announced by the government earlier this year. Previously people under 65 were only eligible for the vaccine if they had certain medical conditions.

Appointments for this new group of patients will be available to book at the practice from Tuesday 1st December 2020. To enable the practice to provide the additional vaccinations without affecting their usual clinics a special flu clinic has been arranged on Saturday 12th December, from 8.30am – 4.30pm.

This year, the naughty little Frome elf is leaving the shelf and getting out and about visiting the shops of Frome in the run up to Christmas. You'll be able to spot him getting up to mischief in a different shop window every day from the 1st of December, right up until the 24th, when he'll be off to help Father Christmas.

As Frome's local independent cinema prepares to open on Friday this week, there has been a lovely debate in the community about the cinema which pre-dates the Cork Street venue.

In 1971, where the Westway now stands, there was The Gaumont picture house and it was three times the size.

Starting with live story-telling & hot chocolate by the fire, outside on the amphitheatre, the Merlin theatre is delighted that Tier2 rules mean it IS able to present a socially-distanced season of joy.

Celebrations start with 'Crimes Against Christmas' #signalfires on 10th/11th December - part of a national chain of 'beacons' being lit across the land to unite theatre companies unable to tour. To inspire us all with hope, these promise to be two exciting nights out. Wrap up warmly!

Unable to organise the town's normal Christmas activities this year, Frome Town Council are sprinkling Christmas cheer throughout December with a special Christmas Calendar Countdown. Residents can view the calendar on FTC's website each day during December and in the run up to Christmas; a new door will open up every day, it will reveal many festive ideas that the whole town can get involved with.

Mendip's grant scheme providing extra support for businesses affected by the current national lockdown opens today (Monday ) for two weeks.

Frome mum Emma Endicott now has three wise nearly men, but their arrival into the world was very frightening.

Which is why every day until until December 19 you might spot her out running, raising money for the neonatal intensive care unit in Bath which cared for them 14 years ago.