Mud, Music & Magic
- Daisy Steel
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 4
I’ll be honest—this month’s episode of When in Frome is fashionably late. The reason? I blame Glastonbury.
After a few days of mud, music, and magic in a field with 200,000 others, it took me a little while to swap the glitter for a microphone. But I’m back! I’ve brought the July edition of When in Frome with me. It’s packed with stories from right here in town, just as joyful (and occasionally chaotic) as any festival field.
The Build-Up to Frome Festival
This month, we dive head-first into the build-up to Frome Festival, which kicks off this weekend. I chat with festival organiser Adam Laughton. He gives us a peek behind the curtain of one of Frome’s most creative weeks of the year. Whether you’re into art, literature, comedy, or street choirs, there’s something in this year’s programme for everyone.
The theme for this year’s festival is Frome’s links to the textile industry. I was lucky enough to speak to a local historian about the town’s wool trade roots. Frome was once a powerhouse of cloth production. You can still see the echoes of that legacy in our street names, architecture, and even in the Black Swan Arts building—formerly a wool drying house.
Local Legend: Lenka Grimes
This month’s Local Legend is the truly inspiring Lenka Grimes. She was recently named Frome’s Person of the Year for her tireless work with Fair Frome. Lenka shares her journey and the powerful impact the charity has on those experiencing hardship. This includes running food banks and tackling period poverty.
I was seriously impressed by the space Lenka has created, tucked away in the Frome Business Park. It’s so much more than just a food bank. It features a beautiful garden and a calm, thoughtfully designed consulting room. It's a space where people in need can go for practical support, met with dignity and compassion. Lenka offers not just essentials but also hope and human connection.
Behind the Scenes of Frome Carnival
We also catch up with the Frome Carnival Committee. They tell us what it takes to keep this long-running tradition alive. From costume-making to fundraising for floats, it’s a brilliant reminder that behind every bit of sparkle in Frome, there’s a group of committed volunteers making it all happen.
What’s On in Frome This Month
If you’re wondering what else is going on around town this month, don’t miss my chat with Becky, the founder of Fabulous Frome. Becky walks us through some of her top picks from the July What’s On calendar. This includes secret gigs and family-friendly fun.
And of course, Challenge Sonia returns. This time, I dared her to step out of her comfort zone and join the Jackdaws singing group. They meet on Wednesday evenings at Selwood Academy. Did she hit the high notes? You’ll have to listen to find out!
The Joy of Storytelling
Recording this month’s episode reminded me of why I love doing this podcast. Frome is full of stories—big, small, funny, human. I feel very lucky to help tell some of them. Even if occasionally I get sidetracked by a giant disco ball on Worthy Farm.
You can listen to the When in Frome July edition right here on the Fabulous Frome website, on all major podcast platforms, and on Frome FM throughout the month.
And if you’ve got a story, an idea, or a local legend you think we should feature in a future episode, do please get in touch! Especially if they’ve got a tunnel under their house or an alpaca in their garden. You know, the usual Frome stuff.
If you are a business and would like to have a Spotlight feature written about you and published on Fabulous Frome, please contact Becky on +44 7793 561696 or email her at becky@fabulousfrome.co.uk. For prices, click here.
