Discovering the Hidden Wonders of Frome: August Highlights

Exploring the Depths of Frome's History

August always feels like a slightly slower month. It’s a time to catch your breath, get outside, and perhaps even switch off—just a little. This month on the When in Frome podcast, we’ve embraced that slower pace. We tuned into some of the town’s quieter stories and even ventured underground… quite literally.

If you’ve ever walked through Frome and wondered what lies beneath your feet, you’re not alone. The Frome Tunnels Project has been busy investigating the hidden network rumored to run all the way underneath the town. Tales of priests, smugglers, and mysterious holes in the ground abound. I spoke to three of the group’s volunteers, and now I can’t walk along Cheap Street without imagining the secret passageways hidden just below the cobbles.

A Community Bike Ride Adventure

Also this month, Sonia took on another challenge. This time, she participated in a community bike ride from Frome to Mells. She hopped on an e-bike borrowed from the brilliant Frome Community Bike Project and off she went. Sonia proved that you don’t need to be a Lycra-clad pro to enjoy the Somerset countryside on two wheels.

Local Legends: Dr. Helen Kingston

Our local legend on the podcast this month is the brilliant Dr. Helen Kingston. She is the GP behind the innovative Compassionate Frome project. It’s inspiring to hear how it all started. Dr. Kingston helped put Frome on the map by showing what can happen when a community tackles loneliness head-on. By building stronger social connections, Frome has seen a remarkable drop in emergency hospital admissions. This model is now inspiring other towns around the world.

Finding Calm in Chaos

We finished the show with a moment of calm. We chatted with a local massage therapist about how to unwind, breathe, and listen to what your body is telling you. It’s a timely reminder for us all to take a step back and focus on our well-being.

Personal Updates: New Beginnings

Outside of podcast land, it’s been a big month for me too. I’ve started a new job reading the news for LBC Radio. This means some very early mornings and a lot of coffee. However, it’s been great getting stuck into a new rhythm.

I also squeezed in a peaceful escape to Dorset with my husband. We stayed in a shepherd’s hut, surrounded by fields, glorious views, and a welcome lack of phone signal. But my absolute highlight? Watching my seven-month-old granddaughter master the art of crawling. One minute she was wobbling back and forth, and the next, she’s off on her own little mission, leaving a pair of mildly panicked grandparents in her wake.

Looking Ahead: Embracing Adventure

Hope your August brings you a little adventure and a little rest. Who knows? Maybe even a secret tunnel or two.

You can listen to the When in Frome August 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.

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