A couple of weeks ago we bought a cucumber on the way home from a walk along Vallis Vale. Within two minutes of leaving the shop it had disappeared and there was a tell-tale hole in the carrier bag. We immediately re-traced our steps, but it was nowhere to be seen. Relating this story the next day to some Fromians, they told us the area where the rogue vegetable went AWOL was once notorious as a red light district. Its name? Badcox.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Sunday, 19 February 2012
On the whole, it was folking good...
In my blog of the 8th Jan, I expressed my concerns about the line-up of the inaugural Frome Folk Festival, which is drawing to a close as I write. I needn't have worried (too much).
The quality of the performances was, given the nature of an event like this, inevitably varied, ranging from the mundane to the startling. Attendances were healthy and - with the odd notable exception - the event was pretty much glitch free.
I can only report on the Saturday as we had to return from whence we come today, but it kicked off at the Cheese & Grain at the unlikely hour of 9.15am with local combo Dyer : Cummings. Belying their tender years, this quartet was completely unfazed by a dozy, morning audience's lackadaisical response and put in a highly commendable and energetic shift.
Then to a dreary room in the Masonic Hall to hear Rivers of England. Playing as a duo, their set hinted at how interesting the material might be, given more ambitious arrangements for a larger line-up.
Back to the C&G and Festival Patron and local resident, Cara Dillon, enthusiastically introduced Winter Mountain, while failing to mention that they are the first signing to her and husband Sam Lakeman's new label. Which might go some way to explain her enthusiasm. Their voices were beautiful, but does the world need a Simon & Garfunkel clone?
At the Westway Cinema next, for Belshazzar's Feast (festival organisers please note - the sight lines are terrible). We only caught half an hour, but they were witty, entertaining, highly skilful and delivered far more than their rather wimpy last album, Find The Lady, promised. An act to catch up with at length elsewhere.
We had to leave the Feast to attend a singing workshop. Now, while Mrs Weekender has sung in amateur choirs, my vocalising has been mostly limited to audience participation at gigs. But the thought of 90 minutes in the company of Caroline Radcliffe must have struck a (vocal) chord somewhere. It was terrific. Caroline had us singing Swedish and Gaelic folksong and performing complicated rounds and harmonies. Experienced singers lined up besides novices and the whole thing was conducted in a terrific spirit. Bravo for participation.
But then the low spot of the day. Back to the Westway for Elfynn. They were late going on (no explanation offered) and suffered technical problems throughout. Their stand-in singer made her nerves quite clear and it was easy to see why their brand of folk-rock rose and fell very quickly in the 1970s. I hope their ceilidh this morning was more successful.
So to the finale - Jamie Smith's Mabon and Spiers & Boden at the C&G - via a quick diversion to the Masons for half an hour of the inexplicably delayed Daturas. Interesting line-up (the only sighting of the Lesser Spotted Pedal Steel all day) and intriguing, passionate songs. But their sulky presentation did little to endear them to those of us of a certain age.
Jamie Smith's Mabon (not to be confused with 'Mabon' - the reason for that is a long and seemingly acrimonious story of family feuds) were absolutely superb. Where Elfynn sounded dated, this lot married a rock rhythm section to a traditional front line and the result was fresh, powerful and hugely entertaining. Smith is simply one of the best accordion players I have ever seen. But would they upstage the top of the bill? S & B came out with all guns blazing, proving a fiddle, a melodeon and a pair of stamping feet can be as exciting as any roaring rock band. It's been a while since we'd seen them, so was this new energy in response to Mabon's storming set? Or have they simply got more rock 'n' roll as Bellowhead goes from strength to strength? Whatever the reason, they married traditional song and dance to oodles of modern day oomph, and the result was hugely exhilarating.
So, 8 out of 10 from the judges: a score only slightly tarnished by the lack of activity in the town centre this mornng. A "Morris Market" was promised all weekend, complete with dancers. At midday today there was nothing going on. The music inside the venues may be quality, but it's out on the streets that the real impact of this event will be made with the people of Frome, most of whom will almost certainly not have been converted to the folkie cause.
But will it become a permanent fixture in the cultural calendar? Tickets for Frome Folk Festival 2013 went on sale yesterday.
http://www.fromefolkfestival.co.uk
The quality of the performances was, given the nature of an event like this, inevitably varied, ranging from the mundane to the startling. Attendances were healthy and - with the odd notable exception - the event was pretty much glitch free.
 |
| Dyer : Cummings' bassoonist wonders if there's a breakfast rider in the contract |
Then to a dreary room in the Masonic Hall to hear Rivers of England. Playing as a duo, their set hinted at how interesting the material might be, given more ambitious arrangements for a larger line-up.
Back to the C&G and Festival Patron and local resident, Cara Dillon, enthusiastically introduced Winter Mountain, while failing to mention that they are the first signing to her and husband Sam Lakeman's new label. Which might go some way to explain her enthusiasm. Their voices were beautiful, but does the world need a Simon & Garfunkel clone?
 |
| Jackie Oates puts on a brave face in the light of Weekender's criticism |
We once saw Jackie Oates play solo aboard an industrial barge. She was terrific. But her set with her band yesterday was lacking in variety. She's a talented woman, but needs more light and shade in her repertoire.
At the Westway Cinema next, for Belshazzar's Feast (festival organisers please note - the sight lines are terrible). We only caught half an hour, but they were witty, entertaining, highly skilful and delivered far more than their rather wimpy last album, Find The Lady, promised. An act to catch up with at length elsewhere.
We had to leave the Feast to attend a singing workshop. Now, while Mrs Weekender has sung in amateur choirs, my vocalising has been mostly limited to audience participation at gigs. But the thought of 90 minutes in the company of Caroline Radcliffe must have struck a (vocal) chord somewhere. It was terrific. Caroline had us singing Swedish and Gaelic folksong and performing complicated rounds and harmonies. Experienced singers lined up besides novices and the whole thing was conducted in a terrific spirit. Bravo for participation.
But then the low spot of the day. Back to the Westway for Elfynn. They were late going on (no explanation offered) and suffered technical problems throughout. Their stand-in singer made her nerves quite clear and it was easy to see why their brand of folk-rock rose and fell very quickly in the 1970s. I hope their ceilidh this morning was more successful.
 |
| The Cheese & Grain puts the flags out |
 |
| John Spiers looks to the heavens for inspiration (or at least the lighting rig at the Cheese & Grain) |
So, 8 out of 10 from the judges: a score only slightly tarnished by the lack of activity in the town centre this mornng. A "Morris Market" was promised all weekend, complete with dancers. At midday today there was nothing going on. The music inside the venues may be quality, but it's out on the streets that the real impact of this event will be made with the people of Frome, most of whom will almost certainly not have been converted to the folkie cause.
But will it become a permanent fixture in the cultural calendar? Tickets for Frome Folk Festival 2013 went on sale yesterday.
http://www.fromefolkfestival.co.uk
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Bras & Bravos
Randa Bott stares, smiling, out of the front page of the current edition of The List. She's promoting her lingerie shop on The Bridge. But between the magazine going to press and this weekend, the shop has put up the closing down notices. This is unfortunate - not because I avail myself of Randa's goods (sorry not to be able to reveal that Weekender is a cross-dresser) - but because any one-off retailer in Frome that has to close down is bad news for a town that sells itself on its independent shops. And Opal's demise is a double whammy. Frome is proud of its bridge: along with nearby Bath, it claims to be the only town in Britain with shops along a river crossing. The cafe here has already shut, and Randa's imminent departure leaves a big hole in this historic retail strip.
Better news this weekend from The Black Swan - its 2012 Open Art Exhibition has just opened, and the quality and variety is excellent. We were particularly impressed by Annemarie Blake's wide screen, monochrome (and local) landscape, the manipulated photographs of Joseph Beveridge, Alison Shanks' witty ceramic toaster and the textures of Mark Nesbit's 'Titanic'. The gallery needs support, and it was encouraging to see so many people there this morning. Well worth a visit, for all sorts of reasons.
www.thelistfrome.co.uk
www.opallingerie.co.uk
www.blackswan.org.uk
Better news this weekend from The Black Swan - its 2012 Open Art Exhibition has just opened, and the quality and variety is excellent. We were particularly impressed by Annemarie Blake's wide screen, monochrome (and local) landscape, the manipulated photographs of Joseph Beveridge, Alison Shanks' witty ceramic toaster and the textures of Mark Nesbit's 'Titanic'. The gallery needs support, and it was encouraging to see so many people there this morning. Well worth a visit, for all sorts of reasons.
www.thelistfrome.co.uk
www.opallingerie.co.uk
www.blackswan.org.uk
Sunday, 5 February 2012
The People's Hall?
The Cheese & Grain is something of a hot potato in Frome (sorry about the food metaphor...) This town centre community venue seems to be loved and loathed in equal measure. A glorified disco that leaches money hand over fist, says its opponents. An invaluable resource that combines local events with concerts featuring national names, trumpets its supporters.
It's certainly one of the reasons we bought a place in Frome, and you won't be surprised to hear that we are firmly in the pro- lobby. The place is a symbol of the town's commitment to the arts, but that's not all. It's not just a concert hall - farmers' markets, antiques & wedding fairs, craft shows, bingo all serve parts of the community that may not attend a musical performance. The Big Christmas Get-Together for those who could not afford a festive lunch was held there too.
The C&G is back on the agenda again now as the Town Council is proposing to move its offices there, investing in the upper floor, installing solar panels etc.
These are tough times. Local Authority spending is stretched. But every now and then leaps of faith are necessary on the part of our elected representatives. And stumping up the cash for benefits that cannot be measured can be justified.
http://www.cheeseandgrain.co.uk
http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk
It's certainly one of the reasons we bought a place in Frome, and you won't be surprised to hear that we are firmly in the pro- lobby. The place is a symbol of the town's commitment to the arts, but that's not all. It's not just a concert hall - farmers' markets, antiques & wedding fairs, craft shows, bingo all serve parts of the community that may not attend a musical performance. The Big Christmas Get-Together for those who could not afford a festive lunch was held there too.
The C&G is back on the agenda again now as the Town Council is proposing to move its offices there, investing in the upper floor, installing solar panels etc.
These are tough times. Local Authority spending is stretched. But every now and then leaps of faith are necessary on the part of our elected representatives. And stumping up the cash for benefits that cannot be measured can be justified.
http://www.cheeseandgrain.co.uk
http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Share and share alike...
As Frome considers the concept of a "shared space" in the Market Place, here's an interesting take on the subject from the Capital:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24032482-shared-space-is-the-future-for-londons-roads.do
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24032482-shared-space-is-the-future-for-londons-roads.do
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Music to our ears?
To the Big Garage On The Hill (aka the Wiltshire Music Centre - see blog of 18.12.11) for Québecois trio, Genticorum.
The auditorium looked slightly less stark than at our last visit as the tastefully pastel-coloured acoustic panels had been put up to give the place a more intimate sound. But it still feels more car maintenance than concert hall. The band was good - technically highly proficient with oodles of good humour in their presentation. But only the a capella numbers gave the hairs on the back of my neck any exercise. This was perhaps more to do with the very nature of the French-Canadian music they play which, stripped of the big band arrangements of the likes of La Bottine Souriante or the more eclectic style of La Volée d'Castors, comes across as rather relentlessly repetitive.
It didn't help that for the whole of the first half Yann Falquet's guitar was virtually inaudible. I mentioned this to him in the interval (someone had to) and matters improved somewhat in part 2.That was until Yann whipped out his Jew's Harp (!) - which we couldn't hear either.
There's not much point in playing a hall which trumpets "the best acoustic outside London", if your sound engineer has Van Gogh's ear for music.
www.genticorum.com
www. wiltshiremusic.org
The auditorium looked slightly less stark than at our last visit as the tastefully pastel-coloured acoustic panels had been put up to give the place a more intimate sound. But it still feels more car maintenance than concert hall. The band was good - technically highly proficient with oodles of good humour in their presentation. But only the a capella numbers gave the hairs on the back of my neck any exercise. This was perhaps more to do with the very nature of the French-Canadian music they play which, stripped of the big band arrangements of the likes of La Bottine Souriante or the more eclectic style of La Volée d'Castors, comes across as rather relentlessly repetitive.
It didn't help that for the whole of the first half Yann Falquet's guitar was virtually inaudible. I mentioned this to him in the interval (someone had to) and matters improved somewhat in part 2.That was until Yann whipped out his Jew's Harp (!) - which we couldn't hear either.
There's not much point in playing a hall which trumpets "the best acoustic outside London", if your sound engineer has Van Gogh's ear for music.
www.genticorum.com
www. wiltshiremusic.org
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Wassup? Wassail!
Today, myself, Mrs W and a friend from Surrey attended the Kilmersdon Wassail, held in the village that gave the world "Jack and Jill". This was my bright idea, as I've always had an interest in folk traditions - and the others humoured me. We travelled from Frome with some trepidation, as village events don't always welcome outsiders with open arms (visions of Royston Vasey and the Local Shop for Local People came to mind). However, we needn't have worried. While it would be inaccurate to say we were clutched to the bosom of Kilmersdon, the people were welcoming enough and certainly did not make visitors feel excluded. A ploughman's lunch (with cider - of course) in the Village Hall (with music from the Village Band) was followed by the crowning of the 2012 Wassail Queen. As MC Martin Horler (splendid in smock and bowler - and playing a mean pair of spoons) explained: they don't elect the Queen, it's more like the naming of a new Dalai Lama - they just know who it should be...
Cam Valley Morris danced in the car park and and then off we 'processed', past the church, up the hill to the Community Orchard (via a flood from the sewage works), led by the band. The Queen placed a slice of toast in one of the apple trees (to attract Robin Goodfellow) and poured cider around its roots (to remind it of its purpose in life), shotguns were fired (to scare away the evil spirits), the Kilmersdon Wassail Song was sung, spiced mulled cider was drunk by all from Wassail Cups (hygiene regs?), Cam Morris danced and off we went to repeat the process in the grounds of the Old School House. This was followed by tea (in proper cups), apple cake and more dancing.
The whole event was brilliantly managed - relaxed, yet well organised. No-one was rushed, but the timetable was (more or less) adhered to. There was great good humour, but the tradition was respected. Martin was a terrific host - not assuming everyone there knew exactly was going on and explaining the various elements with wit and warmth.
A vital midwinter ritual well worth preserving and sustaining - or a load of superstitious old nonsense reserved for sandal-wearing folkies? (though any sandal wearers would have got rather damp and cold today). On the evidence of this afternoon, the former wholeheartedly gets my vote. Oh, and the spiced cider was superb...
www.camvalleymorris.org.uk
http://homepages.tesco.net/~brennig.jones/kilmersdon.htm
Cam Valley Morris danced in the car park and and then off we 'processed', past the church, up the hill to the Community Orchard (via a flood from the sewage works), led by the band. The Queen placed a slice of toast in one of the apple trees (to attract Robin Goodfellow) and poured cider around its roots (to remind it of its purpose in life), shotguns were fired (to scare away the evil spirits), the Kilmersdon Wassail Song was sung, spiced mulled cider was drunk by all from Wassail Cups (hygiene regs?), Cam Morris danced and off we went to repeat the process in the grounds of the Old School House. This was followed by tea (in proper cups), apple cake and more dancing.
The whole event was brilliantly managed - relaxed, yet well organised. No-one was rushed, but the timetable was (more or less) adhered to. There was great good humour, but the tradition was respected. Martin was a terrific host - not assuming everyone there knew exactly was going on and explaining the various elements with wit and warmth.
A vital midwinter ritual well worth preserving and sustaining - or a load of superstitious old nonsense reserved for sandal-wearing folkies? (though any sandal wearers would have got rather damp and cold today). On the evidence of this afternoon, the former wholeheartedly gets my vote. Oh, and the spiced cider was superb...
www.camvalleymorris.org.uk
http://homepages.tesco.net/~brennig.jones/kilmersdon.htm
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Milky Music
Saturday night we ventured out for our first experience of "legendary" Frome pub, The Griffin. Known for its music, it is also the 'tap' of the less-than-imaginatively-named Milk Street Brewery (you can guess the address). At least the name gives them the opportunity to adopt a cute, stylised cow as their logo (but, curiously, they do not seem to produce a milk stout...)
Last night (as I assume on all music nights) one is directed into the bar via the yard, past barrels of Funky Monkey and other slightly irritatingly titled brews. But the proof of the pudding is in the drinking and Gulp was a tasty, refreshing ale (Mrs Weekender also gave the seal of the approval to the Rioja). Appearing was Bemis, an acoustic covers duo/trio (America, Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel etc). It was impossible to see them as the pub is small and the only spare seats were at the back (the lack of stage lighting didn't help). But they sounded fine and were not mere copyists, which is always good news. Many of the locals chatted away as if there was no live performance going on, but we give it 6.5 out of 10 for the quality of the booze and the music. I'm sure we'll go back some time (but definitely try and get a perch near the front where we can both see and hear...)
www.milkstreetbrewery.co.uk
Last night (as I assume on all music nights) one is directed into the bar via the yard, past barrels of Funky Monkey and other slightly irritatingly titled brews. But the proof of the pudding is in the drinking and Gulp was a tasty, refreshing ale (Mrs Weekender also gave the seal of the approval to the Rioja). Appearing was Bemis, an acoustic covers duo/trio (America, Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel etc). It was impossible to see them as the pub is small and the only spare seats were at the back (the lack of stage lighting didn't help). But they sounded fine and were not mere copyists, which is always good news. Many of the locals chatted away as if there was no live performance going on, but we give it 6.5 out of 10 for the quality of the booze and the music. I'm sure we'll go back some time (but definitely try and get a perch near the front where we can both see and hear...)
www.milkstreetbrewery.co.uk
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Frome Folk
Frome is hosting its first Folk Festival in February.
When this was announced there was rejoicing at Weekender Towers, as Mrs W and myself are very partial to a bit of 'trad. arr.' However, as the line-up was gradually unveiled our collective heart sank somewhat. Highly talented people like Spiers & Boden, Steve Knightley and Chris Wood are the leading acts - top names on the English Folk Scene, indeed. But not really the sort of performer to get the blood racing in anticipation of them visiting 'our town'. They are hard-working musicians who are on the road a lot, so there are frequent opportunities to see them around and about. There's no 'wow' element in the acts on offer. No surprises. Nothing that makes this festival stand out from myriad others in the UK (except that it's being held in the winter - and while that's rare, it's not unique). I really don't like to criticise, as the idea of a weekend of traditional music in Frome is to be loudly applauded. But it all feels a bit safe and predictable.
The 'Early Bird' ticket prices are on offer right up until the event, which suggests that sales are not as healthy as they might be. Is this because of the general economic malaise? Or something to do with the programme? I do hope the FFF gets through its first year OK and becomes a regular fixture. But a bit more imagination in the booking policy would not go amiss from now on.
Familiarity breeds contempt - or contentment? We'll find out on the 18th February.
www.fromefolkfestival.co.uk
When this was announced there was rejoicing at Weekender Towers, as Mrs W and myself are very partial to a bit of 'trad. arr.' However, as the line-up was gradually unveiled our collective heart sank somewhat. Highly talented people like Spiers & Boden, Steve Knightley and Chris Wood are the leading acts - top names on the English Folk Scene, indeed. But not really the sort of performer to get the blood racing in anticipation of them visiting 'our town'. They are hard-working musicians who are on the road a lot, so there are frequent opportunities to see them around and about. There's no 'wow' element in the acts on offer. No surprises. Nothing that makes this festival stand out from myriad others in the UK (except that it's being held in the winter - and while that's rare, it's not unique). I really don't like to criticise, as the idea of a weekend of traditional music in Frome is to be loudly applauded. But it all feels a bit safe and predictable.
The 'Early Bird' ticket prices are on offer right up until the event, which suggests that sales are not as healthy as they might be. Is this because of the general economic malaise? Or something to do with the programme? I do hope the FFF gets through its first year OK and becomes a regular fixture. But a bit more imagination in the booking policy would not go amiss from now on.
Familiarity breeds contempt - or contentment? We'll find out on the 18th February.
www.fromefolkfestival.co.uk
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Field With A View
Just a quick plug for Bruce Munro's 'Field of Light' in the grounds of the Holburne Museum in Bath. It's only on until next weekend (8th) and it is quite, quite magical.
Happy New Year!
http://www.holburne.org/field-of-light-2
Happy New Year!
http://www.holburne.org/field-of-light-2
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Church & Charity
Mrs Weekender and I wouldn't call ourselves religious in the conventional sense, but we do try to attend a Christmas Eve service in a cathedral or abbey every year - more for the musical content than the spiritual. As this is our first Somerset Christmas, we headed to Wells for evensong last night. And the singing was superb. Bob Chilcott's setting of "In The Bleak Midwinter" was a bit too Cliff Richard for my taste, but it was beautifully sung. And everything else, especially the Bach introit given from the nave before the singers entered the choir, was spot on. I'm always slightly bemused that, at a time of great celebration for the Church, the services on the 24th are always so po-faced. And last night was no different. But, at least, the music was uplifting.
We did our bit today, serving turkey and nut roast at the Cheese and Grain as part of the first Big Christmas Get Together, giving people who were alone or strapped for cash the chance of a free festive dinner and entertainment. Fewer turned up than had been hoped, and rumour had it that some people didn't want to be seen to be "accepting charity". Hopefully word will get round that the event is completely lacking in "do-goodyness", and that next year those who would really benefit from it will not be backward in coming forward. And it wasn't Social Services or one of the charitable organisations who put this on, but the good folk of the town - led by one Charlie Thomas. How typical of the place. Charity does, indeed, start at Frome.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Christmas Eve, Frome
The Compliments of the Season to all my readers! May you have a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy 2012.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Avon calling Peru
In our on-going investigation of the cultural life of the Somerset/Wiltshire borders, we sallied northwards on Saturday night to Bradford-On-Avon and, for the first time, the Wiltshire Music Centre.
A curious building, attached to a school, with a lop-sided foyer tacked on to an auditorium which, with its breeze-block walls, bare metalwork and grubby ceiling, resembles nothing more than an oversized garage. Someone at Radio 3 once said it had the best acoustic outside London, and the Centre's marketing plays this up big time. Fair enough, but what the eyes take in also impacts on the concert-going experience - and this place is lacking any visual warmth or welcome.
Fortunately what was on the stage was not bits of giant Morris Minors, but the Paragon Singers of Bath, the Bradford Baroque Band and a handful of soloists. And they gave us a fascinating evening of mostly 17th Century Latin American music: Christmas in Cuzco. European classical forms met traditional indigenous rhythms - and the results were often infectious, sometimes beautiful and always instantly accessible.
The evening threw up a few questions too. This was music born out of barbarism (see Spanish Colonialism, Conquistadores etc), yet it was incredibly life-affirming. Paradox? And the lyrics were bizarre in their often direct address to the "blacks" - as far as the Spaniards were concerned, were these the native South Americans or their imported slaves?
The stars of the evening were percussionist Simone Rebello (cousin of jazz pianist Jason) and soprano Kate Semmens. The former, cool and elegant, switching effortlessly between a myriad of instruments. The latter, passionate and relishing this repertoire, looked like she was having to hold back her desire to bop around the platform to the catchy rhythms - clearly not 'the done thing' at a classical concert. Shame.
www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk
www.paragonsingers.co.uk
www.fantasiamusic.co.uk/classwind/bbb.html
A curious building, attached to a school, with a lop-sided foyer tacked on to an auditorium which, with its breeze-block walls, bare metalwork and grubby ceiling, resembles nothing more than an oversized garage. Someone at Radio 3 once said it had the best acoustic outside London, and the Centre's marketing plays this up big time. Fair enough, but what the eyes take in also impacts on the concert-going experience - and this place is lacking any visual warmth or welcome.
Fortunately what was on the stage was not bits of giant Morris Minors, but the Paragon Singers of Bath, the Bradford Baroque Band and a handful of soloists. And they gave us a fascinating evening of mostly 17th Century Latin American music: Christmas in Cuzco. European classical forms met traditional indigenous rhythms - and the results were often infectious, sometimes beautiful and always instantly accessible.
The evening threw up a few questions too. This was music born out of barbarism (see Spanish Colonialism, Conquistadores etc), yet it was incredibly life-affirming. Paradox? And the lyrics were bizarre in their often direct address to the "blacks" - as far as the Spaniards were concerned, were these the native South Americans or their imported slaves?
The stars of the evening were percussionist Simone Rebello (cousin of jazz pianist Jason) and soprano Kate Semmens. The former, cool and elegant, switching effortlessly between a myriad of instruments. The latter, passionate and relishing this repertoire, looked like she was having to hold back her desire to bop around the platform to the catchy rhythms - clearly not 'the done thing' at a classical concert. Shame.
www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk
www.paragonsingers.co.uk
www.fantasiamusic.co.uk/classwind/bbb.html
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Whither the Wireless?
This has been a Frome-free weekend, but as is the norm when we are away from Somerset, we have dipped in and out of Frome FM (via the web) to keep in touch. Frome FM (Trades Descriptions Act!) doesn't actually broadcast on FM... yet. It is an internet community station entirely run by volunteers. But it has recently been awarded an FM licence and is planning to join the grown-up wireless world some time in the Spring. Inevitably, as everyone gives their time and talent freely, the quality of the output is uneven - but if that is a criticism, then the variety of the output is worthy of high praise.
You might think a set-up like this would be full of wannabe DJs "spinning platters" and suffering from a surfeit of verbalising - far from it. There are music programmes, but they are generally well put together by people who know their stuff. And there is ambitious speech output too. Only the other week the station broadcast, live, Frome's answer to 'Any Questions'.
Some of the shows are a bit shambolic and it begs the question whether they can survive when the FM transmitter is switched on and the station has to up its game. A little bit more slickness would not go amiss, but then part of the charm of an outfit like this is that it doesn't sound like its mainstream neighbours. To strike a balance between parish pump and professional performance is a nettle the organisers of Frome FM will have to grasp as soon as the New Year hangovers have worn off...
http://www.fromefm.co.uk
You might think a set-up like this would be full of wannabe DJs "spinning platters" and suffering from a surfeit of verbalising - far from it. There are music programmes, but they are generally well put together by people who know their stuff. And there is ambitious speech output too. Only the other week the station broadcast, live, Frome's answer to 'Any Questions'.
Some of the shows are a bit shambolic and it begs the question whether they can survive when the FM transmitter is switched on and the station has to up its game. A little bit more slickness would not go amiss, but then part of the charm of an outfit like this is that it doesn't sound like its mainstream neighbours. To strike a balance between parish pump and professional performance is a nettle the organisers of Frome FM will have to grasp as soon as the New Year hangovers have worn off...
http://www.fromefm.co.uk
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Catherine's Congestion
A busy weekend, for sure. Friday night saw the private view of the Black Swan's Christmas Show, with works donated to help fund yet another financially-stricken Frome arts institution. The exhibits were of variable quality, but it seems a little churlish to criticise when the artists handed them over gratis. An automaton by Ralph Steadman was, inevitably, the major attraction. But Mrs Weekender and I were much taken with Alison Harper's textile pieces which resembled distressed frocks. Pinned to the wall, it was as if the wearers had just slipped out of them after a most hectic night's revels.
Onto the Oakfield Choir's Christmas concert at Christchurch on Saturday. Eschewing the usual carols and over-familiar seasonal fare, this was an ambitious, yet curious, programme. Entitled "A Frosty Christmas Eve", only two of the items had any Yuletide connections. The singing and playing was sometimes glorious, at other times ragged, but all power to them for avoiding the obvious and tackling such pieces as Saint-Saëns' 'Oratorio de Noël' and 'In Terra Pax' by Finzi.
Stars of the evening were undoubtedly tenor Andrew Dickinson, harpist Daniel de Fry and the sadly unidentifiable leader of the orchestra. Their performances alone were worth the two hours' discomfort, thanks to Christchurch's unforgiving pews. Oh, how we suffered for their art...
And so to Sunday's Artisan Market on Catherine Hill - packed with locals and visitors: a rip-roaring success, you might think. But it was so packed that at times it was impossible to get up or down the Hill. I'm sure traders lost out, because at the narrowest points if you merely stopped to investigate what was on offer you immediately created a tailback. As one stall holder said to us - why not extend it up into Catherine Street where the road is wider? Or are there traffic management issues there? Another plan might be to make the Hill one way for pedestrians during events like this. But, hopefully, plenty of jam and jewellery was sold before the rains came...
http://www.stcatherinesfrome.co.uk
http://www.oakfieldchoir.co.nr
http://www.blackswan.org.uk
Onto the Oakfield Choir's Christmas concert at Christchurch on Saturday. Eschewing the usual carols and over-familiar seasonal fare, this was an ambitious, yet curious, programme. Entitled "A Frosty Christmas Eve", only two of the items had any Yuletide connections. The singing and playing was sometimes glorious, at other times ragged, but all power to them for avoiding the obvious and tackling such pieces as Saint-Saëns' 'Oratorio de Noël' and 'In Terra Pax' by Finzi.
Stars of the evening were undoubtedly tenor Andrew Dickinson, harpist Daniel de Fry and the sadly unidentifiable leader of the orchestra. Their performances alone were worth the two hours' discomfort, thanks to Christchurch's unforgiving pews. Oh, how we suffered for their art...
And so to Sunday's Artisan Market on Catherine Hill - packed with locals and visitors: a rip-roaring success, you might think. But it was so packed that at times it was impossible to get up or down the Hill. I'm sure traders lost out, because at the narrowest points if you merely stopped to investigate what was on offer you immediately created a tailback. As one stall holder said to us - why not extend it up into Catherine Street where the road is wider? Or are there traffic management issues there? Another plan might be to make the Hill one way for pedestrians during events like this. But, hopefully, plenty of jam and jewellery was sold before the rains came...
http://www.stcatherinesfrome.co.uk
http://www.oakfieldchoir.co.nr
http://www.blackswan.org.uk
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Possibly the least memorable song ever written about Frome...
Just a quickie. Here's the rather wonderful Bellowhead singing the slightly less than wonderful "On A Bus To Frome", recorded en route to their gig at the Cheese & Grain last week. If you don't know their music, please don't let this put you off... They're fabulous (usually).
http://youtu.be/HMr9xIlKvMs
http://youtu.be/HMr9xIlKvMs
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Reclaiming the Streets
Last night's Christmas Extravaganza was perhaps less memorable for the entertainment on offer, than for the fact that only half the lights came on following The Great Throwing Of The Switch. But what a pleasure it was to walk down the middle of a temporarily traffic-free Market Place, one of the least pleasant thoroughfares of this otherwise most pleasant town. I made a mental note to visit the library on my next trip to check out the Council's "Town Design Statement" which includes a proposal for this traffic bottleneck. A neighbour tells me that the plan is for some sort of "shared space" where pedestrians and motorists would be placed on a more equal footing. A recipe for disaster with those on two legs at risk from being mown down by those on four wheels - or a civilised co-existence between man and machine? I look forward to finding out more...
http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk
http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Breaking The Chains
Frome has gained a reputation for its independent retailers. Even the so-called Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, has been to visit. And the privately-owned antiques, vintage clothes, CDs, crafts, books and gifts emporia are undoubtedly one of the town's great attractions. Venture a few steps away from the over-familiar brands of Market Place (Boots, Costa, Superdrug, Iceland etc) - up the steep, winding Catherine Hill or across to Cheap Street (with its rill or 'leat' running down the middle) - and you're in a different world.
But in the current climate, how much money are they making? When times are hard, "discretionary spend", we are told, is the first to go. A shabby chic table - or food on the table? A 1940s skirt - or petrol in the Skoda? I do hope the unique retail mix that is here will survive the downturn. But I do wonder...
http://www.stcatherinesfrome.co.uk
http://www.maryportas.com
But in the current climate, how much money are they making? When times are hard, "discretionary spend", we are told, is the first to go. A shabby chic table - or food on the table? A 1940s skirt - or petrol in the Skoda? I do hope the unique retail mix that is here will survive the downturn. But I do wonder...
http://www.stcatherinesfrome.co.uk
http://www.maryportas.com
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Revenge is a dish best served in Frome
Had our first encounter with Frome's amateur thespians this weekend - the Frome Drama Club has been staging Alan (sorry, Sir Alan) Ayckbourn's 'The Revengers' Tragedies' at the financially-challenged Merlin Theatre. And what a good job they did of it too. It's an unwieldy monster - two full length plays totalling around five hours that combine to make up the one narrative. Part 1 was cracking - the production really capturing Ayckbourn's signature bleak comedy. If part 2 sagged a bit in the middle, that was mostly Sir A's fault as he seemed to be merely treading dramatic water in preparation for the famous dénouement on Albert Bridge...
The Merlin has a fine auditorium - good sight lines, comfy seats and plenty of room for the long-legged - though the front of house is looking a bit tatty (perhaps hardly surprising, given that they are currently suffering serious grant deprivation). Still, there was a tasty (veggie) supper to be had between shows, the bar prices were reasonable, people were generally friendly and, all in all, it was a fine advert for Am Dram.
At the FDC revenge is, indeed, sweet.
http://www.fromedrama.com
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk
The Merlin has a fine auditorium - good sight lines, comfy seats and plenty of room for the long-legged - though the front of house is looking a bit tatty (perhaps hardly surprising, given that they are currently suffering serious grant deprivation). Still, there was a tasty (veggie) supper to be had between shows, the bar prices were reasonable, people were generally friendly and, all in all, it was a fine advert for Am Dram.
At the FDC revenge is, indeed, sweet.
http://www.fromedrama.com
http://www.merlintheatre.co.uk
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Opening gambit
So, here goes... we're Second Homers in Frome.
If the response to the recent proposal to cut 2nd Home Council Tax rebates was to be believed, Second Homers are loathed across the nation only slightly less than bankers and politicians. Certainly, if the 'weekenders' sail in and out, contributing nothing to their adopted community/economy, I can understand the objections. Thankfully, we're not all like that... More on this in future posts.
But why Frome? Because it's special. How trite a comment is that!? Well, if I may be so bold, it's both trite and profound. Profound because there are places that touch you in an often indefinable, but deep way. As the tourist office will never grow weary of telling you, Frome has more listed buildings than any other town in Somerset. And there's no doubt that, in parts, it's an extremely attractive place with narrow, winding streets and beautiful stone buildings. Its cultural life is something to be proud of too - 2 theatres, a community hall/music venue, an art gallery/concert hall, a summer arts festival, a winter folk festival, loads of amateur music-making, its own radio station and so on. Remarkable for a population of, what, 25,000? But a "special" place is more than the sum of its parts. Architecture, the arts and specialist shops (Mary Portas approves!) are all well and good. But we've found the people to be friendly and the buzz around the place most seductive. Sometimes it's difficult to intellectualise responses to people and places. So to us, Frome is just "special".
More anon...
http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk
If the response to the recent proposal to cut 2nd Home Council Tax rebates was to be believed, Second Homers are loathed across the nation only slightly less than bankers and politicians. Certainly, if the 'weekenders' sail in and out, contributing nothing to their adopted community/economy, I can understand the objections. Thankfully, we're not all like that... More on this in future posts.
But why Frome? Because it's special. How trite a comment is that!? Well, if I may be so bold, it's both trite and profound. Profound because there are places that touch you in an often indefinable, but deep way. As the tourist office will never grow weary of telling you, Frome has more listed buildings than any other town in Somerset. And there's no doubt that, in parts, it's an extremely attractive place with narrow, winding streets and beautiful stone buildings. Its cultural life is something to be proud of too - 2 theatres, a community hall/music venue, an art gallery/concert hall, a summer arts festival, a winter folk festival, loads of amateur music-making, its own radio station and so on. Remarkable for a population of, what, 25,000? But a "special" place is more than the sum of its parts. Architecture, the arts and specialist shops (Mary Portas approves!) are all well and good. But we've found the people to be friendly and the buzz around the place most seductive. Sometimes it's difficult to intellectualise responses to people and places. So to us, Frome is just "special".
More anon...
http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk
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