I share the enthusiasm. I would like to add photos of my own, but how?
I went on a dry stone wall course many years ago, run by BTCC.
A farmer near Cheddar Gorge kindly allowed us to repair many metres of wall on his farm. We had to pay for that privilege!!
A good wheeze.
Just to say a big thank you for all the wonderful donations, and to the people who got the bargains. Canvases flew out, frames were snapped up, and all sorts of tools disappeared in no time. We were left with very little but we do have a few left handed calligraphy nibs if anyone out there is interested? info@fromecreativenetwork.org.uk
In total we raised £610.09 which is being split between us and the Black Swan Arts who provided a wonderful venue which was lovely and warm, spacious and dry. We have been asked if we will do it again as it was such a good idea so if anyone would like to step forward.........
All in all, a great way to spend a lunch time. Can't wait for the next Brown Bag Lunch (which is Howard Vause's talk on digital art on Wed 8 Feb at Rook Lane if you were wondering!) Pauline
Heard something on Radio 4 the other day, an American woman, sorry can't remember the name, hasbeen going round photographing dry stone walls. Sounds like a great idea to me, I love them. The skill to build them hasn't changed for 100's of years and you can even go on courses.
Due to unforeseen circumstances sadly venue 7 will not be opening after all at The Old Church Hall, Wine Street.
Happily we have been able to re-house the artists at other venues;
Tina Seviour will now be showing her jewellery with Carol Denn, venue 11 on Wesley Slope.
I will let you know where Mary Henderson and Lin Walton will be as soon as I can.
I am really dismayed by the shortsightedness of both Mendip and Somerset councils. In previous assessments of what makes a town attractive and vibrant Art and Culture are both very high on the list. Frome is known for it's artistic appeal to both residents and visitors. So what next? The current headlines are about the Merlin Theatre fighting to survive and not receiving national grant funding because there is no support from Mendip or Somerset councils to show financial stability. This possibly holds true for the Black Swan Arts and the Cheese and Grain as well. Outreach programmes for the young, elderly and vulnerable offered by these organisations are being severly curtailed because the funding cuts affect core resources. When you cut to the bone you cannot possibly do everything with nothing. The council strategic documents state that in general for every £1 they offer in grant aid the return to the community is worth £25. It seems to me that it is very good value for money but instead lets make it someone else's problem, no outreach? more vandalism=more cost to local police, more stress and depression=more cost to NHS etc. The solution? the Big Society - so lets ask individuals to volunteer. Have you tried? do you have public liability? do you have employees liabilty if you organise volunteers? do you have the right licenses and permissions? have you paid the fees? have you done risk analysis? have you complied with all health and safety regulations? are you CRB checked? are you properly trained to serve teas etc, etc....
I run a creative writing class on Tuesday evenings at Frome College. Starts 11th Jan 2011 - 01373 452018 for details.
Alison Clink
www.alisonclink.co.uk
Dear All,
Happy New Year!
Here's another reminder re tomorrow's workshop with Crysse - looks like a great session to start this year with. Hope to see you there.
Library Writers Workshop: 'Writing Short Plays'.
Local author and tutor Crysse Morrison will be leading the next Frome Library Writers' Group workshop on Monday 10th January. As always, all abilities are welcome, and there's no need to book. Admission is £4 on the door, at 1-3pm in the library's meeting room on the first floor.
For any writer interested in creating short dramas for stage, a practical look at the essential elements and some practice in techniques. A great way to set new writing targets for 2011 - and maybe submit a script to the Merlin for their Short Play competition to see your play performed onstage! (deadline January 30th - further details from Claudia Berry or Crysse Morrison)
Please bring a notebook and pen.
As you are probably aware Somerset Country Council have made the decision to cut 100% of next year’s £159,000 arts development budget.
Thank you to everyone who has written letters of support and who came out to join us on 1 November to protest against the decision.
You will be relieved to hear that it’s not over yet. Somerset’s arts organisations now need to produce a petition signed by at least 5,000 people who live, study or are employed in Somerset , in order to generate a new debate at a full County Council meeting in early 2011.
We would be delighted if you could support us by signing our online petition and by forwarding this message to eligible friends, family and colleagues - you have to live, study or be employed in Somerset to be eligible to sign.
This petition needs to be signed by 16 December and is open to all ages but Under 18s must get permission from a parent or carer.
There seems to be a great deal of ire with central government etc. Westminster is not responsible for the manner with which Somerset is dealing with the inevitable cuts required of returning the UK to a less fragile financial footing. The present government is equally not responsible for the present mess. If people would focus on reality and seek to have a future instead of harping on about petty and irrelevant grievances we might get somewhere.
Things are in a mess and will not be resolved either by the moronic attitude taken currently by Somerset that we should go from black to white or from ideas which are based upon political zeal. The reality is that Frome is a town whose history and artistic flair have for too long been neglected by many. No it's not Bath or Salisbury or Wells or Swindon but it has a historical context albeit a rebellious one and is well situated between the M/A4 and A303. The fact that it is cheaper to live in than Bath has allowed it to attract people with artistic flair as shown by the success of the Frome Festival, the Cheese and Grain, the offerings at the Merlin and Memorial theatres and Catherine Hill and Cheap Street. The failures of our present financial leaders is shown by the problems with what was Somerfield and the main post office.
What is required is a more cogent argument based not upon anything more than the need to keep a heart in all towns. Frome's is based upon its arts and cannot as with any institution rely merely on benefactors. The community at large need to acknowledge the work of the few. Somerset should be looking to make percentage cuts from all areas and not wholsesale cuts in a few. Not black and white but rather more grey.
We have coallitions at times of crisis, like in WW2. They work because no one faction or political view is taken as the best way. A middle path is not dull and grey nor 'fence sitting' but requires people to listen to one another and compromise, the two things which we are told are important in relationships. We tell children to share and as adults fight tooth and nail to avoid it. Adults should grow up!
We need to work together to get Somerset to see sense. Thatcher showed a leaner Britain the way but was too mean and nasty. Blair showed us rewards but failed to put anything aside for lean times and used cronyism as a way forward for individuals. Neither works as we now see.
Galvanise the WHOLE community. Take forward the idea of win-win situations, compromise and listening to one another and let's work with Somerset to ensure an artistic future for all and heart in Frome. Let's try and get them to stop looking at 100% cuts but rather more affordable reductions, if required, and as a community work at supporting our heart better; equally people need to recognise that we are not going to return to the land and that anything that brings people and jobs to Frome is a plus, including probably Tesco!
Report from discussion groups with marginalised people Vision for Frome report
INTRODUCTION
Discussion groups and interviews were carried out with disabled people, older people, people with learning difficulties, recent immigrants and ethnic minorities. There was an interview with a gypsy who lives nearby, is a member of several gypsy representative bodies, and is well-known among gypsies in Frome.
There was remarkable similarity between the comments of all these participants and remarkable contrast with the broad thrust of the draft Vision for Frome report. The over-riding conclusion from this work is that there is a massive divide in Frome between those who took part in these groups and those who make their opinions readily known – or as one participant put it ‘those with the gift of the gab’, that he thought had come from outside of Frome, and came from more privileged backgrounds.
The draft report states that, ‘Residents think Frome is a special place. We like its character, its quirkiness, its old buildings, its independent shops, its diversity, its tolerance, its music and art, its green spaces and its friendly people.’ Meanwhile a focus group of disabled people was unanimous that the best thing that could happen to Frome would be to ‘bulldoze it’ and start again. This opinion was reiterated many times by different people in this group.
Another participant was equally dismissive; ‘a future for Frome? I don't want a future for Frome'. Or as a 17-year-old put it, ‘no-one would choose to live here. It’s just rubbish’. A youth worker commented on a level of desperation among young people in Frome that he has not witnessed in nearby towns. He described the situation as ‘heartbreaking’.
There was a pervasive view that Frome is set up for non-disabled, adult, white people from privileged backgrounds. A member of staff of a take-away said ‘This town is only good for people with money’. An older person had similar sentiments when she said, of the new clothes shops in town, ‘they’re too dear for the likes of us’. Other participants put it more succinctly – ‘Frome is shit’ said one person; ‘Frome is crap’ said a person in a different group. A younger participant said, ‘what needs to change in Frome, where do you start?’…. ‘Everyone I know wants to leave.' A take-away worker echoed this experience, 'Lots of people I know moved away from Frome'
The draft report describes Frome as a ‘diverse and tolerant place’. Polish residents and Turkish people spoke of the racism in Frome, ‘the trouble with Frome is they don’t like foreigners’. Another participant bore this out ‘I don’t like foreigners’, when pressed as to what it was he didn’t like, ‘I don’t like their accents’.
Am I alone in feeling a sense of deep unease at reading of Tesco’s plan for a superstore in the centre of Frome and your paper’s uncritical welcome of it?
I’ll seek to express my unease. Tesco is the poster child of the consumerist society. We may not wish to admit it, but we know that we cannot go on consuming the earth resources at the rate which Tesco would like us to, and their business model requires us to. We urgently need to evolve a new way of living, a low carbon low impact society, a society that values quality over quantity. The seeds of which are sprouting in Frome: in the local economy of individual shops and entrepreneurs, the varied initiatives being taken by Sustainable Frome and others, and the sense of place, local ownership and citizen action. We should be justly proud of this, we are a beacon of hope in what even a cursory glance shows to be a pretty bleak planetary future.
So I believe Frome is at a crossroads. What future do we want for ourselves and our children? A town centre dominated by a single retailer. A soul-less edifice that does not encourage people to linger in the town. Providing jobs at the minimum wage but distributing profits it to distant city shareholders? Providing carbon intensive products from far afield, rather than produce from our local farmers? Or do we want a local community comprised of colourful, creative, entrepreneurs? That recycles its profits within its local community and buys from local sources. That breathes life into the beautiful streets of our old town and engenders a sense of place and authenticity? That is the choice we are now presented with.
I know there are some who believe that Tesco always gets their way. To them I tell the story of the people of the Scottish island of Harris, and their successful campaign against a superquarry planned by the cement company Lafarge. It may well be the case that our local politicians and planning officials fear Tesco’s legal machine and feel they cannot put the councils resources at risk however, it is time to remind them who they are appointed to represent! And to Mr Cameron we should be saying ‘Your big idea – the big society - depends on capable and committed citizens feeling a sense of ownership and taking initiative in their communities. Landing an out-sized Tesco in our community without our say so, disempowers us and undermines your Big Society. Mr Cameron our commitment does not come for free, we want a say in the future of our town’.
I went on a dry stone wall course many years ago, run by BTCC.
A farmer near Cheddar Gorge kindly allowed us to repair many metres of wall on his farm. We had to pay for that privilege!!
A good wheeze.
Just to say a big thank you for all the wonderful donations, and to the people who got the bargains. Canvases flew out, frames were snapped up, and all sorts of tools disappeared in no time. We were left with very little but we do have a few left handed calligraphy nibs if anyone out there is interested? info@fromecreativenetwork.org.uk
In total we raised £610.09 which is being split between us and the Black Swan Arts who provided a wonderful venue which was lovely and warm, spacious and dry. We have been asked if we will do it again as it was such a good idea so if anyone would like to step forward.........
FCN team
All in all, a great way to spend a lunch time. Can't wait for the next Brown Bag Lunch (which is Howard Vause's talk on digital art on Wed 8 Feb at Rook Lane if you were wondering!) Pauline
Trail Map now out in The List
Due to unforeseen circumstances sadly venue 7 will not be opening after all at The Old Church Hall, Wine Street.
Happily we have been able to re-house the artists at other venues;
Tina Seviour will now be showing her jewellery with Carol Denn, venue 11 on Wesley Slope.
I will let you know where Mary Henderson and Lin Walton will be as soon as I can.
I've just received the ifF flyer!!
I am really dismayed by the shortsightedness of both Mendip and Somerset councils. In previous assessments of what makes a town attractive and vibrant Art and Culture are both very high on the list. Frome is known for it's artistic appeal to both residents and visitors. So what next? The current headlines are about the Merlin Theatre fighting to survive and not receiving national grant funding because there is no support from Mendip or Somerset councils to show financial stability. This possibly holds true for the Black Swan Arts and the Cheese and Grain as well. Outreach programmes for the young, elderly and vulnerable offered by these organisations are being severly curtailed because the funding cuts affect core resources. When you cut to the bone you cannot possibly do everything with nothing. The council strategic documents state that in general for every £1 they offer in grant aid the return to the community is worth £25. It seems to me that it is very good value for money but instead lets make it someone else's problem, no outreach? more vandalism=more cost to local police, more stress and depression=more cost to NHS etc. The solution? the Big Society - so lets ask individuals to volunteer. Have you tried? do you have public liability? do you have employees liabilty if you organise volunteers? do you have the right licenses and permissions? have you paid the fees? have you done risk analysis? have you complied with all health and safety regulations? are you CRB checked? are you properly trained to serve teas etc, etc....
Ever hopeful of Frome
http://www.a-n.co.uk/nan/section/473129
Heard about the event from the job centre.
Thanks for taking your time and for organising the event. Freya
Great idea, really enjoyed myself.
Meets on the second Monday of each month. 1 - 3pm in the library meeting room. £4.00 admission on the door.
10th Jan 2011 ' Writing Short Plays' with Chrysse Morrison
There is one that meets monthly at the Frome Library.
John, your photography is really stunning. Are you planning another book?
As you are probably aware Somerset Country Council have made the decision to cut 100% of next year’s £159,000 arts development budget.
Thank you to everyone who has written letters of support and who came out to join us on 1 November to protest against the decision.
You will be relieved to hear that it’s not over yet. Somerset’s arts organisations now need to produce a petition signed by at least 5,000 people who live, study or are employed in Somerset , in order to generate a new debate at a full County Council meeting in early 2011.
We would be delighted if you could support us by signing our online petition and by forwarding this message to eligible friends, family and colleagues - you have to live, study or be employed in Somerset to be eligible to sign.
This petition needs to be signed by 16 December and is open to all ages but Under 18s must get permission from a parent or carer.
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/40729.html
realfoodlover.wordpress.com/
Report from discussion groups with marginalised people Vision for Frome report
INTRODUCTION
Discussion groups and interviews were carried out with disabled people, older people, people with learning difficulties, recent immigrants and ethnic minorities. There was an interview with a gypsy who lives nearby, is a member of several gypsy representative bodies, and is well-known among gypsies in Frome.
There was remarkable similarity between the comments of all these participants and remarkable contrast with the broad thrust of the draft Vision for Frome report. The over-riding conclusion from this work is that there is a massive divide in Frome between those who took part in these groups and those who make their opinions readily known – or as one participant put it ‘those with the gift of the gab’, that he thought had come from outside of Frome, and came from more privileged backgrounds.
The draft report states that, ‘Residents think Frome is a special place. We like its character, its quirkiness, its old buildings, its independent shops, its diversity, its tolerance, its music and art, its green spaces and its friendly people.’ Meanwhile a focus group of disabled people was unanimous that the best thing that could happen to Frome would be to ‘bulldoze it’ and start again. This opinion was reiterated many times by different people in this group.
Another participant was equally dismissive; ‘a future for Frome? I don't want a future for Frome'. Or as a 17-year-old put it, ‘no-one would choose to live here. It’s just rubbish’. A youth worker commented on a level of desperation among young people in Frome that he has not witnessed in nearby towns. He described the situation as ‘heartbreaking’.
There was a pervasive view that Frome is set up for non-disabled, adult, white people from privileged backgrounds. A member of staff of a take-away said ‘This town is only good for people with money’. An older person had similar sentiments when she said, of the new clothes shops in town, ‘they’re too dear for the likes of us’. Other participants put it more succinctly – ‘Frome is shit’ said one person; ‘Frome is crap’ said a person in a different group. A younger participant said, ‘what needs to change in Frome, where do you start?’…. ‘Everyone I know wants to leave.' A take-away worker echoed this experience, 'Lots of people I know moved away from Frome'
The draft report describes Frome as a ‘diverse and tolerant place’. Polish residents and Turkish people spoke of the racism in Frome, ‘the trouble with Frome is they don’t like foreigners’. Another participant bore this out ‘I don’t like foreigners’, when pressed as to what it was he didn’t like, ‘I don’t like their accents’.
Am I alone in feeling a sense of deep unease at reading of Tesco’s plan for a superstore in the centre of Frome and your paper’s uncritical welcome of it?
I’ll seek to express my unease. Tesco is the poster child of the consumerist society. We may not wish to admit it, but we know that we cannot go on consuming the earth resources at the rate which Tesco would like us to, and their business model requires us to. We urgently need to evolve a new way of living, a low carbon low impact society, a society that values quality over quantity. The seeds of which are sprouting in Frome: in the local economy of individual shops and entrepreneurs, the varied initiatives being taken by Sustainable Frome and others, and the sense of place, local ownership and citizen action. We should be justly proud of this, we are a beacon of hope in what even a cursory glance shows to be a pretty bleak planetary future.
So I believe Frome is at a crossroads. What future do we want for ourselves and our children? A town centre dominated by a single retailer. A soul-less edifice that does not encourage people to linger in the town. Providing jobs at the minimum wage but distributing profits it to distant city shareholders? Providing carbon intensive products from far afield, rather than produce from our local farmers? Or do we want a local community comprised of colourful, creative, entrepreneurs? That recycles its profits within its local community and buys from local sources. That breathes life into the beautiful streets of our old town and engenders a sense of place and authenticity? That is the choice we are now presented with.
I know there are some who believe that Tesco always gets their way. To them I tell the story of the people of the Scottish island of Harris, and their successful campaign against a superquarry planned by the cement company Lafarge. It may well be the case that our local politicians and planning officials fear Tesco’s legal machine and feel they cannot put the councils resources at risk however, it is time to remind them who they are appointed to represent! And to Mr Cameron we should be saying ‘Your big idea – the big society - depends on capable and committed citizens feeling a sense of ownership and taking initiative in their communities. Landing an out-sized Tesco in our community without our say so, disempowers us and undermines your Big Society. Mr Cameron our commitment does not come for free, we want a say in the future of our town’.
Luke Wilde
Director
TwentyFifty Limited