152 students collected their A-level results when Frome College enjoyed an overall pass rate of 98%. 25% were awarded the top grades of A* or As. Anxious looks soon changed to smiles of relief as students realised they had secured their university places.
The college was delighted to see some of its students achieve the new A* grade, which was introduced this year to differentiate between the top achievers. Students obtaining an A* had to score an A grade overall, as well as achieving 90% or over in each paper in the second year of their course.
Among those students of particular note this year were; Rosa Robson who received 2 of the new A* grades and an A* for her extended project amongst her five grades and has secured a place at Cambridge, Joanne Norris who achieved 2 A*s and an A and Sophie Bartlett, Matthew Collins, Henry Cox, Lauren Goodey, Georgina Irwin, Alice Monk, Hannah O’Shea, Rebecca Shorten and Elizabeth Wisbey who all achieved one of the new A* grades as well as other A-levels. Sarah Dunn and Rachel Buckeridge who achieved 4 A grades, Colleen Adams who achieved 3 A grades and a B and Rebecca Hodge with 3 A grades.
High achiever Rosa Robson, who is now looking forward to starting a course in education with English and drama at Cambridge said, “I’m really happy, I’m over the moon! I want to thank all the teachers who have been really supportive.”
Alice Monk, who achieved an A*, A, and B, explained how nerve-racking the results day was for students. “I was up so late last night, I was so scared! But now this just puts everything in place for the future.” Alice will now take a gap year and apply to study medicine.
A number of students also took the new extended paper for the highest achieving candidates. Wendy Missons, principal commented, “Our students are only too aware of how much competition there is these days, so I am delighted. Early indications are that this is a bumper year for Frome Community College. I have only come across one student in tears and when I asked her why she simply replied ‘I got my university place’. Congratulations to them all”.
The following Tuesday, the college was delighted to announce its best ever GCSE results. The 359 year11 students achieved a record-breaking 68% A*-C grades at GCSE, with 97.5% achieving 5 or more GCSE passes. 27 students achieved 12 or more A*-C grades. Among the many successes were Olivia Barnes, James Creed, Sarah Sinkins, Alice Soh, Milo Deane, Thea Incledon, Albany Meikle, Imogen O’Neill and Polly Streather, all of whom achieved at least 11 A-A* grades.
Wendy Missons, principal said, “Results are improving year on year – not just the headline figures, but for individual students and subjects. Huge congratulations are due to the students, families and staff who worked so hard for this. I would particularly like to mention Andrew Chogugudza, Lee Davies and Jordan Baxter, who succeeded against the odds.”
Cllr John Osman, Somerset County Council cabinet member for children & young people said, “Congratulations to all students on their GCSE results which are reward for the huge effort and hard work they have made in their studies. I would also like to congratulate school leaders, teachers and staff who have educated and guided these young people through their successful studies.”

The Selwood School teacher ran 205 miles along the South West coast over seven days, raising money for the Frome-based charity along the way. He ran the equivalent of just under 30 miles each day.
Frome Times caught up with Kevin, whose 50th birthday was half-way through the charity mission, after he had finished the challenge.
“I have very sore feet and quite a few blisters!” he said. “I had actually booked the train back from Plymouth in advance so it turned into a race against time to get to the train station in Plymouth on the last day.”
Kevin stayed in hostels and bed & breakfasts during the week, borrowing ice to put on his aching feet and legs at the end of each day.
“I was running against the wind as well for a couple of the days, which obviously didn’t help. On day six I did 36 miles altogether. The last ten miles were along the edge of a group of cliffs. I was due to check in at a bed and breakfast, it was 5.30pm and I called ahead and they said I would never make it in time. So I decided to just go for it and I got there in two hours - I was exhausted afterwards!”
All in all, Kevin has raised a huge £1,200 for Openstorytellers, an inclusive company of storytellers with learning disabilities. It empowers people to discover myths and legends, and share personal experiences.
“One guy I came across, a complete stranger, donated £200 in sponsorship which was amazing. I met quite a lot of people along the way and everybody was so generous,” Kevin said. “Physically and mentally it was pretty exhausting. The proudest moment of all though was when I was thanked by the director of the charity who said it had given them all a real morale boost.”
Kevin is still welcoming sponsorship for the challenge, with all proceeds going to Openstorytellers. If you would like to support Kevin you can donate online at www.charitygiving.co.uk/openstorytellers.
Alternatively, you can donate directly to the charity at the following address: Openstorytellers, The Old Church School, Butt's Hill, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1HR.
If you would like to know more about Openstorytellers, call 01373 888 402 or email info@openstorytellers.org.uk.

There were, members were told, more cattle and more classes for them on the schedule than ever before. There were more sheep entries than ever before, more cheeses with more prize money, more trade stands, more attractions, more for visitors to see, do and buy, more mobility scooters for less able visitors, more free buses from and to Frome, more interest from exhibitors and more commercial sponsors.
And with the closing date for several of the events competitions still ahead of them, committee members left the meeting confident that after the show, which takes place on Saturday 11th September at the West Woodland Showground, the word ‘more’ will crop up again and again when the final report on Frome’s most popular day out is written.
Show secretary is Brenda Scott. She told Frome Times that interest in the show was running at an unprecedented level with space in some of the show’s marquees, halls and pavilions sold out months ago, adding to the very encouraging boost in the numbers of entries right across the board.
Brenda stressed, “The show will have all of the features which have helped to make it a family outing ‘must’ but it’s far from being just a repeat of last year and the year before.
“Top of the list of new attractions is the three acre Countryside Pursuit Area which has been created close to the main show area and which features a newly-dug lake and its fast growing wildlife habitats which are being allowed to grow and develop naturally to become a major natural resource for the town.”
At the lakeside will be a coracle maker who will be joined by an expert fly fisher and gun dog handlers, with show visitors not only able to enjoy demonstrations of their particular skills but also to see a wide range of traditional and, often these days, rarely practised artisan crafts. These include making walking sticks, crooks and hay rakes, willow weaving, fly tying, wood turning, weaving and dyeing, seat weaving and, using more modern skills, sculpting with a chain saw.
Show visitors will also be able to try their hand at fly casting, archery and laser clay shooting.
A newly-built roadway will provide an easy and natural way for visitors to the show to gain access to the site and to the lake, and it’s along this roadway that those rural crafts will be shown off.
Back on the main showground, there’s a packed programme of entertainment on the Village Green, the showground’s arena area, where there’s an action-packed programme throughout the day for everyone ranging from clowns to hawks and, a new act for 2010, the UK FMX Freestyle Show which features a heart stopping back flip on a motor bike!
There’s the Dog Agility Ring where visitors can enjoy spectacular displays from 'Trick’n’Treat' as well as a number of competitions and demonstrations. There’s the fairground area with traditional and 21st century rides for everyone, and there’s the Animal Nursery, a real family favourite with lots of animals and insects to see.
The Main Ring, which will be thronged with visitors at the end of the day to see the Grand Parade of prize winning cattle, sheep and goats, will be the day-long magnet for equestrian enthusiasts who will be able to watch as horses and riders go through their show jumping paces and enjoy the leisurely but equally competitive carriage driving classes.
In the Cheese Pavilion the number of cheeses and dairy products on show will be higher than ever at around 850, underlining Frome Show’s role as the second most important cheese festival in the country. The Champion Cheese, chosen by the judges the day before, will be on prominent display, while in the Pavilion’s Rangemaster kitchen, celebrity chef Martin Blunos will be showing off some of the skills which have won him two Michelin stars.
The Fine Food and Local Food Halls, both immensely popular with visitors will both be offering mouth-watering tastes of many different types of food, with the emphasis in the Local Food Hall on food produced within 25 miles of Frome.
With record numbers of entries in the Handicraft, Homecraft and Horticultural marquee visitors will be able to enjoy the usual spectacular display of exhibits ranging from knitted garments to homemade cakes, flowers to miniature gardens while, with more than 50 trade stands selling products ranging from jewellery to children’s games, the Rural Crafts Hall will be a shopper’s dream.
Brenda said, “All in all it’s looking very good for Frome Show 2010. And don’t forget, you can get the benefit of significant discounts if you book your admission ticket in advance.
“I would also recommend anyone who wants to hire a mobility scooter to do that as soon as possible. Demand was very high last year and though we have more scooters this year, we’re anticipating they will be very popular again.”
Tickets for the 2010 show, which takes place on Saturday 11th September, are now available from the Tourist Information Centres at Frome, Westbury and Melksham, the show’s Fromefield office, online at www.netaticket.com and by phone via the credit card hotline 01749 813899.
Mobility scooters can be booked via the Out’N’About link on www.pooleshopmobility.org.uk or by phoning 01202 670450, Monday to Friday 11.00am - 3.00pm.
Parking at the West Woodlands Showground is free but for those without a car or who prefer to leave their car at home, there’s a regular bus service – again it’s free - from the old Fromefield Showground, Cork Street and Badcox to and from the show, and because of the demand at last year’s show the number and size of the buses have been increased.
For more information about ‘everything Frome Show’ go to www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk.

Frome Rotarians asked what would we do if we lost our home, had to contend with filthy water surrounding our every day life and lost our livelihood. The Rotary Club of Frome organized a street collection to help these destitute people in Pakistan.
During Saturday, 21st August collectors spread throughout the town centre and Sainsbury’s supermarket and collected an impressive £3,755. The money is going towards Water Survival Boxes which is the brainchild of Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club.
Rotarian Dot Cretney, International committee chairman, who organized the collection said, “This is such a fantastic amount. The water survival boxes cost £150 each including transporting them to affected areas. We know they are getting there as 560 have already been dispatched and received by needy families. The money has not gone into a large black hole. Our aid only goes to needy families with whom there is eye contact – not some department or agency from whom you are unable to get an account of who the recipient is.”
The water boxes, including sterilization tablets, will provide clean water for a family of four for 12 months. Also included in the boxes are tools, ground sheets, sewing materials, plates, mugs, cutlery, personal hygiene items – things which we take for granted but they are in desperate need of.
All these donations show that someone somewhere cares for them. These boxes are personally delivered and instructions given in how to use them.
Dot continued, “We are extremely grateful for the donations we have received and if any person wishes to donate direct to this charity, knowing that you are providing a lifeline to another human being, please donate via www.worldwaterworks.org.”
“Thanks also goes to Mendip District Council licensing department, Westway Precinct management, Kingsway Precinct management, Sainsbury’s supermarket, all Rotarians from Frome and Frome Selwood Rotary Club, who with their wives took part in the collection. Without all these people’s support these events do not happen, but most importantly grateful thanks goes to the generous people of Frome who yet again have rallied around another disaster.”

Photo of water boxes arriving in Islamabad before being distributed.

Dot Cretney
Chairman International Committee
Rotary Club of Frome

Incl:- Photo of water boxes arriving in Islamabad before being distributed.

**************PRESS RELEASE****************

Please find attached press release for your Newspaper.If you require any further information please contact me on 01373 463904 or 07768463114.
Many thanks
Dot Cretney
Rotary Club of Frome

From: dorothycretney@btinternet.com
Subject: Fw:
Date: 23 August 2010 17:16:29 BST
To: frometimes@btconnect.com
Cc: s.holliday@somersetstandard.co.uk

The ceremony took place in Christ Church hall, in Park Road, where winners and runners-up were congratulated. The results were as follows:
Licensed Victuallers Cup - pubs, clubs, cafes & restaurants: bronze The Pack Horse, silver The Olive Tree, trophy and gold Frome Park Bowls club.
Frome Town Council Cup - large businesses: trophy and silver JR Harding & Sons.
Chamber of Commerce Cup - small businesses: bronze Lesley’s Flower Shop, silver H&B Tyres, trophy and gold Frome Garden Machinery.
Krage Cup - hospitals, community & retirement homes: bronze Belmont Villa, silver Pheonix House, trophy and gold Greenhill Grange.
The Wright Cup - private house frontage: trophy and silver Veronica O’Donoguhe, Trinity Row.
Civic Society Trophy - small front garden: silver Mr A Beal, Courts Barton, silver Mr & Mrs I Murray, Westwood Drive, silver gilt Mr T Elms, Westover, trophy and gold Miss P Dunford, Residential Park, Oldford.
Frome Agricultural Society Trophy - large front garden: silver gilt Mr M Clements, Stourton Close, silver gilt Mr P Court, Cranmore View, silver gilt Mr M Pennels, Fairfield Close, trophy and gold Mrs S Applegate, Styles Close.
Philip Corp Trophy - garden for all seasons: bronze Mr J Morris, Mill Close, silver Mrs SA Robinson, Whitestone Road, silver Mr R Milne, Leys Lane, trophy and silver gilt Mr I Ives, The Butts.
Daisy Trophy - small hidden garden: silver gilt Mrs P Lee, Castle Street, silver gilt Mr P Butler, Rossiters Road, silver gilt Mr DJ Wort, Westwood Drive, gold Mrs R Ware, Westwood Drive, gold Mrs P Walker, Georgian Court, trophy and gold Mrs G Redmond, Windsor Crescent.
Storm Trophy - large hidden garden: silver Mrs C Potter, Whitestone Road, silver gilt Mrs Jane Wilson, Beechwood Close, silver gilt John Price, Cheddar Close, silver gilt Steve Morgan, The Grove, silver gilt Mel Sutherland, Keyford, silver gilt Jos Baker, Keyford, silver gilt Jane McCarthy, Keyford, silver gilt Mrs J Harris, Whitestone Road, trophy and gold Mr & Mrs C Heath, Windsor Crescent.
Schools & Colleges - gold Farleigh Sixth Form College, trophy & gold St John’s First School.
Tipadel trophy - hanging basket display: silver gilt Julie Wilson, Collett Way, silver gilt Mrs S Wort, Westwood Drive, trophy and gold Mr & Mrs S Skate, Styles Close.
Selwood Rose Bowl - shop window display: trophy and silver Age UK, The Bridge.
The Jones trophy - a whole garden including vegetables: silver gilt The Leach family, Vinney Lane, gold Dave & Prue Moon, Catherston Close, trophy and gold Mr Martino Forzati, St Johns Road.
The Bennett trophy - allotments: bronze Mr D Jones, Mrs Carruthers, Mr I Moore, Ms P Dawson, Mr B Payne, Mr K Butchart, Mr P Tuggey, Mr Mitchell, Mr Stephen Hawkins; silver Mr N Rugg, Mrs P Secker, Mr J Simms, Mr C Taplin, Mr Underhill, Mrs A Pugh-Jones, Mr B Lake, Mr R Phillips, Mr M Darville, Mrs A Bradley, Mr L Duddridge, Mr T Evans, Mr A Weeks; gold Mr N Cameron, Mr R Robinson; trophy and gold Mr A Wood.
The Greenhil Grange trophy - young gardener: trophy and silver Jamie Keil, Weylands.
The Boyle trophy - floral achievement by disabled person: floral achievement Mary Stenning, Irene Robertson, Nancy Norris, Lady Merretta Faull, Graham Hawks, Eillen Knight, Eva Grainger; trophy and gold Allan Beal, Nunney Road.
The Carver cup for winners of last year’s classes 6,7,8,10,11,13,15,16 & 20: silver Mrs R Ware, Westwood Drive, silver gilt Mr A Wilson, Welshmill allotment, silver gilt Mr & Mrs D Hobbs, Georgian Court, silver gilt The Vine Tree, gold Mr A Hanney, Stourton Close, Mr B Harris, Whitestone Road, trophy and gold Mrs V Norvall, Maytree Close.
Stewart Marshall trophy - previous non-winner: trophy Miss P Dunford, Residential Park, Oldford.
Mayor’s cup - best business area: trophy The Westway Precinct.
President’s trophy - MCA Community Garden, Feltham Lane.

All profits of the shows are donated to local groups, charities and clubs.
Due to having a fantastic season it was decided at this year’s Woodlanders AGM, to share the sum of £4,000 - an increase of £1,000 from last year, between the following deserving causes:
The following donations were agreed:- · Age Concern · CRY · Dennis Gardens · Dillon Chapman · Dorothy House · Explorer Scouts · Frome Day Care Centre · Frome FM Local Radio · Memorial Theatre Trust · Natasha Peck · PACE · PHAB · Richard Locke · SODA · St Katherine’s Church
Our rehearsals are well under way for this year’s show which hopes to be bigger and better than ever, with no less than two guest artists joining the show. Some of the highlights will be marvellous solo singers, sketches, dancing and all round family entertainment.
If you have never seen a Woodlanders show before, then you are missing out on two hours of fun and laughter. Why not give it a go this year, it will be the best £8.50 you’ve ever spent. (Probably!)
Anyone who would like to come along and see what we do and hopefully be tempted to join us next year - either on stage, or off (sewing, props, curtains, writing etc) please come along to one of our rehearsals, at East Woodlands Village Hall, Nr Longleat at 8.00pm on Monday and Wednesday evenings or call Dave on 01373 461901.
We are a small friendly group who like to have fun with a little bit of work thrown in.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our patrons and to let you know tickets for this year’s show on 11th - 16th October go on sale Saturday, 4th September, call Joy on 01373 463643.
Visit our website; www.thewoodlanders.org.uk for more show information Trudi Whittock

All funds have now been collected, and Russell Richards from Sightsavers International attended a meeting of Frome Selwood Rotary Club on Tuesday, 17th August. He confirmed that the total amount raised was over £7,000 including gift aid, and he thanked the team members.
Claire Hewish, the leader of the 3 peaks challenge team, gave a presentation to rotary club members and guests, and explained the trials and tribulations involved in training, walking and fund raising for such a challenging event.
Claire was thanked by Russell Richards from Sightsavers and by president Jenny Bennett of Frome Selwood Rotary Club. Claire Hewish was then presented with a Paul Harris Award from Frome Selwood Rotary Club in appreciation of all the work she has done in raising the money and completing the 3 peaks challenge. Peter Bennett Acting PRO Frome Selwood Rotary Club
Pictured: President of Frome Selwood Rotary Club Jenny Bennett presenting Claire Hewish with a Paul Harris award.

Laura Harrison who works as a programme manager at the communications, events and marketing company based in Commerce Park on the outskirts of Frome, is joining thousands of others in the Great North Swim on Sunday, 5th September.
The Great North Swim is a one-mile route in Lake Windermere in Cumbria which, despite settling in Bath, is where Laura grew up.
Laura Harrison said, “It is the third time that I have taken part in the Great North Swim and it is always nice to return home for the event because my friends and family are able to come along.
“Although I do know what to expect, I still get very nervous because the water is very cold and nothing can really prepare you for that. Fortunately, I will be wearing a wetsuit!
“I am delighted to be raising money for Dorothy House this year because it is Top Banana Team’s charity of the year, and so over the next 12 months we will be joining in a number of fundraising events, including the Midnight Walk on 11th September.”
Phillippa Watson, corporate & events fundraiser for Dorothy House said, “We’re delighted that Laura has signed up to take part in the Great North Swim in aid of Dorothy House and we wish her all the best.”
If you would like to sponsor Laura her justgiving website is www.justgiving.com/Laura-swimmer-Harrison

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are hoping that giving blood will be one of them.
With blood in constant demand new donors are always needed but figures show that only 4% of the eligible population donate regularly. First time donation nerves can hold people back so recruits are being asked to think about their first day of school for inspiration.
Fay Simcox from NHSBT said, “We all rely on the fantastically dedicated donors to keep the hospitals stocked up. But every day some of those loyal people will find out they have to stop donating temporarily or permanently. Given it’s a time of year when many will be trying new experiences, we’re asking new donors to come forward and see how easy it is to save a life.”
The process is simple. You will be given a questionnaire to fill in about your health, medical history, travel history and lifestyle. There’s a quick finger prick check of your iron levels and providing everything is fine you can make your donation which takes no more than 15 minutes. Then on to the all important refreshments. From start to finish it should take around an hour.
Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years. For more information or to book an appointment, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
The next session in Frome is on Tuesday 7th September at The Assembly Rooms, Christchurch Street West, 13:15 to 15:15 and 16:45 to 19:15.

South Parade car park

Now that the district council has reintroduced long stay parking at The South Parade car park, it will now cost £4 to park there for up to four hours, or £5 for the whole day (though disabled users can park for free between 9.00am and 4.30pm).
The cabinet report said, “The arrangements in South Parade were put in place to allow each space to be sold for local residents’ permits. All permits have been sold but the usage of this car park is significantly lower than expectations.
“The residents who hold permits for this car park are very happy with the arrangements but local businesses and traders feel that this car park is now unavailable for their patrons whilst being empty during the day. Disabled visitors to this area of Frome have found the two hour maximum stay to be restrictive.”

Ways forward

Mendip District Council says it will continue to review the car parking charges. The last two meetings of the East Mendip Community Partnership have focussed on the car parking charges in Frome.
Claire Hudson, chair of the East Mendip Community Partnership told the Frome Times, “We had an excellent car parking discussion at the East Mendip Community Partnership in June when Vision for Frome facilitated the discussions. Lots of ideas were generated and compiled into an excellent paper that has been submitted to Mendip District Council for consideration.
“At Mendip's most recent car park working group the members were reviewing the changes made to the charging system earlier in the year, and took all views about parking in South Parade into account, and are changing the charging system there again. The East Mendip Community Partnership /Vision 4 Frome document has not yet been fully discussed by the car park working group, but I am confident it will be in due course.
“In the meantime however, the East Mendip Community Partnership discussed parking again at its August meeting, and came up with two car parking items we will take forward and discuss in more detail at our September meeting; these are providing an element of free parking for half an hour in designated bays in the town centre for people who want to nip in and out, and the possibility of providing a special permit or voucher system, at low cost, to enable people to park in town centre car parks for a specified period of time. I am sure it will be a really interesting discussion and hope local people will come along and give their views.
“As a Liberal Democrat opposition councillor I am committed to working with local community groups and residents to find the best ways of charging for parking in our car parks, but obviously can only make recommendations to the Conservative Cabinet at Mendip. I hope this will change next May, with a Liberal Democrat administration taking charge and implementing fairer parking charges.”