Stalwart radio producers step down from All About Frome show

Two community radio producers have stepped down from their popular show, All About Frome, after nine years of volunteering at Frome FM.

Julia Wellard and Rupert Kirkham presented their last show on Tuesday 8th July, before handing over to presenter, Lyndsey Mayhew, who will be presenting a new community-focused show.

Julia and Rupert began the show, along with other volunteer reporters and technical volunteers, in July 2016 and have been airing regular shows live from the radio station studios ever since.

“All About Frome has mainly been all about the volunteering scene in the town and surrounding villages,” said co-producer, Julia Wellard. “Each show, which for the first seven years was produced live every week, has about four items on it.”

The show has covered many topics, including care in the community for older and vulnerable adults, such as those living with dementia and Frome Shedders. It has been an effective medium for local groups and charities to share their messages.

“We cover the work of Frome’s ‘volunteer army’, the thousands of people who give up their time to help others in the town, for which Frome is rightly proud,” said co-producer Rupert, who came to FM from Somer Valley FM in 2015.

Frome-based cancer counselling charity We Hear You (WHY) is one charity which has featured regularly on the show.

Chief Executive Officer of WHY, Lucy Kitchener, said, “All About Frome has been a fantastic route to our supporters in Frome communities over the years. They are an amazing way to amplify what we do for anyone affected by cancer or life-threatening conditions across Frome and beyond.”

Local people have also ‘learnt the ropes’ of radio through the show. Zach Gratton, organiser of Froglife, a national organisation that brings isolated and mentally challenged people closer to nature, went on to produce a weekly segment on All About Frome for his group ‘Wild Memories’ during the 2020 to 2021 lockdowns, which included audio walks in the countryside and birdsong identification features.

As an advocate of Frome FM and All About Frome, Frome Town Council chair Cllr Fiona Barrows said Julia and Rupert have ‘really exemplified’ Frome’s ‘strong community spirit.’

She said, “The show has celebrated the unsung heroes of Frome – those who volunteer their time, energy and skills to make this such an incredible place to live. Julia and Rupert are very much a part of this community. I’ve personally really enjoyed being on the show and I’d like to add my voice and in thanking them for their time, energy and enthusiasm.”

Julia and Rupert have given thanks to the thousands of people who have taken part in and listened to the All About Frome show over the years and validated the station’s philosophy of open access broadcasting.

Julia said, “We’ve been privileged to have had a unique form of access to the communities of Frome. We have met some of the kindest people in the area. We’ll miss the routine, but we’re really pleased to hand over the baton to Lyndsey.”

You can listen to Frome FM’s hyper-local community output on 96.6 FM online on your smart speaker, online at Mixcloud.com/fromefm and at www.frome.fm.