Any recent visitor to the Health Centre would not have failed to notice the large (sometimes extremely large!) photographic prints that now decorate the corridors and waiting areas of the building.
All of the prints are from photographs taken by members of the Frome Wessex Camera Club and were shot from unconventional angles as the viewer is forced to think and guess where the photograph was taken. The photographs submitted for exhibition covered Frome, Nunney, Corsley, Wanstrow, Buckland Dinham, Maiden Bradley and Mells.
However, the purpose of the prints is far more than just to improve the visual experience of the patient and visitor. When the Health Centre building was opened just before Christmas in 2012, one of the biggest feedbacks from patients, particularly with those with difficulty hearing, was that the waiting areas were difficult to hear conversations in.
The Frome Medical Practice therefore commissioned a report from their acoustic engineers who advised that it was going to be necessary to put sound absorbing material on the roof and walls.
Partner at the Practice, Dr Mark Vose explains, “We didn’t just want plain sound absorbent material on the walls and ceiling. We were fortunate to find a company that could print photographic images onto the acoustic material, and the idea was then born to ask our local photography club to provide some pictures. We are absolutely delighted with the way that they have risen to the challenge of producing pictures of Frome and its surrounding villages taken from interesting angles to get patients thinking about the location. The quality of the photos is incredibly high and it is a privilege for us at the Practice to be able to provide a venue where local people can display their work.”
The Frome Wessex Camera Club Chairman is David Chedgy. He said, “Our members were of course thrilled at the opportunity of being invited to exhibit their work at such an exciting new building as the Frome Health Centre.
“27 of our members took part and the final selection actually used on the acoustic panels was reduced from 133 images. The display really is impressive and the reaction so far has been utterly positive, although even I have had to think hard where some of the photographs were taken. On behalf of all of our members, I would like to thank the Practice for giving our members this unique opportunity to display their skills.”
The Frome Wessex Camera Club has a membership of over 70 and holds regular events, competitions and events. Full details can be found at www.fromewessexcameraclub.co.uk
