The first Frome Ukulele Festival was declared “a fantastic success” by non other than the Mayor of Frome, cllr Richard Ackroyd.
“This festival really showed Frome at its best,” he said . “We had support from the pubs and cafes in Frome, two of the major venues were involved and, more importantly, hundreds of local people were involved. With some 200 visitors coming to Frome, it was a wonderful day to show off our marvellous town.”
Leading the organising committee was Malcolm Lloyd, who said that the day exceeded “all of our hopes and then some!” Day time events were based at Rook Lane Arts, but workshops were held at The Cornerhouse, The Three Swans and The Granary, while a children’s workshop and Battle of the Bands filled 23 Bath Street. With over 30 members of Frome Ukulele Club working throughout the day, no stone was left unturned in trying to give visitors a good impression of the town and a wonderful day out.
Malcolm said, “We had meeters and greeters based across town, plus stewards at every venue. Local stalls were based in Rook Lane and workshops, a sing-along and an Open Mic meant that everyone had an opportunity to join in. It was a truly great team effort.”
Organisers said, “Running the workshops were local tutors in the form of Sam Widdows, Roger Southard and Bridget Cox, with a guest appearance from Wells-based Tracey Hansford, whose workshop was so popular she ran it a second time. Carl Sutterby, attired in a tartan suit, ran a very lively Open Mic, while The Decades, opened the festival in Rook Lane. Malcolm added, “So many people gave support on the day – a big thanks to them all – we couldn’t have done it without them.”
“Making it through to the final of the Battle of the Bands were The Mother Pluckers from Box, The Weymouth Ukuleleans and Ukerjax from New Milton. Playing to a packed Cheese and Grain audience, the judges took audience reaction into account, so the clear winners were The Mother Pluckers, who, after a fun filled set, received the trophy from organiser Mike Stephenson and the Mayor, cllr Richard Ackroyd. The winners get to organise the Battle of the Bands next year, so it’s off to Box in 2020!
“Main performers, In Sync, with their clarity and harmonies, and Andy Dan, playing many of his own compositions, were both extremely well received by the full house, but Opera-lele won the plaudits for inviting 40 members of the audience onto the stage to accompany them with one of their operatic arias! Their comic timing and superb operatic singing was certainly a surprise for most of the audience who probably didn’t quite know what to expect!
“During this busy night, Frome Ukulele Club also found time to present £500 to Frome’s Missing Link and £1,000 to Fair Frome, the money being raised throughout the year by the club. By the time the 32 members of The Mighty Frukes took to the stage, the audience were well and truly warmed up, and their party set went down extremely well. Not only a concert to remember, but a truly memorable day in Frome – and it appears that it is going to be repeated again next year!”
