THE Cheese and Grain said farewell to their long-serving programme manager, Martin Dimery, after 12 successful years at the Frome venue.
Staff and friends gathered last month for a surprise party for Martin who is leaving due to his recent election to Somerset County Council. Deputy director and marketing manager for the Cheese and Grain, Tracey Rawlins said, “Thank you to everyone who came to the party and for keeping the party a secret, Martin really was overwhelmed by the surprise.
“The party was great and we were particularly thrilled Bad Sounds played a set as Martin’s daughter, Olivia, is the drummer.
“They have just signed with a major record label and are very much on the rise. They will be recording a session at Maida Vale for Radio 1’s Annie Mac. We hope they will play the main stage sometime soon before they become big superstars!”
Martin Dimery first joined the management team at the Cheese and Grain in 2005 after a career in teaching, performing, and theatre management. On appointment, he was entrusted with programming and running all major entertainment events in the hall, as well as marketing. The post was originally for three days a week and so he continued teaching part-time until 2007 when he was asked to combine the Cheese and Grain role with that of creative director of the Frome Festival. He will continue in his role as Frome Festival director, this being his 10th anniversary in the post.
Martin took on the crucial role at a time when the Cheese and Grain was struggling to manage on its financial resources. Following his first full financial year, the hall reported a surplus for the first time, and event bookings rose by over 30 percent. The hall began to host some major acts like The Stranglers, The Levellers, Seth Lakeman and Bellowhead.
When asked which performers he has most enjoyed working with at the Cheese and Grain, Martin maintained he was spoiled for choice; “I have found it very rewarding to see audiences enjoying a wide range of acts. Many of them are bands we’ve been offered, but aren’t necessarily to my taste. These can provide some surprisingly entertaining evenings. The Bay City Rollers and Slade spring to mind in this respect. I also found John Lydon’s Public Image enthralling.
“We’ve had some stunning blues acts over the years. Joe Bonamassa visited twice, before hitting the big time. I’ve also enjoyed seeing some real legends from the past like The Zombies, Jefferson Starship, and Steve Harley’s Cockney Rebel. Of course this year’s surprise appearance by the Foo Fighters tops the lot. That was broadcast online and brought the Cheese and Grain into millions of homes world wide. That’ll be hard to beat.”
The Cheese and Grain will host some of the biggest acts in this year’s Frome Festival, including comedian Andy Parson’s, writer Germaine Greer, The Bollywood Brass Band and The Wonder Stuff.
