FROME writer John Payne will lead a three-mile circular walk on Saturday 15 July, from 2.30-5.30pm, along the River Frome from Rode to Tellisford and back across field paths.
“There will be readings of Edward Thomas poems along the way by Martin Bax and Crysse Morrison,” said John, who is an active member of Farleigh Hungerford Swimming Club and also swims occasionally at Tellisford Weir. “Thomas visited our area frequently, staying at Dillybrook Farm, and loved to swim in the River Frome.”
The readings will include favourite Thomas poems, as well as his account of his brief stop at Tellisford on a cycle-ride from London to the Quantocks in 1913 which became the basis for his book ‘In Pursuit of Spring.’ John Payne’s own books include ‘The West Country: a cultural history’ which features Edward Thomas.
‘It’s a nice gentle walk, not too demanding, but there are a couple of stiles on the way back’, said Martin Bax, ‘but unfortunately the event is sold out. However, there is a reserve list at the box office to leave your name and telephone number and if there are sufficient numbers we will try to repeat this walk sometime after the festival.’
The following day, Sunday 16 July from 2pm, the Festival comes to Wiltshire, with the Festival Cricket match taking place on the Common at Broughton Gifford, near Melksham. The event is of course free. ‘Broughton Gifford Manor was the base for Clifford and Arnold Bax’s legendary cricket tours before and after the First World War’, explained Frome Festival founder and President Martin Bax. ‘This year, the New Bax Broughtonians will play the village team captained by Tom Gerrish. His great-grandfather Charles played in the 1912 match, when Edward Thomas scored 2 runs for the Bax team.’
Altogether, seven members of the Bax family are expected to play in the match. ‘Cricket runs in my family’, said Martin. ‘Two of my uncles played Minor Counties cricket for Cornwall.’ The captain of the Bax team will be Martin’s brother James, whose two sons will also be playing.
Cricket and the arts have always overlapped in the Bax family. Sir Arnold Bax was a famous composer and Master of the King’s Musick, while his brother Clifford was a popular West End playwright. A second Martin Bax was a distinguished consultant paediatrician, as well as the editor of the famous avant garde arts magazine Ambit. Its present editor is Briony Bax.
Refreshments are available at The Bell on the Common.
