Local history group, The Frome Society, has published the 27th edition of its annual compendium of historical events and local issues.
The latest compendium contains articles on the great fire of Cheap Street in 1923, a mediaeval hall in Rode, a ‘fascinating’ burglar from 1887, the changes and recent growth of the area and a brief survey of failed shops in the town centre.
There is also a history of the cottages at Gorehedge, a brief study of what life was like for women in the workhouse, biographies of local worthies and a list of publications available from the society as well as a comprehensive list of the contents of previous issues of the yearbook going back to 1987.
“The journal has come a long way from those early years and at 164 pages this is the society’s largest issue so far,” explained the editor, Mick Davis.
It is issued free to members or obtainable from Winstone’s Hunting Raven Books or the newly refurbished museum. “It is worth popping in just to see the improvements,” says Mick.
“The benefits of belonging to the society are many and include not only the annual yearbook but organised summer coach trips, winter lectures, the odd lunch and a raft of publications on local issues and history.”
Among the society’s latest projects is the building of a computer hub for storing information on local history providing a resource for anyone interested in research into the area and its many faceted development and occupants. “All of this and more is available for an annual membership of only £15,” says Mick.
Another project being planned is an exhibition in conjunction with the museum to celebrate 50 years since local opposition prevented developers from destroying part of the Trinity area of the town.
“A notable victory which made national news at the time,” explained Mick. “This research is open to anyone with the time to participate and the society would like to hear from anyone who was living in the area at the time or who had relatives living there. If you are living in one of the houses built on the site since that time your input, if only a few photos, would also be of great interest.”
To get involved please contact publications@fsls.org.uk
