The latest Frome Society Yearbook has just been published and contains a further selection of articles that both record the history of the town and local countryside and provides details of local people and their lives.
The first article by Suzanne Cooke describes the research into her house in Somerset Road and her queries about the mysterious Louisa Tuck; 15 years later, John Millns unravels the truth and replies to Suzanne’s questions. Michael McGarvie describes the history of Marston House and its owners, which led to this magnificent building being saved from demolition in 1972. This is followed by two articles on the Trinity area, the first by Professor Roger Leech on his researches in 1974 which led to saving half of Trinity from demolition, followed by a timeline of the work of restoration by Bill Lowe. Adrie van der Luijt reports on the Nunney Hoard found in 1860 and the problems of Evelyn Waugh in trying to buy a suitable mansion in the village. There are anonymous articles about two rich spinsters, born in St Petersburg, who followed Rev WJE Bennett to Frome and set up a charity school in Whittox Lane and the further history of early photographic clubs in Frome. There is a full description of a Palestine exhibition by Adam Stout, which was timed to coincide with the centenary of the Balfour Declaration in 1917. There is a final extract from ‘Farthing Bundles’, the autobiography of the education reformer, Clara Grant, and David Smart unravels the intricate relationships between the doctors, solicitors and other professionals in 19th century Frome, illustrated by the Bush family. James Richardson tells the story of Goose Marsh Mill in West Woodlands and Richard Wallis reports on his difficulties in opening up the ‘Monarch’s Way.’ There are many short extracts from early newspapers and a delightful story of how a Frome schoolgirl sent an egg to a soldier in France in 1916 and how he enjoyed it and returned it to her.
The yearbook is again beautifully designed and illustrated by Cliff and Janet Howard and edited by Alastair MacLeay, price £10. It is available from Winstones Hunting Raven Bookshop, Frome Museum, directly via the Frome Society website, www.fsls.org.uk or from Alastair MacLeay, telephone 01373 836595.
