• Wiltshire Publications
  • Melksham Independent News
  • White Horse News
Monday, June 23, 2025
12 °c
Frome
15 ° Tue
17 ° Wed
  • Login
  • Register
Frome Times
Advertisement
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Corrections
  • Digital Edition
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Family Messages
  • Directory
  • More

    Search

    News

    • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Crime
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics

    Sport

    • Frome FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • General Sport
    • Cricket
    • Golf
    • Bowls

    Best of Frome

    • Frome Community
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteering and helping out
    • Clubs Organisations
    • History
    • Environment

    What's on

    • Events Entertainment
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Things to do

    Family Messages

    • Announcements
    • Death Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Awards

    Digital Editions

    • Digital Edition
    • Digital Archives
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Corrections
  • Digital Edition
  • Back Issues
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Family Messages
  • Directory
  • More

    Search

    News

    • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Crime
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics

    Sport

    • Frome FC
    • Football
    • Rugby
    • General Sport
    • Cricket
    • Golf
    • Bowls

    Best of Frome

    • Frome Community
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteering and helping out
    • Clubs Organisations
    • History
    • Environment

    What's on

    • Events Entertainment
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Things to do

    Family Messages

    • Announcements
    • Death Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Awards

    Digital Editions

    • Digital Edition
    • Digital Archives
No Result
View All Result
Frome Times
No Result
View All Result

Frome Times Sports Feature – Spotlight on the history of Frome Rugby FC

February 21, 2024
in Latest news
Reading Time: 4 mins read
406 17
A A
0

FROME Rugby Football Club began to represent the town from which it takes its name in 1883.

The club reports, “There were a number of local sides playing regularly but these represented local organisations rather than the town itself. 

“In 1886 the club affiliated to the Frome Athletic Club. Although the records are missing, it would appear that the first captain was probably H. B. Sheppard. Until the First World War, the club’s main headquarters was at the Angel Hotel and games were played at Wallbridge. At the Annual General Meeting on Thursday 16th December 1886 it was discussed that a second team should be set up and an invitation to Lord Weymouth to become president of the club, this was duly accepted.

“What then was it like to be a member of Frome Rugby Club in the 1880s? Certainly any excuse for a dinner was good enough. On the field of play there was a variety of opposition. Shepton Mallet had a team as did Selwood Printing Works. For the match played against the latter on 19th February 1887 it is recorded that a large crowd was expected, ‘Attention is drawn to the fact that a hole was made in the hedge surrounding the pitch and anyone doing the same or similar deed will be prosecuted’. The field was kindly loaned by Mrs Sinkins. It was normal in those days for large crowds to attend and to pay gate money. 

“At the Athletic Club’s meeting at the end of the 1888-1889 it was recorded that the cost of running the Rugby Club for the season as £5.8s.7d Nine days after the outbreak of the First World War, the Rugby Union called upon its players to join the forces, this was taken up by the players of Frome Rugby Football Club. So devastating was the effect of war that it was not until 1926 that the club finally started playing again.

“On 28th April 1926 a meeting of interested people was held in the Lamb Hotel, Bath Street and the club was formally re-established. The interest was such that a second team was formed; the home pitch in those days was at the top of the Nunney Road. Match fees were 1 shilling, transport was by any available means from bicycle to charabanc. The big social event of the year was the Annual Rugby Dance. The Annual Dance was a lavish affair whose importance upstaged even the Annual Dinner.

“At the AGM held at the Lamb Hotel, the chairman presented Mr L. B. Browne with a wrist watch in recognition of his efforts in the successful revival of the club. Shortly after this, the club’s headquarters moved to the George Hotel, which remained the principal venue until the Second World War. The record during the years between the wars showed a sharp decline in performance as both the 1st XV and the A XV lost approximately 50% of their matches played between 1926 & 1937. 

“In the period after the Second World War, the club was to face many problems. With many young local men still in the forces, much of the recruitment to the club was from military establishments. It seems that local schools did not supply the club with a ready source of players, since not much rugby was played.

“Soon problems arose over finding suitable after-match venues and the club was to lose the Nunney Road ground, which it had held since 1926. A joint venture with the Cricket Club and the Frome and District Agricultural Society led to the building of a new club house which was opened in 1975. Between 1954 and 1975, the club moved its playing fields from the Showground to Berkeley Road, thence to Bath Road playing fields, to Gypsy Lane. At times, the club also played at pitches at Oldford, Clink Road and Critchill.

“As regards headquarters, moves were not infrequent. The principal venue after the war was the Sun Inn, in 1953 they moved back to the Lamb Hotel. The next move was to Mansford wine vaults, from there to The Crown and on occasions The Vine Tree. Although results were respectable during the post war period, Frome was probably not one of the stronger clubs in the area. By the early sixties the club had reached a low point, it was regarded by many more successful clubs as a somewhat ramshackle affair, capable of producing coarse rugby, but not usually associated with the finer elements of the game.

“However there is a time in the tide of the affairs of rugby clubs. Slowly during the sixties the club’s fortunes once again began to pick up. It has been rumoured that if the raising of a first team during the mid-sixties proved a problem, a certain senior member of the club, responsible for fixtures and getting a team together, would wait until just before lunch time on match day and then raid the localhostelries in order to press gang reluctant recruits.

“In the late sixties, thanks to the persistence of its officers, the club was once again able to field a Second Fifteen. By the early seventies the First Fifteen was able to consistently give a good account of itself against all-comers and the club was now able to run four sides and occasionally a fifth side. 

“Of the many factors which led to this revival in fortunes, one of the most important was the introduction of rugby at the Frome Grammar School (now incorporated into the Frome College). This provided the club with a ready source of young players. The indications for the future are that the club can now boast strength in depth, which should help it to achieve a high standard of rugby for years to come.”

Share234Tweet146Pin53
Advertise your products or service in The Melksham Independent News Advertise your products or service in The Melksham Independent News Advertise your products or service in The Melksham Independent News

Related Stories

Frome Open Art Trail returns

Frome Open Art Trail returns

June 18, 2025
0

The Frome Open Art Trail returns this year from Saturday 5th to Sunday 13th July, during the Frome Festival. Launched...

Frome Town unveils preseason fixtures for 2025/26 season

Frome Town unveils preseason fixtures for 2025/26 season

June 18, 2025
0

Frome Town has announced its full pre-season schedule ahead of the new campaign. The preseason will get underway with a...

Ramp to be removed at Henley Way following structural survey

Ramp to be removed at Henley Way following structural survey

June 18, 2025
0

Essential works began on Monday 2nd June, to remove the level access route from Henley Way to The Otherside at...

Frome Wild Bunch Column – Churchyards as havens for people and wildlife

Frome Wild Bunch Column – Churchyards as havens for people and wildlife

June 18, 2025
0

At Holy Trinity Church we are looking at how we can be more aware of the climate and nature crises...

Frome Times Digital Edition Frome Times Digital Edition Frome Times Digital Edition

Recommended

  • All
  • Latest news
  • Environment
  • Politics
  • Frome Town Council
  • Clubs & Organisations
  • Volunteering and helping out

Challenge to Acorn’s Saxonvale planning application to be heard by High Court

February 21, 2024

Town council asks Somerset to deal with the issue of town centre vermin

February 21, 2024

Follow Social Media

  • ‘It’s getting tougher for all small charities’ – Frome Birth Talk extends community fundraising campaign until end of year

Local charity Frome Birth Talk has extended its fundraising campaign until the end of the year as it seeks to secure more monthly donors to help secure the charity’s future.

The campaign launched in March, with the charity aiming to raise £1,000 per month in regular donations to help cover running costs until 1st June. With that date now passed and £700 secured, the charity has decided to keep the fundraiser open until the end of year, in the hope to secure more donors and ultimately Frome Birth Talk’s future.

“We are extremely thankful for our one-off donations but it’s really helpful for us to see a projection of what is to come,” said counselling coordinator Lucy Hill who explained that the charity is hoping to increase the amount of people who can donate on a monthly basis.

“It’s getting harder and harder to guarantee grants, so to have a community of people who are supporting us regularly is incredibly helpful.” 

Pictured: 
A Frome Birth Talk volunteer Susan Nunn
Lucy and director Suzy 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • Sulis Hospital launches new satellite clinic in Frome

Bath’s Sulis Hospital has launched a new satellite outpatient clinic at Frome Medical Practice, with the first clinic taking place on 23rd June.

The hospital says this development will bring expert-led consultations across a range of specialties directly to residents of Frome and the surrounding area, offering greater choice, faster access and reduced travel time for patients.

The Frome Satellite Clinic will offer consultations across several key specialties for adults, including orthopaedics (hip, knee and spine clinics), general surgery (including colorectal, hernia, gallstones and ‘lumps and bumps’ clinics) and ophthalmology. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • Successful Climate Film Festival sees 100 international entries 

The fourth annual International Climate Film Festival has been hailed a huge success as over 1,150 films from 100 countries around the world were submitted to be shown at the two-day event.

The festival ran on 18th May at the Cheese and Grain, and on 25th May at Rook Lane Chapel, where there was an Award Celebration Day. The festival also included a special launch of local director Charly Le Marchant’s latest film, Ancient Woodland Restoration, with a panel at Frome Town Council on 22nd May.

Festival director James Godman said, “The festival provided an opportunity for people to meet local green community groups like the Frome Wardrobe Collective and enabled visitors to enjoy music from local musicians, including Sue Harding and Francis Hayden; to get creative with eco-art and face painting; to learn about solar green technology and, this year, to listen to a thought leaders panel which included our local MP Anna Sabine, Diana Finch, author of Value Beyond Money, Matt Mellen, the Climate Action lead at Frome Town Council, Amanda Le Pivert – Earth House at Frome College, Rachael Wells from the Bath Climate Hub and many more inspiring panellists.” 

Pictured: 
Bex Gilbert’s live illustration 
Frome Town Crier opening the Rook Lane Chapel event (by Chloe Raeburn) 
Panel (by Chloe Raeburn) 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • From Jeremy Vine to top comedians - The Merlin brings an eclectic season for its 50th year 

Frome
  • Rainbow Paradiso brings glamour and fun to Frome Festival

Frome is set to sparkle on Tuesday 8th July as Rainbow Paradiso, a dazzling cabaret night, takes over the Cheese and Grain main stage for an evening of music, comedy and colour.

The show, which has already wowed audiences in Bath at Komedia, is on Tuesday 8th July and features professional artists, including local band Sweet Machine and the Frome Show Choir.

Leading the night is international queen of charisma, Kiki Babs, who promises glamour, laughter and a chance for the audience to shine with fun games and a lip sync challenge (yes, there are prizes!). Kiki will be joined by the seriously amusing Professor of Whimsy, Robert Garnham, and LED acrobatic dancer, Ember Elation, bringing visual magic to the evening.

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • WHY enters match-funding campaign for double donation boost

Cancer counselling charity We Hear You (WHY) has secured a coveted place in the Big Give’s Small Charity Week match-funding campaign.

For just seven days, from 12pm on Monday 23rd June to 12pm on Monday 30th June, every pound donated online will be matched—instantly turning £50 into £100 for local people facing the emotional impact of cancer and life-threatening conditions.

In 2024–2025, WHY supported 453 individuals and delivered 3,297 counselling sessions, with 65% being adults and 22% children and young people. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • Magical world of Corinna Sargood to go under the hammer at Dore & Rees

A rare collection of work by acclaimed Frome artist, Corinna Sargood, is set to go to auction later this month.

On Friday 27th June, Dore & Rees will host their Summer Interiors sale, with a special feature: Folk Art & Fairytales – The Magical World of Corinna Sargood. The sale will include 150 pieces from Corinna Sargood’s personal collection, many of which have never been offered for sale before.

“To know Corinna Sargood’s work is to adore it, whether it’s her technicolour embroideries which tell fascinating stories or her spellbinding paintings,” said Sally Perry who is lead at Dore & Rees for the Corinna Sargood collection.

“Her prints and etchings are intricate and wry, her automata are witty and technically accomplished. Even her furniture will make you smile. Once you step into the magical world of Corinna Sargood, you really won’t want to leave."

The auction begins at 9.30am on Friday 27th June. Full catalogues and registration details can be found at www.doreandrees.com. Viewing is Tuesday to Thursday, 24th-26th June, 10am-4pm. 

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • ‘Feed it Forwards’ scheme launches to raise vital funds for food bank resources

Over 30 local bars, restaurants and cafés have joined forces with Fair Frome for a week-long ‘Feed it Forwards’ scheme to raise money for essential food supplies to support individuals and families in the town.

The scheme, organised by Fair Frome, will run from 21st to 29th June. Local eateries and cafés will have collection pots on tables, inviting people to donate whatever they can.

Senior coordinator for Fair Frome, Lenka Grimes, said the scheme has been launched in the week before Glastonbury Festival, when the town is usually busy with visitors.

“Last year, Fair Frome distributed 1,391 food parcels and served over 7,000 hot meals and lunches to those in need,” said Lenka.

Fair Frome runs the town’s food bank, as well as other projects including Food @ Five, the Furniture and Baby Basics Bank, the Assistance Scheme, the ‘Grab and Go’ breakfast bags, and a community pantry."

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
  • Midsummer Mischief family event marks Refugee Week

Residents are invited to celebrate cultures from around the world on the longest day of the year as part of an event to mark Refugee Week.

Midsummer Mischief will feature crafts, storytelling, costume-making and folk dancing in Victoria Park on Saturday 21st June from 10am to 2.30pm.

Organised by local arts organisation Terrestrial, everyone is welcome, and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day of it. The park café will be open all day, serving hot and cold refreshments. 

Pictured: A previous Terrestrial event (Credit Paul Blakemore)

Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.

Get in touch

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Self Service Advertising
  • Issue Dates and Deadlines
  • Payment Information
  • Send Us Your News
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising Terms Conditions
  • Complaints
  • Placing a family message
  • Photos
  • Useful Information

More from Frome Times

  • Latest News
  • Sport
  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archives
  • What's On
  • Mission Statement
  • Corrections

FOLLOW US

© 2024 Frome Times | Wiltshire Publications Ltd, 31, Market Place, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 6ES Registered in England & Wales | 02627096

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Legal Hub
  • Site Map
Melksham Independent News
Melksham Independent News
Frome

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Frome Times
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
    • Special Featured Stories
    • Featured Stories
    • Crime
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Health
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Digital Edition
    • Digital Edition Archives
  • Advertising with us
  • Family Messages
    • Announcements
    • Dealth Notices
    • In Memoriam
    • Birthday
    • Engagement
    • Wedding Messages
    • Frome Says Thank You
    • Awards
  • More
    • Book An Advert
    • Sports
    • Best of Frome
      • Frome Community
      • Fundraising
      • Volunteering & Helping Out
      • Clubs Organisations
      • History
      • Environment
    • What’s On
      • Events Entertainment
      • Arts and Culture
      • Things To Do

© 2024 Frome times | Web Design & SEO by YOW Internet.