Frome’s future is shining bright

WITH 2012 coming to a close, the Mayor of Frome has declared the past 12 months a resounding success, with the future of the town ‘shining brighter’ than ever before.

A whole range of community events made their debut in Frome throughout 2012 and Mayor of Frome, cllr Pippa Goldfinger, says that the town has so much to look forward to in 2013.

She said, “We have had so many new events in the town over the last year, and there’s more to come. It’s an exciting time to be a part of Frome with all the changes that are coming to the town. It really has been a great year for the town.

“This year was the first time that the town held a ‘super market’, a combination of three markets that has been hailed a huge success with both shoppers and traders. The first ever Frome Half Marathon saw over 700 runners take to the streets of Frome, with another race planned next year.

“The backbone of Frome’s hugely successful events calendar is the Frome Festival, Frome Show and Frome Carnival – and these events were all huge successes again in 2012.

“This year, Frome further  established itself on the festival calendar, with the Folk Festival, Blues Festival, and Discuss and Do Festival, which are all set to return to the town in 2013. FromeFM took to the radio waves with its FM licence and Harry’s Hydro, a hydrotherapy pool, also opened its doors for the first time this year.”

Cllr Goldfinger said that her personal highlights include the town’s super markets, attending the Remembrance Day parade and her charity tea party.

“We’ve welcomed a new principal at Frome College too,” she said. “Now, I am really looking forward to the Cobble Wobble this weekend and The Great Christmas Get Together, an event for people who are isolated and alone.

“In Frome, a group of dedicated volunteers have worked hard to ensure that some of these people have a warm and friendly Christmas in the company of others, with great food and entertainment. ‘The Great Christmas Get Together’ is a wonderful project that began last year.

“This is an example of the kind of thing that makes Frome such a great place to live – people generously giving up their time and skills in order to make something happen for the benefit of the wider community.  One of the great privileges of being Mayor for a year is that you get an insight into the many voluntary organisations that exist in the town and meet the people who make them happen.”

Cllr Goldfinger declared that Frome will “shine bright” in 2013, “There is so much happening. The Welshmill Park development is going ahead and this is a great project that shows things are moving forward in 2013.

“Also, plans for the new town centre will gather momentum and really help boost our town centre, which is packed with great independent businesses.

“The stalwarts that keep Frome going will continue to work hard. I think when you move here, you get into that Frome spirit.

“I hope we remain afloat with the economic downturn. People are struggling in these hard times, but Frome seems to be bucking the national trend because people are so engaged and imaginative. Frome will do as it has always done and shine bright, making sure no-one is left behind. It is an extraordinary town.

“So here’s hoping everyone has a very Happy Christmas and a great New Year!”