THIS year’s Frome Festival has been hailed as a record-breaker, with thousands of people enjoying hundreds of events across the town.
At the time of going to press, ticket sales had reached 10,000, a ‘record number of sales’ according to festival director, Martin Dimery.
“Since I took over 12 years ago,” Martin told Frome Times, “this was one of the best, if not the best festival. There was a huge and varied programme of events – all of a high quality, demonstrating a wealth of imaginative offerings.
“The festival box office at the Cheese & Grain sold over 6,000 tickets. The Memorial had four sold-out shows – Danceworks and Jethro – so that’s 2,000 tickets. And sales at Cooper Hall, the Memorial Theatre and door sales add up to around 2,000. So we’re heading for a record number of sales – in the region of 10,000-plus.
“In terms of the other events, we had 80 free events, which were very well attended.
“There is also evidence that once again, a large number of visitors came to Frome – this was most evident at our biggest attended event – Scouting for Girls, who played to a sold out crowd of 800 people from near and far.
“The good weather attracted around 3,000 people to the Food Feast – it was the best we can remember, and people stayed on late into the evening to listen to the bands at the Cheese & Grain.”
This year’s festival ran from Friday 5th July to Sunday 14th July, with a theme that celebrated the 200th anniversary of JW Singer, whose foundry produced many famous iconic statues around the UK and the world, notably in London, with Boudica on the Embankment, and Justice on the Old Bailey.
Martin said, “The theme was very well received and there was a fantastic exhibition at Room Lane.
“As for highlights from the festival – we are very pleased with the acts we booked for the festival – the big names – Judge Jules, The Coral, and Scouting for Girls – all went down well.
“But it was great to see the reception for Moscow Drug Club – we sold twice as many tickets for them as we expected and had to move them from the Cheese & Grain foyer into the main hall!
“The Somerset and Wiltshire on old film talk by documentary-maker David Parker was really well attended and appreciated.
“We are hearing reports of consistently high quality events in arts, plays, classical music and exhibitions.
“The festival has gone well, the events that we chose to promote performed above our expectations. It was certainly one to remember.”
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