A PLAQUE has been erected by Frome Society for Local Study to commemorate one of the most important firms in the town’s industrial history.
The plaque highlights industrial entrepreneur Edward Cockey and is on the building in Palmer Street where he first had premises, and which now belongs to YMCA Brunel Group.
An unveiling ceremony took place on Thursday 28th April and among those who attended was deputy mayor, cllr Sara Butler-Bartholomew, who gave a speech to the assembled crowd.
These included representatives from Frome Society for Local Study, Frome & District Civic Society, Frome Museum and Frome Town Council, among others.
Vice-Chair of Frome Society for Local Study, David Lassman said, “Cockeys played an integral and important part in Frome’s industrial history and so we are therefore proud to be able to commemorate their contribution with this plaque.”
After Edward Cockey founded his firm, he introduced gas lighting to the town in 1831, making Frome one of the first places in the country to have this innovation.
These early gas lamps, known as ‘Cockey Lamps’, now have a unique place within Frome’s heritage, but unfortunately the 70 or so that remain need renovation.
A call for volunteers to help survey them, instigated by Frome Society for Local Study and supported by Frome Town Council, appeared in a recent issue of The Frome Times.
The Cockey Lamp Survey Project received quite a few responses from this article but are still looking for more volunteers.
If you would like to become involved, please contact project organiser: mary.canale@icloud.com
Meanwhile, the Cockey plaque is now the latest included in a walk tracing all FSLS plaques. For details, see: www.discoverfrome.co.uk/town-walks
Pictured above: (L-R) Mary Canale (Cockeys Lamp Survey Project); Richard Swann (Frome Civic Society); Sara Morris (Frome Society Chair); Mike Fairbeard (YMCA Brunel Group); Sara Butler-Bartholomew (Deputy Mayor); Sue Latham (Frome Museum); and David Lassman (Frome Society Vice-Chair).
Left: The Edward Cockey plaque on a building in Palmer Street.
