Spectacular drone light show will dazzle

THE night sky over Frome will come alive for Halloween with the South West’s very first audience-attended drone light show – and it’s free! 

The drone display will at the heart of the Glow in the Park event, on Saturday 30th October in the Old Showfield, and it will be performed by Frome-based company Celestial, who were behind the display at Edinburgh’ Hogmanay new year. The company specialise in aerial storytelling, performed by hundreds of brightly coloured drones taking to the air, accompanied by music. 

There will also be contributions from Frome schools, including Frome College who are being asked to create a design in a special animation workshop delivered by Celestial Labs, which will appear in the final show.  “It will all add up to a spectacular and magical evening,” say Frome Town Council, the organisers of the event. 

Glow in the Park will also feature a host of autumnal activities for all the family, and the planting of 24 commemorative trees that will represent the town’s resilience over the past 18 months. 

The evening is being hailed as the “event of the year” by Frome’s mayor cllr Andy Wrintmore. 

“As the nights are drawing in, let’s celebrate this time of year and our community by coming together for this unique, free event,” said cllr Wrintmore. “From planting commemorative trees representing our town’s resilience in the past 18 months, to a whole host of fun, autumnal activities culminating with a spectacular, never-seen-before in Somerset, drone show – it’s the event of the year so far.  Think fireworks without the scare!” 

The town council adds, “As the seasons change and with the leaves changing colour, it’s a natural time to reflect and celebrate the past year. Frome Town Council is inviting residents to a free Glow in the Park event on Saturday 30th October from 3pm – 6pm at the Old Showfield.   

“The afternoon will have lots of autumnal, fun activities for young and old alike including apple pressing, tree planting, lantern making, and pumpkin decorating, alongside an appearance by Frome’s Rare Species and various food stalls hosted by local organisations.  The event will finish with the South West’s very first audience-attended drone show. 

“Autumn is the time to plant trees, which will then flourish and grow in the following spring. Following feedback from residents, a commemorative blossom circle is being planted in the Old Showfield. Twenty-four trees will be planted to celebrate Frome, its communities, and the resilience they have shown over this extraordinary time.   

“At the very centre there’ll be a single oak tree that was grown from an acorn by local tree enthusiast and author, Julian Hight. This oak tree can be traced back to the historic Selwood oaks that grew in and around Frome and representatives from our community will be invited to plant the other trees in the blossom circle with the mayor in a ceremony to kick off the afternoon at 3pm.   

“There will be lots of glow in the dark activities including face painting and glow in the dark pumpkins, and apple day activities which will set the atmospheric scene for the finale of the afternoon, an evocative drone display.” 

Founder of Celestial, Tony Martin said, “Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we are thrilled to be able to bring on this show for Frome. It’s been a long time in the planning, and we are excited to provide this spectacular show, free of charge, for the people of Frome. The display will bring some glow in the dark magic to help commemorate this extremely difficult time.” 

Whilst the event is free, Frome Rotary will be collecting for several charities including Active and In Touch, The Pod, Fair Frome, and Frome’s Missing Links.  The event is funded by Frome Town Council and The Arts Council.