Frome Active Sports Fest week produced a fantastic week of free sport for the people of Frome last week as part of Frome Town Council’s ongoing commitment to sports organisations and participation in Frome.
Over 30 different clubs and organisations took part throughout the week with councilors joining in to highlight what the organisations do, try out new things and offer free taster sessions.
The Canoe Club kicked events off and this year because of the change in format for the event were able to get onto the river and offer free sessions there. This was greatly improved from previous years where they had used a training kayak up at the football club.
Following this were the larger events of Sports Fest in the park and Mayhem in the Meadow which saw the coming together of lots of different groups. Knightstone Housing Association where joint sponsors of Sports Fest which took place in Victoria Park along with Frome Town Council. Kate Hellard, Community Project Officer said, “It was great to have them both on board which enabled Aveling Adventure to showcase the Mobile High Ropes to the people of Frome to terrify us all.”
The equipment, which allows four different challenges to take place on the amazing apparatus, also involves a leap of faith where challengers climb up the climbing wall and leap out into the air to attempt to bash an inflatable ball. Rachel griffin said, “Aveling did keep tracking me down to have a go. But sadly I was too busy and luckily so was they! They had a long queue of people for the afternoon – it was undoubtedly a roaring success.”
Elevation Martial Arts, Creative Aquatic, Frome, and Town Archers all got involved again this year as did the ever popular Matt Hemmings – this time on the skate ramps. Active Trowbridge also featured for the first time this year – they came with an inflatable assault course, street surfing and fencing. Organizer Rachel Griffin said, “They have been a great hit with our regulars – so much so that we have already invited them back for the Children’s Festival.”
Mayhem in the Meadow was a gentler affair looking at alternative outside activities, With a climbing shed this time, circus skills, walking football, willow weaving, drumming, a samba performance and introduced the new activity sheet Exploring Rodden Meadow. It also featured community games such as walking football, speedminton, hoops and hoppers and of course the tug of war. Amongst many of the matches that took place the town took on the councilors and the town won. Which is as it should be.
Liberty Gym, Creative Aquatic, Frome Fitness & Sport and Fitness and Elevation Fitness also opened their facilities to offer free sessions this week enabling them to showcase their premises to people who otherwise night not have visited them. One family said it was great to get out and try new things. They had done lots of things throughout the week and were there to do the Fun Run too.
The Fun Run went round the show field and is a pre cursor to the Park Run which is coming to Frome. Chris Stringer, council Environment Manager said, “It was great to have the opportunity to see how the course works in terms of marshaling and event management with a small and merry band of crew and runners including the Mayor. Although we weren’t timing it really, Tome Brookes finished the mile first in 6.58 mins. Done and dusted in an hour it’s a good pop–up activity and a fantastic way to use this space. I look forward to the Park Run progressing.”
Sadly, Frome Sport and Fitness had to cancel their free swim on Saturday afternoon because of problems with the pool but will run the sessions this coming Saturday from 11 – 4 pm. Please go to their website to check that the pool is back to normal.
And if that is not enough, if you would like to get involved with more free sport and you are over 12 year-sold, Sports Festival organisers and SASP have a new program of events called Fight Like a Girl. This campaign will feature a free six-week course with a number of providers including Elevation Martial Arts, Frome Town Archers and the Athletics club which will start the first week of June.
The tennis club also have free courts available running from half term and throughout the summer holidays. Book on their website or for further information about any of the above please email info@frometowncouncil .gov.uk.
