“Thank you Frome, you have been tremendous!” Cllr Richard Ackroyd reflects on his year as mayor

OUTGOING mayor, cllr Richard Ackroyd, has shared his highlights on the past year with Frome Times.

Cllr Ackroyd said, “Almost one year ago my fellow town councillors voted to make me the Mayor and I became the latest in a long line of lucky people to wear the chains of office on behalf of the people of Frome.  I remember chairing my first meeting and wondering what exactly I had got myself into – was this really going to be an enjoyable challenge?

“Pretty quickly, invites for the Mayor to attend civic functions started rolling in.  The first one was to attend the “Well Dressing” at St. John’s Church and a blessing of Boyle’s Cross.  An opening of the Lions’ Fete in Victoria Park closely followed this.  Both events were quite different, enjoyable in their own ways and the start of a journey into the inner workings of Frome society that few ever get the privilege to experience.

“It’s impossible to describe everything and every event that happened in a year, so let me paint just a few highlights and a few thoughts to give you a flavour of what it was like.

The most obvious task for the Mayor is to act as a sort of focus or figurehead for the town.  Somebody said to me that the Mayor is the “First Citizen for Frome.”  It can be a strange role; writing press releases, signing things, proposing, nominating, chairing, giving speeches, smiling, shaking hands, trying to recall names and arriving at venues on time.  

“I realised quite quickly that it’s impossible to know everything about a town so active and so varied.  In fact variety is the spice of Frome life – from the Collegians football club to school prize-giving I learnt one invaluable lesson – don’t wear the same shirt all the time!  The nature of press photographs meant that I often appeared to be wearing one shirt all week, when in fact each event pictured happed days apart.

“It wasn’t all about me either. Every Mayor has a Deputy and mine has been the incredibly hard working and positive – Mark Dorrington.  He has stepped in on numerous occasions when I have been unable to attend functions and deservedly stole the show on many newspaper headlines and photographs!

“An important aspect of my aims as Mayor was to support local groups and individuals by highlighting their efforts.  We have so many different charitable and social organizations that are each dependent on enterprising people many of whom have been helping the community for decades.  There are simply hundreds of opportunities to join in.  Far more than most places I suspect.

“So, some highlights.  Let’s start with the churches.  I’m not particularly religious, but I have to praise the different congregations and gatherings that I went to – all of them in their own way have been inviting, vibrant and gave me an insight into the wide variety of work that goes on in these valuable meeting places. From jumble sales to concerts, art displays to choral events, discussion groups to more formal prayers, there is at least one church out there for everyone.

“Our schools and young people have also done a great job at including the community.  My highlights have to be the amazing and groundbreaking anti bullying rally in Victoria Park as well as the extraordinary Children’s Festival – both showed off community spirit at it’s best.

“Being surrounded by about 25 Town Criers and their partners was a very different experience. A great tradition brought to life in the second largest festival of it’s kind in the country – I was definitely under dressed and out shouted on that day!

“Once again, Frome Festival now in its 19th year proved why it is so popular.  What a fabulous ten days – impossible to describe it all, but suffice to say that the Food Festival is still my personal favourite.  Thanks to all of the many people who help to make it happen.

“Frome’s brilliant hospital celebrated 20 years of practice and it was truly awesome to meet many of the people who work there and who volunteer tirelessly. Having an ECG taken using a mobile phone app with lots of onlookers was quite a scary moment, but happily I passed with flying colours. Frome Medical Practice won a coveted Green Award and I was very happy to be there at the awards ceremony.

“Writing a weekly opinion column and putting it out on social media was a good challenge.  About 50 articles later I feel more confident about putting pen to paper.  I tried to be positive, not overly political and hopefully I helped to signpost some really valuable events and occurrences without sounding too ‘preachy’.

“Remembrance was important this year. The centenary of WW1 saw thousands of people turn out to attend the memorial service outside the Memorial Theatre. This was a moving and extremely well organised event, which paid deserving tribute to the fallen from all wars.  There were many other services but one I will remember most took place in Murrhardt our twin town in Germany – a lovely and respectful event and I was pleased to be invited.  We all have so much to gain from our friendships in different countries.

“Resilience was an important factor.  From the Trinity Community Group street party to the multi cultural day at the Cheese and Grain I saw first hand just how strong our community spirit can be.  I met with leaders of refugee communities from across the country as part of a learning project organised by Erasmus and hosted by Edventure.  I spoke to volunteers behind the Community Fridge and Community Larder and saw how the Share Shop and Good Heart Café are helping to build community well being. How humbling that these people, refugees themselves, came to Frome to see what we do to help those less fortunate, which by comparison to their situations must seem like a walk in park.

“Other highlights were Orchard Day, the Lantern Festival and Christmas Lights, Fireworks, Window Wanderland, Rachel Clark’s fundraising adventures, Active and in Touch Tea Dance, Power Chair Football, Frome Town FC winning a game, meeting Mayors and Chairs from around the region, being ‘captured’ by students for the twin towns event, declaring a Climate Emergency, the Ukulele Festival and so much more but sadly there really isn’t space to include it all here.

“In summary then, an awesome year, one I will never forget and I’m glad I did it, but it’s time for someone else to have the honour.  You can find out who that will be at the first Town Council Meeting after the elections on May 15th when I will hand over the chains of office.  

“Thank you Frome, you have been tremendous!”