WHEN 18-year-old Frome student, Izzy Brewster, signed up to become a member of Frome music and community venue, the Cheese and Grain, she was surprised to find out that she is the centre’s 500th member.
Izzy is an arts foundation student at Wiltshire College and she plans to progress to a university course in jewellery design.
She said, “When I joined last week I had no idea that the Cheese and Grain had so many members. I joined because I don’t think we should take this wonderful facility for granted and I wanted to give it my support.”
The Cheese and Grain, Frome’s largest music venue, market hall and community centre, is run by a not-for-profit community organisation, registered as a charity. The charity’s board of trustees is elected by the members.
Director, Steve Macarthur, told the Frome Times that membership “isn’t about coming to and using the Cheese and Grain; everyone is welcome.
“Membership is about the Cheese and Grain being accountable to the community it serves. The members are like shareholders, but in our case the shares are free and can’t be sold and no dividend is paid, but the shareholders still own the enterprise and get a vote at the annual general meeting. It’s not the building they own, that’s owned by Mendip District Council, it’s the social business they own.”
Steve explained that a large membership helps the Cheese and Grain secure grants and voluntary support, often in the form of technical expertise.
“Sometimes, it’s helpful to remind everyone how many people are deeply committed to supporting the Cheese and Grain.” he said.
Anyone who lives or works in Frome and its surrounding villages can join for free and membership forms are available at the box-office/reception.
To find out more about the Cheese and Grain, its café , bar, meeting rooms, what gigs, comedy shows, markets, exhibitions, and events are on, go to www.cheeseandgrain.com.
