Discover Frome

David Oakes, Iain Ballamy & Elliot Galvin | We Are Nature
2026-09-19 19:45 - 21:45 (Europe/London) | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
A gala evening of words and music inspired by the natural world.
End the day with flowing jazz, beauty, poignancy and rapture. From earliest times, human art and music has celebrated and sought to understand the mysterious world around us. We’re thrilled to have such a stellar line-up for this gala where human creativity reflects back the creativity of nature.
Iain Ballamy is an internationally feted composer and saxophonist. His latest album Riversphere blurs genre divisions and boundaries between composition and improv. Recently he’s been working with the multi-instrumentalist Elliot Galvin on a new project, Instant Nature.
David Oakes is a leading English actor of the stage and screen. But he’s also an increasingly prominent ecologist and conservationist, having obtained a Masters in Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology from the University of Exeter, and is the president of The Wildlife Trusts. He is the host and producer of the natural history podcast Tree’s a Crowd.
This special evening will be hosted by actor, bookseller and festival co-director Tina Gaisford-Waller.
£3 of every ticket sale for this event will be donated to Friends of the River Frome.
This very special event is kindly sponsored by Brook Street Pottery
www.brookstreetpottery.co.uk
The event takes place in our beautiful venue for the weekend, RISE.
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. We are pleased to say the venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

New Old Friends: Pick & Mix
2026-09-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, BA11 2HG
A highlight of each season, Pick & Mix returns with Fearg and a new line up for another brilliant evening of music, comedy and more.
On the bill this time are:
Oliver Young – an up & coming stand-up who was just named as runner up in the Bath New Act final, which was the launching point for Rob Beckett’s comedy career. Come see Olly before he’s stratospheric.
Lilac Looney Cirque Show – two brilliant cirque performers fresh from a massive tour, will make you gasp in wonder and laugh with abandon with their acrobatics, hula, juggling and clowning.
Leigh Coleman – an incredible guitarist and singer who mixes soul, pop, funk and all genres in between with total joy. Leigh is hugely in demand as a session musician and event entertainment, so this is a rare opportunity to see a master playing a set list of his own choosing in the intimate environment of the Merlin.
Plus, we might have some special, local, guests announced closer to the time.
Grab a ticket and join the community.
New Old Friends is a Merlin Associate Company
Tickets: £16
Running Time: 120 mins plus interval
Age Guidance: 12+

Metallica Reloaded
2026-09-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
“You guys (Metallica Reloaded) are the ultimate sign of musical respect” James Hetfield (Frontman/Co-Founder of Metallica)
METALLICA RELOADED originating from Bristol UK in 2010 are made up of 4 musicians (Wayne, John, Jay and Daz). They always strive to give the audience what they want in every performance delivering the ultimate Metallica sound and high octane show leaving fans wanting more every time. They recreate the same set and show that Metallica currently tour.
With over 50 years gigging experience amongst them, Metallica Reloaded are very skilled musicians that take their approach and sound very seriously, using exactly the same guitars and musical equipment as Metallica themselves.
Metallica Reloaded have become a firm regular in the UK’s best music venues along with festival appearances at the famous tribute festival Glastonbuget 2014, 2017, 2018. With ESP Guitars and EMG Pickups backing, Daz Towner who plays Kirk Hammett and Wayne Wilmut who plays James Hetfield are providing superb accurate riffing that if you closed your eyes you would like think its James and Kirk themselves. Metallica Reloaded are looking to light up audiences again in 2026

Jon Gower & Stephen Moss in Conversation | Bird Talk
2026-09-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
An unmissable conversation between two great bird enthusiasts.
Jon Gower has loved birds since one of his collier grandfather’s canaries hatched in the palm of his hand. In Birdland, he travels Britain from Portland Bill to the Hebrides in search of kittiwakes, bustards and turtle doves as well as a remarkable cast of characters – poets, soldiers, ‘The Goose Whisperer’ – who observe, conserve and marvel at them.
Stephen Moss is a naturalist, broadcaster and author of many books including the acclaimed series of bird biographies which will hatch a new addition The Puffin this October. He has written an introduction to the classic books written in the 1950s by a remarkable musician and bird-woman Len Howard, now republished in a single volume as Bird Life. He is President of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
Both authors, in Jon’s words, ‘want to tell people about birds in the hope that it kindles the light of care.’
The event takes place in our venue for the weekend, RISE. So come on along, grab a drink from the Rye Bakery and step into the first ​evening of our festival.
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. We are pleased to say the venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

Eloise Kane talks to Horatio Clare | When Were We Wild?
2026-09-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
In Wilderlands, the archaeologist Eloise Kane takes us on a fascinating and unfamiliar tour through 12,000 years of our history.
When the glaciers finally retreated at the end of the last Ice Age, our ancestors crossed the land-bridge from the continent and reinhabited these islands. There have been humans here ever since – working the land, taking from it what they needed (and often taking more). So, when was Britain last truly wild?
Archaeology has made amazing advances in recent decades, changing our view of the past. Perhaps when we realise that humans have always been a part of this landscape, we can see our own problems in a new light. Eloise shows how plants and animals, like us, manipulate their environments.
“In this way of thinking, it is easier to envisage humans as part of the world, as one node in a much vaster set of relationships, rather than the be-all and end-all of existence.”
Eloise Kane
Eloise will be in conversation with writer, broadcaster and thinker Horatio Clare. Horatio Clare will be appearing at Consider the Wondrous earlier on in the day in conversation with psychotherapist and author Julia Samuel on the subject of Nature and Our Minds.
The event takes place in our venue for the weekend, RISE. So come on along, grab a mid-afternoon treat from onsite Rye Bakery and discover what our festival has to offer.
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. We are pleased to say the venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

Rosa Vasquez Espinoza talks to Nicola Cutcher | The Secrets of the Amazon
2026-09-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
Rosa grew up in Peru with the rainforest as her back garden, learning its lessons from her grandmother, a native healer in natural medicine. Now as a biologist and conservationist, she re-explores the Amazon with a unique blend of scientific enquiry and ancient insight.In her book The Spirit of the Rainforest, we meet pink dolphins, killer caterpillars, stingless bees, fish the size of a VW Beetle and a river whose waters flow at boiling point.
Rosa takes ayahuasca with the shamans and travels with the Ashaninka community who practise kametsu asaiki ‘living beautifully’ – ‘honouring the invisible spiritual bond we have with the natural world’.
“The Amazon brings us back to our roots: to the simple yet profound truth that we are an extension of nature and beauty. It teaches us strength and resilience in the face of change. It shows us that generosity overpowers unfairness.”
Rosa Vasquez Espinoza
Rosa will be in conversation with Nicola Cutcher, an investigative journalist, documentary maker, and campaigner against river pollution.
The event takes place in our venue for the weekend, RISE. So come on along, grab a mid-afternoon treat from onsite Rye Bakery and discover what our festival has to offer.
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

Pavement Plant Prowl led by Amanda Tuke
2026-09-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
Join urban naturalist and Wild Pavements author Amanda Tuke for a pavement plant prowl and hear some of the fascinating stories behind the urban plants we can find on our very doorsteps. What wonders might she discover in the famous leat running down Cheap St? What other hidden marvels do we ignore every day?
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

Horatio Clare talks to Julia Samuel | Nature and Our Minds
2026-09-19 13:30 - 14:30 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
Horatio has always been a lover and close observer of nature. In 2018 he had a mental breakdown; he was fully, psychotically delusional. He wrote about that experience with great bravery in Heavy Light, and a wonderfully generous and informative guide to mental health and the paths to recovery in Your Journey, Your Way.
Mental health is infinitely complex, and ‘nature-loving’ is no panacea, but when, in the midst of fantasy and derangement, Horatio encountered a goshawk and stared into its golden eye, for a moment all delusions fell away before the utterness of the wild world. Nature is no silver-bullet but it can be deeply restorative.
“My parents were moved and soothed by nature in the same way, and I learned this from them. It was always there for us, and we were united in those moments, free from pain and worry. That is what nature has always done for me.”
Horatio Clare
Horatio will be in conversation with Julia Samuel one of Britain’s most respected psychotherapists, and Founder Patron of the Child Bereavement Trust. Julia is a Sunday Times bestselling author (Grief Works; This Too Shall Pass) and podcaster (Therapy Works).
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

JC Niala & Amanda Tuke talk to Stephen Moss | Wildlife in the Towns and Cities
2026-09-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
“As cities grow, the danger is not only ecological but emotional… If we want a future that is not only liveable but meaningful, we must learn to care differently. That begins by paying attention – to the cracks in the pavements, the stories in trees, the silence that follows loss.” JC Niala
Did you know there are seahorses living wild in the Thames? Nature isn’t just about the countryside and cities aren’t just for people.
In their thoughtful, heartfelt and often very funny books, anthropologist JC Niala and ‘Urban Naturalist’ Amanda Tuke show how the non-human world co-exists with us – from the tiniest plants and lichen we tread underfoot to the lions and rhinos in JC’s hometown Nairobi.
JC (author of The New Eden) tells the charged history of urban nature from the Diggers to community gardening in the wake of Grenfell, from the canalization of rivers to the cows that shaped London. Amanda (author of Wild Pavements) brings her infectious delight to toad-patrolling, ‘vismigging’, and fish making their homes in shopping-trolleys.
Urban light, noise, and sewage pollution remain a threat to most species, but both authors meet people making real changes at a local level and tell their stories with interest and sparkle. The authors will be in conversation with celebrated nature writer and President of Somerset Wildlife Trust, Stephen Moss.
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

Gareth Howell-Jones & Jay Griffiths | Our Place in the Living World
2026-09-19 10:30 - 11:30 | Rise Frome, Whittox Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 3BY, United Kingdom
Consider the Wondrous opens with festival Director Gareth Howell-Jones explaining how Consider the Wondrous came about, why it’s in Frome, what it is for, and what he hopes the project can begin to achieve. He’ll talk too about the simple but radical way of looking squarely at nature that underpins his books Do Not Call the Tortoise and Your Lowly Hedgehog Knows.
Jay Griffiths has won many awards and written on a variety of subjects with guts, grace and passion. In How Animals Heal Us, she draws on deep research to show how animals not only help our physical and mental health but have influenced our society and carry a deep spiritual charge. The book is teeming with eye-opening stories – about the life-saving justice of dogs and lions; about the ethics of wolves; about fieldfares who demonstrate the power of community in the most unexpected way!
The event takes place in the festival’s venue for the weekend, RISE. So come early, grab a coffee (and perhaps a pastry) from onsite Rye Bakery and let your festival weekend begin in calm and wondrous style…
Please note: there is no parking at the venue itself, but there is plenty of long-stay public parking within close walking distance to the venue at Cattle Market Car Park or Merchants Barton Car Park. The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

Welcome to The ForEm
2026-09-19 10:00 - 18:00 | The Silk Mill, Merchants Barton, Frome, BA11 1PT, United Kingdom
Welcome to The ForEm – Part fête. Part exhibition. Part experiment.
The ForEm asks deceptively simple questions:
What makes Frome, Frome? And who gets to decide what comes next?
The ForEm invites people to explore the stories they tell about the town: its independence, creativity and community spirit, and also its challenges, contradictions and changing identities. Expect performances, films, artworks, games, community stories and a warm invitation to question ways of thinking, feeling, dreaming, sensing – and making sense – of the town we share.
The ForEm is the commissioned work of Frome-based artist Kate Keara Pelen, developed through her collaboration with the University of Glasgow’s Civic Imaginary Partnerships research project. It turns a year of research into a space for the town to play with, challenge and add to what we have found.
Free performances:
Tom Spencer will guide an unconventional gallery tour through the artefacts, stories, myths and characters of the town.
Martin Scott – bringing together Town Crier, Cheese Lord and long-time observer of Frome life – will invite audiences to spin the wheel of Frome Roulette, triggering different stories about the town’s civic tribes, traditions and archetypes.
Plus:
The Community Loom designed by Claire Orpin and Tamara Jones.
Films made by Frome residents through the community film project led by Dr John Sealey of Fabian’s Films (shown on a loop in the gallery all day and an official screening and Q&A between 5-6pm)
Drop in, disagree, contribute, play.
https://civicimaginaries.gla.ac.uk/welcome-to-the-forem/

The Big Clothes Swap
2026-09-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
We are very excited to be hosting our next Big Clothes Swap on Saturday 19th September from 10am to 1pm.
How does it work? All you have to do to revamp your wardrobe is come on down with as many items of clothing as you wish in exchange for tokens. For example 5 items = 5 tokens. You can either bring down your items in the week leading up to the Big Swap (time slots tbc) or when you get to the event itself.
If you bring your items in advance entry will be cheaper. Tokens can then be exchanged for items of clothes at the event.
Drop off dates tba.

Autumn Birds with Nick Patel
2026-09-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Heal Somerset, Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 5HH, United Kingdom
Autumn is a time of movement and change in the bird world. Migrants arrive from the north to spend the winter here, while summer visitors begin their journeys south. Hedgerows are alive with activity as birds feast on the season’s berries, and grasslands and wetlands provide vital feeding grounds for both resident and passing species.
Join expert wildlife guide Nick Patel for a guided walk through the evolving habitats of Heal Somerset, focusing on the rich and dynamic world of autumn birdlife. During this relaxed walk, Nick will help you identify birds by sight and sound, offering insights into plumage changes, migration patterns, and the different behaviours you are likely to observe at this time of year. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, you’ll come away with fresh skills and a deeper understanding of how birds adapt to the turning season.
You’ll also have the chance to learn more about how rewilding at Heal Somerset is creating safe havens for birdlife, and how these habitats support biodiversity through the colder months.
What you might see: redwing, spotted flycatcher, long tailed tit, bullfinch, stonechat, blackcap, goldcrest, meadow pipit, yellow wagtail, green sandpiper, snipe, lapwing.
About your guide, Nick Patel:
Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong Birdwatcher, and former Nature reserve Warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it. Autumn migration is a particular passion of his, and one of his favourite times of year to be out birding.
Nick says “Having led tours here at Heal Somerset for two years now, I’ve witnessed first-hand the speed at which nature has already made a comeback. I’m super passionate about showing everyone who visits the site the wealth of wildlife bouncing back, including some really beautiful species and fabulous rewilding habitats.”

Heritage Tree Walk led by Julian Hight
2026-09-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
A chance to meet some of Frome’s most majestic trees, and hear about their history, legacy and lore from the arboreal expert Julian Hight, author of many books including the beautiful new The Ancient Tree Explorer.
This will be an easy walk, lasting about 90 minutes. It will start at the Cheese and Grain (BA11 1BE), leaving at 10am prompt. Children are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. Places are limited so please book early.
This event is part of the Consider the Wondrous | nature, wonder, books & us festival.

An Evening with Danny McNamara from Embrace
2026-09-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Frome Memorial Theatre, Christchurch Street West, Frome, BA11 1EB
Danny McNamara is the founder and lead singer of one of the most iconic bands of the last 20 years, Embrace.
Having sold more than two million albums to date, their debut album, The Good Will Out, was released in 1998 and became one of the fastest-selling debut albums by a British artist.
It was certified gold on the day of its release and went on to sell over half a million copies. The band has also had three number one albums and six top 10 singles.
Now Embrace are celebrating their 30th anniversary and Danny will tour the UK for a special evening of tales about one of Britain’s best-loved bands. With a new book published about the band’s early years, he’ll be telling stories, answering questions, and signing copies of Embrace’s new book.

R.E.M by Stipe
2026-09-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
R.E.M. formed in 1980, in Athens, Georgia and by the mid-nineties earned the tagline ‘the biggest band on the planet’ from the music press.
They pioneered the alternative rock scene with relentless touring and a distinctive sound and entered the 90s mainstream without compromising their artistic vision. They remain as relevant today as ever.
Their music is instantly recognisable: ringing guitar lines, tasteful and clinical drumming, melodic bass, and sublime harmonies coupled with poetic (and political) lead vocals.
Continuing as a trio after the departure of drummer Bill Berry in 1997, R.E.M. broke up in September 2011, just as they had started: as friends. They have ruled out ever re-forming.
R.E.M. by Stipe, the Definitive Tribute reflect the core of R.E.M.: four highly-experienced musicians who embody Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe, capturing the presence and performances of the band.
As huge fans of the band they are committed to holding true to the sound and overall aesthetic of R.E.M., so that fans, old and new, can experience the magic of hearing these songs played live with care, conviction, and affection.
They are joined on stage, as R.E.M. were, by additional musicians to help bring album tracks to life on stage. Each set-list is different, but every show celebrates this timeless music for fans of R.E.M.
If you miss R.E.M. (or if you never saw them live) then Stipe are the next best thing to R.E.M. being back on tour.

Wines of Italy Tasting
2026-09-18 18:50 - 21:00 | Givino, R18 Marshall Way, Frome, BA11 2FE, United Kingdom
Embark on a journey through the vineyards of Italy at our exclusive Wines of Italy Tasting event! Experience the charm and elegance of Italy’s diverse wine regions, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sun-drenched shores of Sicily.
Our expert sommelier will take you on a guided tasting tour, featuring a handpicked selection of Italy’s finest wines. Savour the rich reds, crisp whites, and sparkling Proseccos that capture the essence of Italy’s winemaking heritage. Learn about the history, terroir, and unique grape varieties that make each wine so special.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of Italian wines, this event is a perfect opportunity to discover new favourites, enjoy gourmet pairings, and connect with fellow wine lovers in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Volunteering for wellbeing
2026-09-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Vallis Veg, Egford, Frome, BA11 3NF, United Kingdom
Join our Friday volunteering sessions at Vallis Veg market garden, where you’ll learn about organic food growing, breathe fresh air and enjoy lunch made from freshly harvested ingredients.
No previous experience is necessary, just turn up on the day.

Frome Skatepark Project - The Great Dexhibition
2026-09-18 09:00 - 2026-09-27 17:00 | The Station Gallery, Station Approach, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1RE, United Kingdom
45 skateboard decks become 45 canvases for selected local and national artists. These will then be exhibited and auctioned to raise funds for Frome’s new skatepark.
The exhibition opens at The Train Station Gallery on 18.09.26 and continues until 27.09.26. The auction also goes live on 18.09.26!
Details in coming weeks on how to register. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to bag yourselves a wonderful artwork whilst helping to raise funds for our new skatepark.
https://www.instagram.com/fromeskatepark.project/

Rory Bremner and Friends
2026-09-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, BA11 2HG
As the nations favourite satirical mimic, Rory really needs no introduction what-so-ever.
He’s provided definitive impersonations of PMs and Presidents from Major to Mandela, Blair to Brown, Clinton to Cameron and Bush to Trump. As himself, he’s been presenter, writer, quiz-show host, actor, translator and even (briefly) ballroom dancer. (Strictly, 2011. WTF?)
By the time he’d graduated in 1984, he was already performing on the London stand-up circuit and at his native Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and got his first TV series with the BBC in 1986. In a TV career of over 30 years, he’s won numerous awards, including 3 BAFTAs for his long-running Channel 4 satire series Bremner Bird & Fortune, featuring Rory and the two Johns.
Rory’s other TV credits include regularly appearing on Whose Line is it Anyway, Spitting Image, Have I Got News for You, and Mock the Week.
Roger Monkhouse is one of the most original and distinctive acts on the comedy scene. A consummate stand-up who employs a deadly combination of charm and menace to exert a masterful control over any audience.
Newcomer Rich Bunn will be doing a ten minute spot – he was recently the Runner Up in the 2026 Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition.
Running time: 120 minutes including 20-minute interval
Recommended: 14+
Tickets: £27

Emerging Earth Day 3 (FIRE: Sacred Connection - Embers of the Heart)
2026-09-17 07:00 - 21:30 | 42 Acres, Witham Friary, Frome, BA11 5HL
Emerging Earth is a four day intentional gathering held by Land, Food and Medicine in partnership with 42 Acres, Sense Ability and Listening to the Land. Here is an invitation to gather in a held container of sacred space and become part of a living community of spiritual practice and inquiry. Together we will explore the inter-relational aspects of being human on this earth at this time, and cultivate our capacities to bring healing to ourselves, one another and this world.
The first full day of Emerging Earth invites us into the energy of the sacred feminine: intuition, connection, creativity, and the deeper wisdom held within ourselves and the natural world. The day explores themes of relationship, embodiment, purpose, and the ways we gather in community to support one another.
The day begins with Daoist Meditation and Yin Movement with Brij and Ezgi Erdal’s Integration Practice, followed by breakfast and our Whole Group Circle, a space to reconnect, share, and orient ourselves for the day ahead.
The morning sessions offer pathways into connection with nature and the body through Nathaniel Hughes’ Intuitive Herbalism, exploring the relationship between plants, healing, and ancestral wisdom, alongside Rui’s Somatic Art Experience, an embodied creative exploration.
The first session is follow by communal lunch and after, we enter a spacious period of collective rest, exhale, integration and being with the land. During this time, there is also an option to join Landscapes of Belonging Workshop held by Tasha Stevens-Vallencillo, founder of Land Food and Medicine.
The afternoon continues with Ways of Discovering Open Presence of Awareness Through Relational Inhabitation and Meditation with Brij McCrackenand alongside a pannell discussion on Witch Wound.
The second afternoon session offers dedicated spaces for connection and reflection through a Women’s Circle with Emma Sampson, a Men’s Circle with Nathaniel Hughs and Ben Still, and Drawing from Nature Art Workshop with Robin Lane-Roberts
The day closes with a powerful Sound Ceremony featuring Jennifer Gwairoch, David Edwards, Garwyn, and Joe (Sound Travels), bringing the community together through music, vibration, and collective presence as we move towards the closing of the gathering.
Full programme and facilitators’ backgrounds and offerings can be found here: https://www.42acres.com/retreats/emerging-earth-2026/
Part of The Experience:
Space for Meditation and Stillness: Open 24 Hours
A Healers Garden: A diverse and highly-skilled range of therapeutic practitioners offering 121 sessions. Including: Massage, Herbalism, Somatic Healing, sauna ritual and more.
Access to 173 acres of regenerative estate including wild swimming lake, rewilded meadows and ancient woodland for land connection and meditation
Musical offerings everyday
Your Ticket Includes:
Attendance to all sessions, workshops and sauna pass
Food: All meals are included for the duration of the gathering. All food will be vegetarian, grown on the land and some wildly foraged.

Emerging Earth Day 2 (WATER: Movement and Restoration)
2026-09-16 07:00 - 21:30 | 42 Acres, Witham Friary, Frome, BA11 5HL
Emerging Earth is a four day intentional gathering held by Land, Food and Medicine in partnership with 42 Acres, Sense Ability and Listening to the Land. Here is an invitation to gather in a held container of sacred space and become part of a living community of spiritual practice and inquiry. Together we will explore the inter-relational aspects of being human on this earth at this time, and cultivate our capacities to bring healing to ourselves, one another and this world.
The second full day of Emerging Earth invites us into the qualities of the water element: flow, movement, emotional depth, and the wisdom of allowing things to unfold. Through dance, sound, and reflective practices, the day explores the ways we can soften, connect, and move with greater presence.
The day begins with Daoist Meditation and Yin Movement with Brij and Ezgi Erdal’s integration practice, followed by breakfast and our Whole Group Circle, a space to reconnect, ground, and move into the day together.
The morning session opens with the option of joining Sophie Bolton’s Outdoor Dance session, an embodied experience inviting participants to connect with movement, nature, and the intelligence of the body, and Nikki Trott’s Sacred Business session, exploring the relationship between inner alignment and conscious creation. Another option during this time, would be joining Wild Nutrition Workshop with Christina De Beuklaar
The first session is follow by communal lunch and after, we enter a spacious period of collective rest, exhale, integration and being with the land.
The afternoon offers a choice between A Sound Journey with Joe and Garwyn, a sonic exploration supporting deep listening and inner connection, or Dee Woods’ Tending the River Ceremony, an invitation to explore the symbolism and wisdom of water through creative and reflective practice.
The second afternoon session is Breathwork Session with Vaughan Dagnell. Vaughan is a trauma aware Embodied Resilience Practitioner and Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitator, working with somatic experiencing and central nervous system regulation. His work explores a hybrid of cognitive and somatic work to find balance and flow in everyday life.
The day will close with a performance by Jennifer Gwairoch – a musician and spiritual practitioner whose work is inspired by years of devotion to the living intelligence of the natural world, esoteric traditions, and the path of inner transformation. Through intuitive vocals, prayer, and original compositions, Jennifer create immersive musical experiences that invite deep remembrance, healing, and reconnection with the heart. Many of her songs are sung in intuitive languages, offering a contemplative space that speaks beyond the intellect and into the soul.
Full programme and facilitators’ backgrounds and offerings can be found here: https://www.42acres.com/retreats/emerging-earth-2026/
Part of The Experience:
Space for Meditation and Stillness: Open 24 Hours
A Healers Garden: A diverse and highly-skilled range of therapeutic practitioners offering 121 sessions. Including: Massage, Herbalism, Somatic Healing, sauna ritual and more.
Access to 173 acres of regenerative estate including wild swimming lake, rewilded meadows and ancient woodland for land connection and meditation
Musical offerings everyday
Your Ticket Includes:
Attendance to all sessions, workshops and sauna pass
Food: All meals are included for the duration of the gathering. All food will be vegetarian, grown on the land and some wildly foraged.

Emerging Earth Day 1 (EARTH: The Land and the Body)
2026-09-15 07:00 - 21:30 | 42 Acres, Witham Friary, Frome, BA11 5HL
Emerging Earth is a four day intentional gathering held by Land, Food and Medicine in partnership with 42 Acres, Sense Ability and Listening to the Land. Here is an invitation to gather in a held container of sacred space and become part of a living community of spiritual practice and inquiry. Together we will explore the inter-relational aspects of being human on this earth at this time, and cultivate our capacities to bring healing to ourselves, one another and this world.
The first full day of Emerging Earth is an invitation to deepen our connection with the earth element through the wisdom of the body, the land, and the natural world. The day weaves together embodiment, meditation, creativity, and practices that reconnect us with the rhythms of nature.
The morning begins with Meditation and Movement with Brij, followed by breakfast and our Whole Group Circle, a space to gather, connect, and arrive together as a community.
The first session of the day offers to choose between Somatic Grounding and Centring with Rui Rodrigues, Revival of Land-Based Spirituality with Rachel Knight, and Cyclical Nature: A Playful, Embodied, Exploration of Our Cyclicity, Connection and Remembering as Ourselves as Nature with Support from the Plants with Emma Sampson.
The first session is followed by communal lunch and after, we enter a spacious period of collective rest, exhale, integration and being with the land. Another option during this time, would be joining Rewilding Walk led by the 42 Acres team.
The afternoon continues with a choice of immersive experiences, including Brij McCracken’s Environmental Cultivation: Ways of Discovering Open Presence of Awareness Through Relational Inhabitation and Meditation (Meditation Exploration Space), Plant Meditation with Jennifer Gwairocha. A second afternoon session offers a Panel Discussion on Neurodiversity held by Listening to the Land and Vaughan’s Breathwork Session.
The day closes with an evening storytelling session led by Michelle Hawkins and A Space for Healing, Expression and Restoration Through Sound and Vibration with Rebecca Campbell and Nicolette Corcoran.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to book one-on-one sessions, including traditional Lithuanian pirtis (sauna) rituals, hypnotherapy, somatic bodywork, massage, and more.

Emerging Earth (a four day intentional gathering held at 42 Acres)
2026-09-14 23:00 - 2026-09-22 11:30 | 42 Acres, Witham Friary, Frome, BA11 5HL
Emerging Earth is a four day intentional gathering held by Land, Food and Medicine in partnership with 42 Acres, Sense Ability and Listening to the Land. Here is an invitation to gather in a held container of sacred space and become part of a living community of spiritual practice and inquiry. Together we will explore the inter-relational aspects of being human on this earth at this time, and cultivate our capacities to bring healing to ourselves, one another and this world.
Created for Deep Restoration and Inquiry Through:
Meditation and mindful movement, nature connection practices, workshops and hands-on learning, wild food, foraging, land knowledge and skills, breath work, creative arts and making, music and sound journey, dance, storytelling, talks and panels, group discussions and reflection, community circles, time for rest and integration.
Part of The Experience:
Space for Meditation and Stillness: Open 24 Hours
A Healers Garden: A diverse and highly-skilled range of therapeutic practitioners offering 121 sessions. Including: Massage, Herbalism, Somatic Healing and many more. (15% of all proceeds go towards our outreach work).
Access to 173 acres of regenerative estate including wild swimming lake, rewilded meadows and ancient woodland for land connection and meditation
1:1 sessions ranging across massage, somatic bodywork, Lithuanian sauna ritual and more (additional booking required)
Musical offerings everyday

The Wonder of Stevie
2026-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
Voted one of Britain’s top soul singers, mesmeric vocalist Noel McCalla, award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra) and their world-class live band present a diverse catalogue of back-to-back Stevie Wonder hits including Superstition, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Isn’t She Lovely, I Wish, Sir Duke, Master Blaster and many more.
The Wonder of Stevie’s outstanding band features musicians who have previously performed with a wide variety of music legends including Bill Withers, The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Amy Winehouse, Martha Reeves, Jamiroquai, Booker T. Jones, Sam Moore, Jethro Tull, Eddie Floyd, Gregory Porter, Gary Moore and Alfie Boe.
‘I marvel at this dazzling homage to one of the great masters of 20th & 21st century music’ Jools Holland
‘Never have we heard the music of Stevie Wonder interpreted with such finesse, energy and all-round brilliance .’The House of Soul

Frome Film Photography Social
2026-09-13 14:00 - 16:00 | Palmer Street Bottle, 11 Palmer Street, Frome, BA11 1DS
Frome’s monthly analogue photography get together! This is a welcoming and relaxed space to meet up with other local analogue photographers.
Our event is open to everyone, but especially the photography community in Frome, along with anyone from nearby Bath, Bristol, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Bring a camera and some film, maybe bring a friend, and come hang out with other photographers and chat about your favourite cameras, films, and printing projects. The event is free, but please kindly book a ticket so we know you’ll be there.
Feedback & The Future
Future events will feature photo walks, print swaps, and creative hands-on workshops. If there’s anything you would like to share, or if you have any suggestions for future socials, please email mae@fromography.co.uk

Frome Record Fair
2026-09-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
Bringing expert sellers from all over the South for this free to attend market! A must for all music collectors. Its a great chance to grab loads of original, rare vinyl, also new and re-issues. 9am – 3pm

Freesome (The Music of Free & Bad Co) – Live at the Tree House
2026-09-12 19:00 - 23:00 | The Tree House, 35 Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2EH, United Kingdom
Freesome is a passionate and powerful tribute to the legendary British rock bands Free and Bad Company. Delivering a dynamic two-hour set packed with classic hits, the band captures the raw soul, bluesy swagger, and arena-sized energy that defined these iconic acts.
Audiences can expect authentic, high-energy performances of anthems like “All Right Now,” “Wishing Well,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Shooting Star,” and many more, all played with the respect and fire these songs deserve.
The members of Freesome are no strangers to the Frome music scene. Between them, they’ve graced the stage at the Cheese & Grain numerous times in past projects such as Cause For Concern, The Blue J’s, and The Venezuelan Pig Rustlers. Along the way, they’ve shared the bill with a host of renowned artists in the town, including Wishbone Ash, Geno Washington, The Rolling Clones, and King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, among others.
With years of live experience and a deep love for classic rock, Freesome brings a show that’s as faithful as it is fiery; a must-see for fans of 70s British blues-rock at its finest.
Please note this is an 18+ all standing event, and the venue is accessed by stairs with no lift. If you have any enquiries please email thetreehouse@cheeseandgrain.com

Mike Dawes
2026-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome, BA11 1BE
Mike Dawes – The Progressive Acoustic Tour
Experience the jaw-dropping talent of Mike Dawes, one of the world’s most creative and celebrated fingerstyle guitarists. Famous for composing and performing multiple parts simultaneously on a single guitar, Dawes has built a global reputation for his dazzling technique, viral arrangements, and powerful live performances.
Named “Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World” twice by Total Guitar Magazine and MusicRadar, Dawes has earned praise from YouTube personality Rick Beato as “one of the finest acoustic guitar players in the world.” His viral takes on Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know and Metallica’s One, alongside originals like The Impossible, have amassed tens of millions of views.
Dawes has toured the world with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues, collaborated with GRAMMY winner Tommy Emmanuel, and even contributed to the GRAMMY-nominated metal band Periphery. His guitar work has also featured on TV and gaming soundtracks, including Better Call Saul and Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
Prepare for an unforgettable night of virtuosic performance, stunning arrangements, and musical storytelling. Don’t miss Mike Dawes live – a concert experience like no other.

Illyria: the Pirates of Penzance
2026-09-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Merlin Theatre, Bath Road, Frome, BA11 2HG
Frederick, accidentally apprenticed to Pirates as a child, is indentured to the Pirate King until his 21st birthday. On the day he reaches 21 he leaves the ship, announcing that he now intends to dedicate his life to the Pirates’ destruction. The Pirate King checks the contract’s small print – and realises that as Frederick’s birthday is 29th February on a leap year he has only had four birthdays and is actually indentured for another 63 years. With only the Penzance constabulary to protect him, will Frederick be forced to serve the pirates until he is 84? And will his sweetheart, Mabel, wait for him that long?
Performed by a six-strong cast of actors/singers with fully orchestrated accompaniment, The Pirates of Penzance boasts such gloriously memorable songs as “To be a Pirate King!”; “Modern Major General” and “A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One”. With razor-sharp satire and glittering wit, it remains as fresh as if it had been written today.
This performance will be outdoors at the E.C.O.S. Amphitheatre. Please bring blankets, cushions, and chairs. We welcome picnics, but please buy drinks from our bar. In the event of bad weather, this event will move inside.
Running time: 120 minutes including interval
Recommended: All ages
Tickets: £20 | Child: £10 | Students and those claiming financial assistance: £14
Registered carers go free
