MISCELLANEOUS
A mixture of interesting items concerning the Frome area.
TOWN BRIDGE PLAQUE This carved stone was originally set in the Town Bridge when it was built in 1662.
THOMAS BUNN - Thomas Bunn had formal training as a lawyer and often gave free legal advice to those unable to afford his services. He had lots of plans for the town but few were realised and he is buried in the churchyard of Christchurch which he regularly attended.
FROME HOARD - In 2010 Dave Crisp discovered a hoard of over 52000 Roman Coins in a fragile pot in a field near Witham Friary dating between 253 and 305. They are currently housed in Taunton Museum.
TUDOR ROSE - This carved wooden rose, together with others of slightly different designs, can be seen on the rafter inside and above the window in the (now closed) premises of Amica in Cheap Street.
FROME MOTTO - The motto “Time Trieth Troth” is from the Hungerford family. They were major landowners locally in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. It means ‘time will tell how trustworthy you are’.
FROME RAILWAY - The station was designed by one of Brunel’s assistants, TR Hannaford, and opened in 1850. It is the only country station left with an original all over Brunellian roof which makes it unique and is now a Grade II listed building.
FROME WORKHOUSE - In the 1830s Frome had a workhouse built to comply with the Poor Law. It was built at the top of Weymouth Road and only the very poor, orphans or unemployed were admitted.
THE TRAMPS QUARTERS - In 1837, a new regulation was introduced which required food and a night’s shelter to be given to any destitute person in case of ‘sudden or urgent necessity’ in return of them performing a task of work.
FROME MEMORIAL THEATRE - There are several plaques in the theatre foyer commemorating those who died during the war.
MEMORIAL TO THE FALLEN IN WW1 - Another memorial plaque in the Memorial Theatre Foyer. ADOPTION OF HMS THUNDERBOLT - This plaque was given to the people of Frome who adopted the submarine HMS Thunderbolt. It was rebuilt from the wreckage of HMS Thetis but was eventually lost with all hands off the coast of Sicily in 1943.
WW2 TANK - After WW2, a tank was presented to Frome for its great record in war savings. It was placed in the park and the photograph shows members of the Town Council, War Savings Committee and other town dignitaries.
POST OFFICE STAFF - This wonderful photograph of the staff of the Post Office is at the premises they moved to in the Market Place in 1914. Prior to that they were at 6 Bath Street. The building in the photo is now a coffee bar and there is no Post Office in the town centre.
DYE DRYING STOVE ROUND HOUSE - Frome was famous for the dyeing, weaving and finishing of woollen cloth during the 18th and 19th centuries. After dyeing, the cloth was hung to dry inside the heated round building.
FROME CARNIVAL - A charter was given in 1270 to hold a fair in September and this continued with many breaks over the years. Today Frome Carnival continues this tradition after a resurgence in 1927. If you would like to see over 2000 photos of Frome Carnival Royalty and Entries go to https://www.frome-pastcarnivals.co.uk
FROME CHEESE SHOW - History shows that Frome has held a Cheese Show since 1861, initially in the Market Yard. It expanded into an agricultural event held at the cricket ground but was still known as the Cheese Show. This photo shows judging in the Show Ring in the 1930s.
FROME CHEESE SHOW - This photo was taken in 1955 when it was still in Frome and called Frome Cheese Show. Today it is just called the Frome Show and is held at West Woodlands.