I was delighted to share my walkabout this week with Mary-Clare Rodwell, the High Sheriff of Somerset. The position of Sheriff was once a powerful one, the holders being responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing law and order in Somerset, but in modern times the High Sheriff has become a ceremonial officer of the Crown, attending or presiding over many public events. Mary-Clare has often been to Frome in the past but I was able to bring her up to date with many of our newer initiatives like the Community Fridge and the Share Shop, and tell her about the many volunteer groups who have sprung up in Frome over the last few years. She was interested in how we are doing as a town and as a consequence we talked about how we’ve been dealing with Covid issues, crime, communities, loneliness, traffic and many, many other things too.
Frome Gateway Club (part of Frome Mencap Society) is a charity that provides social activities and friendship to adults, young and old, with learning disabilities. Club Leader Ann Taylor recently organised their annual trip to the seaside and applied for a Mayor’s grant to help with the funding. I’m delighted to say, they all had a great day out and were really grateful for the help. If there’s something you’d like a small grant for, then please think about applying to the Mayor’s Grant fund, which you can find information on here:
https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/your-community/organisation-support/grants/
I’m delighted to say that Frome Town Council have worked hard with Somerset County Council to provide a Covid Mobile Testing Unit which will be set up in the car park next to the Cricket Club and will be open for testing from Wednesday 23rd September.
Testing will then take place on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday from 10am – 4pm.
If you have symptoms, you will need to have booked a test via:
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Please do not just turn up as you will be turned away.
A temporary one-way system for people coming into the Showfield to get tested has been set up, with access via Berkely Road. You can read more here: https://tinyurl.com/y6cb7b4l
It’s been another busy week in the life of a Mayor this week, but that’s just the way I like it. I hope you have a great week ahead. Please remember the new government instructions as you go about your tasks this week… hands, face, space! Stay safe everyone!
