Sustainable September with The Frome Independent

Hej Gro Foraged Food Preserves

Frome is the perfect place for local shopping all year round, but once a month The Frome Independent brings hundreds more of our region’s small independent businesses to town. It also gives Frome makers a busy in-person marketplace so you can meet the people behind the products. Shop for beautiful jewellery, ceramics, yarn, original prints, homewares, skincare, upcycled apparel, gin, ale and delicious food – all created here in Frome. On Justice Lane alone you’ll find beautiful home fragrances from Frome’s Hopothecary Candles, exquisite sand-cast silver jewellery by Issi Bulloch, delicious roast Loud Mouth Coffee, from the amazing people behind Frome legends The River House, the adorable Jo and Nic’s Crinkly Cloth Books and Badger House Leather’s gorgeous accessories created just metres away in the studio spaces of Black Swan Arts.

This month the ‘Everyone Needs Pockets Network’ is back on The Village Green outside Frome library, demonstrating how to extend the life of clothes and how we can collectively change things in Frome for the future through textile reuse and repair. You’ll also find craft activities run by The Pod Scrapstore and a celebration of The Pod Charity’s tenth anniversary. We’ll have a great live music line up on The Busking Stage from 11am, showcasing local talent, plus Donna Somerset on the Village Green with The Vintage Mobile Disco.

Of course, vintage clothing is an ideal way to dress ethically and avoid fast fashion and you’ll be spoilt for choice at the Flea, with traders who are experts in mending and repurposing pre-loved garments. The Flea is a treasure trove of vintage furniture, ceramics, glassware, prints, jewellery, silverware, gardenalia and collectibles. Rummage dozens of stalls for the perfect retro piece for your home, but be sure to get there early so you don’t miss out.

This month in our Homes and Gardens area you’ll find beautiful late summer flowers, plants to brighten up a fading border or an empty windowsill, plus beautiful homewares, plant accessories and garden ornaments.

September is a great month for local fresh produce and our food producers will be bringing their finest along to Stony Street and the Market Place. Somerset Farmers Market will be with us around the Boyle Cross at the bottom of Cheap Street, with the usual great selection of award winning local cheese, pickles, salsas, bread, cakes, cider, fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, sausages and loads more to fill your basket.

Running from 10am to 3pm, it’s easy to while away the hours at The Frome Independent and we’ve got snacks and lunch covered. Grab yourself a morning coffee and pastry or afternoon tea and a crumpet, head to our brilliant street food section on Scott Road for a delicious selection inspired by cuisines across the world, prepared with fresh local ingredients. Choose from crepes, pizza, bagels, burgers, dim sum, jerk chicken, mac and cheese, burritos or seafood. Find Frome favourites Tibetan Memories, Frome Brewing Company and Thai Spice of The Griffin fame, New York flavours from Spengler’s Deli, sushi from Hakko House, original Mediterranean treats from My Greek Fat Wraps or a bit of summer spice from Mahalia’s Kitchen.