Discover Frome’s Past Carnivals

HISTORY OF FROME CARNIVAL 

The origins of the carnival can be traced back many years.

Henry III gave a charter in 1270 to William and Joanna Braunche to hold a fair in Frome on the eve, day and morrow of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the 7th-9th September, and continued, with many breaks, over the years.

Today it serves as a wonderful reminder of the town’s rich history and the importance of community ties. From families and friends to local businesses, everyone plays a part in making the carnival a resounding success. Frome Carnival continues this tradition, holding its celebrations in September. 

The present-day Carnival was reborn in the late 1920’s.

The year was 1927 and the place was Butler & Tanner printing factory in Frome. The scene took place at 2.30am in the staff room of the night shift who were having a 30-minute smoking break.

Three workers, Roly Hall, Bill Popjoy and B Hemington, who had the previous Saturday seen the Bristol Rag Parade, were telling their colleagues about this fantastic show.

The conversation finished with “Why can’t we have one in Frome?”.  And in the September, with the added help of Messrs. Fortune, Wright, Bennett, Hawkins, Cross and Hiscock, Frome held the first Rag Parade, albeit a very wet one.  Butler & Tanner loaned their lorry for a hospital scene and there were many foot entries. A profit of £50 was divided equally between the Victoria Hospital and the Queens Nurses.

A second Rag Parade was held the following year together with a fund-raising dance in the nearly new Memorial Hall. Profit of £60 was divided as in the previous year.

Being so successful, Mr Hawkins and Mr Wright decided that an annual event should be held called ‘CARNIVAL’, consisting of an afternoon and evening procession and enlisting the support of local organisations and leading citizens of the town.

The minutes show that the first committee meeting was held on 28th June 1929 in the Victoria Hospital and included members from Frome Rotary Club, Friendly Society, Girl Guides, Town Band and the Rag Committee which was chaired by Mr Hargreaves-Beare, a Frome Rotarian.

More representatives came forward and sub-committees formed including ‘Ground & Route committee’, ‘Programmes’, ‘Advertising & Publicity’, ‘Competition & Sideshows’ and ‘Decorations’.

Within 3 weeks on July 19th, Mr Horsfield, a local garage proprietor in Cork Street said he would produce a new Austin car (costing £140) to raffle - £25 donated by the Austin Motor Co, £75 from an anonymous donor, £15 from local subscribers leaving £25 to be found by the committee.

Carnivals continued annually until 1939. Although a Carnival Queen had been chosen the Carnival was actually cancelled in September 1939, due to the outbreak of war and the committee lost a large amount of money that year.

In 1945, Carnival started again with the same enthusiastic group, always their first priority was a donation to the Victoria Hospital and the Queens Nurses.

In 1948 when the government nationalised the health service including the hospitals, it was decided to set up a charity and on September 27th 1948 a Trust Deed was drawn up and named ‘Frome Carnival Charities Association’, looked after by five trustees.

Today, whether one is participating in the parade or simply soaking in the vibrant atmosphere, Frome Carnival is a cherished event that holds a special place in the hearts of its attendees.