Hello Frome is a show all about capturing the human spirit of the Somerset town of Frome. Whether you call it home or have ever visited you’ll know this is town with a big heart.

Through powerful, personal stories from the people who live, work, and give back here, local legends to unsung heroes, we share voices and inspiring moments that reflect the warmth, resilience, and creativity of this remarkable town. Whether it’s a volunteer changing lives or a neighbour with an extraordinary story, this podcast brings Frome’s soul to life — one conversation at a time.

Produced and presented by host Lyndsey Mayhew.

In this episode of Hello Frome, host Lyndsey Mayhew meets poet and wordsmith Olly Davy from Dirty Laundry and Sophie Ricardo from Frome Beaver Watch.

✨ Guest - Olly Davy

We meet Olly Davy, a poet, storyteller, and creative facilitator based in Frome. Olly shares his journey in poetry, the inspiration behind his live storytelling and poetry night "Dirty Laundry," and his work helping individuals and organisations find their voice through spoken word and creative expression. From launching Dirty Laundry to collaborating with the Chrissie Morrison Prize for Poetry and running innovative workshops, Olly explores the power of language in building confidence and community connection.

The conversation also covers the impact of AI on creative sectors, the challenges of the past year, and how Olly’s work bridges poetry with organisational communication and leadership. Olly reflects on what makes Frome a unique and vibrant creative community and shares upcoming events and ways to get involved.

Event & Workshop Details:

• Next Dirty Laundry Event: 25th September at the Archangel, Frome featuring Malaika Kogodi from Bristol.
• Path to the Stage Workshops: Starting September, one evening every fortnight for six weeks. Dates to be announced.

Connect with Olly:

Instagram: Dirty Laundry @DLPoetryNights

Website: www.ollydavy.com


✨ Sophie Ricardo

We say hello to Sophie Ricardo, founder of Frome Beaver Watch, a grassroots project dedicated to surveying, protecting, and celebrating these remarkable “ecosystem engineers” in our local rivers. Sophie shares her personal journey — from navigating chronic illness to discovering beavers as a lifeline — and how her passion for wildlife turned into a community movement.

Sophie also shares news of an exciting film screening in Frome that shines a light on the relationship between beavers and endangered fish species, asking whether coexistence is possible — and why it matters.

Upcoming event

Film Screening: Balancing the Scales

📅 19 September 2025

📍 Merlin Theatre, Frome

🎟 £5 (via Merlin Theatre website)

⏱ 20-minute film + Q&A panel


Connect with Frome Beaver Watch

Instagram: @FromeBeaverWatch


Website: fromebeaverwatch.org


Blog: Medium (search “Frome Beaver Watch”)

Got an idea for a guest or someone you would like me to interview? Contact Lyndsey: HelloFromeShow@gmail.com

Please support Hello Frome by leaving a review and 5 stars on your favourite podcast platform to help the show be found by likeminded folk.

Hello Frome is a show all about capturing the human spirit of the Somerset town of Frome. Whether you call it home or have ever visited you’ll know this is town with a big heart.

Through powerful, personal stories from the people who live, work, and give back here, local legends to unsung heroes, we share voices and inspiring moments that reflect the warmth, resilience, and creativity of this remarkable town. Whether it’s a volunteer changing lives or a neighbour with an extraordinary story, this podcast brings Frome’s soul to life — one conversation at a time.

Produced and presented by host Lyndsey Mayhew.

In the third episode of Hello Frome, host Lyndsey Mayhew meets Emma Parker from Frome Community Bike Project and James Wallis from Edventure.

✨ Guest - Emma Parker

We meet Emma Parker founding director of the Frome Community Bike Project, a non-profit community interest company dedicated to making cycling accessible to all in the Frome area. Emma shares the journey of the project, its various services, and its impact on promoting cycling and sustainability in the community. We also delve into Frome's Missing Links—a local charity aiming to create traffic-free cycling and walking routes—and discover how the bike project supports this initiative.

Find out more about Frome Bike Project and connect with Emma at:

Website: www.fromebikeproject.org
Instagram & Facebook: @FromeBikeProject

To find out more about the new director roles see the Frome Bike Project website and get in touch with Emma before September 7th, 2025.

Email Emma at info@fromebikeproject.org for details.

✨ Guest - James Wallis

In this conversation, Lyndsey chats with James Wallis from Edventure Frome's community co-working space and social enterprise incubator. James shares news about two impactful courses — Comms for Change and Enterprising Women — designed to empower people with communication skills and support women entrepreneurs and discover how the Frome Community Fridges are helping reduce food waste and fostering community spirit in the town.

Find out more:

edventurefrome.org

Comms for Change and Enterprising Women Course

Instagram and Facebook: @Edventurefrome

Contact Lyndsey: HelloFromeShow@gmail.com

Hello Frome is a show all about capturing the human spirit of the Somerset town of Frome. Whether you call it home or have ever visited you’ll know this is town with a big heart.

Through powerful, personal stories from the people who live, work, and give back here, local legends to unsung heroes, we share voices and inspiring moments that reflect the warmth, resilience, and creativity of this remarkable town. Whether it’s a volunteer changing lives or a neighbour with an extraordinary story, this podcast brings Frome’s soul to life — one conversation at a time.

Produced and presented by host Lyndsey Mayhew.

In the second episode of Hello Frome, host Lyndsey Mayhew meets Kally Dunn the founder of Sewing For Charity and the manager of the Blue House, David Hoare and its Chair, Miriam Cheal.

✨ Guest - Kally Dunn

We meet Kally Dunn, founder of Sewing for Charity, a remarkable community initiative based in Frome. Kally shares her journey from working in the clothing industry to creating life-changing sewn products that support women and families in crisis zones around the world. Discover how Sewing for Charity produces reusable sanitary pads, drawstring bags for refugees, and neonatal quilts—all made by volunteers. Learn about the social impact, environmental benefits, and global importance of this work.

Connect with Kally at: FromeReDress@yahoo.com

✨ Guest - David Hoare & Miriam Cheal

In this conversation we explore the rich history and ongoing legacy of the Blue House in Frome, a remarkable Grade I listed almshouse with origins dating back to 1480. David Hoare and Miriam Cheal join us to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the current Blue House building and share the plans for much needed preservation work — from restoring windows and stonework to roof repairs — and the ambitious fundraising campaign launched to secure a sustainable future for the landmark Blue House and its 17 residents.

Find out more about The Blue House and the fundraising campaign at: www.thebluehousefrome.co.uk

Contact Lyndsey: HelloFromeShow@gmail.com

Hello Frome is a show all about capturing the human spirit of the Somerset town of Frome. Whether you call it home or have ever visited you’ll know this is town with a big heart.

Through powerful, personal stories from the people who live, work, and give back here, local legends to unsung heroes, we share voices and inspiring moments that reflect the warmth, resilience, and creativity of this remarkable town. Whether it’s a volunteer changing lives or a neighbour with an extraordinary story, this podcast brings Frome’s soul to life — one conversation at a time.

Produced and presented by host Lyndsey Mayhew.

In the very first episode of Hello Frome, host Lyndsey Mayhew meets Kerry Meech the coordinator of the Frome Seed Library and historian and writer David Lassman.

✨ Guest - Kerry Meech

In this conversation with Kerry discover how this community-driven, permanent seed swap initiative in Frome Library encourages sustainable gardening, seed saving, and reconnecting with nature. Kerry shares the origins of the seed library, the global seed sovereignty movement, and the crucial role seed libraries play in supporting biodiversity and community resilience—both locally and worldwide.

Kerry’s also discusses her vibrant gardening club 'Sprouts', the community potato-growing project for a communal potato salad, and shares how Frome’s unique community spirit fosters so many inclusive, impactful projects.

Discover:

• The concept and mission of the Frome Seed Library and how it works
• The global seed sovereignty movement and why it matters
• How seed libraries empower communities to reclaim food and seed independence
• Insights into running a children’s gardening club and engaging diverse community members
• Highlights of a large community project growing potatoes for a shared potato salad
• Tips for amateur gardeners on saving seeds and avoiding common pitfalls
• The vibrant, inclusive community culture in Frome and its history of activism and creativity

Connect with Kerry & Frome Seed Library:

• Instagram - @FromeSeedLibrary
• Facebook - @FromeSeedLibrary
  
  

✨ Guest - David Lassman

Renowned historian and writer David Lassman is known for his passionate work preserving and sharing the history of Frome and Somerset. David shares his fascinating journey from Bath to Frome, his diverse career path including acting and screenwriting, and his deep dive into Frome's unique historical landscape. Discover the stories behind his bestselling books, his captivating talks and walks around Frome, and his role in community heritage projects.

Discover:

• David’s early life and education in Bath, including his one O-Level in history
• His brief acting career and transition to writing and screenwriting
• Frome’s rich history: Neolithic barrows, Roman roads and villas, WWII POW camps, industrial heritage
• Writing local history books, including "Frome in the Great War" and the notable true crime book "The Awful Killing of Sarah Watts"
• Popular history walks and talks led by David, including film and TV location tours in Frome (e.g., Poldark, Jane Austen adaptations, Reginald Perrin)
• The work of Frome Heritage CIC in community and wellbeing through heritage

Connect with David and find out more about his events:

SomersetExperiences.com
Keyford Local History Group
David's Books - Winstone's Hunting Raven

Contact Lyndsey: HelloFromeShow@gmail.com

Hello Frome is a show all about capturing the human spirit of the Somerset town of Frome. Whether you call it home or have ever visited you’ll know this is town with a big heart.

Through powerful, personal stories from the people who live, work, and give back here, local legends to unsung heroes, we share voices and inspiring moments that reflect the warmth, resilience, and creativity of this remarkable town. Whether it’s a volunteer changing lives or a neighbour with an extraordinary story, this podcast brings Frome’s soul to life — one conversation at a time.

Produced and presented by host Lyndsey Mayhew.

If you'd like to get in touch please email hellofromeshow@gmail.com