Voices of Frome
Voices of Frome is a collaboration between artist Verity Standen and a group of Frome residents. Over the course of several weeks, Verity recorded interviews with eight people, all of whom have very different life experiences and perspectives on the town. The conversations were generous and wide-ranging – taking in careers, families, hobbies, past adventures and imagined futures.
Verity then composed an original song for each person. Some of these were written collaboratively, some have lifted words directly from the interviews, some are more abstract – responding to a thought or feeling. Verity was then joined by singers Kate Huggett, Rosalie Warner and Rose Stachniewska to bring these songs to life. You can listen to recordings on this page.
We hosted two live performances performances of these songs in November 2025 - at Frome Library and at Rook Lane Chapel, hosted by Esmé Patey-Ford. As part of our evening performance, the audience were also invited to take part in a set of creative challenges, including a quiz inspired by the voices and a mini salt-dough sculpture. Photos from the event by Alice Whitby.
Ben
“I strive to tread lightly in this world, reducing mountains to molehills as I navigate the increasing challenge of a progressive DeafBlind condition. Irony treads heavily in my world that closes in to stifle my two main passions in life: music and art. Yet I’m pushing back and have recently taught myself Clair de Lune on the piano, which is a long-held fantasy come to life. One more molehill conquered.”
Ben spoke Verity through the different chapters of his life. They talked about his garden and his committed daily piano practice. Ben often shares his experiences online, and the positive responses he’s received have encouraged him to keep developing his writing. Ben shared some words, inspired by a feeling of incremental change in his life; Verity took these poetic words as lyrics for this song.
Roxy
“My life in Frome is truly magnificent. I feel very blessed to share my life with the lovely community and my three beautiful children.”
Roxy and Verity spoke together about parenting. About the things many women tell themselves as mothers, and the inspiration of strong women in Roxy’s life. Roxy often has her Tarot read. Verity researched The Empress, a Tarot figure that is associated with nurturing, femininity, abundance and creativity. This power – and Roxy’s strength – was the starting point for this song.
Jo
“I never imagined my story would be one worth telling, but I’ve been bowled over to find that, thanks to Verity, perhaps it is. My life in and out of school is a patchwork of improbable and indescribable moments – always stitched together with music, swimming, family and friends. And Marmite.”
Jo’s parents moved to Pembrokeshire, knowing nobody, while her mum was pregnant. Jo found a letter from that time, written by her dad to her mum, not knowing whether he was yet a father. A generation later, Jo moved to Frome with her partner, knowing nobody, while pregnant. Since then, she has raised her own family and been a constant presence at St John’s school. Jo spoke with such peace and warmth about these cycles of life; Verity has tried to capture those feelings.
Heather
“After living in many cities and towns, none of them ever felt like home until I clicked my heels three times and found myself in Frome.”
Heather is originally from the United States. She and Verity talked about her journey to Somerset. And they spoke a lot about music, and Heather’s relationship to music – sometimes filling her life with song and building community through sound, sometimes seeking silence. This idea really resonated for Verity and was the seed for this song.
Rob
“After travelling around the world as a branding designer, working hard and playing hard, in 2014 I had a catastrophic brain haemorrhage and stroke that left me paralysed on my right side and suffering from aphasia. These experiences have shaped me but not defined me. With help from my partner Syreeta, I’ve spent the last decade healing through art. Creating has been integral to my recovery.”
Rob’s song is a triptych. The first element is drawn from a conversation with Verity about opposing rhythms – feeling energetic and wanting to keep going but needing to rest. The second section is inspired by Rob’s descriptions of vivid, trippy dreams. And the final part reflects on the idea of being refuelled by art, and the time Rob and Syreeta have spent sharing music and reading poetry.
Steven
“I have lived in Frome for 23 years. My favourite meal is lamb shank, mashed potatoes, carrots, baked beans and gravy.”
Steven has an amazing memory for dates, times and places. He can recall exact details from many years ago. Every day Stephen gets out; he makes full use of his bus pass, often making two daytrips to other nearby towns within a single day. Through his explorations on the bus, Stephen has met people and built friendships across the whole area. This song is inspired by those journeys.
Liz
“I have lived in Frome for 35 years and have brought up two children here, who are now 27 and 28. I am an accountant. I love the open air and countryside, talking to trees and animals. I like to get away from it all in my campervan with my partner Badger, who I’m getting married to this Saturday in Frome Town Hall.”
Liz first met Verity by attending her choir here in Frome, Utterance. They spoke about their shared love of singing; Liz is particularly keen on Vedic chanting, so there’s a musical nod to that in this song. And they talked about how life experiences form and transform us. Verity tried to capture that sense of change through this music.
Marion
“I didn’t expect to live to the age of 103. I don’t see or hear as well as I used to. I find this tiresome. I loved weaving but I can’t do this now. I enjoy word games, which I play online with four friends. I read large-print books and listen to audio books. I’m fortunate to have a daughter and friends who visit me for care and company.”
Marion had a career as a biochemist. Later in life, she became an expert weaver. Marion and Verity spoke about the intricacy of these tasks; working in a lab under very precise conditions and creating complex textiles both require incredible accuracy and attention to detail. Verity has composed a ‘hocket’ – a musical technique where the melody is shared around multiple voices, inspired by these processes.
Voices of Frome
Composed by Verity Standen.
Performed by Kate Huggett, Rosalie Warner, Rose Stachniewska and Verity Standen.
Recorded live by David Ridley.