Aims and Organisation

Aims and organisation

Overview

The aim of the Cheese and Grain is to provide a multi-purpose community hall in the centre of Frome that makes a substantial contribution to the social, cultural and economic life and well-being of the town and its surrounding villages.

The building is leased to Frome Cheese and Grain Ltd, a charity managed by a Board of Trustees. The board ensures that the programme of events furthers charitable objects and employs staff for the day-to-day running of the building. Trustees are chosen from and by the charity’s members. Membership is free and open to anyone living or working in Frome and the surrounding villages.

Current programme

The Cheese and Grain’s regular programme of events includes three main types of bookings:

Markets – three weekly including Antiques and Collectors, Country Markets, Farmers, Crafts, and charity markets. Markets promote the charity’s object of contributing to the regeneration of Frome
Community bookings promote the charity’s object of providing a community building and include fundraising events, interdenominational services, not-for-profit club bookings, statutory authority consultations/meetings, private parties and celebrations. The Cheese and Grain also sells over 5,000 tickets for the annual Frome Festival. Space is hired to the bar and cafe, which are operated independently under license.
Commercial activities – external promoters hire the hall through a subsidiary trading company for commercially run concerts attracting audiences up to 850. These events help support other uses and provide technical facilities and expertise at lower rates for local bands nights, music clubs, orchestras, schools music events. The profits of the trading company are donated to the charity.

Development plans

Trustees agree plans for the future development of the building. Current plans for the building include:

Improved communication with the public through the website and other means
Bringing the mezzanine space into community use
A more flexible design of foyer/front of building in order to improve facilities and encourage a wider range of community bookings
Improving the setting and exterior of building to reinforce flexibility of use
Encouraging a greater use of the building by young people

Board of Trustees

Up to nine trustees are elected by the charity’s membership at the Charity’s annual meeting held in the autumn. The board has the power to co-opt trustees between annual meetings. Current trustees are: