Frome Chamber Coffee Morning at The Blue House
Frome Chamber are delighted to invite you to a coffee morning at The Blue House on June 11th, 9.30-11.30. David Hoare, Manager at The Blue House will give a short talk about the history, and lead a tour around the building before coffee (or tea) and cakes (provided by Burnt Sugar) in what was once the chapel and, weather permitting, in the glorious gardens that stretch back to the river.
There has been an alms house providing shelter for Frome’s homeless on the island surrounded by the river Frome and the flood run-off, since the late 15th century. One of only two grade 1 listed buildings in the town (the other being Rook Lane Chapel), The Blue House as we see it today dates back to between 1720 and 1728, but this replaced an earlier building erected between 1620 and 1650, which itself replaced a building dating back to the late 15th century. The original site (likely to have been set further back from the road – records speak of gardens to the front) was founded by the then Lord of the Manor, William Leversedge, who was so moved by the plight of the homeless in Frome, he decided to do something about it.
The Blue House receives no funding from Government, surviving on pledges, donations, the rents charged (which are below market rates) and occasional grants. David has recently launched a new campaign to raise £500,000 for urgent repairs needed to windows, roof and external walls
This is an excellent opportunity to combine networking with a peek inside one of Frome’s oldest treasures.
