Registered Charity No.
1106051

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRUSTEE'S
 - written by Humphrey Barnes, Chairman of FMTT for the Autumn Season 2008 programme

Dear Theatre Supporter

Although many of you will be aware of the history of the Theatre, we have many new patrons joining our mailing list every day who may not be aware of where we have come from.  The Memorial Hall, as it was then known, was built in 1924 in memory of the fallen of the First World War.  The funding for the building was raised from efforts by the general public in Frome and district.  In the 1920's and 1930's it was used primarily as a dance hall or place for meetings.  When films became popular in the 1930's, seats were installed and it was turned into a cinema and named 'The Grand'.  It was a very thriving cinema through until the 1970's when regretfully something called television seemed to keep many cinema goers away.  The Grand was closed as a cinema and the building was used very frequently.  It was only used by local organisations, mainly the Frome Amateur Operatic Society.

The early 1980's came and the Trustees of the Memorial Hall were under great pressure to sell the building to the Mendip District Council for development.  This was fortunately avoided due to pressure from the local community.  The Theatre is now run and has been for the past 25 years by volunteers under the guidance of the Trustees.  Our Theatre has charitable status.  In addition to plaques for the 2nd World War and other conflicts, The Grand Cinema was re-named the Frome Memorial Theatre during the 1990's, offering a varied programme of entertainment.

I sincerely hope that you will continue to enjoy an evening out at the Frome Memorial Theatre.

Humphrey Barnes

Chairman of FMTT

All proceeds from the FMTT are put towards the refurbishment of the Theatre