Welcome to
Marston Music
Marston Church lies in a fabulous setting with wide and tranquil views over fields and woods of the River Frome valley a couple of miles west of Frome. Few churches enjoy a finer situation.
Known for its wonderful peal of eight bells and its important stained glass which has been recently refurbished, this beautiful 18th century building is being opened up for music events. With congregations dwindling, our brief has been to bring life back to the building.
Marston Music
The Story so Far
Our first concert was part of the Frome Festival 2021. Singer / songwriter Daisy Chapman's outstanding vocals filled the space and convinced us that we had a special building with an exquisite acoustic which we had to keep developing to share with those who love music.
Other groups who came to perform in that first year included The Somerset Russets and Amusette. We also held Sunday afternoon Open Mic Session which have been popular with musicians and listeners.
Just before Christmas the hugely talented playwright and master of storytelling Frome based actor Pip Utton, brought Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol,” to life. An amazing, atmospheric performance.
In May 2022 Belshazzar's Feast brought their UK and world tours to an end with an iconic Farewell Tour. Tim Pitman, the 'voice of Somerset' thrilled his audience with a range of songs and arias supported by Jacquelyn Bevan and Linda Stocks (of Trio Paradis) on piano and cello. Perfect. This was followed by Anna Tam with her masterful playing of the nickelharpa, viola de gamba and hurdy-gurdy.
In December 2022 John Kirkpatrick delighted us with his joyful Christmas Show, 'Carolling and Crumpets'. A sold-out event with John's original songs and carols including gems such as his granny's Christmas pudding recipe put to music. Thank you John. It was a wonderful performance.
In 2023 The Band of Pilgrims provided a great performance and then we were treated to a wonderful choral concert by the Wells Cathedral Choristers. In its 250 year history, the church will have rarely heard such a glorious sound. During the 2023 Frome Festival Ninebarrow, a well known Dorset folk duo, impressed the audience with their mix of reworked traditional folk songs and original music.
Our Sunday Afternoon Teas events are enjoyed by all who find them. Some people arrive by chance, passing by, visiting relatives in the graveyard, out cycling or walking from Tytherington and many's the time we hear them say, "I never knew this was here", as they gaze at the view. The music is an enjoyable part of the afternoon with bands of all description from singers with guitars, recorder ensembles, saxophone groups and others. Do drop by. It's free to enjoy and certainly worth staying for the homemade cake.
Marston hosted the Bounds of Selwood Morris Dancers as they welcomed the forthcoming seasons on the shortest day of 2024 in their traditional way.
We have covered a lot of ground with some small steps over the past four years. We need much more support if this is to be sustained. With a lot more support we could develop it. (A similar venue in Cornwall, St Endellion Church, has 60 volunteers. We have 3 or 4 but need more to make it work). Please get in touch if you can help with stewarding, promotion, productions and all the other essentials of the venue. If you are unable to help, keep an eye on this web-site or join our mailing list to keep up with the exciting programmes we are developing anyway.
Upcoming Events
Please watch this website for your diary dates and details of our Programme.
Or visit our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/marstonmusicfrome
Sunday Afternoon Teas and Live Music - Every Sunday afternoon through July and August from 2.30 to 4.30.
Once again we will offer tea and homemade cake through July and August 2025. The full Line Up will be available nearer the time. If you or your band would like to reserve an afternoon then please let us know.
The live music is not a concert or formal performance but an 'Open Rehearsal' where the players can enjoy playing their music in a large space with exquisite acoustics and a peripatetic appreciative audience as well. Audiences may come and go as they please or, on a sunny afternoon, may sit outside and let the music waft out to them.
Free for all to enjoy our eclectic mix of fine and fun music,with amazing acoustics, beautiful rural views and tranquility. Delicious homemade cake and tea, coffee or cold drink complete a splendid way to relax on a Sunday afternoon. Park at the church or park at the Lighthouse in Tytherington and enjoy a peaceful, delightful amble (25 minutes) across fields through Marston Estate. Come and join us.
Marston Music took a break through some of 2024 but are building plans to put on performances again. These will be mainly in the summer months because of the difficulties of running winter events with car parking and no lighting on the road, mud, heating costs, the outside bar requiring calm, dry weather, etc. Watch this web-site for details. Do come and support us. Any profit made is wholly used for the upkeep of our beautiful church building.
Saturday May 3rd at 7.30 p.m.
Paul Hutchinson and Karen Wimshurst
Paul, known as one of the country's top accordionists and composer (late of Belshazzar’s Feast who played at Marston in 2022) and Karen clarinetist, have been playing their original music together for over 20 years. Now on their spring tour this will be a real treat to sit back and enjoy.
See also https://www.paulhutchinsonmusic.com/
Tickets: £15.50 (including booking fee). Available from Eventbrite. Search Paul Hutchinson Accordionist and Karen Wimhurst Clarinettist. Or copy and paste the link below: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/paul-hutchinson-accordionist-and-karen-wimhurst-clarinettist-tickets-1305742614309
Frome Festival
Monday July 7th at 7.30 p.m.
Kate Griffin and Matchume Zango
By chance we found that Kate, a well known UK banjo player, and Ford Collier, playing low whistle and guitar, who are both members of the local band Mishra are on a limited tour of the UK in July with a master musician from Mozambique. Matchume is a renowned international artist and a master of the timbila, a finely manufactured and tuned wooden instrument similar to a xylophone which is used to play rhythmic music. He has recorded several albums with this instrument and you can find some more information about the trio and their background on their EPK - https://www.kategriffincreative.com/matchume-zango-epk
We are absolutely delighted that they could find time on their tour to fit in Marston and the Frome Festival and we expect their particular style of music will sound absolutely stunning in the setting of our church building with its exquisite acoustic. This really is a concert not to miss.
Tickets: £13.00. From Frome Festival Booking Office.
Frome Festival
Wednesday July 9th at 7.30 p.m.
Daisy Chapman and Sue Lord joined by (hopefully but yet to be confirmed) Daisy's A Capella choir
Daisy, a local songwriter, vocalist and pianist, and violinist Sue were our first act when we started Marston Music back in the bad old Covid days of 2021. Now we are absolutely delighted that they are able to come back to Marston again. There will be stories behind the duo's songs and music, some dark, some beuatiful and some filmic but through them all Daisy's beautiful voice will hold you enthralled. She is well known in Europe as well as the UK and of course to previous Frome Festival goers. Do support this concert because the Daisy Chapman Duo will not disappoint.
See also https://www.daisychapman.com/
Tickets: £10.00 From Frome Festival Booking Office.
Saturday 20th September at 7.30p.m.
Good Habits. This is a dynamic indie folk duo (cello, vocals, accordion and percussion) who come highly recommended by Take Art, an organisation which takes music, art and dance to villages throughout Somerset. BBC 6 Music described them as "English folk musicianship at its 21st century best" . Manchester based but developed when stranded in New Zealand in 2020 Bonnie Schwarz and Pete Shaw returned to the UK at the end of 2021 and now Good Habits perform throughout UK and Europe. Their album 'Quarter Life' released in 2024 reached the Top 40 Official Folk Charts.
See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHCNAbIIxd8
Tickets:
Available nearer the date - watch this space for details.
If you would like your name added to our mailing list to receive occasional details of events, please email us an
marstonmusicinfo@gmail.co.uk
Venue Information
Directions
Marston Church is signed on brown signposts on the A361 Frome to Shepton Mallet road .
From Frome: from the end of the Frome bypass at the top of the 'ski slope' (i.e. the roundabout just after Sainsbury's and the Mason's Arms) take the first road turning to the left just after the lay-by less than 1 mile from the 'ski-slope'. It looks like a tiny lane but it really is the right way.
From Shepton Mallet: take the second turning to the right after the Nunney Catch roundabout (the turning right is immediately after the turning to Nunney and Ridgeway on the left).
The nearest post code is BA11 5DE but sat navs do not always indicate the correct route (we very nearly lost John Kirkpatrick to a sat-nav error) so look out for the brown signs and event signposts.
After turning off the A361 continue down the hill (Cheese Hill) and at the right hand bend at the end of a tunnel of trees turn left to the church car park or for main events follow any car parking signs.
Walk from the Lighthouse A popular 20 minute walk, or 25 minute amble, across the Marston Estate. Leave your car at the Lighthouse in Tytherington and follow the footpath around the field to the north and into the Marston Estate. An easy walk and an opportunity to enjoy the views across the Frome Valley and of Marston House and Marston Church. Please keep to the footpaths and be aware that sheep or cattle may be grazing in the fields (although probably fenced off against the footpath).
Car Parking
It is hoped that, with the kind permission of the owners of Marston House, parking in dry weather will be permitted in the field next to the church. It will be signposted at the bottom of Cheese Hill. Should the field be unavailable for any reason, please park on the left hand side of Cheese Hill between the entrance to Marston House and the turning to the church. For those with mobility issues parking will be available in the small church car park at the top of the track next to Church Lodge. Please follow the directions of a steward who will be available for the most attended events. For most events you might find it useful to bring a torch with you. Occasionally the road and access may be a little muddy so stiletto heels may not be suitable.
Wheelchair Access
Access to the church will require stewards' assistance across the grass following a former hard track (which has now grassed over) from the car park. Unfortunately not an easy route but the best we have. Step ramps are available to go inside the church and to access the toilet. For assistance please notify stewards when you arrive at the car park.
Tickets.
Available as specified in the event details above. Ticket numbers are limited for some events and some are available only from the nominated ticketing booking site. For some events tickets may be available at the door.
Refunds
Refunds are not normally available. Refunds within four weeks of an event cannot, regrettably, be entertained. However, to enable others to enjoy the event we will be happy to accept tickets which are passed on to others provided that they can bring the printed ticket in the name of the person who booked.
Bar.
A limited bar will be available before events and during an interval. Normally available will be Australian Yellow Tail Red and White Wine, Bierra Moretti and Sparkling Elderflower soft drinks. Other drinks may also be available. Do come early especially to our summer events when you can enjoy our beautiful rural location with a glass before the performance.
Toilet Facilities.
A single wheelchair accessible toilet is inside the church building.
Other Events.
The church is available for meetings, lectures, exhibitions, music rehearsals as well as our usual services, weddings, christenings etc. Please ask.
