MEMBERS of Frome ukulele collective, the Frukes, returned from a successful trip to their German twin town partner Murrhardt.

The group of musicians were invited to represent Frome at a music festival marking the 150th anniversary of Murrhardt's town band and celebrating Frome's partnership with Murrhardt, Château-Gontier-sur-Mayenne in France, Pieve di Soligo in Italy and Rabka-Zdrój in Poland, with a delegation from Ukraine.

Chair of the Frukes, Sue Marshall, said: “What a privilege it was and what a warm welcome we were given at this very special event.

“We were taken for train rides through the beautiful countryside of Southern Germany, as we played our ukuleles, and took part in a wonderful procession in Murrhardt along with town bands from surrounding villages.

The ukulele group from Frome went down a storm as they took to the stage in Murrhardt.
The ukulele group from Frome went down a storm as they took to the stage in Murrhardt. (The Frukes)

“The highlight of the trip had to be our performance in the town square on Friday night and although we were somewhat different to the other bands, we seemed to go down a storm, with the audience singing and dancing to our songs."

The group enjoyed some typical German traditions including beer-keg tapping by the local dignitaries, and were proud to spot a signpost in the town saying ‘Frome 649 miles’.

Sue added: “We made lots of new friends and learned about the other towns in the twinning partnership.

“It was a very special experience, especially listening to the Ukraine delegation and how the war in Ukraine has affected their town. What an emotional experience it was to listen and spend time with these brave people.

Frome is one of four other European partner towns with Murrhardt who came together at the festival.
Frome is one of four other European partner towns with Murrhardt who came together at the festival. (The Frukes)

"Huge thanks to Philip Campagna, Frome councillor responsible for Partnerships and Cooperation for being our go between and giving us this opportunity to represent Frome; it was a very special trip.

“Special thanks to Sue Klepper our musical director who worked so hard in the run up to the weekend and during the festival.”