Get set for summer with Frome Community Education's new programme

As the evenings finally get lighter and the days warmer, getting out in the garden will be high on many people's 'to do' lists.  Frome Community Education's summer term has some ideal courses to equip you with the skills to make the most of your garden or allotment.   There will also be new courses on the Food, Culture and Language of Italy and Internet Communication, as well as repeats of The Art of Memoir Writing, Mandarin Chinese Language and Culture, 'Follow your Bliss' (a self-development course) and Radio Production workshops at Frome FM.   Most of FCE's other classes such as Yoga and Dance Fusion Fitness will also take new students in April.

Many people are growing their own their own food to eat more healthily, save money and cut down on 'food miles'.  Whether you have your own allotment or a smaller space for vegetable growing, Marina Swinburne's 10-week evening course at the new Birchill allotments in Frome starts on 17th April.  Aimed at beginners, it will give you a very practical introduction to allotment, kitchen and vegetable gardening.  Marina trained at Tresco Abbey Gardens in the Scilly Isles and has worked at Kew Gardens, Bristol Zoo and RHS Rosemoor.

Many of us love our gardens but don't have 'green fingers' and can end up spending a lot of money at garden centres on plants which don't always thrive when we get them home.  For the time-pressed but keen amateur gardener, Marina's one-day workshop on Saturday 20th April at Frome Community College will cover garden design, site analysis, soil preparation, which plant works where, pests and diseases, pruning - and much more.  Students can bring a sketch or photo of their own gardens to get specific advice on areas they want to improve.

Bursaries may be available for those on low incomes to take these courses, as part of Frome Community Education's 'Healthy Living' project in association with Frome Development CIC.

For those who love Italian food and want to learn how to prepare classic Italian dishes, Philip Campagna's six-week evening cookery course, 'Food, Culture and Language of Italy', starts on 15th April.  It will cover a range of Italian dishes and show how food forms Italy's culture in terms of national diet, festivals and regional differences.  Philip was born of Sicilian parents and learned to cook from his mother, and is also a languages lecturer at Bath Spa University.

The Internet and social media offer more ways to communicate than ever before.  Email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, blogs and podcasts are all available but what are their advantage and disadvantages?  And, importantly, how do you stay safe online?   Whether you are a complete beginner or want to make the most of the these communication opportunities for yourself and/or your business, Judith Cooper's five-week evening course will extend your knowledge and confidence with social media.

Booking for all Frome Community Education courses is through the Cheese and Grain on 01373 455420.  The very latest information is on the FCE website at www.fromecommed.org.uk or by phoning 01373 465418 or emailing info@fromecommed.org.uk.