The Golden Tickets – Frome Festival 2024

As the dust settles on yet another successful Frome Festival, we would like to celebrate the winners of the Willy Wonka themed Golden Ticket promotion. Just as in Roald Dahl’s famed book, five Golden Tickets were hidden for a chance to visit the chocolate factory. In this case, the tickets were made out of laser-engraved solid chocolate with edible gold paint created by local chocolatier Choc et al. A voucher for a £25 spending spree at Choc et al was also included for winners both young and old as “anyone can feel like a kid in a candy shop!”.

The first Golden Ticket was found up high by two sisters, Florence and Beatrice West, at Frome Boulder Rooms. It took skill and agility to reach the prize, tucked away in a climbing hold during one of their Bouldering Workshops.

The next was an adult affair during comedy bingo night, T’Barry Bingo at 23 Bath St. Solomon Bain and Freya Morse had a full house, with the ticket as grand prize. Comedian Toby Prin was relieved they “don’t have to do Fight Club” to decide the winner as the couple had shared their card.

Willow Newman got down to win a dance competition at the Willy Wonka Rave With The Super Pirates! This took place at the Awesome Studio on Station Approach which had been transformed into a sweet-filled wonderland featuring DJ Oompa.L mixing tunes on his (literally) jam-filled decks.

DJ Gary Davies presented a Golden Ticket to lucky lovebirds Carol & Neil Shroeder on stage at a packed Cheese & Grain. The legendary DJ recreated his BBC Radio 2 Sounds of the ‘80s live and invited the couple to share their story during ‘the soppy bit’ of ‘the bit in the middle’. Neil got down on one knee and proposed to Carol for a second time in front of an audience of hundreds. The couple were delighted to receive the Golden Ticket as a prize as they are big chocolate fans, even attending the previous ‘Choc et al – Chocolate Tasting Experience’ as part of Frome Festival.

And the last Golden Ticket was found at the chocolate factory itself during the final ‘Choc et al – Chocolate Tasting Experience’. Choc et al owners Simon, Sheena and Emily Powell drew edible numbers on chocolate buttons given to all attendees and the winning number was drawn randomly. Jon Ryman was the lucky chocolate fan who didn’t have to go far to spend his £25 voucher. Simon Powell saw their involvement as a “golden opportunity to be part of Frome Festival”.

We’d like to thank local family company, Choc et al, for creating these beautiful Golden Tickets and their generosity in sponsoring the prizes, and also all the event organisers who helped make this happen. This promotion illustrates the breadth, depth and creativity of Frome Festival events where there truly is something for everyone.

Willow Newman @ Willy Wonka Family Rave – Stuart Anderton