Press Release:
Festival Welcomes Our Celebrated Neighbours

[ SEE Wiltshire Times EVENT REVIEW ]

Internationally acclaimed singer Cara Dillon and her husband Sam Lakeman could have chosen anywhere in the UK to live. They needed to be near an airport for their work, so put a pin on the map and Bristol came up. Whilst looking in the area, they stopped in Frome for a cup of tea and that was it.   As soon as they got here, Cara felt this was a place she could settle in and that it was fate. 

It is exactly five years this week since they moved and they both love it here. "We've made some of our best friends since moving to Frome" Sam said. And he's especially happy as it's within shouting distance of his hometown in Dartmoor .

What they particularly love about Frome is the people.  "The people are priceless and it reminds me of where I was brought up" Cara says.  They both feel as though they belong here, it's like a home from home.  They've met so many other people here who share their interests and it's rare to find a place where there are so many involved in the arts.  "The only other place that can compare for variety in the Arts, is somewhere like a borough of London" Sam says. 

Cara says: "This is the good life.  I love the market, the town centre and shops.  When we moved here, we thought we'd be doing most of our shopping in Bath but I can actually count the number of times I've gone in there for shopping.  You can get everything you need here. And there's so much happening, always something going on.  There's the great Merlin and any gigs we've done here have always gone down really well". 

The size of the town is something that appeals to them both.  It reminds them of their home towns. "You can walk down town and see familiar faces" says Cara.  Sam really likes the fact that the town centre hasn't been over-developed.  They travel all over the country and have played in almost every city and town in Britain, but nothing compares to Frome.

And now that they have two young babies, twins Noah and Colm, they appreciate the range of activities available for families.  "There's something on nearly every day for babies and young children" Cara said. They'd just returned from a trip to the Sensory Clinic, which visits local village halls in the area regularly. "You wouldn't get that sort of service in every town"' Cara enthused. Sam was amazed at the effect the visit was having on Noah, who was much more lively and aware as a result of the session.

Cara has been singing ever since she can remember.  Music was very much encouraged in her local primary school and everyone was given an instrument to play, regardless of whether they had a talent or not.  Music was a way to teach children about the local Irish history, culture and traditions. Every year a Fleadh Ceol (Music Festival) was held in her local town, Dungiven. "Even if you weren't musical, with no note in your head, you were encouraged to do something.  It was such an important part of village life. Music and song is a way of life and encouraged from a very early age" Cara says.

At the age of 16, Cara and her two best pals created a group called Oige and travelled to Israel and festivals all around Europe .  "This was a fantastic introduction to the world of music.  I loved touring and every aspect of the music business. I felt very blessed to be able to tour with my best friends" Cara recalls. And now Cara feels her good fortune continues as she is able to sing and tour with her husband Sam.

They met when Sam went to see Cara playing in the Irish Centre in London.  Sam was in a group with his two brothers, Seth and Sean called the Lakeman Brothers.  Sam and Cara were best friends to begin with but after a year or so, romance blossomed.  At the tender age of 19, they were both in the same group, signed to Warner Bros in a band called Equation.  They left that band, formed a duo and continue to sing and play together to this day.

Sam explained that even though they are chalk and cheese, they compliment each other perfectly.  "'The bits in me that are missing, Cara has and vice versa. Even though we're both so different, I love the outdoors and animals and Cara likes to be inside and her main interest is people, it really works for us".

Now as the proud parents of two young lads, Noah and Colm, music has taken on a whole new meaning.  They're even more passionate about their music now they have the boys to consider.  They have a real purpose to work and it's a whole new and different experience.  They have even more reason to organise gigs and go out there and play.  "Before the babies, singing and playing was more for our own personal enjoyment but it feels very different going out the door to play at a gig now", Cara says.  "I know it's all the old clichés you read about, but it does change your life and we're definately working for a different reason now" Sam says.

Cara and Sam are not the only ones who are blessed with good fortune. We here in Frome are lucky to have our celebrated neighbours performing at this year's festival on Saturday 14 July at the Merlin Theatre. This is a performance you will not want to miss.

Tickets are available at the Festival Box Office on 01373 455420 or the Merlin Theatre on 01373 465949.

For additional information about the event mentioned in this Press Release click on the Event Title below.