Following an incredibly successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over £37k, the sale of Adderwell Water Meadow along the river Frome has been completed – 3.5 acres of vital green space now belongs to the people of Frome.
The land has been bought by Frome Town Council and put into a trust which ensures the meadow will be protected in perpetuity as a haven for the people and wildlife of Frome.
The sale follows years of campaigning from grassroots groups and local charity Friends of the River Frome, who collaborated with Frome Town Council to save this precious site from development. The purchase is a testament to the power of the community and the many hard-working volunteer groups in Frome.
Chairman of FoRF, Mike Bull, shared his thanks. “Friends of the River Frome would like to thank everyone who contributed to this project – without you we wouldn’t be able to save this valuable habitat and open space for the people of Frome. Water Meadows are becoming scarcer but they’re needed more than ever to help with the climate emergency. They provide a valuable biodiverse habitat, as well as helping to store water and slow flooding during periods of intense rainfall. We’re excited to work with Frome Town Council in the coming months to prepare a management plan for the site. We will also be planning an event in the late summer to celebrate and thank everyone for their help in protecting this important site.”
Frome Town Councillor Mark Dorrington also shared his delight in the achievement “Frome Town Council were proud to work with Friends of the River Frome to buy and preserve this important land for wildlife and people – and what a fantastic show of support from the community, from Save Open Spaces Frome and the Rotary to help raise the remaining funds! This land has vital benefits for biodiversity and in time will create recreational spaces for picnics, forest schools and the access to nature that we know is so important for mental and physical health.”
Now the sale is complete the meadow will be managed jointly by Friends of the River Frome and Frome Town Council who are developing plans to make sure the site is at its best.
To find out more about Friends of the River Frome seefriendsoftheriverfrome.co.uk
