Finally, it looks like we have a break in the hot weather we have experienced over the last few months. This should encourage us to explore more comfortably the great outdoors we have on our doorstep, bearing in mind the words of famous fell-walker Alfred Wainwright ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’.
One such site is Heal Rewilding at Witham Friary, just outside Frome. I met some of their volunteers at the recent Frome River Festival and was pleased to accept their invitation to visit. This charity bought a 460 acre redundant dairy farm in 2022 and is allowing it to re-wild, letting nature reclaim the land. On the day of my visit nearly all the land was as brown as everywhere else in the area, save for a green oasis where beavers have made their home and showing us that, when left alone, nature can often be the best manager of our land.
Heal is open to visitors 50 weeks of the year, free of charge. It also hosts groups of Frome organisations, including those that provide services to disadvantaged and otherwise excluded residents. Do visit if you can, they will make you very welcome. If you’d like to find out more about Heal and Frome’s Nature Recovery Plan come along to the Heal the Land film screening and Q&A at Frome Town Hall on Tuesday 20 October at 7pm (doors open from 6.30pm) – book your ticket here.
The major local celebration of our countryside is the Frome Agriculture and Cheese Show (The Cheese Show), held every year at West Woodlands. It is a showcase of all that is best in country crafts, food and livestock care and I hope to meet many of you there.
Throughout the summer, Frome Town Council’s engagement officers have been asking residents how they use, and would like to use, the green space at Brunel Way on Stonebridge. This follows the transfer of the green to Frome from Somerset Council. On Sunday 13 September we will be hosting a brunch between 11am and 1pm to discuss the findings of the survey and it would be great to hear your thoughts. I look forward to seeing you if you can make it.
I was delighted to see a wonderful new sculpture unveiled in Victoria Park recently. After we sadly lost a Sweet Chestnut tree over the winter, local woodworker Graham Derham transformed the remaining trunk into a beautiful new feature beside the café. There’s even a fun game carved into the design, so bring a ping pong ball along and give it a try.
September 20 is the date for this year’s World Clean Up Day. This now annual event is recognised by the United Nations and aims to raise recognition of the waste crisis the world is facing. If we can all make a contribution, like collecting litter and disposing of it appropriately, this will go a long way to making our town an even more attractive place to live and enjoy.
