Frome Town Council and Frome Beaver Watch are proud to bring a screening of the powerful documentary Balancing the Scales by award-winning filmmaker Nina Constable to Frome. A preview of the film, set to be released online in October, will be shown at Frome’s Merlin Theatre on Friday 19th September at 7pm. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Cllr Sara Butler Bartholomew, Dr. Rob Needham, Restoration Manager at Beaver Trust and a key expert featured in the film, alongside local voices including Sophie Ricardo from Frome Beaver Watch and Martin Blain from the Frome & District Angling Association.
Balancing the Scales is a visually stunning and timely exploration of the complex relationship between beavers, fish migration, and wider ecosystem health. Through candid interviews with leading experts, the documentary sheds light on the opportunities — and challenges — that come with beaver reintroduction.
Sophie Ricardo from Frome Beaver Watch said: ‘In Frome, we’ve already seen that where beavers thrive, life flourishes. It’s never been more important to bring nuance to the conversation about these incredible ecosystem engineers. Balancing the Scales offers a stunning, artful reminder of how we can coexist and create healthier landscapes together — after all, Frome gives a dam!’
Dr. Rob Needham of Beaver Trust added, ‘This documentary demonstrates that beaver-driven habitat restoration and conservation of migratory fish populations need not be at odds. By exploring the latest research in Britain and learning from on-the-ground experiences in countries like Norway and North America, ‘Balancing The Scales’ helps us understand how we can move beyond conflicts and work towards healthier, more resilient ecosystems together.’
The event is designed to encourage open, informed conversation about coexistence and conservation. With beavers increasingly present in local waterways, the screening aims to bring clarity and connection to a subject of growing public interest.
Cllr Sara Butler, Frome Town Council, said ‘We know that Frome is a town that deeply values its wild spaces and the conversations that help us understand and protect them. Balancing the Scales is a stunning and timely documentary exploring the role of beavers in restoring ecosystems. It invites us to reflect on how we coexist with nature — particularly with beavers, whose return is sparking both excitement and questions locally. It’s a chance to hear from leading voices, share perspectives, and explore how we can create landscapes that are thriving for both people and wildlife.’
Tickets for the screening are just £5 per person and can be booked via The Merlin Theatre at www.bit.ly/balancingthescalesscreening
