The Tories are tearing themselves apart over housing – but this is another crisis of their own making, John Harris, The Guardian (Nov 27, 2022) - If we want a cosmolocal revolution, writes Benjamin Still, we must learn from how soil binds the world together, The Alternative UK (Jan 23, 2022)
Networks and sustainability initiatives[edit | edit source]
- Frome Neighbourhood Network, frometowncouncil.gov.uk, added 15:04, 14 December 2020 (UTC)
- Sustainable Frome
Community involvement[edit | edit source]
The civil parish of Frome has adopted the style of a town, and there is a Town Council of 17 members. In May 2019 all 17 council members elected were members of the Independents for Frome party (ifF). W The Town Council has been involved in a number of sustainability orientated initiatives, see subsequent sections.
- Have your say 2019 Frome Town Council
- Independents for Frome
- Breaking the Mould, One Day Conference held at Frome Town Hall, April 2018
- Participatory Budgeting Frome
see also:
- Community involvement UK, Flatpack democracy
- Flatpack Democracy Civic Politics Revolution in Frome, wiki.p2pfoundation.net
Climate action[edit | edit source]
- Imagining a better future for Frome, Oct 17, 2019 Frome Town Council
Environment quality[edit | edit source]
On 13 December 2017 the Town Council unanimously agreed to become a 'single-use plastic'-free council. W
Open spaces[edit | edit source]
There are a number of public green spaces within the town, both formal and informal; some are substantial such as the Victoria Park or the Rodden Meadow; others may be smaller but are valued within their neighbourhoods, such as Weylands or the Dippy. Many of the public spaces have organised litter picks, arranged by local community groups. W
Community energy[edit | edit source]
Cycling activism[edit | edit source]
Two cycling clubs operate in the town: the Frome CTC, nicknamed the Coffee and Tea-Cake Club, and the Frome & District Wheelers. E-bikes are available for hire, courtesy of a Town Council initiative. W
Ethical consumerism[edit | edit source]
Food activism[edit | edit source]
Food Frome, food heritage society - Frome Allotments - Incredible Edible Frome
The Town Council installed the first community fridge in the country in May 2016; 90,000 items a year have been saved from landfill. This was joined by a community larder in October 2017.
Frome has an online market, the Food Hub launched in November 2018, where sustainable supplies from local farmers and food producers can be sourced, either for collection or by delivery (central Frome only). W
Health and wellbeing[edit | edit source]
A project, Compassionate Frome, to combat loneliness in the town was established by a local GP in 2013. It is claimed that it reduced emergency hospital admissions by 17% over three years when in the rest of the county they rose by 29%. W
Localism[edit | edit source]
Independence Day - Frome, a 2012 event
Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle[edit | edit source]
- Loop:Frome, new community start-up rethinking resource. "By closing Frome's food waste loop and transforming this resource into a living, nutrient-dense compost, we are contributing towards the town's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. As well as creating sustainable and regenerative infrastructures." added 16:24, 27 January 2022 (UTC)
Sharing[edit | edit source]
SHARE: a Library of Things, Frome
In early 2015, the UK's first high street Library of Things was set up in the town. In one year (May 2018 to April 2019), use of the shop helped avoid 92 tonnes CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions, saved 117,000 kg of material usage and avoided 10 tonnes of manufacturing waste. In the same period its members collectively saved £66,800 by borrowing instead of buying items. W
Sustainable transport activism[edit | edit source]
The Town Council employs a resilience officer, one of only two at town council or parish level in the country; a principal task is to support the strategic priorities for transport. Initiatives include a public-access car club, operated by the social enterprise Co-wheels. Electric charging points are available at the Cheese and Grain, the Town Hall, the Football Club and Frome Medical Practice. W
Frome is an accredited Walkers are Welcome town since 2018. An extensive list of walks and guides is available. Guided walks on a range of topics are now online. W
Towards sustainable economies[edit | edit source]
- Loop:Frome, added 09:45, 2 May 2023 (UTC)
- Edventure Frome, school for community enterprise, added 17:05, 16 March 2021 (UTC)
About Frome[edit | edit source]
Frome ( , FROOM) is a town and civil parish in eastern Somerset, England. The town is built on uneven high ground at the eastern end of the Mendip Hills, and centres on the River Frome. The town lies about 13 miles (21 km) south of the City of Bath, with the market towns of both Westbury and Warminster sitting 6.5 miles to the East. It forms part of the parliamentary constituency of Somerton and Frome. The population was 28,559 in 2021.
Frome was one of the largest towns in Somerset until the Industrial Revolution, and was larger than Bath from AD 950 until 1650. The town first grew due to the wool and cloth industry; it later diversified into metal-working and printing, although these have declined. The town was enlarged during the 20th century but retains a large number of listed buildings, and most of the centre falls within a conservation area.
The town has road and rail transport links and acts as an economic centre for the surrounding area. It provides a centre for cultural and sporting activities, including the annual Frome Festival and Frome Museum.
In 2014, Frome was named by The Times the "sixth coolest town" in Britain. It was shortlisted as one of three towns in the country for the 2016 Urbanism Awards in the 'Great Town Award' category. In its 2018 and 2021 report on the "Best places to live in the UK", The Sunday Times listed Frome as the best in the South West. In April 2019, Time Out listed Frome among 15 of the best weekend breaks from London.
Near you[edit | edit source]
External links
- Frome W
- Frome Town Council
