Frome Blooms
Something wonderful will happen
Frome Blooms
Something wonderful will happen
Refuse, Reuse, Recycle
Refuse Unconscious Consumption !
My very favourite cheap and cheerful way to benefit the environment is to buy less stuff.
The 'buyerarchy of need' recommends we always use what we have, and borrow or make what we need before buying new stuff. It's always not easy, but I try to avoid wasteful shopping. I am trying to spend less money on plastic-wrapped produce and pointless tat, and more time smelling the roses and planning and planting for the future.
Top tip! The online Oxfam shop has an extensive selection of items from across the country including brand new clothes, and it has a very helpful search filter. https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/
RECENT PROJECTS
I volunteer at Shared Earth Learning forest school, which aims to nurture a love of nature. I like to make bouquets of garden flowers. And recently I assisted in the production of 'Wood for the Trees' a series of short films about forests.
The buyerarchy of need: Use what you have, and borrow, swap, thrift or make before you buy.
More trees please!
Free Trees for communities
I've heard that the best best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, but the second best time is now. There's a great satisfaction in planting trees. They absorb carbon, enrich the landscape and provide a beautifully shady spot to sit in.
Many local councils and environmental groups will help people plant trees in their local area. Community groups and schools can apply for free trees to enhance their environment
To celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, the woodland trust are giving away trees and encouraging community planting projects. More info here: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/queens-green-canopy/
Frome Tree Group
The Frome Tree Group are developing plans to plant many more trees. Join the Frome Tree Group on Facebook for more information.
Screenshot from Facebook about Frome Tree Day
Archive: Even More Trees Please
Town Council Meeting July 2019
The town’s trees and the River Frome took centre-stage at last night’s (27 July) Town Matters Committee meeting– which saw a packed room and plenty of excitement about how the town council can promote and enjoy our natural landscape.
The main discussion point was Frome’s treescape. In advance of the meeting, Councillors and the public were led on a fascinating guided walk by Duncan Scene, a local tree enthusiast, that viewed Frome’s oldest trees; this included a little known and rare, mature Elm. The discussion at the meeting included the cultural & environmental importance of town trees and the need to plant many more.
Ancient tree will be celebrated in town museum
Two projects to mark and celebrate an Ancient Copper Beech have started to take shape following discussions at the first meeting of Frome Town Council’s Town Matters committee.
“We had a very interesting and very passionate discussion about Frome’s trees” said Chair of the committee, Councillor Peter Macfadyen. “There was particular interest and support for two projects to celebrate the recently felled Copper Beech – so we’ve started work on these projects” added Peter.
The first project will see a cross-section of the tree’s main trunk cut and preserved, then exhibited in the town’s museum.
The second project will see a large section of the main trunk moved to one of the town’s parks so people can climb, sit and play on it. “A number of people at the meeting noticed that the trunk has a certain sea monster character to it” said Chris Stringer, the Council’s Environment Manager. “We’re hoping to enhance this by carving some features – and because of this we’re looking at a new home somewhere along the river, perhaps Rodden Meadow.”
If you’d like to find out more about either of these projects, please contact the Town Council.
“One of the other points made at the meeting was how important it is that people are kept informed and updated – and to help with this we’ve set up a ‘Trees in Frome’ mailing list” added Chris.
To sign up for these emails simply contact us at admin@frometowncouncil.gov.uk with your name and your email address.
Shop local!
Frome Independent market
On the first Sunday of each month, the Frome Independent market hosts independent craftspeople, designers, makers, food producers and vintage traders from the South West.
Sustainable skin care
Purple Pollen offers hand crafted, environmentally friendly, gorgeous and effective skin care. Find their suitcase stall on Catherine Hill at the independent market. You can also buy the range online.
A story so far...
Frome Blooms began as a blog about a cottage garden in Frome. I moved here in 2017, and started making a daily bouquet of homegrown flowers - to celebrate the changing seasons. and get to know our new garden.
In one year I made over 100 garden bouquets - you can see them at the Frome Blooms gallery.
I started collecting vases and baskets from charity shops and car-boot sales, and learned how to weave willow baskets.
Over time, Frome Blooms developed into a website that celebrates green-goings on in Frome, a market town that does things differently. Frome has an interesting history, an independent outlook and independent markets, and many of its residents are working towards a more sustainable future. There are sustainable flower farms, eco-enterprises, learning co-ops, and microgreen micro-businesses, making interesting things happen in this Somerset town.
See my 'latest likes' for some of the best things I've found in Frome (so far).