Welcome

The Friends of the River Frome is a group of people who feel passionately about the state of the Somerset River Frome and its surroundings.

Our activities include

This website will tell you more about the Friends, who we are, what we do, the variety of activities for you and how you can join us.

In short, if you care for the River Frome, then Friends of the River Frome is for you!

Latest News

We have made the Frome List
Our AGM on Tuesday 31st January, 715 pm - 915 pm at Frome Canoe Club has made it into the Frome List. We are pleased to welcome Bob Sargent, a hydrologist who has recently moved to the area, as our speaker. His perspective on the river should be most interesting. (05/01/12)
Autumn's Big Litter Pick
On 15 October groups with members from HopeFrome, River Friends, four town councillors and the general public enjoyed glorious sunshine as they collected a small mountain of litter from all over Frome. More plants were put in Rodden Meadow. Two helpers with waders braved the Blue House Cut. St John's Church provided drinks and cake at the Canoe Club to complete a remarkably enjoyable morning. (04/11/11)
No big money but many useful friends
River Friends failed to persuade the funders that we should enhance the entire Frome basin but the attempt to do so has focussed our thinking. Frome Town Council, Vision for Frome, Mendip, Frome Canoe Club, and Sustrans have all expressed continuing support and together we are hoping to take forward some of the ideas. (04/11/11)
Our big project
Today River Friends submitted a bid for Government funding for a local partnership project that aims to lead to a series of enhancements to the natural environment, wildlife habitats and open spaces along and around the River Frome, through the Government's Nature Improvement Areas (NIA) scheme. Organisations that have expressed support for the bid include Frome Town Council, Vision for Frome, Frome Civic Society, Frome Canoe Club,FROGS and Sustrans. (30/09/11)
DorothyAnne did it
Dorothy-Anne got all the way up Catherine Hill on her bike and is collecting for HopeFrome and river Friends. (30/09/11)
Cobble Wobble for River Friends and Hope
Will the 66 year-old Dorothy-Anne fall off her bicycle on Catherine Hill next Sunday afternoon? She will be wearing a River Friend vest (and a HopeFrome one) If she completes the course in front of all those people she will ask you for a contribution to be shared between those organisations. For further information follow this link. (21/09/11)
Even more balsam bashing
Small groups have been wading in Rodden Meadow and attacking balsam in the fields beyond the Mount. The seeds are now setting and further work is of limited use so we start planning for next year's war. (20/08/11)
Town Councillors offer to pick litter
Town councillors of all political shades are joining us in the big Autumn clean-up on 15 October. (07/08/11)
Three otters seen at Welshmill
Three otters were seen at about 22.30 hrs last Wednesday 20th of July. They were playing or fishing in the shallows just downstream of the Welshmill weir and bridge. They didn't mind torchlight and fooled around for maybe 20 minutes before swimming off downstream. (24/07/11)
Walking the River
A series of short walks are available at the Tourist Information Centre. The first on 22 July starts from the library at 10.30 am For further information follow this link. (13/07/11)
Emergency Litter Pick
The editor of the Frome Times contacted us for help to remove a stack of his papers which had been dumped in the river. They had spread over a fairly wide area but with our equipment, experience and safety rules in place we were able to get them out. (13/07/11)
Much interest at the Green Fair
Our stall at the Green Fair interested passers-by and we have three new members as a result. We sold cards with a froggy theme too. (13/07/11)
Trout
There are trout in the river along Rodden Meadow which shows the water is healthy for wild life. (04/07/11)
Balsam Bashing
Waders and a canoe have already enabled us to tackle some places difficult to reach. More work parties are listed in the events. (04/07/11)
Old Gas Works Development
River Friends and many other groups objected to a proposed 1.8m fence between the river north of Welshmill and the site of the Old Gas Works development. Mendip planners have listened to us and told the developers that the 1.8m fence is not acceptable and that one of the planning conditions will require them to submit details of an alternative before they begin work on the site. In addition to coming up with a lower boundary that is more in keeping (possibly railings), they will need to have the boundary further away from the river in some places as the Environment Agency require a 5 metre access strip by the river.When the developers put in the details, they will be noted on the planning application website. However people wont be notified about them and the details will not be available online. Simon Woollen is also interested in what happens, so between us perhaps we can make sure that they do not slip through unnoticed. (14/05/11)
Welshmill Greenway.......Your turn
On Saturday 21 May between noon and 3pm all sorts of activities will happen on the riverside between the Cheese and Grain and Welshmill. You may even bring your bikes. What would you to see F.R.O.G.S. do there with lottery money? You have your opportunity to see or take part in various activities and to choose long term priorities. (13/05/11)
Thank you, Nick
Nick Ray has very kindly been sorting out our paper work. He says there is a lot of history going back to 1994 when the group was founded, and it is fascnating to see what has been achieved over the years. This is splendid as grant applications require meticulously prepared documentation. Bodies who give money need to see evidence both that the Group and its accounts are well run and that previous projects have been successful. (21/04/11)
River Friends, HopeFrome and others hit town
Today HopeFrome, who call on Christians from all Frome Churches, supported several groups in a clear-up of town. The Mount Community Association provided comfort and support to one group while another worked at the Millennium Green. Leaders from HopeFrome worked in Stonebridge and along the river from Wallbridge to Willow Vale. The daily work by the town council and the weekly work of the Canoe Club have made such a difference to the amount of rubbish in the centre of town that River Friends were able to extend their work towards the town bridge and behind the Canoe Club. One man in a canoe scoured the edge of the river. The Canoe Club provided a base for the volunteers and St John's Church served refreshments there when the work was done.Forty volunteers collected nearly as many bags of litter, a road sign, some wheel trim, part of a motor mower, a sheet of horticultural fleece and two and a half bicycles. (26/03/11)
Welshmill Greenway project one step nearer
Frome Recreation and Open Grounds Supporters have been successful in getting through to the second stage of their Lottery funding bid. They are planning to involve the community in making the area along the river between Welshmill and the town centre a well equipped, welcoming place to play, walk, cycle and socialise. (23/03/11)
A Town Centre Project
The Town Council is improving the look of the Chteau Gontier Garden. We will be partnering them for a long term project for the river verges in the centre of town. A working group is sorting out the paperwork in preparation for applying for a grant. (15/02/11)
Subscription of ten pounds a year covers our costs
We can no longer rely on handouts to pay for insurance, stationary and other running costs but the subscription of a tenner a year agreed at the AGM will keep us sustainable. (15/02/11)
River Friends named Community Group of 2010
Our care of the riverbanks has been appreciated by the Somerset Standard who have chosen us as Community Group of the Year. We would like to share the glory with the Canoe Club, Hope Frome and many individuals. For further information follow this link. (01/01/11)