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

River Banks now belong to Frome
The Town Council now have the deeds to the Chateau Gontier Garden, both banks as far as Welshmill, and even Weylands. We have seen the improvements active local management has brought to Rodden Meadow and have hopes that we may see and have a share in appropriate care of these areas. (31/08/10)
Last Balsam Bash of 2010
At 3pm on Monday 9 August River Friends are meeting at the gate to the Nature Reserve near the pedestrian bridge on the path to Wallbridge. We hope this will be the Last Balsam Bash of 2010 and we will then have tackled all the balsam between Wallbridge and Welshmill at least once. Please join us if you can. (07/08/10)
Information boards in Rodden Meadow
River Friends in partnership with Frome Town Council have designed and installed two copies of a board in Rodden Meadow. The attractive artwork and brief explanations should add to the pleasure of visitors. (31/07/10)
Model boats sail the river Frome
At the Moving Home exhibition during the festival lots of people decorated a stone to travel in a model boat. Many wrote a dream, hope or aspiration on pieces of paper which travelled in a larger model made by Anthony Rogers. At 6.30pm on this sunny Saturday the boats were launched near the library and herded along the river by Canoe Club members. Then people were able to take their own boat home. (17/07/10)
Otter seen at Welshmill
An otter was spotted under the road bridge at Welsh Mill. It was lunchtime on a sunny Saturday, and the otter darted out from under the bridge and disappeared into a storm drain. (11/07/10)
Our river programme to be broadcast
For the duration of the festival FromeFM has a licence to broadcast on 87.7 MHz. River Meandering will hit the airwaves for the first time at 10.30 on 9 July and again on 14 and 15 July at the same time. For further information follow this link. (01/07/10)
We celebrate the river during the festival
Visit the free Moving Home exhibition during the festival and you will have the opportunity to decorate a stone to travel in a model boat. You will also be able to put a dream, hope or aspiration in a boat. At 6.30pm on Saturday 17 July (weather permitting)the boats will be launched near the Library and travel through the town to the Canoe Club. For further information follow this link. (29/05/10)
Kingfisher
A kingfisher has been seen at Lower Innox (beyond Welshmill) (23/05/10)
Two boats out picking litter from the river verge
This morning fourteen persons made good use of two boats and litter picking tools long and short. The river banks were looking good under their carpet of early summer flowers and looked even better when we had collected a dozen bags of rubbish. (22/05/10)
Family River Walks in aid of PAC
On Sunday 20 June Positive Action on Cancer are laying on three lengths of sponsored walk along the river Frome, 2.5, 6.5 and a wonderfully picturesque 8.5 miles. For further information follow this link. (19/05/10)
New Strapline
Many of us brainstormed and came up eventually with Friends of the River Frome - go for the flow. Now, you creative lot, we need some really good photographs before re-designing the web-site banner. (07/05/10)
New waders tackle the cut beside the Blue House
Seven volunteers were at work this morning. The amount of litter seemed less horrific in the centre of town although there was a lot on the footpath north of Welshmill. Lions have given us two pairs of waders and we were able to clear the cut beside the Blue House again. (10/04/10)
Explanation Boards for Rodden Meadow
The design of these boards is well on the way and we plan they should be in place by the summer. We are looking for a strapline for Friends of the River Frome. Suggestions using the Contact page gratefully received. (20/03/10)
Scouts, HopeFrome and us
Dry weather and community spirit brought out fifty or so gallant litter pickers. Vast numbers of black bags were filled. St John's church supplied drinks and cakes afterwards. For further information follow this link. (15/03/10)
Two mile river walk
On Thursday 25 February A lady in a wheel chair successfully completed the Mendip Health Walk which included the river paths between Wallbridge and Welshmill. (09/02/10)
The new committee
At the AGM Dorothy-Anne Bryant took over as chair, Sally Greenhalgh took over as secretary and Pete Austin continued as treasurer. Other new committee members are on the officers page of the web-site. (09/02/10)
Extra litter pick
Ducks will be nesting by the time of our major Spring litter pick on 6 March so some of us met on Saturday, 6 February and cleared six sacks of rubbish from below the pedestrian bridge near Wallbridge. (04/02/10)
Wildlife at AGM
Pictures anyway Tony House showed us striking pictures of kestrels, otters and various insects seen near the river or on the Somerset Levels. (04/02/10)
AGM change of venue
The AGM at 7.15pm on Wednesday 3 February will now be held at Wesley Methodist Church. We will be in the Class Room and look forward to Tony House informing us about wildlife and the river. For further information follow this link. (20/01/10)