FROME BOULDER ROOMS HIT THEWALL
Rose Langley
We always say that our eldest, and most earnest, child should have been born in the 1930s. He has an old fashioned style about him, requesting aniseed balls and a whoopee cushion for Christmas and whiling away hours hunting grasshoppers and playing backgammon with his grandpa. He has taken a liking to old stories too - we are currently reading Jennings - and one of his favourites is Swallows and Amazons. Imagine his delight then, as we alighted on the utterly stupendous Brownsea Island, birthplace of modern day scouting, and all-round heavenly, low tech getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Just over an hour from Frome and we were in Poole Quay where we caught the big yellow ferry out to the island. Signs told us that we might see red squirrels or Sika deer, and which direction we should go to get to the beach. Despite this last sign, and the map in my hand, it took us a while to find our way down a sandy path and on to one of the prettiest and most unpopulated beaches I have ever been on. After a few very British moments of awkward beach changing (though there were only about three other people within sight) we all walked into the crystal clear and amazingly warm sea. After a good splash about we embarked on the usual sandy picnic and then became fully engrossed in one of my
time favourite pastimes: beach combing. The 1930s child shares my hobby and we spent a good hour, eyes down, chatting about everything and nothing whilst we cooed over pink rocks, crab body parts and yet another complete clam shell. Blissed out, at peace and kissed by the sun, we packed up and headed lazily back to the ferry. On the way we found interesting bugs, worked out how we could survive if we were stranded on the island (suggestions included spear fishing with a stick, making fire from rubbing sticks together, building a shelter out of sticks, and of course, making a bow and arrow out of sticks, to protect ourselves. Good old sticks.). Thankfully we arrived at the ferry point just in time to not need to go down the sticks route.
As the ferry moved off, rocking gently, we gazed back dreamily at what we now feel is our spiritual home. For an accidentally low tech family (think more happily behind than consciously withholding) we may have just found our ultimate weekend destination. In a time when many of us would like to return to a simpler, slower pace of life, an island that requires no Google maps, no cars, no street view or shop opening times, is heaven. A place that time may have forgotten a little, and where my 1930s boy fits right in.
Black Swan Arts Open 24 Exhibition
27th July – 15th September
The annual Black Swan Open art competition has showcased outstanding work from local, regional and national artists for over three decades. This year curators have invited a stellar panel of judges, who have chosen works from over 160 artists to make the 2024 a truly original, vital and exciting Open exhibition. The judges this year are: Sarah Bourghardt, Senior Director, Hauser & Wirth Somerset; Dr Chris Stephens, Director, The Holburne Museum; Professor Alice Kettle, Textile Artist, Manchester School of Art, MMU; Harry Judge, Artist, Spike Island.
RYE Bakery
Pizzeria and Wine Bar - Music and merrymaking this summer
Join the team at the RYE Wine Bar who are bringing you a summer of fun, with live music every Thursday and a DJ night every Saturday in August. You can catch singer songwriters Sinnober’s unique multi-instrumentalist sound, dance to Country band Alan Power and the Take Twos, move to Ned Can’t Cry for a roots and country feel or watch the mesmerising Eddie Allen and the CCTV Allstars jam. DJ nights every Saturday night include DJ Rod Dixon, Simon D, Madlox and Atsushi Hasegawa. Wood-fired pizzas from the pizza oven are available Wednesday through to Saturday 12 - 9pm at the RYE Pizzeria, and you can find carefully sourced natural wine, beer and cider to sip at the bar or take a bottle home with you. RYE Bakery, Pizzeria and Wine Bar, Station Approach. rye-bakery.com @rye_bakery
Rode Comedy Festival - Family Shows
The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show
31st August, 12pm, £11
Jarred and Hobbit are back with an all-new actionpacked beatboxing and comedy hoopla with their incredible Mighty Beatbox Comedy Show. Perfect for kids and kidults alike, this show is a guaranteed hit full of joyous, interactive fun for the entire family. Join the best beatbox comedy combo around for stupid songs that get stuck in your head and games full of hilarity and silliness.
Les Enfants Terribles: A Gameshow For Awful Children
1st September, 12pm, £11
Acclaimed French comedian Marcel Lucont presents a wild family gameshow, in which kids get to be pests, politicians and pétomanes and compete to be crowned the most awful child. See what happens
when international insouciance meets infantile exuberance. A huge hit at Edinburgh Fringe and many other festivals, the multiaward-winning comic channels his acerbic humour and quickfire wit into a series of tasks for the younger generation, which is every bit as entertaining for adults as it is for children.
On both days the festival site will be open from 11am - 3pm and coffee, cakes and wood-fired pizza will be available before and after the shows.
Rode Comedy Festival takes place at Pitch Perfect campsite in Wolverton and shows are protected from the elements by a large stretch canvas tent. For more information go to: rodecomedyfestival.com
DAVID TRIGG
2 Bridge Street,Frome, BA11 1BB
Open 7 days a week 10am - 4pm blackswanarts.org.uk
JUDGES
Sarah Bourghardt
Senior Director | Hauser & Wirth, Somerset
Dr Chris Stephens
Director | The Holburne Museum, Bath
Professor Alice Kettle
Textile Artist | Manchester School of Art, MMU
David Trigg
Art Critic | Bristol
Harry Judge
Artist | Spike Island, Bristol
EXHIBITION DATES
27 July - 15 September
BlackSwanArts
Saturday 31st August 2024 12 noon to 4 pm, Corsley, BA12 7QH
Horticulture and Crafts
competitions
Children’s races
Archery
Children’s inflatables
Fun dog show
Donkey rides
Children’s Treasure Hunt
Fun dog scurry
Mini steam train
Phoenix Twirlers
www.corsleyfayre.org.uk
Corsley Fayre
Saturday 31st August, 12 to 4pm, Corsley
Corsley Fayre returns this month with another great line-up for the perfect day out of town. This year, visitors can partake in a multitude of activities including kids’ races, inflatables, archery, donkey rides, a mini steam train, treasure hunt and have-ago tennis. It’s the perfect day for dog-lovers, with a gundog demonstration and, for the most energetic dogs, there’s a fun scurry. Proud of your pooch? Why not sign them up for the fun dog show (all the classes can be found on the website).
The Adventures Of Doctor Dolittle
Merlin Theatre, 6th August, 6pm, £18/£10
Doctor Dolittle leads a simple life as the village doctor, but one day, with the help of his wise old parrot Polynesia, he makes an extraordinary discovery: that he can talk to animals. As news of his talent as an animal doctor spreads, animals across the world send messages asking for his help. So he borrows a leaky old ship and, joined by a loyal animal crew, embarks on a quest to cure illness, spread kindness, and better understand animals everywhere. This funny, exciting family musical is performed with flair and wit by Illyria in the great outdoors.
If all this sounds far too energetic, you could prop up the ‘pub’ bar or the gin bar, or just park yourself on a bale and watch the Fayre unfold.
Have a gander at the Horticulture and Crafts exhibitors, with a class for everyone and for all abilities. You could take part yourself - it’s free to enter and open to everyone. You could get greenfingered and join in with exhibitions in Vegetables and Fruit and Flowers and Plants. Show off your culinary skill in the Homecraft (cooking and baking) category, and express your arty side with the Photography category.
Hungry Fayre-goers will be spoiled for choice with food traders galore, including Luke’s pro BBQ, posh crêpes, sourdough pizzas, tea and cake, doughnuts and lots more.
Entry is £7 per car. Find everything you need at www.corsleyfayre.org.uk
Burrito Bambino Take Over
River House, 2nd August, 6pm
Burrito Bambino are back at the River House, serving up the finest burritos in the west while the River House bar serves up some seriously swanky summer tipples. Hitting the sweet spot with a combination of live tunes, refreshing cocktails, and al fresco dining in the courtyard - what could be more summery! Food will be served from 6pm until sell-out.
Night River Presents: Sweet Baboo
HydeAway, 1 August, 7pm, £15
Sweet Baboo, aka Stephen Black, is a wildly talented songwriter and performer, celebrating 15 years as a recording artist. He has released six albums of endlessly charming literate folk pop via Moshi Moshi, toured the world, taken in some of the best festivals around and has also performed in the touring bands of Gruff Rhys, Cate Le Bon and Euros Childs. Don’t miss your chance to see this fantastic act perform in Frome, in the most perfectly intimate of venues.
Alice Kettle Portrait Workshop
Black Swan Arts, 4th August, 10a.m. - 12pm
You are invited to contribute to a major artwork project. Alice Kettle will have a pop-up drawing table at Frome Museum on 4th August, and portrait drawings by you will be embroidered by Alice to make a huge multitude of people for the exhibition Hear My Voice, Portraits in Cloth (running May - Aug 2025) at the RWA gallery in Bristol. Go to blackswanarts.org.uk for more information on how to take part.
Summer Holiday Days Out
Love or loathe the summer holidays, finding ways of whiling away the weeks can be a challenge for most families. Here are our favourite days out (kids not necessarily required), both a stone’s throw from Frome, and a little further afield for those wanting to get right out of Dodge.
American Museum and Gardens
Adults £16.50, Kids £9.50, U5s free
Perfectly positioned in what must be one of the area’s most stunning spots, on the side of the Limpley Stoke Valley, the American Museum and Gardens can comfortably take a whole day to explore and has something for everyone. Alongside permanent and visiting exhibitions, the museum hosts an array of kid-friendly events including Lego Build and Play weekends, a Summer Adventure Trail and a Kids’ Rave (hosted by the brilliant Super Pirates) on August 18th. The kids can roam the beautiful 2.5 acre landscaped gardens, or enjoy the Children’s Garden and play area, and to follow, the American Garden Deli is open all day, serving up lunch and refreshments to hungry explorers. americanmuseum.org
Farleigh Hungerford is home to the UK’s last remaining swimming club. The river offers the chance for a beautifully refreshing dip and onsite facilities including toilets and changing rooms. You must be an annual member to swim at Farleigh Hungerford (£12 pp, purchased online at farleighswimming.co.uk or at Stowford Manor Farm). After a dip, head to the farm for a well-earned cream tea or pizza (evening only). You can also camp at Stowford Manor Farm, where you can hire fire pits, order breakfast and bbq boxes and jump in the River Frome which runs alongside. Bliss. stowfordmanorfarm.co.uk
Fairfield Animal Centre
£7pp
Formerly Hope Valley Nature Centre, Fairfield is just fifteen minutes away on the edge of Southwick Country Park (also well worth a visit) and is open seven days a week, including bank holidays. Visitors can purchase small bags of feed for (some of) the animals, which include goats, sheep, alpacas, pigs, emus and wallabies, to name just a few. The large play area includes an adventure castle, as well as swings, slides and a swing designed specifically for wheelchair users. The onsite café is light and airy and serves a great selection of family friendly food and drink. fairfieldanimalcentre.co.uk
Farleigh Hungerford and Stowford Manor Farm
Hauser & Wirth
Just twenty minutes away, on the edge of Bruton, you’ll find surely one of the most beautiful contemporary art galleries in the country. Hauser & Wirth Somerset, housed in the beautifully restored Durslade Farm, hosts internationally acclaimed artists, and their exhibitions are free to visit. The stunning landscaped gardens are the perfect place for little explorers (though beware of the many ponds), and hungry mouths can refuel at Roth Bar or the Farm Shop. hauserwirth.com
Climb Burrow Mump
Once at the top of this beautiful hill, you will be able to take in views across the Somerset Levels, to Glastonbury Tor in one direction and the Severn Estuary in the other. Park in the National Trust Car Park (TA7 0RB) and head through the gate up the well-trodden path to the summit. Once at the top you will find the ruins of the medieval St Michael’s Church. There are some beautiful circular walks from the car park and some lovely nearby pubs, so look these up if you want to spend the day roaming the beautiful area.
Somerset Wildlife Nature Reserves
Somerset Wildlife look after an incredible number of nature reserves, all free to visit and all home to an incredible array of flora and fauna. From wetlands to woodlands, moors to meadows, these beautiful places offer an incredible chance to inspire the next generation of naturalists and immerse our little people in the natural world. Many reserves offer brilliant access for buggies and bikes and some, like Avalon Marshes, have visitor centres, toilets and cafés. somersetwildlife.org
Walk to Mells along the River
An easy walk along the river path takes you from the edge of Frome to the delights of one of our prettiest local villages. Walk along the path that takes you through the fields at the end of Vallis Road (off the roundabout). Once in the car park at the bottom of the hill you can take the path along the River Frome to Mells, a walk that is easy enough for little people and not too strenuous for baby/toddler carrying. There are lots of opportunities to stop for a paddle along the way, and once you arrive in Mells you can head to the Walled Gardens for pizza, ice cream and a cuppa, the Talbot Inn for something altogether more refreshing and some wonderful grub, or the friendly village café that can be found in the brilliant village shop. Too tired to walk back? Get the number 184 bus from outside the village shop, though be warned, it only runs every two hours, so check the timetable online first.
A Little Further Afield
Brownsea Island
Step back in time with a day trip to the beautiful Brownsea Island. Head to Poole Quay to catch the hourly ferry to this magical little island, where you can immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings, try spotting a red squirrel and swim in the lovely clear waters from the pretty little beach. A large wooden play area and café overlooking the sea complete the relaxing set-up. You can also camp on the island, or rent an already set-up bell tent or cottage. Admission to the island is free to National Trust members, but can otherwise be relatively costly when you factor in the ferry costs too. But save money with a packed lunch and it will be money, and a day, very well spent. nationaltrust.org.uk
Moors Valley
Just over an hour from Frome will get you to this seemingly endless wooded country park. With multiple play areas, a little train, café and gift shop, you and your small people will be kept busy all day. Especially good for very sunny days as the tree cover offers lots of much-needed shade. Entry is free, though parking charges apply. moors-valley.co.uk
Adults £5, Kids £3
Clevedon is one of those wonderfully underrated places that often gets missed off the holiday list. But walking along the beautiful 150-year-old Pier, high above the swirling sea, is a thrilling experience for little people, and the café at the end is perfectly positioned for gazing out over the waves, whatever the weather. Nearby, the Marine Lake is perfect for a swim and just next door you’ll find mini golf and a mini railway. Clevedon is full of interesting shops and lovely eateries, and even a cinema, should you decide to stretch the day out. clevedonpier.co.uk
Weymouth on the train
Kiss-me-quick seaside destinations are a mainstay of British culture and, happily for us, one of the best is just an hour and a half away by direct train. Think arcades, fish and chips, pedalos and crystal clear water. Adult returns start at £17 and £34 for one adult, two children. U5s travel free. weareweymouth.co.uk
Clevedon Pier
Reaching New Heights
Frome Boulder Rooms
Frome Boulder Rooms proved an immediate hit when it opened its doors in September 2021. Owners Niall and Charly decided that staying in one place might be doable, in a place like Frome. ”We decided to turn our very nomadic, climbingfocussed ‘dirtbag’ lifestyle into something that stayed put, with the aim of introducing people to the climbing world, in an accessible way,” said Charly. “Shortly after we opened we were joined by Niall’s schoolmate Ben, who was instrumental in getting FBR off the ground.”
Now open for almost three years, the project has exceeded the team’s expectations. “We never in a million years expected to be so well received and so busy from the day we opened. I’ll never forget the feeling of seeing the queue the first time we opened the doors – a mixture of absolute panic and a pinch of excitement!! It’s also been a steep learning curve. Niall and I don’t come from business backgrounds, so we’ve learned on the job in many areas, and Ben has been a godsend in running the back of house. Our team are also incredible - they are a massive part of the smooth running of FBR, and make it extra special to turn up there every day.”
“Our youngest member is less than a year old, and our oldest climber is over 80, which shows that anyone can do it!”
The vision for the centre was of an inclusive community space where accessing a new activity is as easy as possible. Bouldering is great for this, as you can just turn up and have a go, with no need to hire any kit, although climbing shoes (which you can hire) do make a big difference.
“We literally cater to all and are so proud of our vibrant clientele! Our youngest member is less than a year old, and our oldest climber is over 80, which shows that anyone can do it! We run groups for schools, charities, kids, adults and even have regular visits from GB Swimming and GB Skeleton and Bobsleigh teams!”
The team understand that starting something new can be really daunting so everyone, no matter their climbing experience, can expect to be greeted with a smile and a warm welcome. “Our easiest climbs are like funky ladders and our hardest ones are like trying to solve an extra hard Sudoku puzzle with your body!” Each climb is tagged with a 1-8 grading system, so you can identify the climb’s difficulty before setting off, with 1 being the easiest and 8 the hardest.
A dedicated kids area offers under-sixteens a place to climb safely, away from the grown-ups. Here the walls are smaller, and the climbs are designed especially for the young ones. “We’ve got some little fluorescent stars dotted around the kids climbing wall which are fun to ‘collect’ by climbing up to them and giving them a ‘bop’. Hands and feet have to be off the floor to collect a star, and this is a much-loved game in our ‘Minis Bouldering Clubs’. There’s also a little area with toys and books, which is perfect for the little ones when they’re resting their arms! We also recently launched our Boulder Babies sessions on Tuesday and Friday mornings, which have been a massive hit. These sessions are for 0–4-year-olds, and they love having the kids space to themselves. We have one of our instructors there to help guide the session, but mostly the young ones just love the toys, stepping stones and giant foam building bricks we bring out, so the parents get to hang out, drink some good coffee and watch their little ones getting to see what their bodies can achieve!
“Climbing has been found to have incredible benefits for physical and mental health for all ages, and you can do it at any fitness level. It’s amazing how quickly people improve and get stronger. I remember when I started climbing, about 3 months in I suddenly got muscles and was so surprised and happy because it never felt like I’d ‘worked out’ for them!” Charly told us.
Frome Boulder Rooms celebrate their third year this September, and plans are afoot for a big birthday bash. “We have celebrated every year with a weekend
of ‘Boulder and Wiser’ shenanigans. This year, our birthday weekend is the 14th and 15th of September. This year we’ll have a big climbing competition, kids in the morning, followed by over 16s in the afternoon and an ‘Olympic style’ final again this year, where the top six male and female climbers of the day have to climb for their lives and the top spot on the podium. Expect big tunes, and an even bigger atmosphere!!”
Sunday will be a more relaxed schedule of events, with circus entertainers and workshops, face painting and more.
“The best thing about opening Frome Boulder Rooms has been seeing the community that has grown here. The people that use the space, from the team, and our regulars, to the knitters and spectators, they are what gives the centre the good vibes we hoped for, and have become known for.”
During the summer holidays FBR are offering instructors-led kids groups for ages 6+ as well as instructed family bouldering sessions, so you can learn how to climb effectively and safely as a family unit. On top of that they will be open 7 days a week from 10am, so if the weather is miserable families can head on down and while away a few hours. Hungry climbers will find a wonderful onsite café, serving coffee, cakes and delicious sausage rolls from local bakers Little Jack Horners. The expanded menu will launch in September, and will include Dutch inspired toasties and seasonal soups.
Good to Know
New visitors to FBR will need to do a one-time bit of form-filling on their first visit, after which, you’re free to climb. There are disabled parking bays at the front of the building, and a portable access ramp for the two steps near reception. The team are always happy to help with any accessibility queries, whether it’s physical access, or if needed, the music turned down/off during your visit. Head to the ‘family’ page of the website to learn more about bringing U16’s to the centre www.fromeboulderrooms.co.uk | Frome_boulderrooms | 01373 474914
MON 5
TUE 6 The Adventures Of Doctor Dolittle Merlin Theatre, 6pm, £18/£10
MON
WED 7
Play Day Roddwn Meadow, 12pm, free
BABOO | THU 1
THU 1
Trio Paradise Cafe Concert: Scenes Of Childhood Christ Church, 1pm, free
Big Green Summer Meetup Victoria Park, 4pm, free
Night River Presents: Sweet Baboo HydeAway, 7pm, £15
Sinnober RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
THU 8
Little Women American Museum & Gardens, 6.30pm, £19
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory presented by Spellbound, Frome Memorial Theatre, 7pm, £12/£10
Alan Power and The Take Twos RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
WED 14
YMCA Frome Fun Day Victoria Park, 11am - 2pm, free
THU 15
Ned Can’t Cry RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
WED 28
Night River Presents: Richard Dawson & Conrad Clipper at Norton St Philip Church, 7pm, £15
New Academic Feetwarmers Three Swans, 8pm, free Rode Comedy Festival
THU 22
Cheese & Wine Tasting evening The Stores, 7pm £28
Tri.Art presents Legally Blonde The Musical Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £13/£10
Night River Presents: Rachel Sermanni at HydeAway, 7pm, £20
Eddie Allen and the CCTV Allstars RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
THU 29
Retro Social The Awesome Studio, 7.30pm, £7 Rode Comedy Festival
FRI 2
Burrito Bambino Take Over River House, 6pm
SAT 3
DJ Rod Dixon RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
FRI 9
Garden Grooves: The Barrelhouse Vipers American Museum & Gardens, 6.30pm, £14/£18
The Merry Wives Of Windsor Beckington Memorial Hall, 6.30pm, £15
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory presented by Spellbound, Frome Memorial Theatre, 7pm, £12/£10
SAT 10
Frome Farmers’ Market Boyle Cross, 9am - 1pm
Tri.Art presents Disney’s
The Little Mermaid JR Merlin Theatre, 2pm & 6pm, £10/£8
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory presented by Spellbound, Frome Memorial Theatre 2pm & 7pm, £12/£10
Simon D RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
FRI 16
Frome Walking Festival SAT 17
Frome Walking Festival
Madlox RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
FRI 23
Tri.Art presents Legally Blonde The Musical Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £13/£10
SAT 24
Frome Selwood Horticultural Society Flower Show Selwood Academy, 1pm, 50p
Tri.Art presents Legally Blonde The Musical Merlin Theatre, 7pm, £13/£10
Atsushi Hasegawa RYE Wine Bar, 7.30pm
SUN 4
Alice Kettle Pop-up
Drawing Table
Frome Museum, 10-12pm
Frome Independent Market Frome Town Centre, 10am - 3pm
Sun 18
Frome Walking Festival
Kids’ Rave American Museum & Gardens 5.30pm, £7/£5 (U5’s free)
FRI 30
Rode Comedy Festival SAT 31
Corsley Fayre Corsley Showfield, 12 - 4pm, £7 per car
Rode Comedy Festival
18 Cheap Street . Frome . BA11 1BN . 01373 472505
Christina Oswin Jewellery @christinaoswin christinaoswin.co.uk
REPAIRS . REMODELLING . COMMISSIONS . JEWELLERY CLASSES
Recycled metals . Fairtrade gemstones . Ocean Diamonds
Black Swan Shop
£43.50
Rewild Your Garden
Hunting Raven
£15
Lunedì
RYE WIne Bar
£22 (£32 drink in)
Marchbank
Jewellery
£62
Jewellery
£155
The Stores
£15.30
Shell Fragment earrings in silver
Josie Mitchell
Morning Ritual Lino Print by Prints by the Bay
Paestum Rosato 2022, Vigneti Tardis, (bone dry Rose)
Sea Barnacle Pendant by Silver Origins
Vicoletto catarratto orange wine
Weary of Working from Home?
For over ten years, Edventure has been a catalyst for community enterprise and a hub for shared community workspaces. Joining the Edventure Hub offers a sociable alternative to working alone at the kitchen table, giving you the opportunity to connect to a variety of community projects, and supporting Edventure to continue making a positive local impact through your membership fee. The co-working space is light, open and full of greenery. Unlimited tea and coffee, fast broadband and a range of membership offers (flexible hot-desking model, a decided dedicated desk, or even an office for you and your team) make it a dreamy option for those longing to get out of the house and become part of a community.
Everything you need is all in one place - meeting rooms (great for video calls or team brainstorming), printing facilities, a kitchen, a lunch area and more. Members get access to exclusive socials: meet new people (across many industries), collaborate, and expand your network. Members describe the space as creative, collaborative, friendly, vibrant and calm.
You can try the space out with a free day pass. To arrange this just pop in any weekday, or email hello@edventurefrome.org to organise.
Find the Edventure Hub at the Welsh Mill, Park Hill Drive, Frome BA11 2LE. You can go to edventurefrome. org/the-edventure-hub to find out more
Joining the Edventure Hub offers a sociable alternative to working alone at the kitchen table
The Gardens of Change
Letting Nature Flourish
It is estimated that over 80 percent of people in Britain have access to a garden, and these gardens, combined, account for approximately 433,000 hectares. And because more often than not, they are situated in towns and cities, it makes their existence all the more important to wildlife. This being the case, perhaps we should start thinking about our gardens as a collective land mass, mentally loosening our boundaries.
A good beginning is to leave discrete holes in fences for prickly nocturnal visitors to dine on our slugs. Or consider installing a pond if there isn’t another on the street, as nothing brings life to a garden faster than water. And nothing is more peaceful to sit by.
In the ten years I’ve been a gardener, I’m pleased to say the thinking has changed dramatically. Large estates leave areas fallow and let nature work its sustainable magic. After all, nature does not rely on our existence, but we rely on nature. But in domestic garden design, the thinking and aesthetic has been far slower to take on this essential new way of land management. We still mow excessively, pave using new and highly polluting materials, and strip our plants of insects. This accepted sterile neatness has cost our wildlife dear. All too unquestioned are local garden centres stocking shelves full of sprays and pesticides. They wash into the soil and kill not only aphids but numerous pollinators. As a result they leave behind a potentially poisonous food source to the next species up in the food chain. This has to stop, especially if we want our fruit and vegetables to be pollinated.
There is still a snobbery attached to re-using and repurposing materials. But wouldn’t it be a lovely way to spend an afternoon, visiting a reclamation centre for old stones, planters or benches? Reclaiming items means less landfill and less carbon output. And in my experience, gives uniqueness and individuality to any garden. You could also try going on Gumtree, Facebook or ask to raid someone’s skip. Just finding one unique item could inspire the look of an entire garden. Materials such as stone and wood chip breakdown slowly and, laid correctly, allow the all-too important absorption of water. Being resourceful is now essential, and something to be proud of. New is no longer best, and creativity should be rewarding.
Neighbours’ gardens can indicate the plants that will succeed in your soil type, and keen gardeners are only too willing to share their success stories with you. They often have too many of one plant or another and would only be too happy to lose a few. This important information can form neighbourly bonds and a joined commitment to preserving the local environment.
My goal as a garden designer is to bring to life gardens that are resilient, encourage my clients to be resourceful, repurpose where possible and incorporate considered and beautiful areas designated to wildlife.
Perhaps if we all learnt to relax a little about our gardens, we might afford the time to relax more in them. And we would make a positive impact…. 433,000 hectares of impact.
Liz Evans works locally as The Garden Planner, specialising in family, edible and wildlife gardens. You can visit her at elizabeththegardenplanner.com
URQUHART & HUNT
Landscape Design & Ecological Restoration
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022
Gold Metal & Best in Show
Top 50 Garden Designers of the Year 2022 & 2023
House & Garden
Best International Garden 2024 Society of Garden Designers
Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt set out on a landscape design partnership 20 years ago, rooting their practice in a shared passion for romantic planting schemes, ecological harmony, applied horticulture, authentic craftsmanship and outstanding design.
@urquhart_hunt 01373 888 720 www.urquharthunt.com
lex@flowersforgood.co.uk flowersforgood.co.uk
Connecting with nature, through education, collaboration & creativity.
SW Plumbing
We provide a full range of services from installation, service and repair of full central heating systems and boilers through to bathroom, kitchen and water softener installations. Call us now for a FREE no-obligation quote!
southwest- pl umbing.co.uk 01373 301379 / 07974 075221
Frome 01373 452225
Melksham 01225 617779
Trowbridge 01225 754021
Warminster 01985 213350
Westbury 01373 301448
garstonvets.co.uk
FROME WALKING Festival
Frome’s popular annual Walking Festival is back in a new summer slot from 16th to 18th August, offering a range of guided walks for all ages and abilities.
As usual, the programme is designed to be inclusive, and among the 18 walks on offer are a family-friendly ‘A Very Short Walk Around the Long History of Frome’ coming in at just 0.3 miles, and a more challenging 13-mile walk around the villages and countryside around Frome, so whether you’re a seasoned rambler or looking for a fun family activity, there’s something in the programme for you.
On Friday 16th August there are walks combining exercise with history, as guides take you on tours of Frome’s war graves and network of plaques,
plus a repeat of last year’s sell-out Frome Building Stones, exploring the building materials that made Frome.
The team behind Frome’s annual Kindness Festival are leading a walk around Frome landmarks with a link to a modern or historical story of kindness on Saturday 17th August at 2pm, finishing with tea and cake at the Good Heart on Palmer Street.
A more challenging 5.5 mile walk on 17th August offers a chance to explore and learn more about the Orchardleigh Estate. On Sunday 18th August you can walk along the ‘canal that never was’ in Coleford and hear from local tree specialist Julian Hight on a 1.5 mile guided walk of trees in Frome and their history, legacy and lore.
Tricia Golinski of Frome Walkers are Welcome said ‘Frome’s annual walking festival is happening earlier this year. Yet again we will be having a wide variety of walks to suit all ages and abilities. Our popular walk around the blue plaques of Frome is a fantastic way to get a bit of exercise and learn about the town’s heritage. New for this year are a walk along Frome’s Kindness Trail, a walk ending at a pub in Longbridge Deverill, a plant walk around Frome, and a Coleford canal walk. The Silent Disco walk is back by popular request, and there will also be opportunities to walk sections of the Frome Walking Wheel.’
Frome’s Walking Festival is supported by Walkers are Welcome and Frome Selwood Rotary. All walks need to be booked in advance and spaces are limited. If you need any assistance booking online, please give Frome Town Council a call on 01373 465 757, or pop into Frome Town Hall.
Walking Festival programmes are available from Frome Town Hall, Discover Frome in Frome Library or online at www.discoverfrome.co.uk/frome-walking-festival
