Frome Millennium Green Trust

A Green Corridor from the town to open spaces

Frome Millennium Green is only a few minutes walk from the town centre, either along the river at Willow Vale or from the rear of North Parade Car Park. The south facing Green is a rich mixture of grassland, scrub and woodland. Previously used as a quarry and grazing land far horses, this open space has been adapted by local people for wheelchair users as far as the Viewpoint. Managed now as a semi-wild area for local wildlife, with new plantings of native species, the Green is an ideal place to picnic and enjoy the views. The Frome Millennium Green Trust commissioned local artists to enhance the distinct flavour of this piece of landscape and this map describes some of the things you will see.

Busy Afternoon on the Millennium Green
Using our new tools - bought with a grant from Frome Town Council - volunteers had a very successful afternoon’s work. In glorious sunshine, blackthorn and brambles were cleared from around the Christina Rossetti poetry stone and along towards the orchard, a dead hedge was created behind the seating – all using material gathered on the green.

The next work day is planned for Sunday, 25th March from 2 – 4 pm.

1 At the top entrance, two poppy shaped rests carved in wood by Anthony Rogers.

2 Millennium sculpture in Portland stone by Kate Semple, based on an award-winning design by local school girl.

3 Poetry Stone carved in Portland stone and surrounded by crab-apple trees. The verse written by Siegfried Sassoon is from his poem 'South Wind'. Sassoon was a frequent visitor to the area and is buried at Mells.

4 & 8 Jurassic limestone seats by Alvin Horsfall.

5 This seat is a collaborative piece by Barry Cooper and Peter Osbourne, using carboniferous limestone from Torr Works and reclaimed oak.

6 At the Viewpoint, the oak end posts by Tim Ashby have carved detail of apples and cattle typical of Somerset, with representations of the sun from which the name Somerset derives. A pictogram of a family enjoying themselves completes the assemblage, linked by the railings (7).

7 The railings represent growing trees, by Jamie Crossman.

9 Poetry stone carved in Portland Stone. The verse by Christina Rossetti, who lived in Frome during 1853/4, was taken from her poem 'What Good Shall My Life Do Me?'

10 Two bench seats with carved oak feet and sequoia tops by Anthony Rogers.

11 Forged hand rail by Alan Patterson.

12. Ancient Sycamore. This venerable tree with it's distinctive shape - evidence of earlier pollarding - can be found listed on The Woodland Trust’s, Ancient Tree Hunt site as it is reputedly one of the oldest trees in Frome.

13. Millennium Green Orchard. Planted with local varieties of Cider, Dessert and Culinary apples; Oaken Pin Maiden, Old Somerset Russet, Golden Knob, & Tom Putt . An apple gathering day takes place in September and a Wassail is held in January. For more details and images, see the website.

14 The end stop at the base of the steps in the shape of a 'Nutwood' tree marks the eastern entrance of the Green and was forged by Jamie Crossman.

What can you see on the Green this month?

EMail info@fmgt.org.uk

A variety of birds can be seen including Robin, Long Tailed Tits, Green Woodpecker, Tree Creepers, Chiff Chaff.

Wild flowers include Cow Parsley, Wild Teasel, Cranesbill, Ground Ivy, Lesser Celandine.

Bntterflies include Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown.

Pipistrelle and Daubenton bats are among the twelve species that can be seen in summer within a five mile radius.

Funded by the Countryside Agency with money from the Millennium Commission, the Green has a 999 year lease from Mendip District Council. Generous grants from Frome Town Council plus sponsorship, donations and specialist time from local businesses have ensured its success. Our grateful thanks go to our small army of volunteers who have spent many hours clearing, planting, mulching, path and step building.

Donations and sponsorship will always be needed and volunteers are welcome to help as frequently as they can.

Contact Sue Bucklow or Alan Yeates at info@fmgt.org.uk

January 2010

1] Steps from Rodden Meadows

2] Walkng up toward the Poetry Stone. The verse is written by Siegfried Sassoon

3] Looking toward Cley Hill

4] The Ancient Sycamore