Origins
We were founded by Peter Macfadyen and a group of about 40 individuals in 2008. Since then, many different people have been involved, in all sorts of ways. If people want to create their own group, or start a project, then we will support them in whatever way we can, provided it is in line with our objects. This means there have been a diverse range of projects, campaigns and events going on as part of what Sustainable Frome does – it is not a plan co-ordinated from the centre.
The Transition Town movement was starting at about the time Sustainable Frome was set up, and we are part of their network. We occasionally join Transition Town events and three Frome residents attended the first international conference of the Transition Network in September 2015. You can read their accounts here. To find out more about the transition movement, visit the the Transition Network website.
In 2013, we chose to adopt a system based on holacracy to govern ourselves. To find out more about that, see the holacracy page. Although we no longer use the system formally we have retained many of the ideas in the way we operate.
We are always looking for more people to get involved with our various projects – and to help us keep Sustainable Frome going. See the Get Involved page for more information on what you can do.
Links with Frome Town Council
In 2011, several of Sustainable Frome’s active members stood for election as Town Councillors, under the Independents for Frome (IfF) banner. IfF took 11 of the 17 council seats, and went on to win all 17 in May 2015. The council has become one of the greenest in the country as a result, getting solar panels on the Cheese and Grain, setting up new allotments and introducing an electric car club. In 2014, the council won the Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice for its work.
We continue to work closely with FTC and their Resilience team. To find out more about their work, see the Resilience page on the FTC website
2014: Taking stock
At the end of 2014, we did a survey to find out what issues are more important to our members – and to the town. See the What matters to Us? page to find out more.
2015:
One Planet Sunday, October 2015
One Planet Sunday brought together all kinds of groups and projects to encourage more planet-friendly lifestyles. This included Incredible Edible Frome, Frome's Missing Link, Share - A Library of Things and there was recycled fashion, live music, food and freshly pressed apple juice.
Ghostbusters in the Park - The Pedal-Powered Cinema
This was a fund-raising event for Frome's Missing Link and a first for Frome: an outdoor film showing, powered by bicycles. Using the cinema equipment of Electric Pedals, we put on the movie Ghostbusters in July 2015, to a crowd of around 150 people, relaxing under the stars in Victoria Park.
2017: Gardening, Films, and a growing awareness of Climate Change
Climate Coalition Event - October 2016
As part of the Climate Coalition's two weeks of action several events took place on Saturday 15th October:
- Free compost champion training
- School children will be singing about the environment .
- Photo-shoot with wildlife photographer Simon King and MP David Warburton to show community support for Frome's 'clean and healthy future' report and target of going zero carbon by 2046 (or before!). A free short workshop and questions with our MP was also held and free children's activities were provided by Frome Scrapstore.
Potato Day and Seed Swap 2016
In 2016, we held the Growing Frome Potato Day and Seed Swap on 14th February 2016, when around 400 people came to buy seeds, plants and equipment and to hear an excellent range of speakers.
One Planet Living
Spanning 2016 and 2017 we themed our meetings around One Planet Living, taking one topic per month.
2018: Frome Rises Up as the climate takes centre stage
Charles Dowding - No Dig Gardening - February 2017.
Charles is a well-known and very successful grower of vegetables and fruit, and a champion of the organic No-Dig method of cultivation. His books are in wide circulation and were available to purchase at the event. There was a visual presentation and a chance to put questions to Charles.
Growing Frome Potato Day and Seed Swap - February 2017
Seed potatoes and community seed swap plus fantastic food, workshops, talks and children's activities.
March, Film screening: Tomorrow - the film
The showing of this positive and engaging film on 30th March at the Merlin was well attended and the organisers have donated the proceeds to the Green Party.
November, Film Screening: DISPOSSESSION – The Great Social Housing Swindle
Free entry, donations welcome. Fair Housing for Frome are showing this important new film as part of their campaign to tackle the housing crisis in Frome. The film will be followed by a discussion.
Electric Vehicles and Pedal Powered Cinema - Sun 12th Nov
Electric Vehicles 11-3 followed by pedal powered cinema showing Labyrinth to raise funds for the Missing Link cycle route.
Nikki Jones Energy and Climate Change talks
Nikki began a series of monthly talks exploring the facts behind climate change and its relationship with global energy trends.
Community tree planting, Bramble grubbing
November saw Community tree planting at the Showfield and Bramble-grubbing at Whatcombe Fields - Frome's community owned land
“Light the Night!”
Frome’s first lantern procession as part of Christmas light switch on. Free lantern making workshops during November. http://fromelanterns.weebly.com
2016:
