hi there! i ride bmx and im from Frome. i also used to skate so i know how it can feel if you think its just been made for bikes....
truth i, if everyone has some input about the design rather than just complaining that something isnt fair.
what needs to be done is a get-together of the more experience riders and skaters in this town....not the younger children that dont totally understand the sport they take part in and so would give idea's that wouldnt be compatible with more experienced riders or skaters.
Maybe there should be a date set and publicised in the local papers to give the opportunity to get together and discuss the layout of the future skatepark
im avaliable to come to the office anytime and i can contact people that are experienced enough to give decent ideas.... my email address is joshnbg@googlemail.com
if someone wants to get in touch then i'd would appreciate it loads
thanks

I would draw your attention to the article
Brian Viner: What has befallen our market towns?
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/colum...-towns-1231925.html

Hi Bob,
The committee doesn’t have to be representative of the demographic of Frome, but it does represent a cross-section, including youth – and its purpose has been to collect the views of people in Frome, rather than to give its own opinions.
We have taken on board whatever we were told by those who cared enough to share. We have provided opportunities for everyone to do so, which we have publicised. Obviously not everyone sees/hears the publicity, and even of those that do, quite a lot just do not want to join in consultations, no matter who runs them. So we have had to go after hard to reach groups in different ways, which has taken longer, and their views were less obvious in the draft Plan. The amended document, which is what we are working on now, will reflect the views of these others rather better than in the earlier one.
As to the £45K, it is being spent carefully - so carefully that we have some left over to help with projects people have identified through the consultation – and it will go on something more lasting than a party!
There won't be any 'sackings' either! Apart from the professional help we have bought in, everyone who has helped - including all the committee - are volunteers. We are very grateful to them for giving us their time and the benefit of their experience, which isn't something a lot of people are prepared to do; especially as you can see, even from your own comments, it isn't something appreciated by everyone.
Unfortunately, in order to get investment into Frome for various projects, these days you first have to show with 'evidence' that there is need for them. The V4F consultation has provided that evidence, so it has been worth doing. Most of the people involved, myself included, would rather have got stuck in to projects straight away, but we knew this had to come first.
If you personally are not just sounding off, but want to get involved with something practical, why not join in with an existing project or start one of your own? If it is something that people want, they will support it. This website will gradually acquire more projects with contact names; why not be one of them? Nothing will get done if people just talk, so this applies equally to everyone looking at this Forum. Lots of people helping in little practical ways will make Frome a better place for us all in the coming years, regardless of economic conditions.

Edited by author 23-11-2008 01:43
Having seen the committee I dont think it is exactly representative of the demographic of Frome and so I hope you take everyone's opinions on board. If you are looking 20 years ahead you should definitely be trying to get the opinion of the youth (sadly their opinion will not go far beyond skate parks and such - and good luck to em!).

£45,000 to spend on consultation - sounds about right. How about we dont bother about the consulation and DO SOMETHING PRACTICAL? (How about sack the comittee and have a big party for all where the invitation specifies you have to fill in a questionairre on the futute of frome?, or just give the kids what they want with the 45k!)

Never mind. After the credit crunch and the coming depression have had their effects seen out we might just be back to normal in 20 years so I suggest planning in a good street party and some fireworks. Might seem appropriate after the hard times that are coming. The council might be able to cope with that timescale as well, best check on the health and safety aspect!

How about posting a board outside of Frome, "it is OK really", that might bring some people in!? Well, until they see the parking prices.

ps. seriously, where is the 45,000 being spent!?

Open level one again

Forcing up the price of parking was a bit dumb in the first place so the 1st hour free is a gret idea as is bringing a bigger market back to the town centre.

The two bus providers competing for customers at the same time is a joke.

The train service is a total joke.

Extending the cycle path into Frome proper would be a good thing.

Protecting Frome's independent high street/pubs alongside encouraging new shops is a good thing

Sad fact is I suspect most of these issues will not have progressed in 20 years time but good luck!

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Edited by author 03-10-2008 12:55
In preparation for the upcoming V4F consultation on "The economy" in Selwood School 7th October 2008 at 7pm, I thought you might find it useful to review something about the future local economy we must develop over the next 20-25 years taking into account Peak oil and Climate Change, the major influences likley to impact us all over this period. This can be found at:

http://z6.invisionfree.com/Sustainable_Fro...x.php?showtopic=825

All the best,
Alex Malcolm
Tel: +44 (0) 1373 462158 or +44 (0) 207 100 7283
Mobile: +44 (0)7798 572665
Blog website: http://www.alexmalcolm.co.uk/

I thought I'd put the record straight on the C&G skatepark - it was designed by skaters for skaters - with TR & Toby from High Rider and a group of others. In fact the big steps in the corner was a piece designed specifically by them and not something that the manufacturers had ever done before. Unfortunately we were limited by space and couldn't afford to resurface before the ramps were installed so it was never perfect. However it has performed well (and lasted a lot longer than the much more expensive Glastonbury park) and I've seen some amazing skateboarding there in the past. These things do need constant maintenance though and it does seem to work better for the bikers than the skaters. Mendip should be able to repair it if there are specific problems.

Edited by author 22-09-2008 15:27
hi i come from frome i sk8 and bmx i use the parks everday unless its raining i find the only problems are overcrowding and and a stereo type of people called "emos they make the place seem down and miserable , u shuld make the park for bmx and skateboards only, no scooters or little children 7 or under alowed. it may sound unfair that no small children shouldnt be in there but i dont want to explain to to the parent why there child has a stunt peg in there head. if you would like to contavt me heres my email harry_l69@hotmail.com

Actually Spam is completely right!! Cheese and Grain skate park is overrun with drug addictts teenagers smokers and Bikes!! It is not somewhere where you want to go and skate. Victoria park skate ramps are not only pawly constructed but overrun by small children and skooters!

i ride the parks in frome nearly everday and to be very honest spam you are very selfish there should be in put from bikers and skater because after a week the park will be taken over by bikes and chavs if its made as you now you wont be able to skate it eny way so it should be desinged by a skatepark company

Hi Spam - you sound keen. If you and your friends are serious about getting something happening, there is funding available that only young people can apply for. It can be used for things like skate parks or related to other things for young people to do. Nothing is guaranteed of course, but if you want more details I can certainly help you with the funding details and make sure you talk to the right people etc. Please email me at katy.graham@mendip.gov.uk or call me on 01749 341323.

Regards,
Katy

about the skate park thing.
you got it all wrong.
the cheese and grain park is not used by skaters because there isn't enough room for skaters and bikes, its because the park is awful, the ramps are poorly put together and designed, and the the park layout is a complete mess, just extending it would not make it better at all. you need input from skaters, not from people who just walk alongside it and chat to a few people riding bikes. frome needs a good new skate park, victoria skate park is rubbish as well. if your going to do anything skate park wise, get skater input, it needs to be designed by skaters, not the council, and as for putting an extension on the slope, HAAHAHAHA. you cant put a skate park on a bloody hill, it just doesn't work, gravity. the bikes are fine with victoria park and the cheese and grain one, but when they are swarmed with bikes and small children it makes it even harder to skate an already rubbish park.

Its absolutely not!;)

So I guess its heads together for innovative, inclusive ways of bringing it all together then? Regardless of how long, where from etc etc.

I honestly think it would be half the battle if this could be effectively addressed!

Re: .........existing "movers and shakers" who have quietly been serving this fantastic community for many years go unnoticed. They don't tend to be involved in the high profile, high brow stuff that has become so trendy in the town at the moment......

John writes:

Well, you are dead right. It is accurate that not enough "indigenous fromites" [of which I am one] ever really get involved and so risk going unnoticed. I well remember all the town activities you mention from my youth - they should be kept and strengthened. But it in our own hands; we get what we deserve. We reap what we, as citizens, sow...... More "indigenous fromites" could and should get involved but, on the whole, they don't become councillors, or take a public roll [but they always criticise]. I profoundly disagree that the matters are high profile or highbrow. No, they usually concern the application of commonsense - which is not lacking in Frome. We obviously disagree about a choice of words, but that's not worth falling out about.

QT - Em wrote:
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Maybe its a question of interpretation then? I just feel that existing "movers and shakers" who have quietly been serving this fantastic community for many years go unnoticed. They don't tend to be involved in the high profile, high brow stuff that has become so trendy in the town at the moment. If an us and them culture is to be avoided then more needs to be done to bridge the gaps...........if we're going to have art installations that "interrupt" our town they need to be up on the Mount or in Asda as well as the arty type places. The festival needs to be more accessible, maybe a season ticket to help people on lower incomes join in?

The Cheese Show needs to come back to Frome. If you have been here long enough to remember when it was on the show field and we all used to get the day off school on the Wednesday. And the carnival and the fair were in town on the Saturday? It was great-its a crime that its not like that anymore........that's the type of old school community I'm talking about and its gone!

Don't get me wrong-I'm not stunted I promise! I have done all I can to embrace the new and exciting things that happen in our town. I have been in productions at the Merlin and the Grand. FromeFM rocks and it is an honour to be involved with it. I perform in the festival however, I could only attend one event because my 10 year old daughter wanted to see something at the Cheese and Grain with us and I had to pay full price for her-by the time child care for the other was sorted and a drink was had our going out budget was blown for a fortnight!

There is so much more that can be done to make this town a far more inclusive place for both those new to the area and the old timers-who are vocal and involved, and those who do not feel comfortable to speak up where ever they come from or how long they've lived here.

I still maintain that sentence was a sweeping and untrue statement!

Re: On the whole the report is great...BUT I am appalled and quiet frankly offended at....."Those who grew up in its past age are still living here, but they tend to go unnoticed. The newer people are often more vocal and are perceived as its 'movers and shakers'."

I found this bit on p33 of the Interim Report in the chapter 'Society & Well-being'. I am a Fromie too but I don't read this bit in a negative way. It doesn't suggest that 'incomers' think they know more and do more than Fromies. Rather it says that people from families long-resident tend to be stoic and put up with things. That's accurate, in my view. Those who collected the evidence and drafted V4F's interim report are either Fromies by conviction or by birth. Having found Frome, 'incomers, tend to want to strengthen the town not change it in negative, 'anti-Fromie ways. I do not see a 'Them and Us' within Frome. On the whole it's just 'Us'. My view is that many of the questions and problems that the Interim Report tries to answer come from outside Frome; absent administrators, for example.
Yours, through rose coloured specs.

John


QT - Em wrote:
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I have just been reading up on this V4F stuff-this discussion board and your report, I have been aware of its existence but as a working mother and ACTIVE community member have had to prioritise............now however, I feel compelled to have my say. On the whole the report is great, I very much want to be a part of this forum and would now choose to put it near the top of those priorities I talked about. BUT I am appalled and quiet frankly offended at this bit of it........"Those who grew up in its past age are still living here, but they tend to
go unnoticed. The newer people are often more vocal and are perceived as
its 'movers and shakers'."


I have lived here all my life. I have been active in the community since I was old enough to do so independently.
"Fromies" are massively miss represented. I am NOT a small minded hick! Frome has had an amazing community spirit for many many years.........before it became one of the top 5 places to visit for the weekend........before Frome Festival and before Fromies who keep this town going (we work in your schools, collect your bins, work in the pubs and supermarkets etc etc)were priced out of the housing market by people who want to move here and "put Frome on the map".

People who have lived here all their lives are intimidated by "vocal, movers and shakers" and niffed off with the attitude that Frome was nothing special before you came along. It was, is and always will be-not because of fancy art installations or festivals that are on the whole too expensive for us lifers, but because of things like the Memorial Hall, The Lions Club, the schools, the fetes and the many other things that have preceded all you incomers and us indeed us Fromies!

Whens the next meeting? Count me very much in!!!!!

I think Frome needs a new and larger shopping centre. Westway Shopping Centre is Too Small and there is not many shops. Most shops are not recognisable ones. A new shiopping centre would benifit the Town as most of the frome population goes to either Bath or Trowbridge where there are good shops and lots of shops.

Hi John, Mandie,
This sounds to me like an idea to put into Vision for Frome as a project.&#C2;&#A0; I'll add it on. Cheers, Maggy

--- On Sat, 5/7/08, John Hyde <john.hyde@hydenet.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
From: John Hyde <john.hyde@hydenet.myzen.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Vision for Frome Forum
To: "QT topic 41-HxqJfmJ6Aw6Y" <qtopic-41-HxqJfmJ6Aw6Y@quicktopic.com> Date: Saturday, 5 July, 2008, 10:01 AM

Mandie

Ages ago you wrote a very interesting piece about the skate park, the car park etc. I have been thinking about
the same things.

Clearly it's necessary to have somewhere for youngsters to let of steam without disturbing others too much.
To my mind the present skate park is not quite in the right place. It could, for example, be expanded and made more sophisticated
if it were put to the right of the Cheese&Grain, up the slope. The younsters may prefer some privacy although I recognise
that has its question marks. But at least any 'supervisers' would know where to look. Another possible location is the North Parade
car park.

The Cattle Market near the Frome Canoe Club could then be used for Civic gatherings, an expanded marketet etc.

What do people think?

John Hyde


QT - Mandie Stone wrote:
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>�A;�A;�A; __________________________________________________________�A;Not happy with your email address?.�A;Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Mandie

Ages ago you wrote a very interesting piece about the skate park, the car park etc. I have been thinking about
the same things.

Clearly it's necessary to have somewhere for youngsters to let of steam without disturbing others too much.
To my mind the present skate park is not quite in the right place. It could, for example, be expanded and made more sophisticated
if it were put to the right of the Cheese&Grain, up the slope. The younsters may prefer some privacy although I recognise
that has its question marks. But at least any 'supervisers' would know where to look. Another possible location is the North Parade
car park.

The Cattle Market near the Frome Canoe Club could then be used for Civic gatherings, an expanded marketet etc.

What do people think?

John Hyde


QT - Mandie Stone wrote:
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We have just returned from a walk and we passed by the skate ramp area beside the Cheese & Grain. We stopped to chat with some of the young people using the ramps for bmx'ing, watching them doing stunts on their bikes. There were no skateboarders around because the ramps were being used for bikes so that means there's not enough room for the skateboards. The skate park is quite tiny and it's a bit of a funny shape.

The young people using the ramps feel that the young community would benefit further from more ramps - then there would be enough to go round for both bike tricks and skateboarding antics. The thing is, the car park area there, next to the skate park and beside the Cheese & Grain, has only 30 spaces and I feel that it might be better used as an extension of the urban sports area. Perhaps a bigger selection of ramps could be added and how about a hard surface court - like the basket ball courts they have in America - there's definitely enough room for one of those - I think they are called an 'urban court' they have a five-a-side football pitch inside a caged court which also has basketball nets above the football goals. The skateboard park area was really busy tonight but not with skateboarders. It would be good if there were enough facilities for the skateboarders and bmx'ers to show off their stuff, side by side with some basketball and football thrown in to create an exciting place for urbanites to do their sporty thing.

I do not think that it would make a mega-difference to trade in Frome if we lost those 30 parking spaces as the car park around the library area is quite big anyway and there's another car park on the hill opposite Welshmill Lane.

Also, I don't think the extra facilities for young people would make a big difference to noise levels for the few residential properties long the river there as if the courts and parks are lock-up-able then they could close at say 10pm in the Summer, maybe 9pm in the Winter. Which is not really too late for some comings and goings of an urban sport kind.

The 'Graffiti Artsibition' (a controlled urban art project) combined with an Urban Sports BMX Event is being held around by the skate ramps on Saturday 12th July during the Frome Festival (check out page 6 of the festival programme for details). I'm sure this will be a popular and exciting event. It would be great if there were influential people from the council (those who can make a difference to the provision of facilities for youngsters and are 'champions of young people'), to be there on this day to speak with the teenagers about what they think would make Frome greater for them.

It's great reading all of this, and I think we have wonderful opportunities in Frome to really create a thriving community. Whether born here, stopping by, lost on the way back from Glastonbury, or moved here for good, the fact is we are here. This is where we live. We should treat our home town with respect. Pick up our rubbish and our dog poo and look out for each other. Whatever shade of green we are, we have enough going on here to paint the town red. When we are feeling blue we can look to a friendly neighbour for a chat and a cup of (green?) tea. If we are browned off about something we can rant about it (constructively of course), on the V4F blog. The future is bright, the future is orange (unless you ditch your mobile) I'm not looking at Frome through rose tinted glasses but coming from the lovely but smokey, crowded and grey city of London, we find this town a very pleasant place to be. What a colourful town we live in, and with all this Summer rain, there's bound to be a rainbow soon! So look on the bright side - I've written it here in black and white 'Frome is already quite great and things can only get better!'

Having read this forum I am concerned that we may be missing the point. It does not matter whether you are a Fromie or newcommer to Frome. Your nationality, creed, religion or colour must not divide the community and whether you have green aspirations or not, we are all going to have to make some major lifestyle changes over the next twenty years or so.

This forum should be devoting its energy and focus towards what the community will have to deal with over the next 20-25 years. We are not talking about "quick wins" and short term gains but the long term outlook and strategy to deal with the most important issues that will concern us all.

Everyone by now must be aware of the increase in energy costs and uncertainty in supplies. Energy underpins every activity and consumer product in our lives. Without secure affordable energy and liquid fuels in particular, we cannot continue to live the lives we do today and Central Government will loose any influence over our daily living and concerns. Our future depends on our communities becoming self-sufficient as much as possible. This can only be achieved through relocalisation.

We are totally unprepared for energy and climate uncertainty and therefore need to focus on identifying the local vulnerabilities, implications, and risks attached to these phenomina in order that we can distil mitigating local strategies. This also means securing local sources or supply channels for the following:

Energy
Food
Shelter
Transport
Raw materials or natural resources to support local business regeneration

These are our primary concerns but to enable these we also need the following:

Local Government supported by local taxes and accountable directly to local communities
Direct Democracy to elect local officials on the basis of proportional representation
Education and Training to reacquire self-sustaining skills and techniques.
Utility and Community Support collaboration.

There are of course many more inter-related issues that we will have to address but these seem to me to be the most important and should become the focus of V4F.

Dingbat is surely right. If there is tension, it is the sudden outburst from Quelerous Citizen
about art centres. Nothing much to do with Fromites or incomers - just quelerousness.

QT - Dingbat wrote:
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Not born (found under a goosgog bush) but definitely bred.

QT - Maggy wrote:
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One of the things coming out of these discussions is a tension between 'incomers' and 'Fromies'. In the 1950s the population was around 9,000 and now it is around 27,000. That wasn't natural population growth and so most people in Frome are either incomers or the children of incomers. I think of myself as a Fromie but in fact I came in one of the waves of migration - in my case in the early 1990s. Recently we have had a noticeable number of people from the south-east and London (because of house prices) and from eastern Europe (because of unemployment or low paid work in their own countries). I've been told that before my arrival it was mostly from around Bristol.

Does it matter where we came from or how long ago, so long as we respect the character of Frome and the feelings of those already here? There are divisions in the town, and some of these are related to different backgrounds, economic status and culture. Resentment develops where there is not enough respect for each other's different preferences and people feel they are being walked over.

Most of the people using this site so far are not born-and-bred Fromies, and it would be better if we had some more input from them to provide balance. We ALL live here so we need a Community Plan which reflects the wishes of the whole town and not just a vocal minority. So if you are a born-and-bred Fromie with something to say, please say it!

I supposed you'd call me a local, does 46 years count? I really don't think there is a real issue of "them" and "us" in terms of local versus incomer. If there is, it is for a minority really. Ultimately we all want the best for our town and however that happens, it has to be a good thing doesn't it? I am really pleased with all of the things going on in town just now: vsion for frome, the foreground arts project, the festival coming up. We are so lucky to live in such a vibrant and busy place, that more and more people want to come to and stay. Frome wasn't always this way and local or not, I think we have all had a part to play in getting this place back on its feet. So hooray for Frome and hooray for us! I for one am excited to be here and excited by the prospect of the next 20 or so years here. I reckon we all have a role in making sure all this effort is not wasted and that we continue to make Frome the town we ALL deserve.

Edited by author 23-05-2008 09:59
I'd support Katy's thoughtful comments, and am fascinated that "green" and "arts" issues should only be for people who have come to the town in more recent years. Surely all these things are a matter of choice related to what your concerns and interests are, rather than whether you were born here? What about my children (and thousands of others) - both born in the Victoria hospital and educated in arts and green issues at frome schools and colleges... is it somehow wrong for them to be into these things? At what point does someone become "of Frome" as opposed to an outsider?
Peter

Frome is boasted as a art town-but we only have 1 gallery we need to build more galleries and art places like the black swan-also on maps-road maps-geographical maps it tells you what the town/city has. It says that Frome only has a tourist information centre-Frome has a museum-art gallery, historic buildings-we have lots og Grade 1 and 2 listed buildings-can something be done about this

Martin - Forgive me if you think my comments were 'ramming' I had no intention to do that, partly a reminder to Gerlinde that she can use the forum as she's already signed up there. The SF meetings and activities are full of local people and everyone is welcome.

I've spent the last ten years helping to make Frome fit for the future and feel passionately about our town as it is already a very special place. However we are all affected by rising prices of fuel and food and it is my belief that we will need to travel less and buy more local food in the future, particularly bearing in mind the gradual depletion in oil reserves. I hope therefore that the V4F process will give us a blueprint for 2028 which incorporates ideas for reducing our dependency on petrol & imported goods and explores many ideas of how we might grow crops and make many more goods locally.

As someone in Glastonbury recently said "if I look at what we need to do to create the communities that we're happy for our grandchildren and their grandchildren to grow up in, then that work certainly won’t finish in our lifetimes…"

I don't think it is right that another group tries to send people to its site for copying what is being done here. This forum is great for people coming up with ideas and debate to do with the town and I have been reading with interest. Not everyone likes having the green message rammed down their throats. I am local to Frome and feel that the likes of sustainable Frome and as someone else suggetsed, the arts scene in Frome are not for local people.
ML

A Frome Town broadband from a central wireless hub would create a more cohesive area and populatio and be more economical.

John Hyde

If anyone cares to use the Sustainable Frome forum for posting information or for using the private messaging system (or the email system), please join up at http://www.sustainablefrome.org.uk. You will find information on the forum that is very relevant to V4F, particularly some very local projects focussing on energy reduction and preparation for the impact of oil price increases, local food production, shop local campaigning, etc.

Hi - can we keep the forum for discussions and debate about Frome please rather than for personal messages. If you need to contact an individual about specific matters, it would be better to ask for an invididual's email and contact them off-board.

Many thanks,
V4F

thanks for letting me know. Can we arrange something after 6th June?
Gerlinde
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Gerlinde

Regret I cannot make our meeting at the Settle on Thursday. Many apologies. Please send me another couple of dates.

Best wishes

John

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yes that is fine. good to have met you today.

Gerlinde
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QT - Neil Howlett wrote:
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Suggest meeting at Settle Cafe in Cheap Street at 10.30 on 22 May.
John

Hi John

I can do 22nd of May anytime.

Regards

Gerlinde
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It's sometimes hard to envisage what is achievable in terms of reducing energy consumption, so here's a heartening story about a town in the USA the same size as Frome reduced energy use by 30% in one month! Turning things off, turning things down and hanging the washing out to dry. Let's hope they keep it up . . .

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/am...r-lines-829931.html

Hello Gerlinde

Am usually fairly free mid-week but not free 21, 27-30 May. Best thing is for you to let me have, please, a couple of dates , times and place. I will be around if at all possible.

Best wishes

John

QT - gerlinde wrote:
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Frome desperately needs an affordable clothes shop for men and women - something like Peacocks or BHS. It is the one thing that would encourage people into town instead of going to Trowbridge. This would help the other independent shops stay viable. Select has recently closed and there is nothing left except boutiques. Ordinary people, the majority of Frome residents, do not shop in these or even at M&S, so the choice is out of town at either ASDA or Sainsbury - or Trowbridge, Bath or Bristol.

As ever, Gerlinde has insight - it is matched to a degree in Frome, but never enough. Thinking caps on!

JAH

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I also think that design and maufacturing are creative processes, but unfortunately with the growth of www. there are other areas around the globe which can manufacture goods much cheaper. The Western world also has no monopoly of knowledge, inventiveness and creativity. In short we all are competing in a global market place. Frome has gone through a deindustiralisation period and does have some light industry left. However, it is highly unlikely that manufacturing enterprise are going to choose Frome as their location because of poor infrastructure, hence employment opportunities are likely to be in growth sectors, one of which is the creative arts. Yes, there are opportunities for self employment or portfolio working, but also f/t and p/t jobs. An Art Centre does not necessaryly need to have one function only. It could double up as a community centre, business suport centre, etc. As I am fairly new to Frome, I have no prior knowledge of previous community tensions, upsets, power struggles etc. I also have no axe to grind, as I am a social scienist and simply share with you some of the insights and findings of research. There is an emerging concensus amongst those concerned with meeting the challenges of a globalised economy, that solutions have to be 'glocal', ie addressing global issues at a local level. this means identifying the strength which Frome got and building on those, unless of course one is happy to live in a dormatory, commuter town. If you type arts led regeneration into google search engine, you should find plenty of evidence to show that investment in the arts has stimulated local economies not only in terms tourism and day trippers, who spend money but also act as a magnet for businesses. I also have more than twnety years of experience in community lead development and initiatives do not need to be either/or, but need to be thought through holistically, i.e no hobby horses which do not benefit the long terms sustainability of Frome. I am also puzzeled that you, nellyblue, seem to define arts purely as visual arts, what about music, dance, drama, embroidery, electronic art, writing etc. And I don't mean just high brow either. Popular culture is expanding...

Really?

Apart from missing out an 'r' I thought my point is quite clear.

I do not support the idea for a new arts building for the reasons I have stated.

My deeper point is that sloppy thinking regards the arts plays into the hands of those who wish for no creativity at all.

Don't understand the point. You lost me early on.

JAH


QT - nellyblue wrote:

"I want this managed because ....new resident will coral [corral; Spanish,from Latin /*currale/ enclosure for vehicles][?]
the spaces for their 'creative' friends and leave residents with an accent to pay more for a 'properly run establishment".



QT - nellyblue wrote:
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Edited by author 12-05-2008 14:51
So where are the new jobs gerlinde?
I see new people who bring their job with them but I see no new employees.
In my memory there are actually less people involved in the creative industries in Frome now than there were 10 years ago. But then I am strange I suppose in that I consider , in a quite old fashioned way, that manufacturing and engineering (including printing!) are in their essence 'creative'.

Yes JAH, by all means maximise the spaces available but I hesitate to say I want this managed because like many things in the town, a well meaning but slightly dim new resident will coral the spaces for their 'creative' friends and leave residents with an accent to pay more for a 'properly run establishment'.

Encourage innovation, hard work, skill, talent and ambition, NOT decoration for the few. Of course the biggest worry of all is that the majority of students who provide less of a return for the schools in league tables, rather than the new elite of the 'creative industry', will grow up believing that creativity is about class. The most influential and important creatives with a Frome connection (in that they were born and educated here) all left years ago.

The truth is that the easy money of the last few years is about to dry up. This easy money has funded the ''creative' boom' in Frome. We'll see how vibrant it is in say five years. By then of course many old residents will have been priced out and their young brainwashed into thinking you have to have been to the Brit academy to get on at Glastonbury, and money spent on another new arts centre in Frome.


Just to finnish my point, The Rook Lane Chapel is a good case. A building that stood empty for many years. That had a very considerable investment made into it in the early nineties which gave it a new roof and made it into a healthy shell. The building was used as the basis of bids to for all kinds of public space. " NO, no no" said the council. There were planning restrictions such as NO parking at the front which prevented the building being for public use. It stood empty for a few more years, and a few more proposals for a public space and more "No's" from the council. Then as if by magic a 'pubic/private' initiative. An architects office and an arts space. "Yes" said the council, again as if by magic. And the planning and parking restrictions magically vanished.
Now we have a private business and a public space. A public space that is priced so highly (so so highly) that I suspect it could easily become a private space in the near future especially if a new art space is built. All by magic and 'creative' thinking.
      There are several schools of thought on this building I have found. One group, I shall call the well meaning new residents, think it is a marvelous facility, a wonderful place for exhibitions and a fine new architects vision tacked on the back. And "so good and charitable that it was transformed from a derelict shell". The second group, whom I shall call the wise older residents, know that this was another case in a long town history where a space with huge potential for everyone was taken and manipulated by a few connected other older residents into a vision of the status quo. Another group sadly do not care. And another group think the new architects offices are a bit of a fur coat and no knickers bodge however or whom ever built it.

By all means build an arts centre. But do not label it "For all of Frome" or think that those who get the right to use it are by any truthful description more creative than those who do not.

Just to endorse Mike's contribution:

1. Attracting the right mix of business(retail shops, service
businesses, restaurants/bars/clubs and other business)
especially in the town centre, that will be usful to both locals
and tourists.
2. Putting measures in place to ensure that these businesses had
the resources to be profitable and sustainable. Especially with
new business.
3. Ensuring that there was something to do for all age groups in
Frome, and that the existing facilities are meaningful to the
users.

To answer the other questions - I believe that point 2. is the
most important and should receive government funding, and point
3 could be paid for by applying to other funding bodies.

JAH

I am intrigued by the ideas buried in the message below but stunned by the fierce attacks surrounding them.
If ones disinters the ideas, it leaves the following useful contributions:
    * maximise the spaces that are around
    * computer programming hut - [my name for that is Frome County Branch Library]

JAH



QT - nellyblue wrote:
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Edited by author 12-05-2008 12:04
Thank you Mike for your comments and I can assure you that they will feed into the data analysis of the planning for real exercises.

The person who is so vehemently opposed to creative industry development, might just bear in mind that it is a growth industy and nationally one of the biggest employers. I would have thought with increased reliance on niche markets to counter the impact ( such as job losses) of the globalised economy an expansion of the creative industry sector would be helpful. May I also inform the writer, that the times of direct grant arts funding from the public purse are over. Project funding is strickly tied to meeting very stringent criteria and comes of a variety of sources, including income generated trough ticket sales. The Mendip Economy gained £73 mill from Glastonbury Festival alone. So why not welcome the opportunity to create more jobs ( and not only 'middle class' ones) in Frome.

Went to the V4F event at the Rugby Club on Saturday, and am surprised by the Mendip and Frome council's willingness to listen to the views of us "Fromians" (or are we "Fromites"?). Well done. Your efforts to attract comment was inspiring.

In the questionaire I did not have time to complete there, in response to the question - "If I were mayor of Frome, I would spend the money on;" I would respond as follows;
1. Attracting the right mix of business(retail shops, service businesses, restaurants/bars/clubs and other business) especially in the town centre, that will be usful to both locals and tourists.
2. Putting measures in place to ensure that these businesses had the resources to be profitable and sustainable. Especially with new business.
3. Ensuring that there was something to do for all age groups in Frome, and that the existing facilities are meaningful to the users.

To answer the other questions - I believe that point 2. is the most important and should receive government funding, and point 3 could be paid for by applying to other funding bodies.

Edited by author 12-05-2008 09:52
Another arts venue in the town????

The mind boggles. Just how many of these do the 'residents' of Frome think will be enough?

If you ask the artist wannabe community of the town, and I would categorise them as being 35-60, spouse of high earner and of little artist talent, "what the town really needs?" they will answer in unison "an arts venue with gallery space". Of course they want a subsidised space to sell their banal trash and to 'chat'.

Why do they not use some of their 'creativity' and find a way to do what they want that does not require other people's tax. The frightening thing is that with their lobbying power they will probably get one. I can just imagine some old councilor who is desperate to oggle a bit of 'art ass' and a local property developer - several names spring to mind in Peter Moore and the Pangs who will no doubt all be involved to sell more flats, building a little group to make it happen.

If sustainability is really an issue, then why doesn't the Vision for Frome group seek to maximise the spaces that are already here. I cannot believe that all the community spaces are full all of the time, in fact, far far far from it.

I know that this idea has been given the support of several 'influential' people of the town such as the director of the Merlin. Why? because they know that there are very many councillors that already think there are too many arts spaces in the town and, that actually, one less may be a good thing. Well of course the Merlin would support this, it is a simple way fastening their own existence (One which is rightly and healthily looked at constantly)

Why do I care?
Because this kind of uncreative thinking gives creativity a name.
The buildings are already there.
Yet more ignorant nest builders will run the place to build an ignorant power base.
Enough already.

A Middle Class populus wanting Upper Class lifestyles using Working Class taxes.

How about a computer programming hut so we can build the future rather than wall-paper it?

A media village? Good grief! Not here, surely?!
Those places are soulless corporate money making factories.

This organisation has not actually gone proffesional and is just run by Me Ian. I hope with a bit of persuasion we can get this organisation up and running.


WORKING TOGETHER TO GET FROME RIGHT
FOUNDED 2008









YourSay
FROME

YourSay Frome is a new organization set up to get the residents of Frome and neighbouring villiages thinking of ways of which we can improve Frome. The organization was founded by Ian Sinkins in 2008, 15th April. The organization leader, Ian Sinkins, hopes to improve Frome in many ways, his main priority is making Frome CITY status as he believes Frome is a too bigger place to be a town. His other ideas are to make Frome a better place for children as he believes the cinema is too small and Frome needs a larger cinema like Odeon or Vue. He believes adding a bowling alley will make more people live in Frome if not they need to go all the way to LongWell Green to have a game. Connecting Frome up to neighbouring villages will increase the towns wealth allowing itself to build more attractions like a University or athletics track. He also believes that Frome needs a new shopping centre as WestWay is too small, He thinks the Saxonvale development SHOULD GO AHEAD.
       Ian was only 11 years old when he thought of these ideas and sent them to “Visions 4 Frome” another group set up to help make Frome a better place.
       
The University
Ian’s idea of a University was one which he thinks is his best as he thinks that if Frome had a University then more people would move to Frome. The problem with that is that the streets and houses would only be for students. Frome would end up like Bath. So Ian thought of a plan to build another village but a student village where only students can live. There can be shops and other places like bars and clubs. This would make Frome a student free zone even though it has a University. The University should be called Frome University as it is still part of Frome even though its built in another Student Village. The village should be called “The Uni” as what the place is built around is a University and the village is all University houses and apartments so it would be like one big University but bigger.

Connecting To Villages
Joining Frome up to surrounding and neighbouring villages will increase the wealth and population of the TOWN. Frome is the counciling town of more than 100 other villages. The villages are actually classed as Frome, they pay there tax to Frome so therefore they are Frome. As they are part of Frome, Frome can join to the village and the village name will become another suburb of Frome -the other suburbs are Stonebridge, Innox Hill, Clink, Wallbridge, Bradstone, Mint, Wellshmill, Mendips Round and Keyford. They all used to be separate villages from Frome but were later joined to Frome.

Gaining City Status
Gaining city status would be great for Frome. Frome is a too bigger place to be a town. It is the largest town in Somerset and bigger than the only city. It is also believed that Frome is bigger than Bath when all of the villages are added together. There would be more attractions at Frome if it became a city as it would have to build a Cathedral or Abbey attracting more tourist and visitors from across the globe. It will also mean that Frome would be the largest city in Somerset. Frome is nicer than Bath as in Bath everywhere you look there’s black, black on the walls, black on the carpet, BLACK ON THE STREET! But Frome has no black anywhere so most people of Bath would hopefully move to Frome. Frome has got lost of attractions that are old, Bath has Pultney bridge-Frome has a bridge with shops on aswell, everyone thinks that Pultney bridge is the only bridge in the world that has shops on it, Frome has one aswell. Frome also has lots of Grade I listed buildings and Grade II listed buildings. Including The Galleries, Blue House and The Museum.

Media Village
Frome needs a media village, a media village is an area which has a cinema, bowling alley and restaurants, there is a good example of a media village at LongWell Green and a Smaller Media Village (without a bowling alley) at Bath.

Saxonvale Development
Half the population in Frome agrees with the developers that the Saxonvale development should go ahead whereas the other half don’t. The Saxonvale development is said to be the largest refurbishment in Frome since they refurbished St. Drakes Church into The Galleries. There will be shops, apartments and business Headquarters built. The shops will be put into a new shopping centre and the apartments high rise. Ian says he is for the refurbishment to go ahead. He quotes “I think the refurbishment should go ahead, Frome needs more shops and houses, the WestWay shopping centre is ok but there is no good shops and the space is too small.

Greener Area
There is not enough parks in Frome, even with the parks there are in Frome, they are too muddy and not green. The area next to the river in the centre is dull and boring, improving the grass and colour would benefit the town.

Flooding Risks
Frome needs to do something about the river to stop it flooding. The council should clean them by getting out the rubbish as this will make the river channel hold more water and decrease the risks of flooding.
Frome is built on a shallow valley hill but the hills are still steep. As they are steep the flowing rain water doesn’t have a lot of time to soak into the ground and clear. Planting trees on the hills will benefit the town immensely. Planting the trees mean that when it rains the leaves will intercept the rain and absorb it (infiltration).

Ghost-town
Everyday after 5:30 in Frome there is nobody around, the town looks like a Ghost-town, abandoned and boring, most street lights flicker showing not much light. The way to solve this problem will be to replace the lights everywhere in Frome and light the place up.

Teenagers
At night in Frome you can always see teenagers hanging around on streets, the reason for this is that there is nothing for them to do. Building the media village would give them something to do. Refer to The Media Village paragraph.














WORKING TOGETHER TO GET FROME RIGHT

the messegae below re: Transport issues just landed in by inbox.
Easy access and good transport links can have a major
effect on the businesses of an area, and the cutting of
a public transport link which brings 40% of the custom
to a business can have major repercussions.

That happened to our business in December, 2006 when
First Great Western withdrew all peak hour and day time
trains on the "TransWilts" line linking Swindon and
Salisbury (remaining services - 06:18 and 18:45!). At
the same time, numerous other cuts were made; there are
still 3 hour gaps in serice at Frome, a reduced service
northbound from Salisbury and overcrowding into Bath
from West Wiltshire, partly causes by passengers from
West Wilts to Swindon having to share those train and
double back.

First Great Western have been listening to the case for
the restoration of a more appopriate service, and have
produced a draft timetable for additional trains that
deal with the issues I have mentioned. They DO have a
train that could be used, and they HAVE had the timetable
approved by Network Rail. However, it has been suggested
that we strengthen the case over the next few weeks by
showing further local support.

So may I ask you, please, to have a look at the information
that is online at http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/pabout.html
and if you agree with the case, please sign up to support it
at
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/pledge.html

I would also very much appreciate it if you can pass the
address (or this email) on to others who might also wish to
add their support; First Great Western have invited us to
meet with them at a senior level in mid May, and if we have
strong proven support by then, the chances will be that much
stronger.

If you have any questions at all, please, get in touch with
me directly.

Thanks

Graham

Graham Ellis
Well House Consultants, 404 The Spa, Melksham, Wilts
http://www.wellho.net graham@wellho.net
0800 043 8225 (freephone) or +44 (0) 1225 708225 (phone)
+44 (0) 1225 707126 (fax)

I am not expert in children's facilities but I sympathise with this lady. There are sites in the town centre which, to my mind, could be designated and converted to safe, attractive places for children. Perhaps we should not wait for the planners - who are diligent but constrained by finance and budgets. Local Authority budgets take tediously long to come to anything. An alternative could be if the authorities or land owners were prepared to designate a site then, I suggest, townspeople could tackle it themselves. If expensive equipment was needed later, then planners and other officials may be more
receptive. Just a thought.

Everyone would be welcome at events arranged by the Friends of the River - details in the Somerset Standard, Frome TownTalk or
somerset.river.frome@googlemail.com

Serdecznie Witamy.






QT - Charles wood wrote:
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Edited by author 03-05-2008 15:49
As a V4F Team member, the following is a comment I promised to post for a young, Polish, mother who has lived in Frome for 4 years.
"There are not enough open spaces or facilities for young children to be young children. Victoria Park is good, but going there is not always convenient or easy."

This is not a trivial issue, and all the new housing developments look to be deficient in planning for ths type of need for young families. How we get the planners and developers to rise above the need for numbers built and maximized profits is a big challenge for the future expansion of housing in Frome (or anywhere else).

Mark

This is a new and interesting idea. Please would you expand on your thoughts re location,
planting etc for Friends of the River on
somerset.river.frome@googlemail.com

Regards John Hyde

QT - mark dowding wrote:
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The need for a zebra crossing opposite the market seems obvious, meanwhile I am still irritated by how fast many drivers go in town centres.
It was I who complained about pollution in the river, headline on the Standard. Others have also done so, good! so how about this?
Every town should have a botanical garden, especially one as attractive as Frome. Some are against public parks generally as they are considered to attract groups of anti-social individuals. Actually, if there was more public seating generally, this would not be a problem, for instance inside Westway Precinct.
I propose a botanical garden should be sited next to the river, on a site that appears to be unused currently, and would be interested in anyone else's comments.

Steve's idea re: petit train is brilliant. I just love it. They are run in all tourist towns/ resorts in France and add real colour and ambiance to the street scene. My kids used to love them when they where little. If the batteries for the train could be recharged with renewable energies, the running costs should be kept very low indeed. In addition to designated stops could I suggest a 'hail and stop' mode as well as a shopping/luggage trailer for bulkier items. this would indeed facilitatethe pedestrianisation of the Town Centre. The market could move back to round the Market Cross and the whole Market Yard space use could be rethought.

Public Transport - road
On holiday in France some years ago, I was struck by the simplicity of a small road train that was able to access certain routes by an electronic key which lowered a bollard. The bollard in normal position denied other traffic any access to that route. The road train was for public use and was of variable length (the equivalent of two or three car lengths), depending on the time of day and expected use. It was quite narrow and fairly unobtrusive, travelling at modest speeds. It did not need rails, but ran quietly (electric?).
Perfect for the Stony Street/Catherine Hill and Catherine Street route to Badcox; perfect for the Bath Street/Keyford route; perfect for the Bailey Bridge; Waterloo, Cork Street, West End route to Welshmill; indeed, a number of radiating routes from the Market Place would be possible.
This assumes that the Market Place is predominantly pedestrianised, with delivery vehicles limted in hours (early and late only).

Public Transport - rail.
There used to be a siding on the railway line behind the Cheese & Grain. The space still exists. Thgere used to be sidings at the old Gas Works site in Welshmill. There is a lightweight passenger carrying rail vehicle called a Parry People Mover. I would propose a shuttle service between the old Gas works site at Welshmill, via a stop at the Cheese & Grain, another at North Hill bridge or Willow Vale bridge, another at Garsdale and a final one at Frome Station.

Private Transport - road.
The large area north of Portway, next to the railway line (old railway land) and the old oil sidings area off The Retreat could be turned into a Park & Ride site, both accessing Frome Station by short pedestrian routes.

Private Transport - rail.
The rail line that by-passes Frome Station (parallel to the road bypass) should be restricted to goods, with sidings built to allow transfer from train to road. This would be quite near to the Asda site. All Passenger traffic would be re-routed into Frome Station, with the second (still existing) platform being brought back into use. The Station would then become a transport hub.

Oh yes, and keep all the existing green spaces (I have a vested interest in this bit)!

Edited by author 25-04-2008 19:20
We need a good community venue in the centre of town - with desk space for voluntary and community groups, meeting rooms and large hall!
With so many people in Frome commuting out every day we need to get Frome people giving each other lifts in their cars. See 'Lifts' on Sustainable Frome website. The 'Lifts' section has only just been set up and we need feedback on how it can work better.
I have also heard that some people feel that the train and bus services should not be improved as it would encourage too many new people to move to Frome. How crazy. What about the young people who want to get a bus to nearby towns or people needing to get a train to work? Should we just keep things with people driving everywhere? Or should we try to improve public transport and help local people and the environment?

QT - John Salmon wrote:
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Frome is a great place to live and work. Being an hour from a motorway meant that it missed out on some of the worst aspects of town planning and development of the 60s and 70s and has retained its wonderful character and lovely environment. I have enjoyed living and working in Frome and my children have grown up here. Thank you for allowing me to make comments to Vision for Frome. I have 10 thoughts and suggestions to share:


1. Pedestrian crossing places should be provided in the Market Place where people actually want to cross the road. Watching people wandering through the traffic and taking risks with pushchairs and children as they do all the time, without any help from planners or traffic engineers, can be nerve-wracking. There is only one crossing which is in the right place; the one between Woolworths and Boots. Many people cross between Emerey Little and the Stroud Building Society. They are occasionally helped by generous car drivers but drivers normally only stop for other drivers and rarely for pedestrians. A crossing here would certainly help people and although it might be difficult to design because of the 900 corner, it would not be impossible. If lights on red created a wide wedge shape of crossing area for pedestrians (encompassing the entrances to Stony Street and Cork Street at the widest end) that would satisfy most needs. It could even help reduce the queues of taxis trying to leave Cork Street. Some people also want to cross between Palmer Street and the church but few will walk up the hill to the traffic signalled pedestrian crossing. When they do, to add insult to injury, the traffic signals are set not to respond for about 20 – 30 seconds. That feels like a long wait.

2 A crossing place in Butts Hill just to the west of the old filling station where two pedestrian lanes join the main road will provide a safe crossing for people (often school children) who cross there anyway. Traffic experts will probably say a crossing there would not meet their design requirements but, which is safer? Having a busy crossing (at Slipps) in the wrong place, or keeping the one which is not much used and letting people, some very young, battle across on their own, both at Gorehedge and west of the old filling station, where it is certainly not safe? Do we need two crossings here?

3. Suggestion Number 1 could be taken a little further. A traffic light controlled crossing between Emery Little and Stroud Building Society could be linked to the crossing between Boots and Woolworths so that operation of one would automatically activate the other. This would mean that whenever anyone uses either crossing, the traffic in the Market Place would all either stop or slow down allowing intermittent gaps in traffic flow which would help people cross anywhere in the Market Place.

4 But with or without suggestions 1 and 3, all traffic through the Market Place should be limited by a 20mph speed limit between Palmer Street and the Bridge. 30mph is too fast at busy times.

5. My next suggestion is probably too idealistic but, as an optimist, I make it anyway. I suggest that the roadway through the Market Place from Palmer Street to the Bridge should be paved in the same materials as the pavements, effectively making the whole a “pedestrian priority”. Pedestrian priority should also extend up King Street to M&S. This would enable road signs, unsightly traffic lights, protective railings etc to be completely removed and drivers will have no option but to travel slowly and respect pedestrians. Bus bays would have to be marked and some “hard landscaping” such as seats and flower tubs would delineate pedestrian only areas. Perhaps it would encourage a European style pavement cafe at Christies for example? In the main body of the Market Place traffic would flow slowly and pedestrians would be able to cross the road safely knowing that cars would actually allow them to cross as they would on a pedestrian crossing.

Pedestrian priority works in a small way at the moment in Stony Street and Scott Road. Obviously traffic volumes are tiny by comparison with those going through the Market Place but the principle is the same. To achieve pedestrian priority, traffic speeds in the Market Place should be limited to 15 mph speed limit. (15 mph speed limits function perfectly well in America). Decreasing regulation and allowing pedestrian and vehicular traffic to co-exist with a degree of respect for each other is being trialled around the world. If Vision4Frome is to mean anything at all then why not try this here? At least a feasibility study should be considered.

6 Parking in Frome is always a problem. All car parks should offer the first half hour free of charge. (The Market Cross parking place and other on-street stopping places should be limited to 15 or 20 minutes only). The objective would be to encourage more people to come into Frome to pick up or drop off goods. Without easing parking payments the town centre will keep losing shoppers to Sainsbury or Asda where parking is free. And who on earth is suggesting that the carpark at Badcox should be pay and park. To help the Badcox traders, who pay a lot of business rates to the Town Council, parking there should remain free of charge although the time limit might be reduced to half an hour to increase the throughput. And just one more point while we are out of the town centre – the mini roundabout at the top of Bath Hill. “Frome Rules” apply at this roundabout and that causes confusion especially to visitors. What might be helpful is a more obvious feature perhaps a small circle of slightly raised cobbles in the middle, maybe with cat’s eyes, to encourage more people to drive it as a roundabout should be driven.

7 It’s a pity that the Market Yard Bailey Bridge is no longer open. It should be open to light traffic but realistically the cost of a vehicular bridge is likely to be prohibitive. However, this bridge in the centre of Frome is a feature of minor historic interest which, as time goes by, will become ever more important. It should be restored, at least for pedestrians, and marked with a plaque to say what a Bailey Bridge is and how it was used and how it came to be in Frome. If it disappears it will be one more little bit of history of our town which will be lost. Too much has been lost in the past.

8 Talking about bridges, the river is so dirty. The rats are prevalent and quite fat at the moment having enjoyed a feast of baby ducks. Presumably they scavenge rubbish from the river for the rest of the year. The river banks beneath the library were, when I looked yesterday, a mess of plastic bags and other rubbish. OK it is difficult to keep clean but the river with the excellent riverside footpath from Welshpool to Walbridge is a focal point of the town and should be respected. Perhaps the railings in the Market yard should be closed with mesh to catch windblown litter before it gets to the river?

9 Catherine Hill needs more CCTV cameras to encourage businesses to stay there and to discourage the brainless idiots who smash windows and damage property. (A small police station in the town centre would also help). Catherine Hill is a wonderful part of Frome which doesn’t seem to get sufficient publicity. In the seventies Catherine Hill was the centre of the stripped pine furniture recycling trade and there were 5 or 6 premises dealing in recycled pine alongside a whole community of interesting shops. The Hill was alive and buzzing then and it is now returning to the liveliness of those days. The Councils should consider carefully how to use their publicity budgets to try to attract more people. Advertising in Trowbridge, Melksham, Shepton Mallet and other neighbouring towns could be particularly beneficial just before Christmas when the Hill looks splendid. People from adjacent towns are actually envious of Frome’s treasures and could, I expect, be encouraged to the speciality shops. They are already impressed by, envious of and come to the cinema, theatres and Cheese and Grain. But who are we attracting people from further afield? I have sometimes seen foreign tourists in the Hill but not many. Why, if thousands of tourists come to Longleat and Stourhead, are we not able to entice even a small percentage of them into Frome?

10 Finally – open spaces are being lost by attrition. The Town Meadow is such an important open space which could be the envy of every town if it were managed properly. Perhaps it should be grazed as a water meadow to encourage diverse habitats. But at the moment it and the Millennium Garden seem to be just dogs’ toilets. The more they remain so the harder it will be to resist future development. Ideas, new landscaping, clean footpaths, wider bio-diversity could all be considered simply and cheaply to provide interesting and enjoyable open spaces for the growing population.

Thank you for reading this. Good luck with all the suggestions you have received and I look forward to seeing some of them being implemented.

I believe we now only have 3 Post Offices in Frome, where once we had at least twice that number. So while you are concentrating on what should happen in the town centre, think of us who live in the Critchill area of Frome and have to travel into town, either on foot or by bus to access the nearest Post Office. How about suggesting to Sainsbury's that they would have room in their superstore for a small Post Office counter.

Wouldn't it also be useful if we had a small One-stop-cop-shop in the centre of the town, manned during the working day. I've got to the stage where I believe that Police persons are merely a figment of my imagination!

Jill's vision for Central Frome matches mine, as do the messages regarding green spaces and the river. If we allow bland chain store and town Centre development, the life will be sucked out of Frome. We need lots of public places were people can meet, interact and chill out. The folks of Cathrine Hill seem to have grasp the nettle with inviting street entertainers coupled with interesting, quirky shops. This will add to ambience of the Frome experience and build on it's stregth. This makes sound economic as well as cultural sense. If you think that Glastonbury Festival has contributed £73 mill spend in Mendip alone, it shows that cultural/arts led generation does work.
 Dan also has a point, however the Cheese and Grain is a charitable organisation and the space has multifunctional use. I am sure that any offer of fundraising for improving the acoustics of the space would be very welcome by the MC as would be the imput of a professional sound engineer. In addtion, Dan could also speak to local pub landlords who already have an entertainment licence to host music evenings which have a world music/fusion flavour. If pubs are an unsuitable space, he could try talking to Paula at the Merlin. I am sure that musical diversity is always welcome.

I feel we would benefit from a really good arts and crafts market. I've been told (by a stallholder) that the market stall rates have increased - perhaps if they were reduced, the market might expand to include some of the work of the mulititude of astonishingly creative people that seem to live in the area. We are fortunate with the Cheese and Grain and the Black Swan, but an interesting market (possible covered) might well bring in people from the surrounding areas. The same applies to the shops - low business rates to encourage small, individual shops (higher rates for national shops) and free parking would all help to keep the centre of our town bustling, active and unique.

Edited by author 17-04-2008 20:58
Wouldn't it be good if we could extend the cycle path along the river bank to join up with the one which goes to Radstock from Great Elm along the railway. Frome hills are so offputting when you think about cycling!

I would like to agree with Batman about the green spaces. There is a real opportunity to make being in the town centre feel like a good experience if we are able to protect green spaces in the centre. Rodden Meadow and the old allotment hillside on the other side of the path are a great asset. We must be firm with the Saxonvale developers to get as much public riverside space as possible and not let the riverside become an extension to the gardens of the houses on that bit of the site. It is great that people are taking the time and trouble to pick up all the litter, it would be even better if we could persuade people not to drop so much and to love our home town a bit better.

Frome is a good place to live. We should keep it’s character. The last thing we should do is allow it to become another clone town.
To achieve that:-
1. Pedestrian priority in the town centre.
2. A place for families and adults in place of the old public toilets in Cork Street to reclaim Château Gontier Walk and the Market Yard car park out of hours.
3. Attract families back into the town centre in the evening
4. Get people out of their cars and on foot

i moved to frome 1.5 years ago after 4 years in mali and 3 in ethiopia

i was raised in BOA

my wife is Malian and we have one daughter

i do like frome it has enough town and country for a young family and a few thigns going on

i was very disappointed to see the millenium garden space being sold for yet more housing to be crammed together with little gardens instead of opening up one of the few green spaces for family picnics etc etc

that is just wrong - stringent planning and regulation is essential to prevent frome from being ruined now

i also think we are very lucky to have the cheese and grain but to make it into a better and more competitive venue it needs a small amount of funding to put acoustic dampening in there and bigger bass bins - as a sound engineer i find the sound enough to put me off going to gigs

another smaller venue for up and coming bands to play with a bar / coffee shop / arts centre that caters for rock, dance, reggae etc not just jazz/classical would also make an immense difference to frome

i look forward to my daughter growing up here

best
dan

I THINK FROME IS TOO SMALL TO BE A TOWN-FROME NEEDS TO GAIN CITY STATUS TO SURVIVE. FROME NEEDS A NEW GOOD CINEMA LIKE THE ODEON IN BATH. OR A MEDIA COMPLEX LIKE LONGWELL GREEN. BOWLING ALLEY-WE DONT HAVE ENOUGH PLACES WIHCH KIDS CAN ENJOY. NEW LARGE SHOPPING CENTRE-WESTWAY IS OK BUT IS TOO SMALL-BUILDING A NEW SHOPPING CENTRE ON A LARGE AREA WILL MAKE THE TOWN WELTHIER ABLING ITSELF TO JOIN TO OTHER VILLAGES. MORE PARKS ARE NEEDED AND MAKE THE RIVER FROME CLEANER. EVERYWHER YOU LOOK THERES RUBBISH IN IT.MAKE THE TOWN LARGER AND GET CITY STATUS IS MY WAY OF SAVING OUR TOWN OF DEATH. I AM IAN SINKINS AND I AM AN 1 YEAR OLD WHO WANTS TO SAVE OUR TOW. THESE IDEAS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. I THINK US WHO WANT TO SAVE OUR TOWN NEED TO START A NEW GROUP AND HAVE ME AS A THE HEAD. IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS OF A NAME OF A GROUP THEN SEND ME AN EMAIL AT iansinkins@yahoo.co.uk WE CAN START OUR OWN GROUP-NOT VISIONS FOR FROME BUT ONE THAT CAN HAVE LOYALTY TO OUR TOWN. PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH IDEAS. WE CAN MEET UP AND DISCUSS AT A MEETING SOMETIME.

IAN SINKINS

It's really fantastic that people are not only taking the time to record their views on here, but also making the effort to make a real difference in our town.

Please don't forget - there are also ways you can come along and speak to "real people" about your ideas and have them recorded to help make a difference. On the 16th April, there will be an event in the Cheese and Grain foyer from 8am until 8:30pm. This will be a joint effort by Mendip District Council and Vision for Frome. Your responses will not only feed into the Community Plan for Frome, but will also help to inform Mendip about the local issues, needs and ideas to shape future policies and action for Frome. Joint working between the two is aimed at building consensus locally so that community views are central to shaping the future of Frome. So at all levels - YOUR VIEWS COUNT!

There is also an opportunity to look at some of the emerging ideas that some people and groups have put together in The George in Frome - this will be manned on Wednesdays and Saturdays so do come along, see what others think and share your own ideas.

Some ideas or concerns can be dealt with in the more immediate term, others will take time to achieve. The important thing is that we go forward, knowing that what is being done in Frome comes from the people of Frome.

V4F

Nick is right - his ideas are being taken up with gusto. As people will have seen last Saturday Market Day, the 'Friends of the Somerset River Frome' were out in force around the Library bridge area down towards Welshmill Wier and under the Town Bridge. The scale of the task for volunteers is considerable but not, it proves, impossible. We are determined to push and push until the situation is controlled and then maintained in good order. This is all being done with the active cooperation of Mendip District and Frome Town Councils, for which we are grateful. The more help, encouragement and awareness we can muster the better. I hope people will cease to tolerate litter, even pick it up and bin it when it isn't theirs - be careful, of course - don't endanger yourself.

For the immediate future, FRF yearns to tackle Rodden Meadow and the riverbank below Innox Hill. Any volunteers?

Returning to Mendip's contribution - it frequently goes unnoticed that their contractors, Connaught, make monthly makeovers of the riverbank, often at unsocial hours in the morning. Of course, if town centres need a lot of attention, there are far less resources to tackle country lanes. Frome Town Cleaner, Michael, is a familiar sight but he task is mammoth unless we, the citizens, work with him. An initiative,
currently seeking funds, is to fix a 'hedge-bottom' fence to the
post-and-rail fence around the Old Cattle Market Yard in order to prevent litter reaching the riverbank and to make it easier to collect. Popular backing for this idea would be invaluable.

[That's enough preaching]

John Hyde
Chairman
'Friends of the Somerset River Frome'

QT - Nick Ray wrote:
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My two main wishes are:-

1) That there is more and more thorough litter picking beyond the town centre and also the main roads and lanes that lead into Frome.

2) That concerted effort is made to improve and enhance the River Frome. Cutting back low growth to prevent the build-up of flood rubbish and a twice-yearly clean-up using a boat to enable the picking of rubbish from the banks. Regular mowing/strimming of the banks around the library bridge area.

Picking up on John Hyde's point about the traffic hazards around Christchurch St. West; the mini roundabout is a constant source of indecision for drivers, where no one is 100% clear as to who has priority. I feel that a new design, which removes / reduces confusion at that junction is needed. Also I feel that there should be certain standards in place when it comes to shops / advertising signage and estate agents boards when it comes to decisions about what is permitted on listed buildings and buildings of such fantastic character as we have in Frome. In my opinion some of the signage and it's positioning is wrong considering the ancient character of Frome architecture.

Catherine Hill is gradually becoming an exciting and interesting place to shop and is a real jewel in Frome's crown, as shoppers are coming from as far and wide as Salisbury, Exeter, Dorset, Bath and Bristol to spend the day shopping in Frome. Once the milkshake and smoothie bar is fitted out and the mens gadget shop opens, then every shop on the hill will be in business!

This is a fantastic gauge of how Frome is becoming more regenerated. Less than a year ago there were around 4 or 5 shops on the hill, sitting empty. Business people are taking up these premises and creating pleasant environments which attract the most discerning shoppers. I am a relatively new trader to Catherine Hill and have heard many people talking of the times over the years when the hill was really thriving, then, sadly, they claim, it all dropped off, businesses started to close and shops became run down after being left empty again for so long. This must not be allowed to happen again. Catherine Hill is on the up! (pun intended). As small speciality businesses, we are proud of what we are doing and hope that more Frome residents and visitors to Frome will wander up the hill to browse the eclectic mix of speciality shops which seem to have something for almost everyone.

Admittedly, we do not all keep regular hours, due to family or studying commitments but then again, what are regular hours any more? Society seems to expect and have us believe that there is such a thing as regular hours when some shops open 24/7 and Sunday trading is the norm, pubs stay open all night, while church attendance is dwindling and to be honest, opening hours for most businesses are all over the place, what with flexi-time, job-shares, night-shifts and everything else in life that affects the hours we have left to shop.

So, if you do wander up Catherine Hill you might be pleasantly surprised. As well as getting a great bit of exercise, you may be able to purchase a gorgeous present for yourself or someone special, or just want to admire the view, absorb the architecture or soak up the quirky atmosphere. Once you reach the top you can unwind with a cuppa from the cafe on the corner.

 It's amazing how many people I have spoken to that have said to me they have lived in Frome for years and never bothered to go up Catherine Hill. They are always genuinely pleased that they made the effort. Catherine Hill is a bit tucked out of the way and cut off from the main shopping area.

I really think that all Frome shops would benefit from the area being even more pedestrianised to encourage a steadier flow of shoppers. For example the small waste-of-space parking area outside the bank in the market place could be eradicated and become a pretty pedestrianized square, with noticeboards about town events, an information point maybe, and yes, some benches even! This square could lead all the way over to the bottom of Stony Street. Then if traffic does still have to come down Bath Street into the main part of town, it would have to really slow down once it gets to the Stroud & Swindon, perhaps the road could be ramped slightly there, so the traffic would have go really slow, making this area much safer for shoppers/pedestrians. It's quite a dodgy bend there and cars reversing in and out of those stupid parking spaces make it even dodgier.

The same goes for traffic coming the other way, which would have to really slow down as it gets to the bridge, perhaps the raised/ramped bit of road could start just by the Blue House.

Maybe there could be bollards in place to warn pedestrians that there are still vehicles approaching, but the type of vehicles which are allowed to come through this part of town, could be reconsidered and the flow/speed of traffic greatly reduced.

Anyway, I'm more of a fashiony person and an artist, not a town planner but if I had the money, that's what I would do for Frome.

Come on Frome. I've been watching the responses to this website for a month or so now. Yes, there have been some good ideas coming out but there's also a lot of unrealistic tosh being peddled and a lot of gloom and doom.

I have had links with Frome all my life and it is a fantastic place to live and work. Character, attractive environment (overlooking a few eyesores!) creative and generous people, a real sense of place and good links to other places we need to get to. Some of the talk would suggest we may as well all move to Milton Keynes, or Westbury!

So what are the issues that should be under debate that will change and improve the way we use Frome - here's my top 3... (of 15 or so I've come up with so far which I'll be taking to the event on 16th at the Cheese and Grain)

1. Maintaining the open spaces that are left in the town - we are going to have more homes (that's a given) but why can't they be on new sites on the town's fringes rather than filling in all our green spaces and gardens with poky flats and houses with no gardens. For those in the town, green spaces to visit or even look accross are vanishing which can't be good. There are so many new homes with no outdoor space of any consequence. Lets have well planned, carbon neutral new homes on good public transport links and save the green spaces in town.

2. Okay so the night life in Frome isn't Bath, and we can't expect it to be, but there's got to be more we can do to encourage a more vibrant town centre after the shops shut. Bar 11 is a good venue to compliment the pubs, but there needs to be more, especially for the younger adults. The alternative is that everyone stays at home and then goes off elsewhere for the weekend

3. The old chestnut - Traffic. There have been various ideas about getting the traffic out of the town centre in the past but the commitment has always dropped off for different reasons. Its not going to be a simple solution, but think of the possibilities for the Market Place as a pedestrianised public venue without the choking fumes, noise, etc.

Hi John

Week after next would be good to meet as I am tied up next week. I can do any time except Mondays.

Look forward to meeting you

Gerlinde

Hello Gerlinde

I m bowled over by your list of ideas, especially the ones about using a spruced-up River Frome. Would you like to talk more with my colleagues and me in 'Friends of the River' to see what practical things can be got going.

Kind regards

John Hyde
Chairman

Friends o

Edited by author 09-04-2008 10:44
I agree with Carla, that Frome's unique strength is it's creative base, and the independent outlets which are suited to the medieval character of the town centre. The Garsdale/Saxon Vale site provides an opportunity build on this vibrancy existing the arts and crafts outlets and independent businesses provide, complimenting these we need community and public spaces for both formal ( community meeting spaces, youth cafe, studio spaces etc.) and informal sites of social interaction ( such as a permanent arts and craft market, Street Art Exibitions) with a cleaned up River Frome as a focal point. There could be a permanent sculpture trail with changing and tactile exibits, imaginative spaces for climbable structures to play on and around,a river cafe and picknick areas and even perhaps once the river has be cleaned a site to paddle and swim. Encouragement of street entertainers of all disciplines to enhance the quirky vibe and perhaps workshop spaces where the public could have a go in making collective art. The refurbishment and restoration of the historic buildings should be undertaken in an environmentally sensitive way . To create employment opportunities perhaps Bath Spa Uni could be persuaded to relocate or estabilish a multi-media Department in Frome ( perhaps on the to be vacated Victoria Hospital Site) which could offer numerous opportunities for progression and to build on the excellent work undertaken by Frome College as well as extending leisure learning opportunities using Frome Artists, Crafts people and Musicians as AEd tutors. Frome could become the destination of choice for those who enjoy a vibrant street scene and attract even more creative folk. Creative led regeneration as been proven to be successful in many a metropolis and town. Even SWERDA has woken up to it's potential of breathing new live in to market town and rural economies. We could be an environmental model by retrofitting existing buildings to achieve reduced pollution incl. carbon emission and be a human scale, exciting and fun place to live in and visit.

I agree with Carla...!

If you are someone that prefers to discuss your ideas - why not come along to a free event in Frome? It even includes lunch!

Invitation to a free “Open Space” day Saturday 26th April 2008 - Masonic Hall, North Parade, Frome 10am to 4pm. Lunch and refreshments are included.

Sustainable Frome is hosting this exciting event on behalf of Vision for Frome to bring together a group of people in our community who want to take positive action locally to influence the way our town and its surroundings will be in the future.

Open Space Technology is an imaginative, ingenious & inspiring approach that has been used successfully throughout the world to enable any number of people to discuss and put together ideas on a particular question. The question to be considered on this day is:

“How can Frome Thrive in the 21st Century?”

Are you concerned about:

• Climate change?
• Waste & pollution?
• The rising cost of fuel & food?

Are you interested in:

• Community activities?
• A thriving local economy?
• A safe secure future?

We are inviting people from all parts of the community to participate in the day. This will give a wide perspective on these very important issues, and enable us to tap into the rich and abundant local skills and knowledge available. As a result we are confident that some interesting and exciting ideas will emerge to take us forward.
The day will be free of charge & includes lunch and refreshments.

Booking is essential - you can book a place at http://www.visionforfrome.org.uk/events.asp or by emailing vision4frome@v4f.org.uk

We are sure that the future of Frome is important to you & we sincerely hope you will want to attend. 2008 can be the year in which our community unites to have a very real and positive impact on the way our lives unfold.

We look forward to meeting everyone on what promises to be an inspiring day we will all remember.

Sustainable Frome

what would I like to see in Frome..
A complete rethiink of the Saxonvale development. On the one hand you cannot blame the developers for their plans - they have been provided the brief by Mendip district council. But it is the same old same old - private housing and shops. All very vulnerable to variations in the economy. Leaving aside the problems of parking (what is the obsession with parking??? where does it say we must all have cars???) any downturn in consumer spending will mean houses not being bought and shops will not be filled - or if they are, the unique mainly independent shops Frome is getting a reputation for could be squeezed out as they cannot afford rents so the Chains move in and - wallop in one fell swoop we look like every other town across the country.
I think we must look at the provision for younger people. they are hanging around because they need somewhere to hang around. Taking the benches away from the town is not the answer to people hanging around - I mean, even the benches by the Bus Stop have now gone for goodness sake. Frome is a ghost town after 5.30pm. The tumble weeds all but run through the town at that time. No-one is out and about walking anymore it seems.
Can we make more use of our river - could a cafe or pub or restaurant be encouraged to open up on the route.
And allotments - there is currently a 60 persons waiting list. Says one need is definately not being met to my mind.

Edited by author 05-04-2008 14:43
For useful information on oil depletion - probably THE most inportant issue to affect Frome in the next 20 years, join Sustainable Frome;

http://www.sustainablefrome.org.uk
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5180438555

Oil information here;

http://www.oildepletionprotocol.org/
http://www.davidstrahan.com/map.html
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KrjX4Nf_wGM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vgvnqv1-_D4 - WATCH THIS!

Oil and coal are fossil fuels
That means we are burning the dead
I'm living in a horror film.

Slime mold are seemingly independent amoeba, microscopic living blobs who race about on the moist surface of a decaying tree or rotting leaf cheerfully oblivious to each other when times are good. They feast gaily for days on bacteria and other delicacies, attending to nothing but their own selfish appetites. But when the food runs out, famine descends upon the slime mold world. Suddenly the formerly flippant amoeba lose their sense of boisterous individualism. They rush toward each other as if in a panic, sticking together for all they're worth.

Widening gap between the rich and poor.
Increasingly dangerous traffic.
Continuing planning corruption.
Unaccountable individuals who aspire to being free market tigers running public institutions.
Violence.
Drugs and money laundering.
An education system that celebrates a target hitting minority while hiding a failing majority.
The environment being used as a pawn in a power/moral/class struggle.
An aspiring 'middle class' who expect a private playground paid for by the public purse.
Divisions amongst the young encouraged and ignored by the adult population.
Empty housing and buildings and still more are built.

Frome, it's a wonderful place.

Very intriguing thoughts - well worth incororating into a Frome
Enhancement strategy

John

QT - Steve wrote:
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Each time I enter Frome, I am struck by the possibility that it could become the first walled town of the 21st Century. Much of the current edge of Frome is on high ground and easily lends itself to 'gateway' entrances - from Blatchbridge, from Nunney, from Mells, from Buckland Dinham, from Oldford - all these routes rise up the scarp and drop into the town. This would set the planners a fascinating challenge to develop a co-ordinated approach to the circumference of the town. It would create that old chestnut - a unique selling point for tourist business. It would continue and compliment the theme of the medieval layout of the town. It would even allow for the disguise and assimilation of the abomination that is the western skyline of the Wallington Way site.
There is a sense of excitement experienced when entering one of Europe's walled towns, set as they often are on high ground. This could be achieved with the visionaries that abound in Frome. It has been shown, in the Piggeries development, that there is quality design available in the area. Let's set a challenge to the architects and planners of the district, or beyond, to create an integrated design (note - not uniform) for the town perimeter.
Be bold, Frome - make a grand statement of pride and non-conformity!

Traffic: My concern is the traffic flow at the top of Bath Street and towards the fire station. Drivers from Bath Street turning into Christchurch St W [while coping with the steep incline] are always in two minds about vehicles coming quickly downhill towards them. This leads to hazzards in all directions from vehicles, cyclists and
pedestrians. Equally, drivers descending the hill are faced with vehicles turning right in an unpredictable manner. It needs radical re-planning. An additioal circumstance is lack of parking in that area, which ought to be incorporated in any new layout.

John

QT - David wrote:
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On traffic: the reorganisation of the town centre two or three years ago was the most idiotic piece of mismanagement imaginable. The town centre is clogged by buses and by that unimaginably foolish parking area at the bottom of Cheap Street. I support the idea of a 20 MPH limit in central Frome. At present madness rules.

On plastic bags: I am one of the activists in Frome. I can tell you that private traders have already responded to the BringYourOwnBag campaign in Frome and to other information sources (like the Daily Mail and the BBC). One trader will save himself 70% of last year's bag bill by changing his policy. About 50% of the public are refusing bags and many more businesses are operating new strategies. The national chains of shops are the ones doing nothing, so next time you get a sandwich from the baker, buy makeup or medecine from the chemist or et offered a bag anywhere please say no. There are plenty of durable bags around that you can slip in your pocket so that you never need to get a bag anywhere. Try to get one made of a Fairtrade organic, unbleached material with natural, organic printing inks.

Having recently moved here, I am appalled by the amount of dogs muck that I have to dodge on my walk to work, most of it plastered across the pavements where folk have accidentally trod in it!!I thought it a thing of the past .I have only seen one bin for disposal located near Victoria park.Which seems to be well used. I've seen stickers on lamp post, quoting 'the fine' ....clearly not a deterrent. I am an animal lover/owner and I want to be proud of where I live. It is also a health hazard. I know people don't always use the bins but... if they are there.... It does work in other towns

I have been involved in the Frome FM radio project as a broacaster and think that it is a good long term way of advertising local events as well as providing entertainment to the town. Debates on local issues can be easily accessed and there is a listen again facility for people to catch up on stuff they may have missed. The station is also very active in providing information and underpinning the Frome Festival which gives us a national profile. It should be supported to the hilt.

re Plastic bags

I agree eliminating plastic bags, which are a scourge. But they ought not be issued by shops, full stop. Everyone should simply reject them. Paper bags will bio-degrade [with a light lining if absolutely necessary] but better still, people should take their own shopping bags


QT - Judi <qtopic-41-HxqJfmJ6Aw6Y@quicktopic.com> wrote :

< replied-to message removed by QT >

I think Frome should be as attractive as possible using natural products ( see below) and that all residents should feel like they want to look after it and make it a good Community.

A really good public noticeboard of events, maintained daily, would help.

Could we have proper hanging baskets and wooden tubs , not ugly plastic containers. It would be more aesthetically pleasing and show support for natural products over plastic.

Could Frome stores all charge for plastic carrier bags so we are encouraged to use the same ones. Could stores have containers with 'old' plastic bags in free that we can re use ( whichever store they came from) so that at least the plastic bags are re used as much as possible.

Agree with free parking - 2 hrs would be more reasonable - we can then shop and spend money in a cafe.

Strongly agree about an initial hour of free parking. The current arrangement stifles Frome's retailing and encourages people to shop out of town.

I think Frome town centre would really benefit from an hour's free parking. If parking was free, the people in our office would be far more inclined to use the town's facilities rather than heading for one of the out-of-town supermarkets at lunchtime.

Edited by author 30-01-2008 16:13
Have your say on all things Frome, whether it is positive or negative, or somewhere in-between.

Do you have a grand idea for the town?
Is there something that really bothers you about living in Frome?
Are you happy with the quality of shops, places to get fit, places to eat and drink?
Do you feel safe in your community?

Post your thoughts on this board and see if there are others with the same views as you - or for you to have a healthy debate! Please keep it non-offensive and bear in mind that people may have a different view to your own. Offensive posts will be removed.