A Charter setting out principles to protect the River Frome and its surrounding environment has been adopted by the town council.
The Avon Bioregional River Charter aims to bring local authorities across the river catchment together to support the river and its surrounding habitats.
The charter sets out principles including the right of the river to flow naturally, remain free from pollution and support a diverse range of species and habitats.
Frome Town Council unanimously voted to adopt the charter at its October meeting.
Cllr Sara Butler said, “We are delighted to be part of this growing movement to recognise rivers as living systems and as a council, have adopted this charter to help support the river exist as it should. With fantastic community groups in the town working to promote the ecological and cultural importance of the river, this charter will bring together authorities and groups to support the biological health of the river and the area alongside it.”
The council intends to explore appointing a community guardian to advocate for the River Frome and encourage engagement with the charter and its other signatories.
Gemma Annan-Mead, from Frome Families for the Future and Friends of the River Frome, welcomed the decision.
“I’m overjoyed that Frome has signed up to the Avon Bioregional Charter. It feels like a real step forward in protecting the river at such an important time,” she said.
“We can use the charter to strengthen the work already happening to protect and improve the health of the river here in Frome, and it unites us with the neighbouring towns and parishes who’ve signed up too.”
More than 20 river charters already exist across the UK. The Avon charter is the first bioregional one, meaning it is based on natural boundaries rather than political divisions.
It was developed by We Are Avon, a project working to regenerate the Avon catchment, the University of the West of England and councillors from the region.
More information is available at https://weareavon.org/avon-bioregional-charter/.
Pictured: Children look for river invertebrates at the 2026 Frome River Festival. Photo by Matt Mellen,
Send us your news!
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Do you have an interesting story you would like to share? Have you seen something you feel needs more attention? Get in touch with a reporter today!
✉️ Click here to get in touch with a reporterSupport Frome Times
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £5 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.
Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation to support independent journalism in Frome.
