TENS of volunteers took to the streets of Frome last month to take part in the town’s very first “hoedown”, clearing weeds by hand and by hoe.
The “Frome Hoedown” was part of Mendip District Council’s manual weed management trials, which aim to tackle weed control without the use of glyphosate – a weed killer linked to cancer and toxic to birds and insects.
Frome resident and Mendip District councillor, Shane Collins said, “Around 40 to 50 of us got our hoes out and tidied parts of the town.
“As well as stopping Mendip District Council using Round-up, we are meeting the neighbours and allowing the lockdown spirit to thrive.
“We look forward to Mendip District Council utilising the 160 volunteers who want to get involved.”
The district council says, “In September 2019, the council took the decision to stop using glyphosate. The search goes on for an effective substitute but until that time, weeding by hand (and hoe), is the way forward for Mendip.”
For information about future events, search for “Frome Hoedown” on Facebook.
