How Frome can make a difference in the Great Big Green Week and beyond

FROME’S Great Big Green Week, which takes place this month, is about celebrating the town’s green spaces, along with highlighting the importance of taking action to help tackle the climate and ecological emergency. 

Cllr Fiona Barrows said, “There are many events in the week-long programme where residents in Frome can get involved – the aim is to raise awareness, inform and provide pointers on how we can all make changes that will have an impact on our local environment and the planet. There are some fascinating talks, films and meetings where we can learn and put ideas raised into practice and make a real difference.” 

For those looking for inspiration and debate, Frome Town Hall will play host to a Planet Friendly Living evening on Monday 12th September. From 7pm – 9pm; the gathering will hear from environmental educator and author, Claire Vowell, who will shine a light on nurdles, described as ‘the worst toxic waste you have probably never heard of!’ What are they, what’s their link to single use plastics and how are they impacting wildlife around the world? 

Alongside Claire, there will be a showcase of local businesses and organisations offering advice on planet friendly swaps. Come along and talk to Denude, Share shop, Eco Party, Ailuna, the seed library plus more, to find out how we can all share, reuse, refill or recycle. 

Also on Monday 12th, Green & Healthy Future’s Charlotte Carson leads a short Green Community Connector Session from 11am – 12pm at Frome Medical Practice. This session will empower you to help your community live greener and healthier lives. 

On Tuesday 13th, Mendip councillor, Shane Collins, will present “The Climate Emergency: Five Things to Change and Four Ways to Do It” at the Silk Mill from 7pm, taking a look at the problems we’re facing and how we can get involved in making change happen.  The Sustainable Business Champions will meet at the Welshmill Hub from 7pm-8.30pm to celebrates existing plastic free and sustainable businesses in town and provide others with an opportunity to learn how to become a one. 

The Climate Action Group is back and at the Town Hall on Wednesday 14th from 7pm. The meeting will focus on sustainable travel and what Frome can do to encourage more green travel choices. Running at the same time is the Big Green Clothes Swap at the Silk Mill – back for its second year, the clothes swap is a great excuse to clear out your wardrobe and find some fine new second (or third!) hand threads. Bring your unwanted items along to the Silk Mill between 7pm and 9pm and have a rummage through the piles to find some new treasures. 

Why not make an evening of it and bring your popcorn along to some film screenings at the Town Hall? On Tuesday 13th, from 7pm, Sustainable Frome present Motherload – a crowdsourced documentary in which the cargo bicycle becomes a vehicle for exploring motherhood in this digital age of climate change. The film follows director and new mother, Liz Canning, on her quest to understand the increasing tension between modern life and our hunter-gatherer DNA, and how cargo bikes offer a solution. Also showing is The Draw of the Sea as part of the Frome Lit Fest on Sunday 18th September from 5pm-6pm. Join Wyl Menmuir in conversation with conservationist, author and natural history broadcaster, Philippa Forrester, to explore the incredible power that water has on our lives and why it has such a magical power. 

The full programme with all the listings can be found on www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/great-big-green-week.