The newly renovated Roundhouse has been officially reopened this month by Frome’s mayor, Cllr Andy Jones.
The works were undertaken by Frome Town Council with the help of local carpenters to make the structure safer, which is located at ‘The Otherside’ by the Welshmill allotments and the River Frome.
The original roundhouse and an adjoining riverside path were first opened in 2015 by the then-deputy mayor, Alison Barclay. Over the years, the site has become a popular meeting space, enhanced by the addition of a wildlife pond and flower beds.
However, the original timbers began to rot, and damage to the roof slats accelerated the structure’s decline. A refurbishment project commenced in October 2024, incorporating metal supports to lift the wooden poles off the ground, preventing future rot. Stronger, more durable timber was also used to ensure the Roundhouse’s longevity.
Cllr Mark Dorrington said, “This project was made possible thanks to the skill of experienced carpenter and project leader Martin Roscoe of House Martin Carpentry, supported by Richard Chisnall of Futurustic Woodworking and Joey Blane, Laurence Hardy and Dan Stevenson. Building the self-supporting reciprocal roof was a particular challenge, as working out how the poles lie on each other has a mystical geometry to it! Our rangers provided excellent support and it’s looking fantastic.
“Like the roof timbers used in the construction, which were felled metres from the roundhouse, Martin’s workshop is just across the road, so this has been a truly local endeavour.
“One of the most challenging tasks was hunting down exactly the right timber for this special job; many sawmills were contacted in an effort to find the right roundwood timber and it seems natural timber doesn’t grow on trees!
“Many thanks to Marilyn Smith of Wessex Water and Ben Brebner of Frome Sewage Treatment Works for going above and beyond to help the team access and use quality timber from their site, preventing it going to waste. This new structure, with the help of a careful maintenance regime by the rangers, should last a very long time and ensure this lovely space can be enjoyed for many years to come. Thanks also to the many passers-by who stopped to chat and were so appreciative of the work being done, and to Zak Gratton of Wild Memories and Sheila, Sue and Susan of FROGs for their involvement in looking after The Otherside.”
The work on the roundhouse coincided with ongoing Environment Agency works to create a watercraft launching site and lifting pad by the Roundhouse. This work is expected to finish before Christmas 2024, allowing full public access to The Otherside once more.
Pictured: FTC Environment Manager Rob Holden, Sue Plummer, Jacky Dennis, Soo Wright, Susan Cullip, Zak Gratton, Sheila Hedges, Mayor Andy Jones, Martin Roscoe, Richard Chisnall, FTC rangers Mark Scopes, Jay Hanton, Mike Wright, Cllr Mark Dorrington, Mark Branson and Toni Duddridge
