Vote now for Frome’s Jubilee project

THE community is being urged to vote on how Frome commemorates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from three possible ideas, which have now been shortlisted from suggestions from local people. Voting for the best idea ends on Monday 21st February. 

The three ideas are; a large family picnic event; a commemorative space in the Old Showfield, including a circular bench with a stone circle inscription and a large central tree; or a Jubilee beacon that could be lit up to commemorate special occasions. 

The town council says, “To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year Frome Town Council has set aside £15,000 for a project to commemorate the occasion. The jubilee marks 70 years of the Queen’s service to the country and Frome residents have submitted ideas throughout January to go to a panel.  These have now been shortlisted ready for you to have your vote in The People’s Budget Jubilee Vote.

“The panel, which was made up of councillors, members of the Rotary and Inner Wheel, and volunteer residents, looked at the 12 ideas submitted and had the difficult job of sifting through the suggestions.

“The criteria for putting the projects through were: do-ability, whether the project could be delivered within the budget and the time frame and were in the gift of Frome Town Council; equitability, how fair the project was in terms of access, combined with the greatest benefit to all; and finally, how well a project fitted the brief, to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. 

“Some of the projects suggested were discounted immediately because the land wasn’t Frome Town Council’s to improve, and in some cases, the budget wasn’t going to be enough.  It was agreed that Frome’s Missing Links project would make a worthy Jubilee project, but wouldn’t be able to be finished in time or for the budget; others such as the Stonebridge Park, the sculpture along the Loop da Loop wall and the riverbank project were discounted as the land belongs to Mendip District Council. Also, a few projects such as the Swift Project and the Windsor Oak project could likely be achieved through other means. Street parties were also mentioned a number of times, but it was felt that streets could be supported to have their own parties rather than be dictated to. 

“That left three projects to put to the vote:

• A large family picnic with entertainment to bring everyone together and celebrate. 

• The Jubilee blossom circle centrepiece in the Old Showfield including a circular bench with a stone circle inscription and a large central tree.

• A Jubilee beacon to help light up the UK to celebrate and commemorate special occasions with a specially commissioned beacon.”

Deputy leader of Frome Town Council, cllr Anita Collier, who also sat on the panel said, “We had a wide ranging and thorough discussion and I hope that you’ll agree that we have come up with a final three that, although are all quite traditional, are really in the spirit of Jubilee.  Please let us know your preference so that we can deliver a project fit for a queen!” 

Voting is open now online at: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/platinum-jubilee-2022/ or in person at Frome Rotary charity shop in the Westway or at the Town Hall.

Alternatively, you can ring the town council on 01373 465757.

The vote will close on the 21st February and to vote you must be over 10 and live in Frome.