SOS Frome's story
Save Open Spaces (SOS) Frome is an independent group established to protect open spaces in Frome. Across the town there is a network of open green spaces which are used and loved by local people. These spaces are of enormous value: they help form the character and identity of Frome; they provide important open spaces for people to relax, exercise and spend time outside; and they provide vital habitat and corridors for wildlife.
Whilst some sites are locally important others also add significantly to the character of the town and SOS works hard to preserve these cherished spaces as Frome grows.
In 2015, SOS Frome successfully crowdfunded over £300,000 through a community share offer to buy a piece of land called Whatcombe Fields. This land is open green space, not a formal park or a garden, simply a beautiful 34 acre stretch of fields that following this buyout, the public can continue to enjoy as a community space. There is a a grazier that continues to graze his cattle periodically and the group is also working with Somerset Wildlife Trust to find ways to boost wildlife diversity without interfering with productive farm use.
Once bought, the 282 members who own shares in Whatcombe Fields decided between them that the space would be left undeveloped. Founding members had put forward ideas about allotments, open water swimming baths and footpaths on the site, but the membership voted against these, preferring it to remain as it had been.
Useful learnings from SOS Frome
The first space identified by the group, Rodden Lake Stream Meadow, which was put up for sale in 2014, was unfortunately not protected, and was sold off to a new owner who has fenced the area, preventing its use by the public. The disappointment felt from this happening was a significant mobiliser, and led to a more concerted effort to protect Whatcombe Fields when this piece of land became available.
The group learned a lot from the examples of other organisations locally. Particularly with regards to setting up the share offer to buy the land - something that at the time was still fairly unusual. A lot of help and support was gained from Bath & West Community Energy, who had experience in raising funds in this way.
There are many sites of all sizes in and around Frome (42 sites have been identified!) and it is not necessary or feasible for a small group to protect all of them. A way of focusing effort on the really important sites is therefore needed. A prioritisation process was key to provide a more objective assessment of the importance of the identified open spaces.
In order to protect open spaces as much as possible for local communities to enjoy, it’s vital to understand how the protection processes work, what evidence is needed to apply for protection and how applications can be made. These mechanisms include Assets of Community Value, Village Green application, Rights of Way and Access Land.
SOS Frome now provides support and guidance to other groups in the area. Whilst the group itself has only taken one space into community ownership, it has acted in an advisory/advocacy role for other initiatives, for example the buyout of Adderwell Water Meadow in the town.
SOS Frome's metrics
Funds raised through community share offers to protect green spaces. Number of green spaces protected for the local community to access and enjoy. Number of volunteers who get involved in different projects from footpath maintenance to thistle-pulling to tree planting. Increase in wildlife diversity.
