Latest news with #Frome
BBC News
8 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Frome Town Council buys water meadow to protect 'haven'
A town council along with campaigners have raised more than £37,000 to buy a water meadow in Somerset along the River Frome. Frome Town Council says the land will now be protected as a "haven for the people and wildlife" at Adderwell Water 2020, the council adopted a rivers strategy by campaigners Friends of the Frome, who were concerned at the state of the waterway, and the impact of sewage pollution and development. Councillor Mark Dorrington said: "This land has vital benefits for biodiversity and in time will create recreational spaces". Chairman of Friends of the River Frome Mike Bull said: "Water Meadows are becoming scarcer but they're needed more than ever to help with the climate emergency". A crowdfunder was started in December with the town council agreeing to purchase the land for £75,000. The authority had already raised £50,000 and an extra £37,000 was generated, over £10,000 more than they had hoped to raise. Mr Bull said: "We're excited to work with Frome Town Council in the coming months to prepare a management plan for the site. "We will also be planning an event in the late summer to celebrate and thank everyone for their help in protecting this important site."Part of Friends of the Frome's 10-year plan for the river is to improve access to it via the town, with a pledge to build a footbridge connecting Adderwell to the nearby residential areas of Edmund Park and Caxton Road.
BBC News
18 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
'Frustration' as Leisure Centre's swimming lessons cancelled
Parents are demanding answers after their children's swimming sessions have been cancelled due to a leisure centre's faulty pool at Somerset's Frome Leisure Centre is currently closed for kids after failing to meet temperature Lisa Darby said the situation is "frustrating" and has affected her daughter learning to of Fusion Leisure, the centre's operators, said they are "working hard to resolve the boiler issue" and added that the pool for adults is still in use "but colder than usual". Father-of-two Doug Campbell said he would like the pool's leaders to answer why the pool has been closed twice in the last eight months."You just can't get a slot for kids swimming lessons now and we've had to take my children to other centres," he said."The floor in the gym is in very poor condition and the soft play area upstairs has had a leak in the roof." Anna Sabine, Frome and East Somerset MP (Liberal Democrat) described the "ongoing issues at Fusion are unacceptable". "Members and families rely on this community facility, and they deserve transparency, compensation, and practical solutions. "Fusion must explain how they will update customers, reimburse direct debit payments, and mitigate any impact to children's swimming lessons moving forward," she said. A spokesperson from Fusion said the pool's repair works were "complex", but the new boiler will be operational by mid-July."The pool is still in use, but colder than usual. We adhere to industry guidance on swimming lessons, so our swim school is not currently operating in the pool. "We would like to reassure parents that we will credit their accounts for any missed sessions and will offer catch up sessions in August. "Our senior directors have met with Anna Sabine MP to update her on works and the team would be very happy to meet her again."We thank everyone for their patience while we work as quickly as possible to restore our facilities and equipment as quickly as possible," they added.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
12-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star aiming for world championships
A 12-year-old athlete is making a name for herself in the fiercely competitive world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Taya Jones, who trains at Gracie Barra Salisbury and Gracie Barra Frome, was recently named a Gracie Barra UK ambassador athlete for 2025. Advertisement The title is reserved for the most promising young athletes within the organisation. Taya secured silver at the IBJJF Rome Open, narrowly missing gold in a close final against an experienced Brazilian opponent. Read more Taya has her sights set on the world championships. (Image: Gracie Barra Salisbury) She only recently moved up to her current yellow belt division, marking the match as a significant step forward in her career. This achievement follows her first European gold win in October 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. Taya has also competed in invitation-only events this year, including Tanto in Weston-super-Mare and ENYO, the UK's leading all-female grappling showcase, where she secured a dominate victory on Saturday, June 7. Advertisement The recent competition had a star studded audience including actor and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor Tom Hardy, who signed Taya's gold medal. Her coach at Gracie Barra Salisbury, Callum Swift, said: "Taya trains with unmatched dedication — almost every day of the week — and has shown the mindset and talent to compete at the very highest levels. "She represents the future of Gracie Barra and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the UK, and I wager that she will become a future black belt world champion." Taya is now focused on the World Championships in Abu Dhabi this November and has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover travel and accommodation costs. Advertisement She continues to train and compete almost daily as she prepares for the international stage. Fans and supporters can follow her journey on Instagram at by searching 'tayaj_bjj_tagb'.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daughter of MP killed in Brighton bombing made CBE
THE daughter of an MP killed in the Brighton bombing 40 years ago has spoken of her pride at being made a CBE. Jo Berry, 67, who lives in Frome, has dedicated her life to peace and reconciliation since her father Sir Anthony Berry, the former Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, died. The bombing on October 12 1984 tore apart the Brighton Grand Hotel, where then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher and members of her cabinet were staying while the Conservative Party conference took place. Five people, including Sir Anthony, were killed in the explosion and another 34 were injured. The bomber, IRA member Patrick Magee, was handed eight life sentences at the Old Bailey in 1986, with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 35 years. He was released in 1999 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Two days after the bombing, Ms Berry, who was 27 at the time, embraced peace rather than hatred and as part of her work she met Magee in 2000. Since then they have appeared together at events hundreds of times. In 2009 she set up the Building Bridges for Peace charity and has now been honoured for her lifetime's work by becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). 'When I read the letter I was in shock, such a surprise. I'm deeply honoured to receive this award,' Ms Berry told the PA news agency. 'It was not something that ever occurred to me would happen. 'For me it's about everyone who's supported me on my journey to help me achieve what I've achieved. 'I also see it as for everyone who's chosen empathy over hatred. 'For me it's about recognising our shared humanity even after loss and pain. 'It's recognising that it has been a 40-year journey when I made the decision to not hate, not go for revenge. 'Just two days afterwards I wanted to bring something positive out of it and I was only 27 and now I'm 67 and I've still got so much more to achieve, and this award will help. 'I think the hardest thing I had to do was what I chose to do. The hardest thing I chose to do was build the bridge with Patrick Magee, the man who killed my dad. And rather than blaming him, I listened to him. 'It was hard but it was also transformational, and I know it's given a lot of people hope of what is possible. 'I've dedicated my life to peace and reconciliation and that's what I got this award for, which I'm just so moved by it. 'I can't put it into words, I'm so happy.' Reflecting on current global instabilities with the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, Ms Berry said: 'There are people right now who are choosing not to hate even the midst of conflict. 'Even after being bereaved, I know there are people who have huge courage. 'This award, it really makes me think of everyone who's caught up in those wars and the violence, sending love and support. 'I feel this award will give me a higher profile and I haven't finished bringing anything positive, so maybe there's more I can do. 'I have done some international work and I would like to do some more. 'We all need hope, and we all need to be listened to and understood. My message is about shared humanity, that dehumanising anyone does not bring us peace.' Ms Berry said she was looking forward to her investiture and hoped to take her three daughters with her. 'They are my rock and without them I couldn't have done what I've done,' she said. 'The oldest one is nearly 35. They are incredible. I'd like to bring them, I don't know how many people you can bring. 'My dad was made a Sir before he was killed and he had six children and I remember he said any of us could come, so he wanted to do it fair. 'He was such a fair man that we drew lots, and I remember the two that went, it wasn't me. 'I think he'd be very proud. Sadly my mum, who only died two years ago, she would be very proud as well.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Housing developer donates to help establish Frome cancer treatment centre
A housing developer in the South West has donated a significant sum to aid the establishment of a new cancer treatment centre in Frome. Barratt Homes Bristol gave £1,500 to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG) to support their project for a cancer treatment outreach facility. The planned facility, to be located within Frome Medical Centre, will provide systemic anti-cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy - reducing the need for patients to travel to Bath. BCUSG is a volunteer-run charity, and works closely with medical professionals at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Alan Webb, fundraising lead and trustee at BCUSG, said: "We are incredibly grateful for Barratt Bristol's generous donation, which will go directly towards the final phase of funding for the new Frome treatment hub." Andrea Pilgrim, sales director for Barratt Homes Bristol, said: "We are delighted to support such a brilliant charity that makes a tangible difference to cancer patients and their families across the region." The charity, founded in the mid-1980s, has raised more than £6m to fund necessary equipment and facilities for cancer treatment in Bath and the surrounding areas. A team of 13 trustees and more than 100 volunteers ensure that around 95 per cent of the money raised goes directly to their projects.
