Frome Town Council is recruiting new members for its volunteer ranger team, helping the town rangers tackle a variety of tasks in the town’s open spaces. Volunteer rangers meet every other Wednesday: enthusiasm is more important than prior knowledge, as all activities are supervised by FTC staff. So far, volunteer rangers have undertaken path maintenance at Weylands and natural hedging at The Old Showfield and got involved in planting, weeding and landscaping. Businesses interested in an ‘away day’ activity with the rangers are also welcome to get in touch.
Town ranger Asia Pryjda has been working with the team of volunteer rangers since January and said:
“I have a lovely regular group of volunteer rangers; but there’s room for more and it’s been a while since anyone new started, so it must be time to spread the word again! If you have a couple of hours to spare on a Wednesday, either in the morning 10am to 12pm or the afternoon 1pm to 3pm (or both if you like!) and you’d like to get outdoors and make new friends while you help keep Frome looking lovely, email apryjda@frometowncouncil.gov.uk to find out more.”
Volunteer ranger Malcolm Parker said: “Consciously or unconsciously, we all value our town’s numerous green spaces. Helping to maintain and improve them by contributing physically to their upkeep and to enhancing their environmental impact, is a great way of enriching yourself and our community. Whether it has been helping to plant a new hedgerow on a rather damp Showfield, tending to the tiny forest in Egford Lane Park, restraining and tempering the excesses of a living Willow arch on Rodden Meadow, constructing a dead hedge in the Dippy, or simply weeding in Packsaddle play area, the variety of work that I’ve carried out with the volunteer rangers has been interesting, varied and enjoyable, and over the year has crossed the length and breadth of our town. With tea, biscuits and a variety of helpers, it’s not only fun but increases your affection and appreciation for these precious community assets. I’d encourage anyone to join in and have a go!”
The next volunteer ranger meetings take place on Wednesday 11th and Wednesday 25th September, at The Dippy. For more information visit the Frome Town Council Facebook page and browse forthcoming events, or email apryjda@frometowncouncil.gov.uk.