Frome's community woodland takes root

In the rolling hills of Somerset, a small patch of land is undergoing a transformation. Once known as 'Bitey Horse Field', the site has been leased by Frome Town Council for 99 years. In memory of Moko Sellars, a young Japanese-British woman beloved by the community, the area is being turned into a forest.

A wooded sanctuary for all

Local residents, including schoolchildren, are partnering with live trees to replace the dead bamboo sticks that now dot the landscape. The goal is to create a diverse woodland, with species like pussy willow, black poplar and alder thriving in the low-lying areas, while oak, hornbeam and field maple take root on higher ground.

For the community, this project represents more than just reforestation. It's a chance to build a shared space where people can connect, find solace, and even lose themselves. As one resident put it, 'Here will be a wooded place to hide, lose and find oneself.'

With 600 volunteers planting for the community, by the community, the future of Frome's woodland is in their hands. And as they shape this new green space, they're also deciding its name – a testament to the power of collective ownership and the enduring spirit of memory and remembrance.