Shire Horses Lead the Way in Creating Frome’s Largest Community Woodland

A new community woodland is beginning to take shape in Frome, promising to become the town’s largest green sanctuary. At the heart of this transformation are two shire horses, Dime and Flynn, working alongside James Foster of Wessex Working Horses. Using age-old, sustainable methods, they are carefully preparing a two-acre site next to Spring Gardens for planting.

This woodland is dedicated to the memory of Moko Sellars, a cherished Frome resident who passed away in 2022 at the age of 39. The land itself has been generously made available to Frome Town Council through a 99-year lease granted free of charge by anonymous landowners. Additionally, a crowdfunded campaign led by Moko’s friends and family has raised £25,000 to support the woodland’s design and planting.

Councillor Mark Dorrington expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “This woodland will become the largest in Frome and a treasured place for everyone. Thanks to the kind landowners and the fundraising efforts, this space will offer native trees, peaceful glades, riverside picnic spots, and engaging play areas for children.”

Work on the site began this autumn and will continue through winter, with plans to plant approximately 3,800 native trees and shrubs in spring 2026. To celebrate progress and share the experience, two guided walks are scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, at 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm, departing from the Cheese and Grain. Led by Frome Walkers are Welcome, these walks will allow visitors to witness the horses at work, learn about traditional woodland preparation from James Foster, and enjoy light refreshments. Free tickets for these ‘Community Woodland Walk Out’ events are available via bit.ly/woodland-walkout.

While the site and upcoming events currently have limited accessibility for those with mobility challenges, future woodland designs aim to include features that accommodate all visitors.