Plans for the regeneration of the Saxonvale site are taking shape. You are all invited to a two-day pop in event today and tomorrow to share your views on the future redevelopment of the largest former industrial site left in Frome. The event is at The Silk Mill, The Gallery, Merchants Barton Frome BA11 1PT, on Friday 11 January 2-7pm and Saturday 12 January 10am-3pm. […]

In November over 60 people attended a meeting of the Mendip Trades Union Council in Frome, about the damage being done to community services and jobs by the Conservatives’ cuts at Somerset County Council and continued Conservative Government funding cuts to local government. I gave a speech, as did representatives of three unions, Labour and the Green […]

Paddy Ashdown was such an inspiration to all those who knew him or knew of him. He had immense energy and enthusiasm for politics and for helping people, winning respect within and outside the party, and was always looking to the future and how to improve it. His legacy is immense, and will live on […]

Dear all, It’s news time: Mendip TUC meeting on Somerset cuts On 27th November I attended and spoke at a public meeting about the impact of Somerset County Council’s current £14 million cuts on our community services (with more to come), at the Assembly Rooms in Frome, hosted by Mendip Trades Union Council. I joined […]

We were very honoured to welcome Paddy Ashdown to the Silk Mill Studios in Frome, where in conjunction with Winstone’s Hunting Raven bookshop, Paddy gave a fascinating talk about his new book ‘Nein‘, an epic study of the German resistance to Hitler. This work offers a radically different view of the Second World War, and tells […]

It was wonderful to see hundreds of people out in the sunshine enjoying the Old Showfield at its best on Sunday, for Frome Town Council’s Apple Day celebrations at the newly planted orchard. There were guided tours, apple peeling, apple pressing, training sessions at the outdoor gym, and families and children enjoying the recently repaired […]

Thank you to the volunteers and supporters of Fair Frome and other foodbanks, but we must never get used to this: Recently I paid a visit to the local charity Fair Frome, where I met some of their dedicated volunteers. They told me about the amazing work they do to alleviate poverty in Frome through […]

Could you make a real difference for your local community?  Whatever needs changing in your area, you could effect those changes by becoming a local Councillor. No other role gives you such a good opportunity to make a huge difference to your neighbours’ quality of life. We need people who really care about their community to come […]

Dear all, As one of your district councillors I try to keep you informed on local issues, so here is my latest newsround: Standing up for Somerton & Frome Last weekend I was delighted to be selected as Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats in the Somerton & Frome constituency. Please see here for […]

Politics and a pint Somerton & Frome Liberal Democrats proudly present ‘Politics and a Pint’ this Thursday 26th July, 7.15-9.15pm upstairs at the Archangel pub on King Street. Are you traumatised by Trump, bewildered by Brexit, feeling politics is a bit iffy? Come and tell us what you think and help us put things right. […]

Dear all, As one of the councillors for Frome College ward on Mendip District Council, I want to keep you up to date, so please see below for my latest news on local issues: Community orchard proposed at the Old Showfield Planning application for 96 homes at Packsaddle Way has been withdrawn Packsaddle parks in […]

At their meeting on Monday 21st May, Mendip District Council’s Cabinet decided to endorse the Car Parking Charges Review 2018-22, including new Sunday parking charges in Frome and Shepton Mallet, and increases to hourly charges and season tickets – see here. I and Damon Hooton (Lib Dem, Park ward) and other Frome councillors opposed the Conservative […]

Dear all, I am one of the councillors for Frome College ward on Mendip District Council, and want to keep you up to date, please see below for my latest news on local issues: Opposition to Mendip’s Sunday parking charges Somerset County Council calls for conversation on Unitary Council Changing Places puts Frome on the […]

An outline planning application has been submitted for 96 houses, and some live-work offices, at Packsaddle Way and Innox Hill / Spring Gardens, on the site identified in policy FR6 of the Mendip District Pre-Submission Local Plan Part 2, planning reference 2018/0256/OTA: ‘Outline application with all matters reserved save for access, for a residential scheme of […]

Dear all, I am one of the councillors for Frome College ward on Mendip District Council, and want to keep you up to date on local issues: Winter weather Help for rough sleepers Litter picks postponed Frome GP appointments system – survey results Can Frome’s compassionate community save the NHS? Mendip Local Plan Part 2 […]

Litter picks are being organised around Frome as part of the Great British Spring Clean.  The Great British Spring Clean is a national campaign designed to help keep our streets looking good. Local volunteers are being asked to join in and help make neighbourhoods as clean as possible this spring in time for the warmer weather. […]

Dear all, This is a reminder of current consultations and upcoming meetings that you may be interested in. As one of your councillors on Mendip District Council, I hope to keep local residents updated on local issues: Mendip Local Plan Part 2 consultation proposes 100 houses at Packsaddle Way Frome Town Council meeting on Local […]

Mendip District Council’s Draft ‘Pre-Submission’ Local Plan Part 2 is now out for public consultation until mid-February 2018 – see here (see Section 10 Town Policies, pages 18-19). Policy FR6 proposes to allocate the large field between the end of Packsaddle Way, Innox Hill and Spring Gardens for the development of up to 100 houses. […]

As one of your Frome College ward councillors on Mendip District Council, it’s my job to keep you updated on some local issues: Parks and Recreation: I and other Frome district councillors (Damon Hooton, Des Harris) have been meeting and discussing with Frome Town Council how best to allocate £250,000 of ‘Section 106’ funding from […]

As one of your ward councillors I need to keep you updated on a few things: Frome Community Hospital Forum: Have your say tonight about hospital services at the drop-in session at the hospital’s Moxon Suite on Monday 16th October at 6.00-8.00pm. Opinions are being sought on the work of the Community Hospital and how […]