A NEW woodland is set to take root in Frome this spring, and local people are being invited to help bring it to life.

Volunteers are invited to take part in guided tree-planting sessions between Monday, March 2, and Sunday, March 8, to help plant 3,800 saplings at a new community woodland at Spring Gardens, Frome.

The woodland is being created in memory of Moko Sellars, a Frome resident and nature lover, who died at 39-years-old in 2022.

The project is supported by a crowdfunder organised by Moko’s friends and family which raised over £25,000.

The crowdfunder says the woodland will create a “lasting memory” of Moko and “legacy for her love of nature”.

Frome Town Council have worked with Seed Landscape Design on planning and preparation and a 99-year lease to the land has been granted to the council free of charge by the landowners.

With groundwork now complete, local residents, schools and community groups are encouraged to sign up for two-hour planting sessions throughout the week in March.

James Hamilton of Seed Landscape Design said: “We are really pleased to have reached this important milestone in the creation of the woodland. It will be a fantastic space for the whole community, offering a tranquil and accessible place for play and relaxation, and a fitting tribute to our friend Moko, who would have loved it here. Planting 3,800 trees is no small undertaking, so please sign up for a slot between Monday 2 and Sunday 8 March and help us create something truly remarkable.”

All ages are welcome at the tree planting and no experience or tools are needed, training and equipment will be provided on the day.

Rob Holden, Frome Town Council’s environment manager, said: “Planting a tree is always a positive, hopeful act – doing it on this scale represents a really exceptional moment in Frome’s history, and we want the whole community to be part of it.

“Join us for a session in March to not only plant a tree, but to help create a riverside woodland that you can return to for years to come as the woodland matures, knowing that it will also be there for future generations to enjoy.”

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gardening gloves if they have them, dress for the weather and wear wellies or walking boots.

Refreshments will be available all day and there will be toilets on site.

Booking is essential, as any changes due to weather conditions will be communicated by email each day.

There is no parking available on site so volunteers are asked to arrive on foot or park nearby and walk to the woodland.

Access is via Spring Gardens, and a location map and arrival information will be sent by email to everyone who books a session.

Frome Town Council ask for those thinking of attending to book one ticket per participant, even if you are coming as a group.

Anyone else wishing to take part can book a place at bit.ly/planting-spring-gardens.