Its aims
Established in 1969, Friends of Freshford is a community association which aims to enhance the character, amenities and rural environment of Freshford.
Activities and achievements
Over the past 20 years, Friends of Freshford has raised over £27,000 for village projects through organising fundraising events like the Annual Quiz. Organisations who have benefited include Freshford Parish Council, Galleries Shop and Cafe, FLiSCA, Freshford Village Memorial Hall, The Hop Pole Inn, St Peter’s Church, Freshford Church School, and Freshford Preschool.
In 2006, Friends of Freshford decided to reinvigorate the garden on the Bath bound platform of Freshford Station, creating a sustainable and organic garden suitable for its rural setting in the Cotswold Natural Landscape (formerly CAONB).This was a collaboration with Freshford Parish Council and Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership, and Melanie Everard, a professional gardener, helped to design and implement the project.
The garden was officially opened in July 2007, and since then under the auspices of Friends of Freshford, Melanie and, more recently, gardener Paul Jupp, a group of local volunteers has maintained it.
Responding to the climate emergency, Friends of Freshford recently drew up a proposal to enhance habitats and increase biodiversity on the Tyning and in the cemetery. A community consultation took place in February 2021 and the eight priority projects on the Tyning received an approval rating of over 80%. Friends of Freshford has now implemented a number these projects, including planting thousands of bulbs and seeds, a community orchard, a new native hedge, three heritage trees, and eighteen trees to increase biodiversity and protect the grassland along Tyning Lane.
Membership
Friends of Freshford is a voluntary association; its membership is comprised of individuals and families from the community. There are eight committee members, the chair is Richard Blamey. Lifetime membership costs £20 per individual or per family group. If you wish to become a Life Member, please let Friends of Freshford know either via the website www.friendsoffreshford.org or by email friendsoffreshford@gmail.com.
Contact and Information
For more information, please visit Friends of Freshford’s website www.friendsoffreshford.org or email friendsoffreshford@gmail.com.
If you wish to speak to the Chair of Friends of Freshford, Richard Blamey, please telephone 01225 720048.
Information updated: 21 October 2022