'River Journey: The Bristol Frome' is a podcast series flowing with conversations about the river. I’m Christina Wheeler and I’ll be following the river on its 20 mile journey from the source, near Tormarton, to the mouth where it reaches the River Avon in the centre of Bristol. I'll be meeting up with people along the way. We'll be talking about wildlife and climate change, flooding and fishes. We’ll hear stories from the past and present and find out how the river has inspired and influenced our lives, and how we have influenced the life of the river.
Bristol Avon, United Kingdom
a drop of what's to expect over the journey
For the final part of the journey Christina canoes with Julie Doherty from Avon Wildlife Trust. As they paddle along they chat about the river as wildlife corridor and how we can all play our part in tackling the ecological crisis. In Eastville Park they come across wildlife photographer Robbie Deville photographing kingfishers. And Christina meets Melvin Woods from the Environment Agency. They talk about flood management and urban dilemmas as they walk through the streets of Bristol, where the river flows unseen beneath their feet, until it finally meets the River AvonAvon wildlife trustAvon Wildlife Trust – 30 by 30 appeal Frome Valley walkwayRobbie DevilleBig Blue Map of Bristol
This journey begins with a detour - a visit to Stoke Brook, a tributary of the Frome. Christina meets up with Rozy Gray and volunteers from BART (Bristol Avon River Trust) to find out about BART's work throughout the Bristol Avon catchment and to see a conservation project in the Three Brooks Nature Reserve. Christina then re-joins the Frome Valley Walkway at Hambrook and walks to Snuff Mills. Along this stretch of the river she meets Carol Thorne from Frenchay Museum and learns about flock mills, teagardens and subscriptions for the construction of Frenchay Bridge; Ros Martin, a local poet and activist, who found inspiration by the river for her latest play about her uncle, one of Britain's most prominent black actors in the 1940s; and Chris Williams, from Snuff Mills Action Group, whose family has lived in the area for generations. Ros Martin Olawale ArtsBristol Avon River Trust BARTFrenchay Museum Oldbury Court EstateFrome Valley walkway
On the Frome Valley walkway between Cog Mill and Moorend, Christina meets artist Holly Dunham who talks about how the river inspired her to make important changes in her life; Jean Ray, one of nine children who grew up next to the river in Frampton Cotterell; Tony Harding and Peter Bruce, local experts on the hat making industry which was centred around the Frome for over three hundred years; and Duncan Porter who is part of the very active Frome Valley Environmental Group Holly Dunham Hatters Trail booklet
This stretch of river journey is from Yate to Algars Manor, near Iron Acton. Along the way, Christina meets up with people who are passionate about the river: Peter Coombes, who is committed to leaving the Frome in a better state for future generations, Peter volunteers with Storm Water Shepherds and Bristol Avon River Trust (BART); Lucy Newton finds great solace and inspiration from spending time near the river; Jody Armitage is a Fisheries Officer at the Environment Agency, her work involves increasing fish stocks in the upper reaches of the river; and Sonya Grub shares stories of her childhood spent around the river which winds its way through her childhood garden at Algars Manor.Storm Water ShepherdsBristol Avon River TrustNational Gardens Scheme - Algars Manor
This episode of River Journey begins at Seven Springs, the source of the Frome, and finishes on the outskirts of Chipping Sodbury. Christina walks with Pommy Harmar, who has created a soundscape of the river; Pauline Wilson from Sodbury Woodland and Nature, a group planting trees on land near a new aqueduct; Liz Kinsey, coordinator of the River Frome Reconnected Project ; and David Hardill from Yate Heritage Centre who talks about medieval burgage plots and ancient mills. Pommy Harmar podcasts - Naturally Bristol Sodbury Woodland and Nature River Frome Reconnected Yate Heritage Centre yateheritage.co.uk/Frome Valley walkway