James Foster, and shire horses Dime and Flynn, are set to start work in Frome next week on the woodland in memory of Moko Sellars, inset

Work set to start on community woodland in memory of Frome resident, Moko Sellars

Paul JonesOctober 20, 20250 Comment0

A FUNDRAISING effort to create a woodland in Frome in memory of Moko Sellars – a resident who passed away in 2022 at the age of just 39 – has hit its £25,000 target.

The crowdfunder, organised by her friends and family, will cover the design and planting of a piece of land adjacent to Spring Gardens.

A 99-year lease has been granted free of charge to project partners Frome Town Council (FTC) by the land’s owners, who have chosen to remain anonymous.

Work on the two-acre site is set to start on October 29 with a visit from James Foster of Wessex Working Horses and shire horses Dime and Flynn, who will prepare the land for seeding using traditional methods.

Guided walks of the site will also take place at 1.30pm and 3pm, with booking essential, setting off from the Cheese and Grain, led by Frome Walkers are Welcome.

Moko passed away three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer – with the woodland idea coming from friend, landscape architect James Hamilton, his wife Lucy and Moko’s sisters, Kali and Michi.

Visitors can see the work already underway, enjoy refreshments and hear from James about his approach.

Preparation of the site will continue throughout the winter, creating a pathway through the space, with further plans to plant 3,800 native trees and shrubs in Spring 2026.

Cllr Mark Dorrington, of FTC, said: “This piece of land will create the largest community woodland in Frome.

“Many thanks to the generous landowners for granting FTC a 99-year lease for the land, free of charge, and to Moko’s family and friends for raising the funds to create the space.

“The site is set to become a much-loved destination for all in Frome, a place to recharge among native trees, discovering glades, tranquil riverside picnic spots and play features along paths for younger visitors.”

The woodland is not currently accessible for people with mobility requirements, but the finished space takes accessibility needs into account.

For more about Wessex Working Horses visit wessexworkinghorses.co.uk and to book free tickets for the visits to the walk out see bit.ly/woodland-walkout.