Sometimes it really is all about the money. While huge chunks of what we do and plan to do will cost only volunteer time and effort (which is already quite considerable), some things just need to be financed. Professional fees for engineering surveys, local authority fees for plans, architectural consultations, feasibility studies, ecological reports, purchase of essential materials, tool repairs, capital equipment costs, public liability insurance, transport and security costs and more!
We have reached a stage with Phase 2 of the route where we have the opportunity to purchase a strip of land that would make the completion of Phase 2 much easier. Without this piece of land it is unlikely that Network Rail will give us permission to proceed. The total cost, including solicitors and land agent fees is going to be about £30,000. That’s why we need your support to help us achieve our target amount.
Please go to the Local Giving Appeal “Land Purchase” page to donate – every penny will go towards the work of Frome’s Missing Links. Thank you if you have already donated and thank you in advance if you intend to support us.
If you have an idea or a challenge, why not raise some cash for us in the process? The enterprising Dalma and Paul Luttrell and family have already raised around £1,500 from their cycle ride to Corfe castle – an amazing effort!
To date our newly launched online appeal has already passed the £2,000 mark. That means that we have so far exceeded £4,000 with all recent donations – only £26,000 to go. If you don’t want to use the Local Giving page, we still have Just Giving or you could even send us an old fashioned cheque instead, made out to Frome’s Missing Links. There are green collection boxes in selected venues around town as well.
This month sees the return of the School Travel Challenge in the week 21st to 25th May. Last year eight schools took part in this cycle to school challenge and raised over £1,300 for us. Frome Town Council are helping us to organise the week – let’s see if the students can do even better this year! The week culminates in an Eco Trail event at Buckland Bridge on Saturday the 26th May, which is open to everyone. Details can be found on the FTC web site. Missing Links will also have a presence at the Young People’s Fair on 1st June.
Stuart Cullen is arranging an evening of “Folk and Americana” at the Cheese and Grain Cafe on 7th June. An excellent international line up includes Dusty Stray, Emily Magpie, Septimus and Stuart himself – tickets cost £8 and all proceeds go to Frome’s Missing Links.
On 22nd June we have a massive Ceilidh with Hobson’s Choice at the Cheese and Grain. Tickets at £15 each are available from the Cheese box office – we have also got Indian food by Lungi Baba and Azeema at an extra cost of £6. This will be a sell out event – get your tickets now!
The Frome Independent Market on 1st July is cycle themed and we will have volunteers shaking buckets throughout the day. Come along and join us!
In addition, if you sign up to Bulb Energy at bulb.co.uk/refer/nat45 you’ll get £50 credit with Bulb and Frome’s Missing LInks will get a £50 donation!
And there’s much more still to come!
Rich Ackroyd
Chair, Frome’s Missing Links
May 2018