Environment section.qxp_Layout 1 16/12/2021 13:15 Page 6
MENDIP TIMES
Come and eat me!
Eddie Morgan plants a plum tree
THE Food Forest Project team in Shepton Mallet, have planted their fourth edible community woodland, close to the town centre. The site was a narrow but long stretch of wasteland next to the Hillmead estate and was being used as a dumping ground for trolleys, tyres, litter and dog mess so the project decided to tidy it up and plant an edible
forest garden for the local community. Local residents joined in the day-long planting of almost 170 trees and shrubs to create two new hedgerows, two raised herb beds, fruit and nut trees and berry and currant bushes. To ensure the project was extra special the team commissioned local artist Flo Lippin to paint two large murals and have installed an education board about the site. Over the years to come the forest garden will produce lots of free food to help mitigate food poverty in the Shepton Mallet area whilst also creating an open space for people’s mental health and wellbeing, create habitat and biodiversity and to help sequester carbon. The site, on Meadow Rise, joins the project’s two other free food schemes in the area – at West Shepton and next to Rock Farm at Downside Louise Bombardelli, who lives nearby, at along with a similar scheme in Wedmore. work
Getting ready to plant: (l:r) Faye, Robin, Tristan – the FFP founder – Eddie and Chris
Artist Flo Lippin (seated right) who painted the murals
A Food Forest Project information board
For details, visit: www.thefoodforestproject.org
Less waste going to landfill
NEW figures show there has been a big drop in the amount of waste from across Bath and North East Somerset being sent to landfill. Thanks to the record-breaking recycling efforts of residents, just three percent of waste was sent to landfill in 2020/21, down from 15 percent the previous year. Councillor David Wood, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This really is a phenomenal achievement, and the PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • JANUARY 2022
figures show our residents take environmental issues seriously. “We should be very proud of the work being done across the district to reuse and recycle – and that includes the efforts of our waste teams who do a great job. “However, our ultimate aim is to waste nothing and we will continue to support people to reduce their waste; sharing tips on the small steps that can be taken to save resources and ultimately save our environment.”
