Environment

from Issue 6 - Volume 18 - Mendip Times

Sport

Auction for wildlife

SOMERSET Wildlife Trust is hosting its third virtual auction with money-can’t-buy experiences and prizes from local businesses and artists from across the county to support its vital work to protect and restore Somerset’s wildlife and wild places.

Registrations for the auction are now live, with live bidding commencing at 7pm on Thursday, November 3rd. Bidding closes on Thursday, November 24th at 9pm.

Kate Wilson, community and events fundraising manager, said: “We have always been overwhelmed by the success of our online auction in previous years and wanted to bring it back this year in a big way.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to buy some unique experiences and lovely gifts for the art or nature lover in your life, so dig deep and #BidForWildlife.”

Details: somersetwildlife.org/auction

Taking action on climate change

CROSS and Compton Bishop Climate Action Group is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Last December a group of local people were talking about the need to do something about climate change and biodiversity.

They formed the group which now meets every six weeks at Cross Memorial Hall, usually attracting around 17 regulars – with more welcome.

Recently its first public meeting was attended by nearly 60 people, with experts and local residents sharing their knowledge.

Organisers said it was an impressive and educational evening with lively chat and questions, with plenty of food for thought to take home.

Details: ccclimateaction@gmail.com or Facebook Cross Connections

Grant award to improve Somer Valley green spaces

FIVE key wildlife and habitat sites in the Somer Valley are to benefit from an improvement grant of almost £1m. Somer Valley Rediscovered, a strategic green infrastructure project led by Bath and North East Somerset Council, Wessex Water, B&NES Public Health and Natural England, has secured funding from the West of England Combined Authority Green Recovery Fund.

The £923,000 grant will be used for nature recovery projects such as grassland restoration and the management of woodlands and watercourses which will benefit a whole host of wildlife including insect pollinators, bats and wild orchids at Haydon Batch in Radstock, Waterside Valley in Westfield, Midsomer Norton Town Park, Wellow Brook Walk and Staddlestones Open Space in Midsomer Norton.

B&NES councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel said: “Securing this funding will allow us to improve biodiversity in support of our ecological emergency commitment. The five sites will make it easier for residents to access greenspaces within walking distance of their home, which has proven benefits for mental and physical health.

“The grant will also fund improvements to make the sites more accessible including welcoming entrances and better paths which will enable more people to enjoy the sites and to spend more time in nature.”

The scheme proposes to set up a new volunteer group to carry out practical conservation tasks across all the sites and will also work with Natural England and the local primary care network to provide Green Social Prescribing activities. There will be opportunities for all to learn more about local wildlife with events running throughout the seasons.

Somer Valley Rediscovered includes Radstock, Midsomer Norton, and Westfield, the large villages of Paulton and Peasedown St John and the surrounding smaller villages and countryside. It’s an area that has been profoundly influenced by the former coal mining industry.

Part of the Somer Valley area to benefit from the award

For details about the Somer Valley Rediscovered project visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk

Geology festival goes with a bang

MENDIP Rocks! 2022 blasted off in style at Westbury Quarry, above Westbury-sub-Mendip, with a day of family-friendly events which included a demonstration of a car being blown up with explosives.

Luka, aged 11, of Wookey, won a raffle to detonate the Mercedes saloon deep in the quarry operated by explosives experts Alford Technologies. Beforehand, company boss Roland Alford paid tribute to the late Nigel Taylor, his former colleague and close friend.

Dozens of people gathered on two viewing platforms to witness the controlled explosion taking place, detonated from a bomb-proof bunker close to the vehicle.

During the day, visitors enjoyed guided wildlife walks with Mendip Times contributor Chris Sperring, geology walks with Professor Danielle Shreve and Dr Peter Hardy and plenty of hands-on activities including abseiling.

Other events during the month-long festival included quarry tours and an open day at the Somerset Earth Science Centre. It was due to end with a tour above Cheddar Gorge on Saturday, October 29th.

Dr Danielle Shreve, head of the geography department at the University of London and an expert on Mendip’s mammal fossils Albert abseils down the quarry face

Chris Sperring (far left) leading a wildlife walk

Roland Alford shows Luka the explosive device made of a few grams of glycerine surrounded by pressurised water

Visitors gather for the raffle draw…

What a blast!

Shepton the focus of work camp

VOLUNTEERS from across the country joined people from Shepton Mallet to work on sections of the Strawberry Line multi-user path which will form part of the Somerset Circle.

Teams rebuilt dry stone walls, installed fencing and cleared vegetation as part of a week-long camp organised by the Greenways and Cycleroutes charity.

Mendip District Council has allocated £200,000 to fund the construction of two new sections, one south of the West Shepton Playing Fields and the other at Westbury-sub-Mendip, between Station Road and Erlon Lane. The council secured access via a 50-year, permissive path lease agreement, which ensures long-term right of access for users.

An additional 2.3km of dust surface standard path will be created with works expected to be completed by the end of this year.

As part of its corporate priorities, Mendip District Council is working to develop sections of the Strawberry Line with the aim of connecting communities, reducing car travel, cutting carbon emissions and promoting active lifestyles in the district.

When completed, the Somerset Circle will form a 76-mile traffic-free circuit. A new section of multi-user path was opened at Dulcote earlier this year, thanks to collaboration from multiple organisations, groups, councils and volunteers, including funding from the council.

Councillor Ros Wyke, leader of Mendip District Council, said: “We are another step closer to completing the Somerset Circle and I’m thrilled that Mendip communities will soon benefit from the additional paths.

“It will encourage more people to get outside, explore the area and enjoy our beautiful landscape.

“I must applaud the many landowners, communities, volunteers and parishes for their perseverance and dedication. It is satisfying to know that our joint efforts will soon come to fruition and that we will leave a legacy for Mendip.”