Environment feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/07/2022 12:13 Page 6
MENDIP TIMES
There’s a buzz about wildlife in Frome
WITH more than 1,200 observations logged across Frome, the Community Wildlife Mapping Project has got off to a flying start. To build on this buzz, Frome Town Council are holding a series of free, family-friendly summer activities to learn more about local wildlife and how important and enjoyable supporting biodiversity can be. First up is the Big Butterfly Count and Wildlife Mapping event on Monday, August 2nd at Rodden Meadow. Wildlife officer Jo Morris will suggest some easy ways to help pollinating insects and how people can submit their final readings to 2022’s Big Butterfly Count. Come Dine with Bee, on Thursday, August 18th, is a pollinator-themed picnic on the Old Showfield. People are being invited to gather for a lunch with a twist – only comprising of foods that exist only because of pollinating insects. The final events are pondlife investigations at Welshmill where people can learn about pond-dipping whilst learning about the amphibians and insects lurking in the water. They take place on Monday, August 22nd and Thursday, August 25th. Mayor Sara Butler said: “After so many brilliant submissions from community members to our brilliant wildlife count, we wanted to give something back. “These wonderful sessions in combination will give people in Frome the chance to learn more about our insect life, as well as develop new skills in pond dipping and making green spaces wildlife-friendly. And as always, keep contributing to the wildlife mapping project where you can!” For details about the mapping project, visit: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/wild-about-frome and to book places on the events, visit: https://buytickets.at/frometowncouncil/725098
Volunteers needed
PRICKLES Hedgehog Rescue of Cheddar is looking for volunteers. The charity is now caring for more than 50 hedgehogs. It is looking for adult volunteers who have spare time for either cleaning out the hedgehogs from 9am-12noon or feeding the hedgehogs from 4-5pm. Full training will be given and you will be part of a team that is overseen by their friendly duty managers. Details: 07806 744772
PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • AUGUST 2022
Churchyard volunteers
VOLUNTEER working parties have been busy clearing parts of St Andrew’s churchyard in Blagdon, while encouraging wildlife there. One of the organisers, Penny Crawfurd, said: “The churchyard had been allowed to grow wild and now the aim is to tidy it but allow certain areas to become meadows to encourage the growth of wildlife.” Pictured (l to r) Charles Crawfurd. Ann and Mike Merrick, Peter Bentley, Lynsey Hatherall, Marissa George, Ray Trueman, Renée Bolton, Penny Crawfurd and Margaret Speirs.
Spread the word
CHEW Valley Plants Trees is having a busy summer spreading the word about its ambition to double tree cover in the Chew Valley by 2030. They gave away saplings at Compton Dando fete, while children had their faces painted, and will be at Valley Fest on Sunday, August 7th, Chew Stoke Harvest Home on September 10th and the Mendip Ploughing Match on September 28th. They say to let them know if you would like them at an event.
Details: chewvalleyplantstrees@gmail.com
