Environment section.qxp_Layout 1 18/11/2021 17:37 Page 6
MENDIP TIMES
Womble spotted in Axbridge
BARRY Walsh has been a familiar sight litter picking on the Axbridge by-pass and surrounding area every day since February. For Children In Need he decided to hire a Womble outfit and collect litter in the centre of the town. Barry, who lives in Axbridge, is better known to Facebook viewers as a musician, who arranged musical challenges all through lockdown with his wife Louise. He said the hired costume gave him an incredibly hot head and hardly any vision. He
said: “I couldn’t see too well with Louise having to pull and push me if I got too near to traffic. “If children or parents waved at us Louise would say turn right and wave or to the left, whatever was relevant at the time. “We have had a lovely response from the parents of the children saying that their kids are still talking about the Wombles!” He has raised £250 for Children in Need so far. He’s also heard he might be in line for a community award.
Plant a tree for the Jubilee
PEASEDOWN Community Trust has been giving away a further 200 trees as part of its ambitious target of planting over 500 trees in the village. Working in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council and campaign group, More Trees for B&NES, the charity wants to encourage residents to get involved with the initiative. Trust chairman, Gavin Heathcote, said: “Trees are one of the best solutions to our climate emergency. They improve poor air quality, alleviate the risk of flooding, lock up carbon, boost our wellbeing – making us feel healthier and happier, and create habitats for wildlife. “Since we launched our tree planting initiative in March, we’ve seen almost 100 planted in the village already, with a target of 400 more to be planted in time for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next June.” Campaign group, More Trees for B&NES, who are supplying the trees to the trust, have coordinated the planting of almost 10,000 trees across the district since the group was established in 2008. Their co-founder, Adam Gretton said: “Planting trees is an
Protecting bats
easy and fun way for us all to ‘do our bit’ for the environment. “So many communities across the area, over the last decade, have taken great strides in planting trees in their towns and villages. “We are now focussed on setting up a network of community tree nurseries across B&NES, to ensure a local supply of indigenous trees. We are delighted to have Peasedown as one of our first recipients!”
Details: peasedowncommunitytrust@gmail.com
WILFRED Klein, aged nine, of East Harptree was presented with a bat box to put up in his garden to attract bats to roost this winter. He won first prize in the wildlife quiz organised by East Harptree Environment Group (EHEG) at the village fete in July. The organisers were impressed with Wilfred’s knowledge about local wildlife. Nick Roberts made the bat box and presented it to Wilfred, along with Bernice Roberts and Chris Johnson, who are all key members of the East Harptree Environment Group. Bats are struggling to survive in many parts of the country because of the crash in insect numbers, habitat loss and decline in roosting places especially when old buildings are renovated. Luckily, the Mendips support many species of bats, which are all protected by law. The EHEG has been doing surveys
Pictured (l to r) Bernice Roberts, Chris Johnson, Philly Klein with Heidi, Richard Klein with Wilfred and Nick Roberts
in the parish to try and find out more about local bats and to involve local people in their protection.
Details: The Bat Conservation Trust website: https://www.bats.org.uk/advice or east.harptree.eg@gmail.com
PAGE 6 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2021
