Environment

from Issue 7 - Volume 17 - Mendip Times

What’s On

Womble spotted in Axbridge

BARRYWalsh 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 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

Protecting bats

WILFREDKlein, 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.

Planting trees for The Queen

A NEWPlatinum Jubilee Somerset website has been set up to help celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

It features lots of information about how to get involved through the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme, by registering a beacon, or by organising a street party.

The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative invites people – both individuals and organisations – to plant as many trees as possible around the country during the tree-planting seasons that run from October 2021 through to March 2022, and again from October 2022 to the end of next year.

This initiative will not only celebrate the Queen’s long reign but also have a positive impact on the environment and help to counter the damaging effects of climate change.

There are various plans for celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee, including a four-day national Bank Holiday from Thursday, June 2nd through to Sunday, June 5th.

During this period, there are plans to light beacons throughout the UK, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories, plus in each one of the capital cities of Commonwealth countries.

Annie Maw, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, said: “I hope that throughout Somerset all our communities will use and enjoy this new website.

“It gives us the guidance we need in coordinating our plans to celebrate this unique and historic milestone across the county.

“This single point of reference will allow us to source all the information we require to work together, as we strive to proudly produce what will be the very best tribute to mark and express our gratitude to Her Majesty, The Queen.”

Details: https://platinumjubileesomerset.org.uk

Toad patrols need volunteers

Frog ladder

CAMELEYand Clutton toad patrols are celebrating another successful year after saving nearly 1,000 frogs and toads from getting run over in the spring.

Margaret Finn, who organises the patrols with Michelle Pullen, said: “With the help of B&NES, we installed over 20 ‘ladders’ into road gullies to help them climb out if they fell in!

“We were only able to do this because of the generosity of local people who donated to our cause.”

The patrols are always looking for more volunteers and would like to set up more in the Clutton area before February and March when toads, frogs and other amphibians are on the move.

Lift off for astronomy project

Josh leading the workshop at Compton Martin Village Hall

MORE than 30 people attended the first meeting of a new group dedicated to all things related to space.

Space4All is the idea of night sky environmentalist and filmmaker Josh Drury, of Compton Martin, to actively promote practical astronomy and to engage people from all backgrounds.

The evening at Compton Martin village hall offered advice from how to set up a telescope to identify the major constellations as well as observing planets and deep-sky objects (galaxies and nebulas).

During the recent lockdowns, Josh saw a growing demand from people wanting to learn more about astronomy. He believes the more people who are inspired to look up to the night sky, the more they will feel compelled to protect it from light pollution and satellite constellations.

Josh said: “After a year of uncertainty, it was so lovely to finally be able to launch this event. It certainly made me think from the past year how the stars kept us connected through lockdown and finally how it was so lovely to celebrate the stars with like-minded people once again.

“It was clear to see how many people were interested in learning the basics of astronomy and this is something which I wish to continue with my future astronomical endeavours with Space4All so that it’s fun and accessible for all.”

Admiring one of the many varieties of telescope on show

Josh’s next event is a Christmas party at Priddy Village Hall on Friday, December 10th. For details, visit: www.joshduryphoto-media.com

Chew Valley plants trees

THEcampaign group, Chew Valley Plants Trees, is going to be busy before Christmas spreading the word about its aim to double tree cover in the Chew Valley by 2030.

They will be at the Chew Magna Christmas Fayre on December 4th, 3-6pm and at Chew Magna Country Markets on Fridays before Christmas 9.30-11am.

They say they can answer any questions people have about what they do and how you can help improve the environment.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Jackie Head, said: “Chew

Young tree planters from Black2Nature Mya-Rose Craig with Ben Foster planting trees on his land

Valley Plants Trees are passionate about planting trees; for the carbon they capture, the wildlife they support, for the food they produce and the way they make us feel. Planted in the right place they can also help us to tackle flooding.

“Maybe you would like to get involved in tree planting, or have land that trees can be planted on, maybe you would like to know how else you could help us meet our vision of doubling tree cover in the Chew Valley by 2030. All are welcome.”

The group is supported by environmental activist Mya-Rose Craig and her group Black2Nature.

Details: https://www.chewvalleyplantstrees.co.uk email: chewvalleyplantstrees@gmail.com

Riverfly monitoring: a new TWIST for Somerset’s rivers

SEWAGE spills have been hitting the headlines recently – but now an environmental project is helping Somerset residents to stop sewage and other pollution affecting rivers on their doorstep.

As reported in the April 2021 issue of Mendip Times, Transforming Waterways in Somerset Towns (TWIST) is an idea from the Wild Trout Trust conservation charity for improving river health in Cheddar, Wookey, Wookey Hole, Shepton Mallet, Croscombe, Wells and other urban areas in the county.

In July this year, with funding from the Environment Agency and Somerset Catchment Partnership, 16 volunteers were trained and certified as riverfly monitors at two special training sessions on the Keward Brook in Wells. Every month from now on, these volunteers will be sampling and counting the numbers of aquatic insects in rivers near where they live. Different species are sensitive to different forms of pollution so, if numbers are seen to drop in any area, the EA can be alerted to track the problem upstream and locate the original source of pollution.

This initiative has already enjoyed early success on the River Sheppey. Local riverfly monitors have identified a recurring pollution incident in the Shepton Mallet area, which is now being investigated by the EA and Wessex Water.

Theo Pike, the Wild Trout Trust’s Trout in the Town officer, said: “EA budgets have been cut by more than 50% since 2010, so it’s more important than ever for local people to keep a knowledgeable eye on their river.

“We’re very grateful to Mendip District Council and other landowners for providing access for our volunteers to do this monitoring, and we hope to learn much more about the Axe and Sheppey rivers, and how to protect them better, as the TWIST project develops.”