Nextdoor Nature- Somer Valley

Nextdoor Nature

Nextdoor Nature is a national campaign by The Wildlife Trusts and part of Team Wilder’s community-led action for nature’s recovery. The campaign aims at empowering and resourcing people to take action for nature!

We want to help you reach your community, get the training you need and support you to develop the skills you need to act as environmental champions in the Somer Valley.

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Email: Rhea.warner@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk 

Phone (call, text or WhatsApp): 07421226080

Our four projects in the Somer Valley

Writhlington- Manor Copse

A local resident got in touch with us regarding a poorly used play area in Writhlington. We are working in collaboration with local residents to explore ways to increase community use of the Manor Copse woodland and playpark and introduce areas that will be of benefit to local wildlife.

 

Writhlington

Manor Copse Play Park October 2023. Sadly nobody is using this park but the local community needs places to take their children to play in nature.

Manor Copse

The Manor Copse woodland has great potential but has issues with flytipping.

Bath College, Radstock

A Somer Valley Bath College Campus staff member contacted us for support in encouraging native flora and fauna to the college grounds. Since the Horticulture course was stopped, much of the grounds were going to waste. Conversations are now brewing to establish a gardening and wildlife conservation group, to encourage use of the Somer Valley campus green space, improve habitats for wildlife and provide a fun, social space for students and staff to learn new skills and spend time outdoors.

If you are interested in getting involved, reach out to Rhea: Rhea.warner@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Radstock College

Peasedown, The Hive Community Centre

A member of staff working at The Hive Community Centre had a great idea to create an accessible sensory garden to attract insects. We are now supporting a new group to form and expand to take a lead on creating the garden. They will be supported by Avon Wildlife Trust and provided with training, tools and plants! To get involved or to share any ideas you have, reach out to Rhea: Rhea.warner@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

The Hive

Rhea and Kelly from The Avon Wildlife Trust had a great time at The Hive Community Centre's Open Day on Saturday 3rd February, talking with locals about this exciting new garden project. Ideas were developed further with a visit from Amie, Avon Wildlife Trust’s Community Ecologist, who has written an ecology report with suggestions to support wildlife habitats in the space. People are enthusiastic to build a pond, improve the hedgerows, and design new seating.

Paulton

Many Paulton residents got in touch with us with their ideas for wildlife, gardening and river health projects in their community. These residents met and prioritised their ideas. It was decided that using the community pub The Red Lion as a starting space would be a great place to begin their ambitious plans. A group of locals have now begun regularly meeting and are designing a growing space outside the pub,  turning the space into a thriving community food growing and wildlife friendly garden.

Paulton
Paulton

A keen resident shows her plans for the community garden at the back of the pub her father and she manage.

In partnership with BANES council the project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

 

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The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up 
agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The 
Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing 
in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more 
information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-sharedprosperity-fund-pro…