Green Matters
OLD GROUNDS FOR GROWTH
In an era where environmental stewardship is more vital than ever, AYLESBURY Town Council is brewing up change, literally. Its coffee recycling scheme is a shining example of how small, community-led initiatives can make a big impact on sustainability, waste reduction and public engagement. Since its launch, the scheme has diverted more than 5,300kg of used coffee grounds from landfill, re-purposing them as nutrient-rich compost in the Buckinghamshire town. The grounds are a natural soil enhancer, packed with nitrogen and other minerals that support plant and vegetable growth. Residents can collect free pouches of recycled coffee grounds from designated distribution points. To explore how to implement a similar scheme, email diane.harrison@aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026
■ THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND will celebrate 100 years of standing up for the countryside with a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026. The garden has been created by award-winning designer Sarah Eberle and sponsored by grant giving charity Project Giving Back.
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026
SOLAR PLANS ARE A DIM OPTION
With reference to the approval of the Tillbridge solar farm in Lincolnshire. The approval of a mega solar farm covering an area of high-quality farmland the size of Heathrow Airport highlights a deeply concerning trend: industrialising the countryside with ground mounted solar, while too many rooftops remain unused. Recent CPRE research has revealed that almost 60% of the biggest solar farms are being built on the UK’s best agricultural land, with some of our fi nest landscapes needlessly sacrificed in the process. We don’t need mega solar farms in the countryside. Previous CPRE research has shown that installing solar panels on the roofs of suitable domestic and industrial buildings, as well as on car parks, could easily deliver more than 60% of the Government’s target for solar energy.”
Roger Mortlock, Chief executive, CPRE, The Countryside Charity
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026
 Malcolm Gray with local children from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi Va. | BROTHERS’ GIFT TO COMMUNITY The Open Spaces Society is celebrating the generosity of brothers Malcolm, Andrew and Stuart Gray, who voluntarily registered some of their land as a village green. Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026 |
 Children with Congleton Mayor Robert Brittain in a busy polytunnel. Photo: Patti Pinto. | KIDS SPRING INTO ACTION Children from across CONGLETON dug in as part of the Cheshire town’s community gardeners scheme to help clean up and prepare for spring. Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026 |
 Volunteers planting crocus corms. | PURPLE SHOW FOR POLIO INITIATIVE Despite a rainy morning, community spirit shone brightly in Victoria Park as volunteers gathered to support the NEWBURY Rotary Club’s Purple for Polio initiative. About 3,000 purple crocus corms were planted – creating what will become a vibrant splash of purple when they bloom. This year’s planting was carried out in partnership with Newbury in Bloom and Newbury Town Council, with support from Newbury Friends of the Earth. The crocuses were funded by the Newbury Rotary Club, whose volunteers worked alongside councillors and council staff to bring the project to life. A community bulb planting day at Hutton Close Recreation Ground resulted in the planting of 1,000 spring bulbs. Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026 |
RACE WINNERS IN EFFORTS TO NURTURE MORE POLLINATORS
For the past three years, volunteers from RACE to Green (RINGWOOD Actions for Climate Emergency) have been quietly transforming spaces across the Hampshire town with pollinator-friendly planting.
Their efforts help make Ringwood more welcoming for residents and visitors, while also creating valuable habitats for wildlife.
The project began with the beds in Gateway Square and has since expanded across the town, with volunteers now working on 12 different sites and 18 tubs.
Tasks range from improving soil and mulching to planting bulbs, watering, and regular maintenance.
So far, the group has planted more than 1,000 pollinator-friendly plants, added seasonal colour with thousands of bulbs and given more than 650 hours of volunteer time.
Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2025
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Barlestone Community Centre. | LEADING THE WAY BARLESTONE Community Centre is leading the way in going green with the installation of 36 new solar panels and three Tesla batteries. The upgrade will help the centre generate about 70 per cent of its own electricity, saving money and reducing its carbon footprint by an estimated four tonnes every year. The project means the Leicestershire parish council can keep hire fees affordable and was made possible with support from The National Lottery Community Fund, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s Parish & Community Initiative Fund, JBM Solar Projects 26 (RWE Renewables UK Solar & Storage), and the parish council’s own funds. Council chair Liz Kynoch said: “We’re cutting costs, doing our bit for the planet, and making sure Barlestone continues to have a welcoming, affordable place where people can meet.” Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2025 |
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One of Thatcham’s green bus shelters. | BUS SHELTERS ARE ON GREEN LINE Bus passengers in THATCHAM are able to enjoy a greener, cleaner journey thanks to the installation of four new shelters featuring living grass roofs – a first for West Berkshire. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2025
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The new-look Benllech footpath entrance. | MEMORIAL HAVEN CREATED An uninviting, overgrown entrance to a public footpath in the Anglesey town of Benllech has been transformed. LLANFAIR MATHAFARN EITHAF Community Council has created a memorial garden, aimed at encouraging people to use the path and have somewhere to sit in peace while listening to the sound of the adjacent river. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2025 |
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Frome Wild Bunch member Jo Morris | BULBS WILL ADD BLAZE OF COLOUR A Somerset town will be a blaze of colour in late winter and spring 2026 thanks to the planting of 10,000 daffodil bulbs. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2025
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BEST FARMLAND IS BEING ERODED BY LARGE SOLAR FARMS
A report from CPRE reveals that 59 per cent of England’s largest operational solar farms are located on productive farmland.
Almost a third (31%) of the area they cover is classified as the nation’s best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land.
The research from the former Council for the Preservation of Rural England, examined the 38 operational solar developments that produce more than 30MW of energy.
Despite national planning policy designed to protect high-quality farmland, more than half (53%) includes BMV land.
The analysis found that across all operational sites, 827 hectares of BMV land has been covered by solar development. This area, equivalent to about 1,300 football pitches, includes 45 hectares of Grade 1 ‘excellent’ land, 216 hectares of Grade 2 ‘very good’ land and 566 hectares of Grade 3a ‘good’ land. A further 755 hectares of Grade 3b ‘moderate’ quality farmland is covered by solar panels.
Three operational solar farms – Sutton Bridge in Lincolnshire, Goosehall in Cambridgeshire, and Black Peak Farm in Cambridgeshire, are located entirely on BMV farmland.
A CPRE spokesman said: “Large-scale solar farms remove critical agricultural areas from food production for up to 60 years, potentially compromising the UK’s food supply at a time of global uncertainty.”
Despite Government projections that solar will cover only 0.4% of UK land, the distribution is likely to be highly uneven. In the parliamentary constituency of Sleaford & North Hykeham, for example, the report stated that 7% of land was already covered by solar farms.
CPRE is calling on the Government to set a target for at least 60% of solar energy to come from rooftop solar, car parks and brownfield land, and to ban ground-mounted solar on Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land.
Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2025
 Knutsford is celebrating being bee friendly. | COUNCIL MEETS BEES’ NEEDS KNUTSFORD Town Council has been named a Bees Needs Champion in recognition of its work taking action to support pollinators. Through its Nature Action Plan working group, the Cheshire council has helped create wildflower meadows and launched the Knutsford Bee Trail, to raise awareness of practical steps residents can take to help reverse the pollinator decline. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2025
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 Members of Workington Town Council at the new wind and solar-powered defibrillator. | WIND AND SUN PROVIDE ANSWER West Cumbria’s first wind and solar-powered defibrillator is being installed in Barepot by WORKINGTON Town Council. This innovation represents a creative solution to a problem faced by many communities, the need for accessible defibrillators in locations without reliable power sources. Working in collaboration with North West Ambulance Service, the council identified a solution through Turtle defib cabinets, which harness both wind and solar power to ensure 24/7 availability of the crucial emergency equipment. Barepot residents contributed £300 through local fundraising. Council spokesman Michael Heaslip said: “We hope to install more of these life-saving machines in other green spaces.” Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2025 |
 Ryan Hayman CEO of Swanley Town Council with Visa’s Mandy Lamb. | GREEN SWANLEY IS A GOLDEN AWARD WINNER SWANLEY has been crowned the Best Town in the United Kingdom for its green agenda at the prestigious Visa Let’s Celebrate Towns Awards 2025, held at the House of Lords. By demonstrating its ability for powering change, the Kent town was selected as the overall winner from a shortlist that included Reading, Sherborne, Shrewsbury and Fleet among 149 entries. Swanley received a £20,000 grant to support its expanding green agenda and town CEO Ryan Hayman said: “Winning is a phenomenal honour. This recognition puts Swanley on the map. “Swanley’s Powering Up Change campaign shows that small towns can lead on big environmental challenges.” The council is transitioning to a fully electric council fleet and has rolled out public EV charging points across key locations. The town also holds three Green Flag awards. Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2025 |
WHITE ROSE FOREST IS EXPANDING
The tree canopy in WEST YORKSHIRE continues to grow thanks to the ongoing joint efforts of Kirklees Council, community groups, and volunteers. The Woodland Development Team at Kirklees Council, as part of the White Rose Forest programme, engaged community volunteers to plant more than 12 hectares of woodland, equivalent to 19 football pitches, using a mix of native broadleaf species. Kirklees Park Rangers, River Holme Connections, The Conservation Volunteers, and the Colne Valley Tree Society held 42 planting sessions at 14 sites. More than 600 volunteers participated from organisations including Support 2 Recovery, Fresh Futures, Highfield Scouts, schools, Huddersfield University and Kirklees Council. New woods were added in Batley East, Birstall & Birkenshaw, Colne Valley, Holme Valley South and Kirkburton & Newsome. Schoolchildren will name some of the woodlands.
Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2025
 Food for thought at the Climate Fair. | CLIMATE FAIR AIMS TO SHOW FUTURE CAN BE GREEN Members of the Kent community showed their support for a green future at the Sevenoaks Climate Fair. Hosted at the Vine Gardens by SEVENOAKS Climate Action Network, it was supported by Sevenoaks Town Council and the day was packed full of entertainment, including inspiring talks, live music, samba drumming workshops, award-winning films and poetry. Stallholders shared expert advice about ethical finance, eco-travel, solar panels, heat pumps and more. Local charities and pressure groups chatted about the best ways to support them and get involved. There was also the opportunity to buy eco-friendly products, food and drink. Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2025 |
 Shaking it up. Pedal-powered fruit smoothies at the Hertford Eco Fest. | CHANGES CAN GIVE BOOST TO ENVIRONMENT The awareness of the small changes we can all make to reduce our carbon footprint, while protecting and enhancing our natural environment, was highlighted at HERTFORD Town Council’s Eco Fest event. Performers and stall holders at the Hertford Castle-based event included Mudlarks, Lovely Grub Garden, River Beane Restoration Association, the Woodland Trust, Hertford Men’s Sheds, Hertford Swift Group, Hertford and Ware Beekeeping Association, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and BEAM. Activities on the main lawn included live entertainment from local musicians and a programme of talks and workshops. Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2025 |
 The Carvers clubhouse roof solar panels. | ECO-FRIENDLY ROOF AND TREES BRING GREEN GLOW Solar panels have been installed at Carvers Clubhouse by RINGWOOD Town Council. It is a major step towards sustainability and reducing the centre’s environmental impact. The project was made possible thanks to funding from Hampshire County Council through their Parish and Town Council Investment Fund. Carvers Recreation Ground is looking greener and more welcoming following the planting of eight cherry blossom trees and two elm trees, alongside the installation of two new benches near the skate park. Metal tree guards will be installed by the town council around all the newly planted trees. The new trees were funded by RACE (Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency). Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2025
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 A team effort saw more trees planted at the Tingewick Road cemetery in Buckingham. | CEMETERY BUCKINGHAM Town Council has planted 31 large trees at the new Tingewick Road cemetery site. A team of volunteers, town councillors and the Greenspaces team enhanced the tree line and old hedging, improving biodiversity and environmental value. In addition, 400 small trees have been planted along the hedge line. The project was made possible through funding secured from the HS2 Communities and Environment Fund. The Greenspaces Team also planted trees in Chandos Park and Lace Hill. Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2025
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Sherwood Forest Trust chief executive Helen Sullivan, with Andy Burgin, Adrian Selby, Andrew Chambers, Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams and Katie Vickers, the trust’s community conservation officer at the Mansfield Woodhouse woodland site. | WOODLAND TRANSFORMATION FOR FORMER QUARRY SITE A former quarry and landfill site in Nottinghamshire has been covered by about 3,500 trees as part of the Trees for Climate project. The Mansfield District Council site of 7.6 acres at MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE has no agricultural value and the mammoth task of planting saplings and shrubs has been managed by Sherwood Forest Trust, which marshalled a team of 180 volunteers. Trees for Climate is a government-funded project, managed by Greenwood Community Forest and the Mansfield district has benefitted from £61,000 in funding to create new woodlands. It is estimated that each tree can capture up to 150kg of carbon per year. With the additional 3,500 trees planted, this can expect to capture up to 525 metric tons of carbon annually, the equivalent to 60,000 petrol-driven car journeys of 50 miles each. Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2025
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 | FARMERS URGE COUNCILS TO CUT BACK ON PRO-VEGAN POLICIES The farming community is fighting back after a county council urged residents to go greener. GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council suggested that residents could swap cow’s milk for vegan alternatives, while the county’s Children and Families Commissioning Hub asked families to consider a plant-based diet to reduce their carbon footprint. However, the council was forced into a U-turn after it was pointed out that Gloucestershire is predominantly rural with a plentiful supply of local meat and dairy products, while processed soy and oat-based ‘healthy’ foods are mainly processed abroad, increasing food miles and damaging the environment more. The county council backtracked following an outcry from local farmers and agriculturists. A Gloucestershire County Council spokesman said: “We didn’t mean to cause offence or to suggest people shouldn’t support their local farmer and we actively encourage buying local.”. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025 |
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Nada Colclough and Andy Burgin present a cheque to the Nottinghamshire hospice’s Lisa Todd, centre. | CREMATORIUM RECYCLING SCHEME BOOST FOR HOSPICE A recycling scheme for metals at MANSFIELD and District Crematorium has resulted in an £11,600 donation to a hospice. The Sir John Eastwood Hospice Trust, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, was given the funds from money received from metal recovered from cremations, where bereaved families have given permission for it to be sent for recycling. The crematorium signed up to be part of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s Recycling of Metals Scheme in 2011. A specialist company is used to sort the metals collected. Crematorium and cemeteries manager and registrar Nada Colclough said: “When someone is cremated, the remains often contain various metals. They come from the coffin and also from replacement hip and knee joints. Some of this high-grade cobalt steel is quite valuable in terms of recycling and can be made into new orthopaedic implants. “We always ensure any metal is only sent for recycling if we have the written consent of relatives prior to a cremation.” Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025
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Dorset county councillor Clare Sutton, Weymouth Mayor Jon Orrell, and Weymouth town councillor Mike Sewry with children from Holy Trinity CofE Primary School.
| RISING TO THE OCCASION Children in a Dorset town are united in a call to make their town less polluted. Mayor of Weymouth Jon Orrell praised local schoolchildren for their suggestion of a new message to be read out when the town bridge rises. He met children from Holy Trinity School and councillors from Dorset Council and WEYMOUTH Town Council after the youngsters requested that the announcement is amended so that as well as the usual safety messages, drivers are also requested to turn off their engines while waiting. The Mayor discussed it with Weymouth’s harbour master and, working in partnership with Dorset Council, was delighted to inform the children that the new announcement is now in operation. He said: “We hope drivers will listen to the message and take action for the benefit of the environment in this picturesque part of our seaside town.” Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025 |
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Hertford town councillors pictured next to the River Lea. | RIVER CHARTER GETS MULTI-AGENCY BACKING Support has been declared by HERTFORD Town Council for the town’s rivers. It will be supporting River Action’s Charter for Rivers. Rivers have been essential to Hertford’s development over the centuries and today the town has a community of barge dwellers and visitors moored along the Lea Navigation. Sea Scouts, Herts Canoe Club and other groups regularly use the rivers at Hartham, as do wild swimmers. The rivers at Hertford are part of the Middle Lea catchment, which includes the Lea and its tributaries, the Beane, Mimram and Rib, which form a network of chalk stream rivers that are globally rare and ecologically significant. The biggest challenge faced is pollution, along with over abstraction and the Rivers Trust’s state of our rivers report identified that none of Hertford’s rivers were rated as ‘good’. The council agreed to do whatever is in its power to support the town’s rivers. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025 |
 | A TOWERING LIVE SUCCESS For true pillars of the community, look no further than DUNSTABLE. The Bedfordshire town has enhanced its urban environment and boosted biodiversity by introducing LivingPillars. Installed along High Street North, the three eco-friendly columns are a groundbreaking addition to the town, providing biodiversity corridors that help pollinators navigate between green spaces. In collaboration with urban greening experts Scotscape, the LivingPillars are designed to support the town’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. With recirculating irrigation, powered by solar, each column is planted with a variety of plants that will attract and provide a habitat for bees, butterflies and other insects, fostering a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem within the urban landscape. Nesting and insect boxes will also be included. These LivingPillars will also play a pivotal role in supporting the Dunstable In Bloom campaign. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025 |
A ‘SUPER’ RESERVE
SEAFORD Town Council has agreed to become a core partner in a new ‘super’ nature reserve. The proposed Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Sussex is part of His Majesty The King’s series of national nature reserves. A council spokesman said: “The creation of the super reserve would not only protect the unique biodiversity of the region but also contribute to cleaner water, improved air quality, and climate change resilience. “By restoring and connecting habitats, the project aims to enhance the natural environment for both wildlife and people.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025
■ AN event to celebrate the Earth is being held in RODBOROUGH on Sunday, 27 April. It will look at how to promote sustainable ways of living to keep the planet healthy. There will be a wide range of stalls for people of all ages, including a variety of local and Gloucestershire-wide organisations. Speakers will include Dr Simon Opher, MP for Stroud, a famous local environmental entrepreneur (TBC), Stroud District Councillor Gill Thomas talking about Clean Environment, Paul Gibson, with an update on solar panels, and other local wildlife experts. Rodborough Repair café will be mending zips, darning holes and hemming trousers for donations and teaching how to repair clothes.
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025
A LOW TECH WAY OF MAKING HI-TECH LAST LONGER
The teams at DonateIT and Somerset Council’s FIXY project are celebrating another successful tech amnesty at FROME Town Hall. A tonne of devices, cables and accessories was donated, including 153 phones, 113 laptops, 60 tablets, 20 pc towers and 206kgs of wires, cables and chargers. DonateIT founder Simon Barfoot said: “Most devices have a functional life of about 10 or 12 years, but people are upgrading or ending contracts in four or five, or even sooner. “So, there’s a product out there that can still do a job for people in need.” Cllr Anne Hills of Frome Town Council said: “The DonateIT and FIXY teams do such a brilliant job. The environmental benefit of reusing tech devices is obvious but it’s more than saving waste. We know that many people in our town feel excluded, or priced out from the digital world. Getting a re-purposed smartphone or tablet opens up opportunities and really can change lives.” The DonateIT team will be in the car park at Frome Town Hall again on Sunday, 8 June, 10am-1pm, during Great Big Green Week.
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2025
CONCERN EXPRESSED OVER PORTLAND DECISION
Members of two Dorset councils have united to express their concerns about Government approval for an incinerator at Portland. PORTLAND Town Council chair Sue Cocking, Mayor of WEYMOUTH Jon Orrell, Weymouth Town Council leader David Harris and the council’s environment and services committee chair Matt Bell have written in response to a letter received from Rushanara Ali MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Democracy. That was in response to a letter sent by the councils to Angela Rayner MP, expressing their concerns about the decision by the Government to grant planning permission for the incinerator. It stated: “The councils are disappointed with the response. It disregards the request that the decision to grant planning permission is revisited after the Government have determined their national policy position on incinerators and the call on the Government to impose a moratorium on the building of waste incinerators. The correspondence also ignores the councils’ and community’s views opposing the incinerator plans for environmental, economic, aesthetic, and health reasons. “The two councils continue to object to the proposal and remain vehemently opposed to any suggestion of the waste incinerator development proceeding.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025
■ The West Yorkshire landscape has 15 hectares of new woodland thanks to the combined efforts of Kirklees Council, community groups, and volunteers. The Kirklees Council Woodland Development Team, as part of The White Forest programme, engaged the local community in planting the equivalent of 21 football pitches with a mix of native broadleaf species. Almost 1,000 volunteers planted trees across 50 sessions in various places, including BATLEY EAST, BIRSTALL & BIRKENSHAW, COLNE VALLEY, HOLME VALLEY SOUTH AND KIRKBURTON & NEWSOME. Kirklees Council has been the lead organisation and accountable body for the delivery of the White Rose Forest programme since 2002. The White Rose Forest is the community forest for North and West Yorkshire, working with communities, landowners and farmers to plant trees where they are needed the most.
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025
■ Tree planting has begun in CROWBOROUGH as part of the Sussex community’s orchard project. The orchards celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and support tree planting projects nationwide, honouring the King’s dedication to preserving the natural environment. Funding for the project was allocated to Wealden District Council by the Government through The Coronation Living Heritage Fund. The Crowborough Community Orchard community group at Herne Road was among the first successful applicants to begin planting, starting with 20 of their funded 42 fruit and nut trees, including apple, plum, pear, walnut, almond and cobnut varieties.
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025
NEW VAN POINTS TO GREENER WAY
In a significant step towards enhancing sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, NEWBURY Town Council has bought a fully electric van. Climate emergency working group chair David Harman said: “This marks a pivotal milestone in the council’s comprehensive environmental strategy, which aims to ensure our activities are carbon neutral by 2030 or before, and to ensure a greener, healthier future for the Berkshire community.” The van will be used for various activities, including maintenance work
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025
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One of Dunstable’s solar-powered benches | TAKING A VERY MODERN SEAT DUNSTABLE is adopting innovative sustainability solutions with the installation of solar powered benches. The initiative has been made possible by the town council, who secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Central Bedfordshire Council. The installation of the solar benches is part of a broader effort by the town council to promote green energy, modernise the town’s infrastructure and commitment to sustainability. Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025
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| Sevenoaks Mayor Libby Ancrum signed the purchase papers in the summer to save Longspring Woods and has received congratulations from King Charles. | ROYAL BACKING FOR CAMPAIGN A successful campaign to save Longspring Woods for Sevenoaks has received a surprise message of congratulations – from His Majesty King Charles III. SEVENOAKS TOWN COUNCIL received the message on headed paper from Buckingham Palace ahead of celebrations of the purchase of the ancient woodlands. It read: “His Majesty was deeply touched to hear of the community effort involved in preserving this ancient woodland for public use and hopes that you will be so kind as to convey The King’s warmest thanks and good wishes to everyone who was part of this important initiative. “His Majesty, trusts that you, the town councillors, and residents of Sevenoaks, will enjoy a most memorable celebration.” The appeal for funds, launched in January, had a magnificent response from the Kent community with pledges coming in from £5 up to £50,000 to buy the 14-acre site. More than £100,000 was pledged in 23 days, which was matched by the town council with £100,000 from its funds from a previous sale of land. Those who were unable to donate pledged help in kind, including litter picking, gardening and manual labour. Conveyancing work for the purchase was given free by Warners Solicitors and Mayor of Sevenoaks Libby Ancrum signed the purchase papers in the summer. The Mayor said: “The purchase of Longspring Woods is an important contribution to the greening of Sevenoaks town and the pathway to Net Zero carbon reduction plan. It is great to see the community benefit from this council initiative in its 50th anniversary year.” Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024 |
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The Prince and Princess of Wales are keen to raise awareness of the benefits of parks and green spaces. | PRINCE CHAMPIONS A GREEN FUTURE HRH The Prince of Wales has become the patron of FIELDS IN TRUST. His role will be to advocate for the crucial role parks and green space play in the nation’s towns and cities and he succeeds his grandmother, Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was patron for 70 years. Trust chair Jo Barnett said: “The Prince of Wales has championed the importance of creating a better future for parks and green spaces since 2013 and we are honoured and delighted that he will now become patron. “We believe parks and green spaces can be pivotal in addressing some of the biggest challenges we face. His Royal Highness has been instrumental in helping us raise awareness of the importance of these spaces for health, wellbeing and the environment; issues that are all close to his heart.” Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024
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Temujen Gunarwardena painting the mural. | ARTIST GETS TOWN INTO THE FLOW A mural, painted by Frome-based artist Temujen Gunawardena, showing the local water cycle and its relationship with the River Frome, has been added to the former Shoe Zone unit in the Market Place. It is the latest element of Frome Families for the Future’s River Vision Project, a collaboration with Frome Future Shed via Green and Healthy Frome, and supported by FROME Town Council. The project’s aim is to foster a closer connection between the people of the Somerset town and the river, with benefits for mental health and well-being, creating opportunities for play, and increasing awareness of the river’s vital role in our ecosystem. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024 |
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Drayton Meadows has been transformed into a haven. Picture: Elizabeth Johnston. | COMMUNITY WILDLIFE AREA MAKES NET GAINS Pride of Place grant funding from East Cambridgeshire District Council has led to SOHAM TOWN COUNCIL turning a community wildlife area into an internet attraction. The town council bought a piece of land two years ago with the intention of making it a wildflower meadow and well-being area for residents and Drayton Meadows has been transformed from a piece of waste land into an area where residents can walk, sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. Native trees and hedgerow have been planted with wildflower seeds and plug plants attracting birds and insects. Bird and bat boxes will be put up and members of the local Men’s Shed group have made an owl box. A wildlife camera has been erected to enable residents to watch from afar via a website. An introductory guided walk saw 20 residents in attendance, with two town councillors and a volunteer on hand to provide expert knowledge. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024
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■ Children from several schools across an area of West Yorkshire have been contributing to a greener future by teaming up with KIRKLEES COUNCIL to create new woodland areas. Pupils from Fieldhead Primary Academy, Netherthong Primary School, Kirkburton CE First School and Newsome Junior School helped to plant more than 7,000 trees.
Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024
■ Two parks in NEW MILTON have been upgraded as part of a programme to enhance local green spaces in the New Forest. Improvements in Carrick Wood and Ashington Park, include new seating areas, better and accessible footpaths and bridge, and new planting to support and enrich wildlife habitats as part of the Green Way recreational mitigation programme in Hampshire.
Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024
■ A Wiltshire school’s request for support to help keep their local environment clean<Other areas » HOT TOPICS