Get involved News Spring 2022
Supporting volunteer opportunities on Exmoor
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Birdsong fills the air and the scent of primroses hovers on the breeze. Spring has definitely arrived here on Exmoor. If you're starting to feel a spring in your step we've plenty of ideas below to get you out and about, meeting new friends, improving your wellbeing and helping look after Exmoor for the benefit of everyone.
Read on for lots of exciting new volunteering opportunities!
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Could you survey your local church for bats? |
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Cathy Wallace, Communications Officer Bats in Churches project |
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Are you willing to explore a local church this summer for evidence of bats? Help us to better understand how bats are using churches across England by taking part in one of our two surveys: Church Bat Detectives and the National Bats In Churches Study.
It’s thought at least 60 per cent of pre-16th Century churches in England house bat roosts, the true figure could be much higher. The Bats in Churches project, a partnership between heritage and conservation organisations, is calling for volunteers to survey their local church this summer to help us find out how and why bats are using churches.
These winged mammals have been associated with churches for centuries. With complex structures packed full of cosy nooks and crannies, not to mention churchyards bursting with wildflowers attracting tasty insects for bats to eat, churches make great homes for these threatened animals that are so vulnerable to habitat loss. Some of our churches are home to nationally and internationally important roosts.
The Bats in Churches survey began in 2019 and this will be our final survey year. Last year we discovered bats in just over half of the 219 churches surveyed and we recorded a total of nine bat species, including some new to the study. We also, for the first time, verified Brandt’s bat and whiskered bat through DNA in their droppings, collected during the surveys and had our first recording of either Leisler’s bat or noctule, not bats we normally associate with churches.
Overall, we’ve recorded a grand total of 13 different species of bats in churches so far. We’re learning that when bats are found in churches, multiple species are often present and we’ve recorded five different species in six churches across the country. We’ve also discovered in previous year’s surveys the presence of grey long-eared bats in a church in Devon – one of the rarest mammals in Britain.
These surveys will allow us to:
- Better understand how bats use churches across England
- Predict how many churches have bat roosts, the factors influencing the use of churches by bats and explore the differences between species and regions
- Have a more thorough picture of the perspectives of those living with bats and the issues they may be facing
- Provide better information and support for both church communities and bat conservation
What does it involve?
- Join the survey by clicking to register below
- Select a church near you and make contact with the church
- Go through a questionnaire with a church representative over the phone
- Visit the building with permission from the church and adhering to our health and safety guidance to look for evidence of bats.
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Provide your records to us online or via paper forms if you’d prefer
If you choose one of the churches that we randomly selected for the National Bats in Churches Study, an extra step is required so we can identify the species of bat(s) using the church, if any.
While you are able to select the church you want to survey, you will need to seek the permission of the church before carrying out any survey work and they reserve the right to decline. Our partners Church of England and Churches Conservation Trust fully support the surveys.
By signing up to take part and survey your local church, you’ll be helping the Bats in Churches project understand more about how bats are using churches. This information will be vital not only for the future conservation of bats, a protected species, but also for church communities who can struggle with the mess created by bats.
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Get Involved - Community Ally for Plastic Free Exmoor |
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We are excited to announce that Get Involved has been accepted as a community ally for Plastic Free Exmoor.
Plastic Free Communities is a Surfers Against Sewage-led initiative to reduce and remove our dependence on single use plastics.
Over the past two years Plastic Free Exmoor has recruited over 20 Business Champions and 17 Community Allies as part of a bid to have Exmoor designed a Plastic Free Community.
Get Involved has already begun removing single use plastic items from it's own volunteering activities and will help and support other groups to follow suit with their own ideas.
Where possible we're buying bare-rooted plants for our garden restoration work at Ashcombe, Simonsbath and any plastic pots are stored for reuse as the garden takes shape. On our woodland planting sites we're trialling a variety of biodegradable planting tubes. We've also waved goodbye to packets of plastic-wrapped biscuits.
We'll be supporting initiatives like local beach cleans and championing the efforts of Exmoor's Keep Britain Tidy Ambassador.
If you are in the area and want to help this community campaign, you can join the next beach clean on Sunday 10th April along the Blue Anchor to Dunster coastline, 10am - 12 noon, meet outside the Driftwood Cafe, Blue Anchor seafront.
For more details see here .
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Cowbridge Sawmill - a cut above the rest |
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Nestled in the Exmoor village of Timberscombe, Cowbridge Sawmill and forge has been lovingly restored by it's current owner with the support of a dedicated band of volunteers.
There has been a mill at Cowbridge as far back as the 14th century, when it produced flour for the local villagers. In 1904 the current mill was converted into a sawmill, with the water wheel being used to generate electricity until the 1950s. Adjacent to the sawmill is the working forge where blacksmith Jim Horrobin and artist Belle Cole craft high quality metalworks.
As part of National Mills Weekend on 7th and 8th May, Cowbridge Sawmill will be open to the public 11am - 4-30 pm. Subject to some rain beforehand, current owner Owen Rush says 'We will have the water wheel turning and many restored woodworking and agricultural machines on view with some demonstrations. All are interesting but some are quite rare. We also have a sale of numerous items donated in the Garage plus teas, coffees and cakes available. There is no charge for admittance but we do appreciate donations'.
Cowbridge Sawmill is also ready to welcome new volunteers to assist in the restoration and preservation of more machines yet to go on display. You don't need to be an engineer as there is plenty of other labouring and cleaning to be done. If you want to know more about this opportunity why not pay them a visit and see what's in store.
The mill is very easy to find, it sits on the junction of the A 396 and the Wooton Courtenay turn at Timberscombe TA24 7TD. Parking for the open day will be available in the adjacent field.
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Help bring rural Victorian school days to life |
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From original school desks and writing slates to Victorian costumes, there's plenty to help bring Victorian school days to life at the West Somerset Museum of Rural Life. Housed in the original former village school, the museum includes a wide collection of rural life artefacts from local farm, industries and houses.
Situated in the picturesque village of Allerford, just off the A39 Minehead to Porlock road, the museum is open Monday - Friday 10.30am - 4pm.
If you would like to help provide a friendly welcome and bring the museum to life for visitors they are currently looking for additional stewards to assist their friendly team. Anyone with 2-3hrs a week to spare who would be interested in joining please email enquiries@allerfordmuseum.org.uk or ring 01643 708455.
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Spring Activities at Wimbleball Lake |
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There's a packed programme of family activities this Easter at Wimbleball Lake.
Here's an update from Lucy, SW Lakes Trust Senior Environment & Engagement Officer, with details of Easter-themed events and volunteer opportunities to help out with their Family Activity Day or on a more regular basis.
Easter Trail - Saturday 9 April – Monday 18 April
Put a spring in your step this Easter and take part in our lakeside trail and quiz at Wimbleball Lake. Easter Bunnies will join you on your adventure, with a letter and seasonal themed clue to help you solve the Spring surprise anagram!
- Collect one of the blank trail sheets from the Activity Centre or the start of the trail (located at the start of the dam path near the sailing club).
- During your walk, note down each of the letters on the Bunnies and answer the quiz question using the fun fact boards. You could be in with the chance of winning an Easter treat!
Ready, Set, Spring” Family Activity Day – Sunday 17 April
We are looking for volunteers to support our family event on Sun 17 April. If you have a couple of free hours and are comfortable working with families please get in touch. The event is outdoors and may involve things like supervising outdoor cooking on a small campfire, facilitating spring crafts and activities and generally welcoming visitors and people taking part. All materials provided. Must be over 18 to volunteer.
Join our friendly crew of Wimbleball Volunteers
We are looking to grow our regular group of volunteers at Wimbleball. This established group meet weekly on a Tuesday 10am-3pm and support environment, engagement and site maintenance tasks at Wimbleball. Activities are very varied and change according to the season. No prior experience needed – all equipment and training will be provided.
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Slow Ways webinar featuring Exmoor & Dartmoor National Parks - Tues 12 April, 7pm |
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In our last newsletter we introduced you to an exciting new project called Slow Ways which is looking to create a network of walking routes that connect all of Great Britain's towns, cities and national landscapes.
In the SW region Slow Ways is looking for people to walk, review, verify and create routes to and between:
Exmoor National Park and Dartmoor National Park the Cornwall, Tamar Valley, South Devon, North Devon, East Devon, Dorset, Blackdown Hills, Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs, Quantock Hills, Mendip Hills, North Wessex Downs, Cotswolds and Wye Valley Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.. as well as Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Falmouth, Gloucester, Swindon and other key places across the region.
You can get involved as an individual, family, informal group or an organised group.
Join an online event on Tuesday 12th April, 7pm - 8pm and find out more about what's involved.
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Why not share your news about volunteering on Exmoor!
We welcome contributions from local groups and organisations working across Exmoor National Park. If you've got a news story you'd like us to share in our next e-bulletin contact us at getinvolved@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
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