@cpresomerset
We are a small charity speaking up for the Somerset countryside. Part of the Campaign to Protect Rural England network. Our aim is to protect what we love in Somerset's countryside and regenerate what’s been lost Join us.
What hope is there for our #Somerset countryside with weak planning enforcement? Currently it seems that Somerset Council is just turning a blind eye to people who want to ignore the rules. 😡
You need to read this article in @somersetconf.bsky.social
We are excited about working together on these new awards.
There are five categories of award and anyone can enter, as long as the project is within the county of Somerset.
Closing date is 30th April - get your entries in soon!
Find out more here 👇
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
CPRE Somerset has always been a strong advocate for more affordable housing in our villages, to meet local need. Here in Somerset, where wages are relatively low compared to house prices, rural affordable housing is essential.
In other words, it’s a great match!
We are thrilled to announce that Hastoe Housing Association are sponsoring our new "Love Your Countryside Awards"!
Hastoe is a well-respected rural housing provider, well-known for their small scale, environmentally sensitive affordable housing developments.
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
It's #WorldWildlifeDay today!
And - it finally feels like spring has arrived here in soggy Somerset...
Makes you want to flap your wings and get out there!
photo: Michelle Earl - Heron at Greylake
Don't forget to nominate your projects for our Love Your Countryside Awards.
There are 5 categories - visit our website to find out more
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
We are excited to be speaking at the Visit Somerset AGM & Conference on Wednesday. We will be sharing our "big idea" - could the Somerset Levels be the UK's next National Park?
If you can't make it along, read about our big idea on our website here 👇
tinyurl.com/SomersetLeve...
This is what our skies looked like on Sunday!
Beautiful picture from @glastomichelle.bsky.social
This is so ironic! We have been asking people to count the stars in Orion all week for Somerset #StarCount. It's a citizen science project to measure light pollution.
It ended on Saturday after a solid week of cloudy skies, so our results were minimal.
Of course, Sunday night was then clear!!! 🤬
Very annoyingly, last night was the first clear night in ages. Guess what? Star Count week was over by then!😡🤬🤯
A big thank you to everyone who did manage to spot some stars last week, against all the odds. Our data is very limited but we will share the map soon anyway.
Maybe next year?
We will be SO grateful if you can take a peek - and if the skies are clear, get out and have a go. It only takes a few minutes!
Find out more and submit your results here 👇
tinyurl.com/somersetstar...
Thank you to those hardy souls that have already submitted their #StarCount results. 👏👏👏
It looks like tonight and tomorrow might be the best chance to see some stars this week - if those pesky clouds stay away from our Somerset skies.
It's looking like a pretty cloudy week ahead - not great for doing your Somerset Star Count 😒
But - you never know. Things can change.
Please keep a look out between 14 and 21st February and have a go if the clouds do decide to part!
It only takes a few minutes and is good fun.
#StarCount
📣Somerset Star Count is coming!
From 14th-21st February, you can help us to map light pollution.
It only takes a few minutes and you don't need any special equipment.
All you do need is a clear night, however.... 🙏🤞😒
Find out how to take part here 👇
tinyurl.com/somersetstar...
Somerset Star Count is back - and we need your help!
From 14- 21 February, we are asking people of Somerset to count the stars and help us paint a picture of light pollution in or county.
We'll be posting more info soon on how you can join in.
Can't wait? - go to 👇
tinyurl.com/somersetstar...
Come and join us for this free and very popular event - all welcome, no need to book.
@joshduryphotomedia.bsky.social
If you know a Countryside Changemaker, why not sing their praises to us!
Go on - nominate them for an award.
Details here 👇
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
We want to celebrate those who inspire change, raise awareness, and speak up for rural communities.
This could be through hands-on action, community leadership, campaigning, or creative storytelling.
Do you know someone who is making a real difference in the Somerset countryside? They can be individuals or groups.
Tell us about them and they might win our Countryside Changemaker Award.
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
Know of a great project? Tell us about it and they might get an award!
More info here 👇
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
Whether it’s a new walking route, improved signage, accessible infrastructure, or a community-led programme, we’re looking for initiatives that help more people enjoy and benefit from nearby green spaces.
Let's find out more about the Countryside Access category in our Love Your Countryside Awards...
This award celebrates projects of all sizes that make the Somerset countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.
We want to celebrate community-powered projects that protect, restore, and reimagine Somerset’s land and water environments. It could be hands-on habitat restoration and water quality improvements, or schemes tackling soil health, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
We are looking for projects that make a difference to the countryside at a local level. Your project could be in any kind of natural environment – from woodlands, meadows, parks, allotments and community gardens (green spaces), to rivers, ponds, lakes, wetlands, and coastal areas (blue spaces).
boy and mother looking in a pond
It's time to focus on another of the 5 categories in our new Love Your Countryside Awards
Let's explain our Blue or Green Spaces Award
🧵
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
That’s why we want to celebrate great examples of rooftop solar here in Somerset, large or small.
Do you know of a great example of rooftop solar? On a school, or community building? Or on a factory or barn?
Tell us about it and help us to shout it from the rooftops!
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...
Generating renewable energy doesn’t have to be at the expense of our countryside. We've shown that our rooftops can provide over half of our solar energy targets. Rooftop solar is the best way forward to help the climate crisis and protect our green fields.
We believe it’s time to get solar off the ground and champion a rooftop revolution. We’re celebrating great examples of rooftop solar that saves energy and is sensitively designed and with the local community in mind.
Our new Love Your Countryside Awards celebrate our Somerset countryside and those who help to cherish and protect it.
There are 5 award categories.
Today we are focussing on our new Rooftop Solar Award
🧵
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...