2022 saw some great pledges for nature from members of the community with some going above and beyond by raising their heads above the parapet to help nature recover in their communities.

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Community Champion Award Winner: Neil Spencer

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Neil Spencer started the Ashreigney and Riddlecombe Nature Recovery Group in the summer of 2022. A keen fisherman and sailor Neil has an appreciation of nature and having seen its decline within his Parish decided something had to be done. He started the group with a small group of members and has organised several events that have brought experts in to share their knowledge on Culm Grassland, Swifts and conducting biodiversity audits.  These have brought the Parish together as well as environmentalists from around Devon. This year Neil organised several workshops where 100 nest boxes have been made and distributed within the Parish for species such as Pied Flycatcher, Dipper and Swift.

Kim Melhuish has been leading the Winkleigh Biodiversity Group over the last ten years. The group has developed an area for nature by the sports centre since starting in 2012 with the planting of native trees as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Since then the area has developed into a haven for wildlife with Hazel dormice now calling this space home. Kim has brought the community together and involved young people in the process of developing the site.  Kim organised a Saving Devon Treescapes Tree Hub at Winkleigh for Devon Wildlife Trust where she distributed 200 native trees to 65 households. 

Fran Sendall is involved with a few groups in South Molton such as the community garden and the wildflower meadow at Sheep Fair Field and South Molton Save Our Swifts. She is also a key involved in the setting up of the newly formed Eco links group in South Molton. Please watch this video to find out more about what Fran has been doing.

https://youtu.be/_Mm1WWEYJKI

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