For a thriving countryside that benefits everyone

It's photo competition time again! Happy Days in Somerset is our theme and there are 2 prizes of £100 each up for grabs - one for adults & one for under 18s.
We can't wait to see your entries...
Closing date 31st Aug. https://tinyurl.com/4yh47hbb

Appeal allowed. Now this rural landscape next to Castle Cary station will be lost under a sea of 200 houses - despite strong opposition by local community & @southsomersetdc Yes, we need more houses but this was not the right place #somerset #countryside @danielmumby

Fascinated by place names? Sock Dennis ? Queen Camel? Huish Episcopi? We could go on....!
Come to our talk at @wellsmuseum on 30 June to find out how these glorious names came about.
#somerset #villages

https://buytickets.at/cpresomerset/675830

The magic of nature can be seen in a starry sky. ⭐
3% of people who participated in the @CPRE #StarCount counted more than 30 stars, which means they enjoyed truly dark skies.
See the results in full and find your count on the map
https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/night-skies-outlook-is-bright-our-star-count-results-suggest/

Smiles all round as we did our monthly lottery draw today: congrats to our lucky winner.
Please join our lottery club-you get 12 chances to win & half of your ticket price goes to supporting our work for the Somerset countryside. Pic by Grace Markwick https://tinyurl.com/v4unsjew

Happy #SomersetDay

Whatever you do today, and in whatever way that makes you happy, try to find some time to #GetOutsideInSomerset and enjoy our beautiful county. Cellos are optional!

photo The Cellist by @roseatkinson

#somerset #countryside #mendhiphillsaonb

Wonderful news - what a hero!
More affordable homes to be built in Pilton, on land gifted by Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis https://sheptonmallet.nub.news/news/local-news/more-affordable-homes-to-be-built-in-pilton-on-land-gifted-by-glastonbury-festival-founder-michael-eavis-131809

Did you know that the English Bluebell’s sap is sticky and made an ideal glue for fastening flight feathers to arrows fired by medieval archers? Nowadays, bluebells are protected so no one should be picking them, of course! Enjoy them in their wild setting.

Photo: Rachel Lewzey

It's #NoMowMay
If you want some inspiration on the difference you could make, even in a small patch of lawn, check out our video of "On the Edge" by @Southsomersetdc from our #rewilding #somerset event in Nov 21
https://youtu.be/yWrGkxHcqUo

@Love_plants #wildflowers #nature

We need our #countryside now more than ever. Help us promote, enhance and protect it by becoming a member!

Join now for great perks, inc. discounted entry to 100+ attractions to access to our members mag, Countryside Voices and local events.
https://tinyurl.com/5exb8rer

Vote for the countryside on 5th May - read our message to candidates in the Somerset local elections https://mailchi.mp/90fbc789b27b/vote-for-the-countryside-on-5th-may

Here's another #dawnchorus inspired picture. This wren was joyfully singing away in Montacute - picture taken by our #volunteer #photographer Rachel Lewzey.

#birds #birdsong #Somerset #GetOutsideInSomerset

The #dawnchorus comes into its own in #April, with a huge range of birds singing at first light, like wrens, blackbirds, finches, tits, dunnocks and thrushes.

We recommend setting your alarm to just before sunrise, and experiencing the #spring dawn chorus for yourself!