WHAT is the Green Forum?

The Green Forum is an informal meeting space for volunteer groups who are helping to maintain and enhance a green space in Taunton.

We get together to give each other support and advice as well as swap ideas, tools and to find the best way to promote all the amazing green spaces that Taunton is so lucky to have.

Each space is unique. They range from formal and community parks to large open spaces and from orchards and woods to community gardens.

We work with the council to create quality green spaces that are a pleasure for people to enjoy. These active community groups champion their space by running events, carrying out conservation work, planting trees, cultivating apple trees and so much more.

We are all looking to improve the biodiversity of both plant and animal species that live in our town. We are fortunate to have iconic animals such as otter and bats and equally important are the plants and flowers which support pollinators.

Look for a park near you and see what they are up to. Most have a web page so check out their events page and join in – there is a lot of free fun and interest right on your doorstep.

Headline events are:

n Frieze Hill Community Orchard: Annual Tree Planting Day, November 17, 9am until noon and the Wassail, January 18 2020, 5pm to 7pm

n Longrun Meadow: Thursday morning hedge laying and Saturday parkrun

n Comeytrowe: Join our volunteer group to plant bee friendly flowers and bulbs, second Saturday in the month from 2.30pm to 3.30pm

n Somerset Square: Rain or shine - mass garden plant potting up day, Saturday, November 30.

Also don’t forget to visit Netherclay, French Weir, Victoria Park, Galmington Playing Fields, Children’s wood and our new country park in the east.

HELEN LAWY

Taunton Green Forum