Our achievements over the last 30 years

As part of our 30^th Anniversary we have been looking back at some of our projects over the last 30 years. As you read through, we are sure you will agree that we have done some amazing things.

 

Some of our most iconic projects over the last 30 years :

1988 Initial focus was on mills and threats to the local environment

1990 Raised funds for the Wallbridge Upper Lock, restored masonry and brickwork and installed new gates.

1990 Repair and Reinstatement of the balustrade at the Georgian Bridge at Lodgemore Mills

1991 New Nature Reserve along the River Frome with Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation (which became Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust) - Frome Banks

1992 Launch of Countryside Programme, moving the focus from built environment to natural environment and greater community involvement and volunteering.

1995 Mobile Clean Energy Classroom, specially converted trailer taking the latest non polluting technology (wind and solar power) to primary schools in the district.

1995 Kings Stanley Initiative putting ideas into practice – including planting a community orchard, tackling the village’s traffic problems, restoring the mill and managing Penn Wood.

1996 Free Tree Scheme – donated native trees to 12 community groups

1996 Greenways Report for Stroud Town Council identified greenspaces and routes of value for amenity and wildlife

1996 Invited Greenpeace to bring its solar energy generator lorry to Stroud; it was used by Stroud district Council to power the council chamber – the first time a local authority had powered a council meeting with solar power

1997 The Wildlife of Cam – Environmental Capital. Planning and mapping at parish level with communities. Created a parish map, installed kissing gates and surveyed for wildlife

1999 Supported local residents to set up Stroud Farmers Market

2000 Energise, The Stanleys' Energy Initiative was set up to help local people to save money on their energy bills.

2001 Stroud Community Land Trust was set up to lease or buy greenspaces and ensure long term protection of sites.

2003 Social Inclusion programme to work with groups of socially excluded and disadvantaged people

2004 Ecoworks! Advisory service for businesses to help save money and the environment

2004 Severn Vale Biodiversity Project to create a network of wildlife rich parishes connected by wildlife corridors throughout 42 sq miles. Working in partnership with councils, communities, landowners, schools and other environmental organisations.

2008 lead partner for hedgerows in Gloucestershire BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) trained up volunteers to survey hedgerows

2009 Frampton On Severn Aggregates Levy Biodiversity Project – funding secured for a 2 year project with 2 project officers

2010 Eco shop opened offering a wide range of eco products and opening our doors to the general public

2011 Green Team: Open to all – a new project supporting people with mental health issues and tackling the stigma associated with mental health issues. This has lead to continued funding to present day

2011 Get Growing! Supported by Big Lottery to encourage and support children in 20 schools across the district to grow, harvest and sell their own food.

2012 Connect and Create – continuing work in the Severn Vale focussing on hedgerows on flight paths of Lesser horseshoe bats.

2012 Stroud Apple Town, a partnership of local organisations promoting local varieties of Apple and organising apple events

2012 European Social Fund and South West Community Project, helping local people furthest from the job market find volunteering and/or paid work.

2013 Received Octavia Hill Award from National Trust for Green Space Guardians

2013 Started to create The Walled Garden with Museum in the Park

2014 Capel’s Mill Community Project- we created a new greenspace in the centre of Stroud with volunteers and continue to manage the site with Stroud District Council

2014 The Big Tree Plant – secured funding for 1000s of trees to be planted by different community groups around the district

2015 Wild About Kingswood – in partnership with the parish council we created a wildlife area for people and great crested newts

2016 Started work to create a Sensory Garden in Stratford Park

2004 to 2014 Adult Education contract for 10 years, helping people with English and maths in an environmental setting

2016 Wild Classrooms encouraging children to get outdoors, teaching children about nature and the environment

2017 Appointed a Navigator Developer, working in partnership with 26 other similar roles and 50 charity partners. Able to continue our work helping local people overcome barriers to enable them to volunteer and/ or moving into employment. Funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery in partnership with the Gateway Trust.

2018 Sarah’s Field – project working in partnership with Berkeley Town Council to create a green space for the community

Every year we have run an events programme to show people of all ages the natural wonders of the Stroud Valleys.

If you would like to support us

through our 30 at 30 Friends' scheme please click here : 30 at 30