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I have spent the last five days doing work experience with Stroud Valleys Project. Through the course of the week I have learnt lots, discovered more about the charity and what is does as well as finding out more about work in conservation.

At the beginning of the week, I worked with Tamsin and some volunteers at the allotments, Queen Elizabeth ii Playing Fields and the eco shop. On these days I learnt:

• About Stroud Valleys Project’s work with the local communities to give people the opportunity to build healthier and greener places, for example the allotments allow people access to fresh fruit and veg and the park gives locals green, wildlife rich places to go.
• The maintenance of green spaces to encourage a greater biodiversity in the area.

I have spent the remaining days with Richard and many other volunteers. During these days we have worked at the sensory garden in Stratford Park and the Omnitrack gardens in Rodborough Court. I have learnt a lot about management of green spaces and seen the massive improvements and differences their volunteer groups make. I have also got to know the volunteers better and enjoyed talking and working with them and have seen the positive benefits that the work has on the volunteers and their well being.

I have very much enjoyed my time with the Stroud Valleys Project and think that it has benefited me greatly and allowed me to get some genuine experience with a local environmental charity that works effectively with local communities. I would definitely recommend this work experience to anyone who has an interest in the environment, conservation, sustainable living and working with people.

Amber Uttley

21.07.2017

Created: 26 July 2017

Stroud Festival of Nature 2017 officially started at the weekend and for the next 3 months there are plenty of lovely events and activities happening in the Stroud area that you can join in with – programmes are available to pick up around the town, including from our eco shop. 

Our commons are special places, especially at this time of the year with all the orchids coming into flower. If you would like to learn more about them you could join us on our Annual Orchid Walk on Edge/Rudge Hill Common on Saturday 10 June from 6pm -8pm. The walk will start with a short introduction from Paul Griffiths about the history of the common, what wildflowers and orchids may be seen and a brief introduction to the grazing and management of the common for the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly.

On the same weekend we have the Hidden Gardens and Sculptures of Rodborough Trail Saturday 10 and Sunday 11June, 11am to 5pm. Over two days this year, it promises to be a visual extravaganza, and is an exciting addition to Stroud’s calendar of key cultural events. Gardeners will be throwing open their garden gates to welcome hordes of garden enthusiasts and art lovers. We will have an eco shop stall on the Sunday for all your gardening needs so come along and find us. We are delighted to say that we are a charity beneficiary of this event.

But before that, why not come along to our Plant Swap on Saturday 3rd June at SVP eco shop from 10.30am to 1pm. Perhaps like mine, all your seedlings have grown two leaves and died; or maybe you have a glut of tomato seedlings that you would like to swap. Bring along your surplus seedlings and exchange them for different flowers or vegetables. I will be hoping some of you turn up with some beans and courgette plants! Even if you have nothing to swap, you can still take some for a donation. It’s a great way to meet other gardeners and to share advice and knowledge.

Created: 24 June 2017

Spring is here! The natural world is waking up and it’s a fantastic time to get out and about to learn more about your local environment. We are running some great events to celebrate the spring – so do come into the eco shop and pick up our new events programme.

We all love the beautiful open spaces of Rodborough and Minchinhampton Commons. This year we are delighted to be working with the National Trust, Natural England and Stroud District Council to help secure their future enjoyment by us all.  Increasing numbers of visitors can have a damaging impact on this delicate wildflower-rich limestone grassland, so together we are working to produce a leaflet explaining what we can all do to help take care of the Commons.  

Photo : © Deb Roberts

The sight of cows on the common is familiar to us all – but not everyone will realise that they play an essential role in grazing the Commons and maintaining the rich wildlife. ‘Marking Day’, the traditional day the cows go out to graze for the summer is on Saturday 13^th May. This year, there will be activities for all the family and the opportunity to learn about the wildlife and history of the Commons, to celebrate Marking Day, including a talk by National Trust butterfly expert Matthew Oates. Come and join us around The Old Lodge on Minchinhampton Common between 11am and 3pm!  

Or join us for our annual great crested newt survey of Stonehouse newt pond. We will set newt traps the evening before from 7.30pm on the 28^th April and conduct a torch survey. Next morning from 7.30am we will inspect the traps to see what we have in them.  After getting up so early, join us for a networking breakfast at Stonehouse Court Hotel where we will be interested to hear your views on the conservation and preservation of Great crested newts across the County. Cost for the survey Adults £5 Children £3, for the breakfast Adults £15 Children £5.

Created: 17 May 2017

At last it’s starting to feel like spring; it’s warmer and the daffodils are always cheering when they appear everywhere. Customers in our eco shop are all buying seeds which has become a sure sign of spring for us! We had a busy seed swap last month and now we are preparing raised beds and planting at our allotment for our Plant Sale on 3 June. If you are sowing seeds and growing seedlings please plant a few extra for our Plant Sale which helps to raise funds for our charity.

We have started our new project working on Rodborough Common in partnership with National Trust, Stroud District Council, Natural England and the graziers on the commons. We are organising a joint event for Marking Day when the cows are released on the commons on Saturday 13^th May and we are looking for volunteers to work with us on organising and running this event.

Wild daffodils are flowering at Queen

Elizabeth Playing Fields and Capel’s Mill

It’s your last chance to book a place on Water Butts our Drain Pipes workshop on Saturday 25 March 2017 from 10am to 12. Come and learn how to install a water butt on a shed and fix some drain pipes, too. Cost is £15. Please call us to book a place.  

We are concerned about the future of the Sub Rooms. Now is the time to get involved and show your support for this lovely venue in the centre of Stroud. Please get involved with the Subscription Rooms consultation. Deadline for expressions of interest is 12^th April.

Finally, do join us to herald the spring and hear the birds in the Chalford Valley Walk on Wednesday 26^th April at 10am-12.30, finishing at the Lavender tea rooms in Chalford.

Created: 22 March 2017

Get out and about with Stroud Valleys Project’s New Walk Leaflets

Stroud Valleys Project is launching its new walk leaflets to encourage people to come outside and enjoy the beautiful countryside around Stroud. All six are now available from the Stroud Valleys Project eco shop on Threadneedle Street and Tourist Information in the Sub Rooms. 

Each walk has a theme: Family Walk, Town Centre Walk, Pushchair/Wheelchair Walk, Archaeology Walk, Wildlife Walk and Landscape Walk. And all take a different angle on a usual walk. The Landscape and Wildlife walks are circular, but involve a bus ride out to the Nailsworth Valley and a return walk back to Stroud via the commons, while the family walk starts at one playground and takes the scenic route to another, with lots of activities for children to do along the way. The town centre walk is ideal for anyone in town with a little spare time on their hands and is perfect for anyone on their lunch break.

Created: 22 February 2017

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Fulfil your new year’s resolution and get out and about with Stroud Valleys Project’s New Walk Leaflets

Stroud Valleys Project is launching its new walk leaflets to encourage people to come outside and enjoy the beautiful countryside around Stroud. All six are now available from the Stroud Valleys Project eco shop on Threadneedle Street and Tourist Information in the Sub Rooms.

Each walk has a theme: Family Walk, Town Centre Walk, Pushchair/Wheelchair Walk, Archaeology Walk, Wildlife Walk, and Landscape Walk. And all take a different angle on a usual walk.

The Landscape and Wildlife walks are circular, involving a bus ride out to the Nailsworth Valley and a return walk back to Stroud via the commons, while the family walk starts at one playground and takes the scenic route to another, with lots of activities for children to do along the way. The town centre walk is ideal for anyone in town with a little spare time on their hands and is perfect for anyone on their lunch break.

Our new project Wild Classrooms starts this month. We will be working with schools and other children’s groups to encourage and support outdoor learning and To develop resources to support teachers to link the school curriculum to outdoor work in green spaces close to schools.

Created: 11 January 2017

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Help us save our parks and green spaces

Sadly budget cuts are affecting our parks. Park use is rising, with 57% of adults now visiting their park once a month or more, while 90% of families with children under five head to their local green space at least monthly, the State of UK Public Parks 2016 study reveals.

Dave Morris, chair of the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, said: “The only way to halt the ever deepening funding crisis affecting all parks across the UK is to make it a statutory service.”

He added: “Parks take a long time to fall apart. It’s not immediately noticeable, like a library closing, but all the pillars of effective park management and maintenance are crumbling. If not reversed, parks will be plunged into the disaster crisis of the 1980s and 1990s when they became no go areas full of syringes and no park rangers.”

Tightening budgets are expected to lead to declines in quality of green spaces. Three-quarters of local authorities have cut staff, with the loss of skills such as horticulture, landscape design and wildlife management.

The Communities and Local Government Committeehas launched a “public parks inquiry” - looking at how parks should be supported now and in the future. The Committee will be asking what the future is for our open spaces and we want to explore the ways in which parks can be supported and secured for generations to come.

Created: 11 January 2017

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Start your new year’s resolution early and get out and about with Stroud Valleys Project’s new walk leaflets

Stroud Valleys Project is launching its new walk leaflets to encourage people to come outside and enjoy the beautiful countryside around Stroud. All six are now available from the Stroud Valleys Project Eco shop on Threadneedle Street and Tourist Information in the Sub Rooms.

For the past 18 months Stroud Valleys Project has been running ‘Wild about Stroud’, funded through Gloucestershire County Councils Active Together scheme. Throughout this period they have been out and about around Stroud with their volunteers in all weathers walking, gardening and taking care of green spaces such as Capel’s Mill (down by the canal, off Dr Newton’s way).

Each walk has a theme: Family Walk, Town Centre Walk, Pushchair/Wheelchair Walk, Archaeology Walk, Wildlife Walk and Landscape Walk. All of the walks take a different angle on a usual walk. The Landscape and Wildlife walks are circular, but involve a bus ride out to the Nailsworth Valley and a return walk back to Stroud via the commons, while the family walk starts at one playground and takes the scenic route to another, with lots of activities for children to do along the way. The town centre walk is ideal for anyone in town with a little spare time on their hands and is perfect for anyone on their lunch break.

Created: 11 January 2017

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Stroud Valleys Project calls out for votes to bag a share of a £12.5million carrier bag charge fund

Stroud Valleys Project is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

The supermarket has teamed up with Groundwork on its Bags of Help initiative, which see grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to environmental and greenspace projects.

Three groups in each of Tesco’s 416 regions have been shortlisted to receive the cash award. Stroud Valleys Project is one of the three groups on the Stroud based shortlist.

Created: 11 January 2017

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