Blakeney villagers net yet more eco-cash

Published by Anonymous for Two Rivers Housing in Communities and also in Environment, Health, Housing

Blakeney villagers are dancing with joy after Blakeney Community Green has netted another£25,000 to extend the 'New heart for Blakeney' improvement project.

Two Rivers fundraiser Jane Cordier has yet again been behind the scenes making the grant applications, so now Blakeney Community Green can achieve its dream of completing a tranquil wildlife and nature walk in the heart of the village.

The latest grant, from Gloucestershire Environment Trust, builds on the group's success in April. Jane helped the group secure £30,000 of Big Lottery Fund Village SOS Campaign cash, beating off national competition.

Blakeney Community Green will use some of the cash to improve parking at the recreation area - so everyone can visit the village to enjoy the tranquil trail through woodland and along a babbling brook.

Only a couple of weeks ago the community celebrated the opening of their very own Otter Holt café at the recreation ground.

Project stalwart Rose Peaty said the whole community had been involved from day one.

"The Gloucestershire Environment Trust Grant has given Blakeney Community Green the opportunity to extend the 'New heart for Blakeney' project. The whole village is extremely grateful and would like to say a big thank you by holding a buffet evening for everyone later in the autumn.

"This project was originally estimated to take five years. However, because of the fantastic support we have had from everyone and the generosity of the Gloucestershire Environment Trust, we have been able to start the 'new heart' beating within two years"

"The community green and the wildlife trail have really brought the community together. We want to make it easy for everyone, whatever their age or fitness, to get out and enjoy nature on their doorstep.

"The community have been involved in designing the trail, working with experts from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Now they want to get involved in building the path.

"We want the path to be smooth and easy to use for everyone, ensuring disabled people and wheelchair and pushchair users can join in the fun. We are also building natural log seating around the path fitting in with the local setting. These will create a great place for quiet reflection and watching nature.

"We couldn't have done any of this without the support of our friends at Two Rivers Housing. Jane and her colleagues have really pulled out all the stops to help us," she said.

Jane said that the trail would provide a real opportunity for villagers to keep fit and healthy.

"Blakeney Community Green has been working with the Blakeney Surgery to promote village health. The project will encourage fitness walking and running sessions too."

"There's a big Two Rivers community in the village. We rent out over 90 houses at low cost so communities can stay together, even though house prices are totally unaffordable for many local people. Two Rivers is all about supporting local communities." she said.