MP Sir Ashley Fox has visited Nether Stowey to meet members of the Stowey Green Spaces Group (SGSG) and hear about the work of the volunteers protecting and enhancing their local environment.

During the visit, Sir Ashley met volunteers in the village’s Thomas Poole Library, where part of the building has been earmarked as an environmental information hub to help educate and engage the community on local wildlife and sustainability.

The Bridgwater constituency MP then joined members of the group for a walk through woods managed by SGSG.

Along the way, volunteers explained how they maintain public paths, manage woodland habitats, and organise monthly litter picks across Nether Stowey and Over Stowey.

The walk also offered a view over New Stowey Farm, which is now managed by the Quantock Hills National Landscape team and is expected to become an exemplar of wildlife-friendly farming over the coming years.

The 10-year project on 111 acres of Somerset Council-owned land started in April of last year with an aim to create a regenerative agriculture demonstrator site which will be financially self-sustaining.

Sir Ashley said: “It was a pleasure to meet the dedicated volunteers of the Stowey Green Spaces Group.

“Their work helps keep our green spaces thriving.

“Groups like this play a vital role in protecting Somerset’s natural environment and encouraging community pride.”

SGSG, which was formed in 2016, looks after Nether Stowey’s recreation ground, the Millennium, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee Woods, Stowey Wood, Castle Mount, and the A39 Bypass Wood and walk.

The group also organises monthly litter picking sessions in Nether Stowey and Over Stowey parishes.

Currently, the group’s Saturday Green Spaces volunteers are working on paths in Stowey Wood, laying wood chips and offcuts to prevent them becoming too muddy during the coming winter, including the approaches to the footbridge over the spring.