THREE young apprentices have reached the half-way stage of learning countryside skills on the Quantock Hills which they have used to work on projects such as restoring the view of a waterfall which was a favourite spot for William Wordsworth, one of the country’s greatest poets.

Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy frequented the falls in Holford Glen while they rented nearby Alfoxton Park in the late 1790s.

Now, the trio of apprentices, Ella Bedford, Lewis Crabtree, and Tom Ley-Sale, have helped to bring the waterfall gorge into better view again.

They have been working with Quantock landscape partnership manager Bill Jenman and will continue until November, when they have an opportunity to extend for another year.

By the end, their experience and skills could qualify them as level four rangers.

They have been carrying out tasks such as thinning the Quantocks Jubilee Wood, planting new trees in Nether Stowey and on Cothelstone Hill, and hedge laying and planting at Broomfield Village Hall.

The apprentices have also been working on Broomfield Common and clearing brambles at Alfoxton Park.

Mr Jenman said: “Having an in-house labour team is very helpful, especially now they are all tooled up with chainsaw and brushcutter qualifications.

“Their work has already garnered quite a few unsolicited compliments from landowners and passers-by.

“They can work on public or private land – we provide the trainees and supervisor, landowner pays for any cash cost for materials.”

The youngsters, who attend Bridgwater and Taunton College, are completing a level two countryside skills qualification on a scheme run by Young Somerset.

They are being supervised and trained by Matt Beedle.

Mr Jenman said anybody who had a potential project which could add to the apprentices’ experience and skills should email him at [email protected].