Local residents have taken their spades and donned their welly boots to GET ACTIVE in their local woodland.

In partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Sport and Active Leisure Team, Community Development, Countryside Management, The Woodland Trust , The Community Play Rangers and local residents.

A group of 27 braved the cold December winds and planted 2000 Bluebell bulbs in Abotts Wood on the edge of South Keynsham to add to the beauty and diversity of the land. The Woodland Trust set up the morning and brought their expertise, tools and guidance to lead the planting. Community Play Rangers were on hand with fun activities for the children such as treasure trails through the wood, tree dressing and face painting.

The initiative was started with consultation between Sport and Active Leisure, Community Development and Keynsham South Forum to see how best Bath and North East Somerset Council could encourage the local community to Get Active. Keynsham South Forum recommended that there was a keen interest to get local people actively involved in preserving their local woodland, Abotts Wood, and to work towards maintaining a community space to be proud of.

Natalie Candy, Active Communities Officer says “We are keen to encourage as many people to Get Active as possible in their own community. We understand that some people don’t feel comfortable to join the gym or a club, so bringing physical activity to people in their local outdoor area through conservation work makes sense. It is a free, fun, sociable, and rewarding way to raise activity levels and help keep fit! It also gives people ownership over their local community space.”

Another event is planned for Saturday 15th March 2008 10am-1pm when residents will be clearing natural pathways through parts of the woodland so that walkers can enjoy a walk through the trees.If you are a local resident with an interest in getting active outdoors and contributing to keep your local woodland special, please come along and join us. Wear suitable clothing, gardening gloves and bring secateurs, loppers and pruning saws.

For more information please contact Natalie Candy, Sports and Active Leisure tel 01225 396979 or email; natalie_candy@bathnes.gov.uk or David Davies, Community Development 01225 394160.