Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve and the Orchard for the Future have been recognised as one of the UK’s very best green spaces. Wapley Bushes has gained the Green Flag Community Award, a category for green spaces that are managed by voluntary and community groups. There are only eight Community Awards in the whole of the South West, and in fact the Reserve holds the only Green Flag Award of any kind in South Gloucestershire.
Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve is an area of meadows and woodlands which is very popular with local people of all ages. It is managed by the volunteers of the Wapley Bushes Conservation Group on behalf of site owners Dodington Parish Council.
Committee member Paul Hulbert said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the seventh time. “We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining Wapley Bushes to such a high standard”
“The real credit for this award must go to our hard-working volunteers, and to Dodington Parish Council for their unfailing practical and financial help. Our reserve is a mixture of flower-rich meadows, ancient woodland and younger plantations. We work closely with South Gloucestershire Council and the Southwold Group of the Wildlife Trust, who provide us with very valuable advice”
The next work morning on the Reserve will be Sunday 9 September, meeting at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland, BS37 8US, 10.00am. Extra volunteers would be very welcome – please contact Paul Hulbert on 01454 315851 for more details, or just turn up.