WILTSHIRE LIFE Awards 2018 17
SPONSORED BY
Conservation Group of the Year
Winner Marlborough Downs Space for Nature
This group of farmers, volunteers, wildlife specialists and community members are passionate
about the landscape and wildlife of the Marlborough Downs. Their project delivers activities
to enhance and connect the habitats and wildlife on the downs, and to promote the health and
well-being benefits of the great outdoors.
Together they have created 70 hectares (175 acres) of flower-rich grassland with bees,
butterflies and other invertebrates, and they also manage 75 hectares (185 acres) of rough
grassland to provide habitat for small mammals, in turn supporting owls and birds of prey.
The farmland bird programme provides special crops which are left unharvested for birds to
help themselves to seeds; nectar-rich plots to attract insects; and hundreds of nest boxes. They
have also created or restored 15 dewponds to conjure up a necklace of water sources.
They share their knowledge with the public through a programme of workshops, community
events and volunteering opportunities, for all age groups and abilities.
Second place Baydons Meadow Wildlife Group
Baydons Meadow is a wildlife haven on the banks of the River Avon in Chippenham. It was
bought by Chippenham Borough Lands Charity in 2000 and is maintained by the volunteers
of the Baydons Meadow Wildlife Group. You’ll find this dedicated group hedge-laying, hay-raking,
coppicing, mowing and weeding, hosting visits and leading a moth and bat evening for
the community. Each year, they plant more than 1,000 wild flower plugs, plus bulbs including
bluebells and snake’s-head fritillaries.
Third place The Secret Garden Salisbury – Bee City
Becky Twigg believes in networking for nature: the idea that one person can do good but
many can do more. In 2017, she launched a project called Bee City, its central focus being the
Salisbury Bee Trail. The trail features 12 beautifully illustrated signposts around the city. When
you point your phone at the illustration an app is triggered revealing a bee image that flies,
together with information about each pollinator. Many organisations have taken up the Bee
City challenge and have created their own inspiring ways to promote bees.
Farmers provide
special crops which
are left unharvested
so birds can help
themselves to the
seed over winter