21/10/2016 - Permalink

Vote at Tesco stores to help rejuvenate the Wetlands at Severn Valley Country Park

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage / Partner organisations

Shropshire Council and Severn Valley Country Park Supporters Group are asking local people to vote at their local Tesco store for a project to rejuvenate the wetlands at Severn Valley Country Park, as well as improving access and facilities.

The Tesco Bags of Help scheme was launched in December 2015, and is a grant that is available to support local projects that improve green spaces in communities across England, Wales and Scotland. The money is raised through the 5p carrier bag charge.

Severn Valley Country Park Supporter Group and Shropshire Council have submitted a project proposal called “Getting Closer to Nature”, and it has been shortlisted regionally to receive funding of up to £12,000 based on a public vote.

Severn Valley Country Park is a beautiful 126-acre countryside experience which spans both sides of the River Severn. The park offers diverse habitats including river meadows, semi-natural ancient woodland, ponds and streams, traditional hay meadows and more.

people holding a Green Flag Award 2016/17 banner

The Wetlands are an important habitat within the park. There are regular sighting of kingfishers, moorhens, mallards and coots. Herons often fish in the waters and there are less frequent visits from otters and bitterns. Visitors can watch the comings and goings of this exciting habitat from a conveniently-located bird hide.

A heron in a local country park in Shropshire

heron photo: courtesy of Barbara Cresswell.

In recent years, reeds, irises and other invasive plants in the Wetlands have begun to take hold and dominate the area. The project aims to rectify this and also to improve the water flow to create a more vibrant habitat in the hope of attracting more species to the area.

Depending on public support the project will be awarded £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000. If successful, the project would be able to make footpath improvements and install a new pond dipping platform in addition to upgrading the Wetlands.

Edward Andrews, Shropshire Council’s country parks and sites officer, said:-

“Severn Valley Country Park is a much-loved local park, and the public vote is vitally important to improve the site. We are really pleased to have been shortlisted and, with your help, we could get the top grant of £12,000. I would urge everyone to vote for the ‘Getting Closer to Nature’ project at your local Tesco store.”

Don Bannister, Chairman of Severn Valley Country Park Supporter Group, said:-

“Although we have a good number of volunteers, this project needs a professional approach, which is why the grant is so vital to us. The wetland area and hide are used by so many people that we need to keep up our green flag status and keep up the quality of the park.”

For more information about the project, please contact Shropshire Council on 01746 781192.

To vote for the Severn Valley Country Park “Getting Closer to Nature” project, please visit any of the local Tesco stores between Monday 31 October 2016 and Sunday 13 November 2016:

  • Tesco Express, Hermitage Esso, Cann Hall Bypass, Bridgnorth
  • Tesco Express, High Street, Bridgnorth
  • Tesco Hadley Centre Express, Hadley District Centre, Telford
  • Tesco Haygate Road Express, Wellington
  • Tesco Telford Extra, Wrekin Retail Park, Arleston, Telford
  • Tesco Madeley Superstore, Park Ave, Madeley, Telford.