NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Green peeps
Nailsea and District Horticultural Society, Nailsea Climate Emergency Group and other environmentally-friendly 'green' groups, litter picking, fly-tipping, recycling and other 'save the planet' news all on this page...
2025
North Somerset Beekeepers has a few places left for their 2025 course, starting in January.
The course is divided into two parts:
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10 theory sessions on Thursday evenings from January to March at Nailsea Methodist Church community centre;
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If people want to continue – practical sessions in the NSBK’s apiary at Langford on Sunday mornings from April to October.
Because the training is carried out by volunteers, it only costs £135 for the whole course.
If you are interested, to learn more text Tony Slater on 0771 087 8977.
Beekeeper classes
MIGHTY MEMORIES: A memorial oak tree has been planted to remember the tireless campaigning of the late Marilyn Waghorn, pictured, towards establishing the Stockway North Nature Reserve. Much-loved Marilyn died, aged 77, a year ago in February 2024. It was in the mid-1980s, together with her late husband Roger, the couple fought to save the flora and fauna of the land at the bottom of their Westway family home. The green space was saved for prosperity although developers built a care home in the abandoned quarry next door. Work to restore the site used for a century as a rubbish tip started in 1996. With financial assistance from Nailsea Town Council and North Somerset Council, a group – The Friends of Stockway North Nature Reserve – was formed in 1998 to manage this land, involving the community in a project to encourage the wildlife, to raise awareness of the public to the natural environment, as a teaching resource for schools, and as an extension to the adjacent Garden of Rest. The oak sapling was kindly donated. The reserve provides a home for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, invertebrates, plants, trees, amphibians and fungi. It opens to the public on the first Saturday of the month from 2-4pm.
Photos in slideshow shared by Marilyn's daughter Hannah
LITTER PICKERS: Saturday, March 29, 10am-noon is Nailsea Town Council community litter pick, starting from 26 Somerset Square. Nailsea Town Council environment & leisure committee chairman Karen Bird said: “It is the 10th Great British Spring Clean between 21st March 21-April 6, and we are keen for residents to join us to help Nailsea get ready for summer. Help us make a difference in your community by keeping our parks and public spaces looking lovely." There will be certificates of participation and stickers for young attendees to recognize their efforts
Changes are coming to recycling and waste collections in North Somerset this year to make recycling easier.
North Somerset Council will be introducing a new red recycling bag, collecting a wider range of recycling materials, launching a new app, and switching black bin collections from fortnightly to three-weekly later this year.
After a very successful trial with 6,000 households, a new reusable red bag for recycling household plastic and metal packaging will start being delivered to North Somerset households from the end of March.
The new red bag provides extra space for more recycling, is weighted to stop it blowing away, bigger than recycling boxes, and secures with a Velcro strip across the top to prevent litter.
A leaflet inside the bag provides full instructions and households can start using their new bag as well as their existing recycling boxes straight away.
North Somerset Council executive member for climate, waste and sustainability Annemieke Waite is the Green Party ward councillor for Wrington.
She said: “We want to make North Somerset a thriving and sustainable place to live, work and visit.
"As well as making recycling easier, the changes we’re announcing today will significantly reduce the costs associated with waste disposal and instead generate savings of over £1million to help fund vital local services.
“Weighted, reusable bags for recycling are used successfully by lots of other councils across the country.
"We know from our trial that the red bag gives people much more space for their weekly recycling so there’s a lot less put in black bins, and the majority of participants recommended the red bag is rolled out to the rest of North Somerset.”
North Somerset Council first introduced weekly kerbside recycling collections of a wide range of materials including food waste fifteen years ago.
However, analysis of the waste North Somerset households put in their black bins shows that almost half (45 per cent) could be recycled.
Of the total waste put in black bins, over a quarter (27 per cent) was food waste, and almost half of this was unopened food still in its packaging. Anyone not yet recycling their food waste can request containers and find out more at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/foodwaste.
The other changes to recycling and waste collections will be introduced later this year, including the collection of plastic bags and wrapping such as crisp packets, film lids, pet food pouches and vegetable wrapping, which make up 10 per cent of black bin contents.
North Somerset Council will be one of the first councils in the country to collect these items. Households will be notified before these changes begin.
Cllr Waite added: “Several other councils have already successfully made the switch to three-weekly bin collections, including Somerset, East Devon and Mid Devon.
Let's recycle more waste
"We will be in touch with households to let them know when their collections will change later this year. For anyone who has concerns, support is available.”
A team of waste minimisation officers are available to advise anyone who is looking for more support to recycle as much as they can.
People who may struggle with a three-weekly black bin collection due to medical needs, children in disposable nappies or a larger household may qualify for additional capacity for their rubbish.
To request support please go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly.
A brand new North Somerset Council app will also launch in April to make recycling even easier, with the option to set up reminders for when to put out bins and receive real-time information about the service.
The move to three-weekly black bin collections is in line with the council’s Recycling and Waste strategy, which aims to reduce non-recycled waste and reach a recycling rate of 70 per cent by 2030.
Changes to make recycling easier begin this Changes are coming to recycling and waste collections in North Somerset this June to make recycling easier and reduce waste.
For most households, black bin collections will switch from fortnightly to three-weekly in June 2025, and a wider range of recycling materials will be collected every week, including plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping.
North Somerset Council will be one of the first councils in the UK to collect plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping, such as crisp packets, bread bags, cling film, film lids, biscuit wrappers and vegetable packaging, as part of a weekly household recycling service.
Most people’s recycling and waste collection day will also change in June to increase the efficiency of collections, reduce carbon emissions, and improve reliability of the service.
Information packs outlining each household’s new arrangements will be sent out in May before the changes begin.
North Somerset Council executive member for climate, waste and sustainability Annemieke Waite is the Green Party ward councillor for Wrington.
She said: “We want to make North Somerset a thriving and sustainable place to live, work and visit. We introduced weekly kerbside recycling collections of a wide range of materials including food waste 15 years ago, and know many people are supportive and enthusiastic about recycling as much as possible.
“However, of the total waste put in black bins, 45 per cent is still made up of recycling.
"Over a quarter of the bin (27 per cent) is food waste, and almost half of this is unopened food still in its packaging. This is not only wasteful, but costs both residents and the council money.
“I’m so pleased we’ll soon be collecting plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping for recycling as these materials take up a lot of space in black bins.
"As well as making recycling easier, these changes will significantly reduce the costs associated with waste disposal and instead generate savings of more than £1 million a year to help fund vital local services.”
New red recycling bags have already started to be delivered to homes across North Somerset to provide extra space for more recycling.
A brand new North Somerset Council app will launch later this month to make recycling even easier, allowing users to set up bin day reminders, get real-time service updates and check what to do with any item.
“There is additional support available for anyone who’s worried they will struggle with the changes,” added Cllr Waite.
Waste minimisation officers are available to advise people who may have concerns and are looking for help to recycle as much as they can.
To request this please go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly.
SHOW TIME: Report and results soon but photos posted in our Gallery 2025 HERE
Every 3 weeks from June 2025
People who may struggle with a three-weekly black bin collection due to medical needs, children in disposable nappies or a larger household may qualify for additional capacity for their rubbish.
An application form to request this is available at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly.
Not all properties are suitable for a less frequent black bin collection. Properties with communal collections and many town centre properties will keep their current frequency, though it is likely the collection day will change.
Plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping can start being presented when the household switches to three-weekly black bin collections in June. An information pack with full instructions will be delivered to everyone before these changes begin.
NAILSEA IN THE BAG
Perrings people got their red recycle bags today - have you got your bag?
North Somerset Council is encouraging residents to download a new, free App to make it easier to recycle more and waste less.
For iPhone peeps It is here:
https://apps.apple.com/.../north-somerset.../id6741157046
The new app offers a range of helpful features including bin day reminders, real-time service alerts on any changes to recycling and waste collections, and a comprehensive search tool to check how to recycle items correctly.
As well as accessing recycling and waste services, the app has links to find local councillors, discover nearby council-run facilities, view local food hygiene ratings, plus read the latest council news.
Other council services (God forbid) will be added to the app in future.
A flood awareness event is being staged by Nailsea Climate Emergency Group.
It is supported by Nailsea Town Council and Nailsea Methodist Church.
Called The Flood Pod is coming to Nailsea on Saturday, June 14.
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From 10am-3pm in the town centre you can find out how you can protect your home or business. See items that can be fitted in homes to limit the damage and costs from flooding. Talk with top flood consultant and television pundit Mary Long-Dhonau and get ideas on how to be flood ready.
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From 5-6pm at Nailsea Methodist Church, join in a Flood Forum where a panel of four speakers including: Simon Bunn (Flood Risk Manager - North Somerset Council flood risk manager Simon Bunn and Ms Long-Dhonau will talk about the damage caused by flood and how our communities can become flood ready.
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6-7pm tea, coffee, cake and chat at the Methodist church.
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7-9.30pm also at Methodist church the Climate Emergency Group will be showing The End We Start From cert15, the acclaimed and gripping film starring Jodie Comer, Katherine Waterston, Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Strong. There will be an opportunity after the film to discuss the issues raised and for reflective conversation and feedback.
Spaces are limited for the events at the Methodist church. To book tickets go to https://ticketpass.org/event/ERBZZK/flood-panel
Nailsea Climate Emergency Group spokesperson John Belton, pictured, said: "We are excited to be bringing the Flood Pod to Nailsea because flooding is such a traumatic event and we are particularly pleased that 'Flood Mary' will be joining us for the whole day to help us learn how to be to be flood ready"
What is the Flood Pod? The pod brings Property Flood Resilience (PFR) to life, offering people the chance to see, touch and understand practical measures that protect homes and businesses against flooding
Making PFR tangible and accessible, the Flood Pod demonstrates just what these solutions can do to mitigate the appalling impacts of flooding and help to build greater resilience within vulnerable communities.
Download an information booklet HERE.
Any questions email nailseaclimateemergency@gmail.com
Are you flood ready?
Information packs outlining changes to recycling and waste collections have started to hit doormats across North Somerset.
The comprehensive packs contain important information about the changes being introduced in June by North Somerset Council, to make recycling easier and reduce waste.
From Monday 9 June black bin collections will switch from fortnightly to three-weekly for most households, and a wider range of recycling materials will be collected every week, including plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping.
To help those households who have a gap between their old and new black bin collection day of more than three weeks, the council is providing an additional one-off Saturday collection. Residents are urged to look out for their information pack which has more details.
Most people’s recycling and waste collection day will also change from Monday 9 June to increase the efficiency of collections, reduce emissions, and improve reliability of the service.
North Somerset Council cabinet member for planning and environment Annemieke Waite is the Green Party ward councillor for Winford.
She said: “We want to make North Somerset a thriving and sustainable place to live, work and visit. The changes being introduced will make recycling easier, reduce waste, and protect the environment.
“I’m so proud that North Somerset Council will be the first council in the country to collect and compact plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping at the kerbside as part of a weekly household recycling service – two years ahead of the UK Government deadline to provide this service!
“Last year we spent more than £4 million on processing the black bin waste produced by North Somerset’s households. Increasing the range of recycling and switching to three-weekly black bin collections will significantly reduce these costs, as well as generate savings of over £1 million to help fund vital local services.”
From Monday, June 9, the council’s recycling vehicles will have a dedicated space to collect plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping such as crisp packets, film lids, plastic pouches and vegetable packaging, which make up around 10 per cent of black bin contents.
From June, plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping should be presented for recycling in the household’s glass recycling box, squashed into a bread bag or carrier bag and tied with a knot to squeeze all the air out.
There will also be larger compartments on recycling vehicles for collecting batteries, clothes, small electrical items and vapes, to improve the reliability of these collections.
Red recycling bags have already been delivered to homes across North Somerset to provide extra space for more recycling.
Anyone who hasn’t received one yet can request this online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly.
And a new free North Somerset Council app has launched to make recycling even easier.
Residents can download the app from their app store to set up bin day reminders, get real-time service updates and access a search tool to check how to recycle items correctly.
An analysis of the waste North Somerset households put in their black bins found that almost half (45 per cent) could have been recycled.
Recycling information update
Of the total waste put in black bins, over a quarter (27 per cent) was food waste, and almost half of this was unopened food still in its packaging.
“We know many people in North Somerset are supportive and enthusiastic about recycling as much as possible, putting out their sorted recycling, including food waste, every week. For these households a change in frequency of black bin collections will not be a concern,” added Cllr Waite.
“Several other councils have already successfully made the switch to three-weekly non-recyclable waste collections, including Somerset, East Devon and Mid Devon. When the changes begin, we’re asking everyone to give it a go.”
Residents who may struggle with the new three-weekly black bin collections due to medical needs, children in disposable nappies or a larger household may qualify for additional non-recyclable waste capacity. An application form to request this will be available from the end of June. For more information, please visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly.
The changes will be introduced for the majority of households in North Somerset. Any properties not suitable for a less frequent black bin collection, such as those with communal collections and many town centre properties, will keep their current frequency, though it is likely the collection day will change.
Garden Waste collections will be unchanged. Green bins will continue to be emptied on the same day and at the same frequency as the current schedule.
IN AN ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN: How does your garden grow? Julia Miners took these photos of clematis, rock and Kiftsgate roses, Anthriscus and AquilegIa all thriving in her West End garden despite the recent drought. How are the plants in your garden/allotment doing? Thanks Julia for sharing and all the other gardeners including Norris Aris, Paul McCullough, Elaine Hogan and Julie Hope who added their flower fotos to our Nailsea People Facebook page. These are now part of the slideshow. The date for the summer flower show at Nailsea School is Saturday, August 2 and schedules are out already. Go to https://nailseahorticulturalsociety.co.uk/whats-on/summer-flower-show/ for more information. And on Saturdays and Sundays from May 17 until June 29, Shirley’s beautiful garden at 3 Mizzymead Rise is open to the public to raise money for Cancer Research UK
Nailsea in Bloom volunteer gardeners have taken delivery of 2,375 bedding plants which will be taking roots in the town centre in the next few days.
These welcome addition to our streetscape will appear in High Street planters and roadside garden beds to add colour for the summer.
What is being planted are:
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350 Dragon Wing Begonias
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550 Nemesia
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550 Petunia Night Sky
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375 Ipomoea Lime Green
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350 Verbena
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50 White Petunia
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150 Geranium white
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Extra helping hands are always welcome to join this bunch of budding horticulturists.
Organiser Wendy Mobbs said: “The cost of the plants is covered by Nailsea Town Council and our lovely sponsors.
“We are grateful to the local businesses and the town council who help either supplying water or the bills.
“We’d love to welcome new volunteers, whether you’ve got green fingers or just want to get involved and learn.“We’re a really friendly, sociable group who love gardening and making Nailsea’s flower beds look beautiful all year round.
Nailsea in Bloom news
“It’s a great way to make friends, contribute to your town, and enjoy a good coffee and chat along the way.”
Volunteers meet regularly for planting, maintenance, and social catchups over coffee in the town.
Call Wendy Mobbs on 0785 503 7555 or email wendy.mobbs@outlook.com for more information.
OPEN GARDENS: Both gardens featured are free entry with donations to Cancer Research UK welcome. Shirley's garden at 3 Mizzymead Close is open at weekends until Sunday, June 29, and Jackie's at Cheddar Close is for one day only on Saturday afternoon, June 21 but with cakes, teas and coffee available...
NATURE RESERVE: Welcome to a little bit of nature right in the middle of Nailsea. The reserve provides a home for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, invertebrates, plants, trees, amphibians and fungi. Open on first Saturday of month from 2-4pm, weather permitting. More information about Nailsea's wildlife havens here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_reserves_in_Nailsea
Nailsea Climate Emergency Group held a Flood Awareness Event on Saturday , June14, Are You Flood Ready?
The Flood Pod, filled with items to help householders protect their homes in the event of flooding was set up in Somerset Square.
Mary Long-Dhonau (floodmary.com) spent the day explaining the equipment and advising visitors.
She had a steady flow of people keen to learn what they could do to become more flood resilient.
The group also had a stand outside Waitrose where they explained the flood maps on display, talked to local residents and gave out flood plan checklists.
In the evening, they held a Flood Forum at Nailsea Methodist Church where four expert panellists: Ms Long-Dhonau, North Somerset flood risk manager Simon Bunn. Greenpeace Bristol area spokesperson Richard Lancaster and Avon Wildlife climate and nature officer Jen Robertson talked about what needs to be done to reduce our risk and took questions from the floor.
Richard Lancaster said “Climate Change is causing increased extreme weather events and, in the future more frequent flooding locally is inevitable.
"We need to mitigate increased CO2 levels by leaving fossil fuels in the ground, switching to renewables and reducing excess energy usage to avoid runaway global heating.
"We also need to adapt to make our homes flood-ready and ‘Flood Mary’s advice coupled with the Panel Discussion contributed to a better understanding of the issues and solutions.
"Thank you to the Nailsea Climate Emergency group for organising the day’s events”.
Following refreshments and drinks laid on by the Methodist church team, the dramatic and powerful feature film The End We Start From was screened.It tells the story of a catastrophic flood event in London and its disturbing consequences.
In the time of flood
To round off the evening small groups got together to reflect on what skills and abilities they had between them to support the local community when an emergency occurs.
Kingsley Belton speaking on behalf of the group said “We really wanted to reach out to residents in Nailsea and North Somerset to raise awareness of the traumatic effects of flooding and how we can, both individually and as communities, become more’ flood ready.
"On Saturday we were delighted to meet concerned people from a wide area and provide them with vital information that will help them to do just that”.
The group are indebted to Nailsea Community Trust who generously donated towards the costs of the day, to Nailsea Town Council for its support and for funding the cost of hiring and transporting the Flood Pod and to the eco-team at the Methodist church for hosting the evening events their warm hospitality.
Nailsea Town Council invites residents to come together and help spruce up our wonderful town R the next Nailsea Community Clean Up.
Let’s work side by side to keep our parks and public spaces clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone.
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Date: Saturday, July 19
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Time from 1pm meeting at 12.45pm
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Meeting Point: Millennium Park near the skate park
Equipment is provided by Nailsea Town Council and Nailsea Community Group but if you have your own gloves or litter-picking tools, feel free to bring them along with your enthusiasm!.
Environment & leisure committee councillor Karen Bird is pictured with a trolley full of discarded litter for the last litter pick.
She said: "We had a fantastic turnout for the Great British Spring Clean in March, and now we’re excited to do it again this summer.
"Join us on July 19th to help keep Nailsea looking its best.
"It’s a great way to make a difference and meet others who care about our community.
"Equipment is provided—just bring your enthusiasm (and gloves if you have them).
"We’ll also have stickers on hand to thank everyone for their efforts.
"Let’s show pride in our town—bring your friends, bring your family, and help us give Nailsea a summer shine."
Let’s Tidy Up Nailsea This Summer!
Join Our Nailsea Community Clean Up
Four fab green spaces across North Somerset have once again been honoured with the internationally recognised Green Flag Award, celebrating their exceptional quality, outstanding management, and excellent visitor facilities.
The “fab four” parks proudly flying the Green Flag are:
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Abbots Pool, Abbots Leigh
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Watchhouse Hill, Pill
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Trendlewood Community Park, Nailsea
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Prince Consort Gardens, Weston-super-Mare
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark for well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world.
Administered under licence from the UK government by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the award recognises high standards of maintenance, visitor experience, and environmental sustainability.
More information about the Green Flag Award scheme can be found at www.greenflagaward.org.
Green Flag award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “Crucially, all four parks are vital green spaces for communities in North Somerset to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise.
“It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
Learn more about the flora and fauna of the Trendlewood Community Park here https://friendsoftrendlewoodpark.org.uk/
Trendlewood Community Park Green Flag award
back in september
Stockway North Nature Reserve is a haven for many species of butterflies.
Tucked away beside the Garden of Rest, just off Stockway North, lies Stockway North Nature Reserve — a hidden gem of greenery in the heart of Nailsea.
This much-loved reserve is home to a rich variety of birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, fungi, plants and trees.
At this time of year, the reserve comes alive with butterflies — making it the perfect spot to take part in the Big Butterfly Count 2025, which runs until Sunday, August 10.
The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science project helping to measure the health of our natural environment.
Butterflies are not only beautiful to watch but also play a vital role in our ecosystems as pollinators and as an important food source for other wildlife.
Sadly, butterfly and moth numbers in the UK have fallen dramatically since the 1970s.
Because they react quickly to changes in their surroundings, butterflies are an early warning sign for wider wildlife declines — so counting them really does help protect nature for the future.
You can join in the Big Butterfly Count here Big Butterfly Count
Stockway North Nature Reserve was established in 1998 on the site of an old sandstone quarry that had become overgrown and neglected.
Concerned local residents persuaded North Somerset Council to transform the land into a protected nature reserve.
Since then, the Friends of Stockway North Nature Reserve have managed and nurtured the site, planting trees, creating habitats and building a pond for pond-dipping sessions.
Hundreds of local schoolchildren have enjoyed hands-on nature learning here over the years.
The reserve isn’t open every day but welcomes visitors once a month as the reserve is open on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year, 2-4pm, weather permitting.
The Friends would love to open more often, but more volunteers are urgently needed to make this possible.
Friends of Stockway North Nature Reserve chairperson Adrian Mead said: "We’re so proud of this little corner of nature and would love to share it with the people of Nailsea more often. If you love nature and have some time to spare, please consider joining us — every extra pair of hands helps!”
If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, please contact Amanda of Friends of Stockway North Nature Reserve at 07516 046942 or email meada0524@gmail.com
Hidden gem of greenery
GREEN GARDENERS: The Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival, which is a new three-day event taking place from Thursday to Saturday, September 18-20, 2025. The festival, Sowing the Seeds of ideas for greener gardening, will be held at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden in Somerset. It aims to be a celebration of organic gardening with talks, workshops, and demonstrations focused on practical solutions for all gardeners. Online tickets for the festival from https://yvogardenfestival.co.uk/. The festival will also feature light refreshments in the garden café and a garden shop offering Yeo Valley products
Do you currently take care of one of the many wonderful plots on the Whitesfield Road and Engine Lane allotment site?
This post is addressed to you!
In September this year, we will be distributing the relevant information for allotment tenants to not only renew their membership with the Nailsea Allotment Association, but to also make sure that their rent has been paid for another year on the plot.
We hope to see you for another year that will hopefully be filled with the joy of cultivating.
Curious about how the renewal process will work this year? Tenants will:
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Receive their renewal letters via email
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Receive links to fill out online forms
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Be asked to try and make online payments/BACs payments
This means that we must ask that you check your emails regularly.
Please do also check your junk/spam folders, as our emails have been known to have been sent to those folders before.
If you would like to opt for a hard-copy letter to be posted to you, do get in touch with Nailsea Town Council, but please do so by Monday, August 18, by emailing enquiries@nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk, calling 01275 855277 or popping in to the Tithe Barn, Church Lane, Nailsea, BS484NG and speak with a member of staff.
Join Nailsea Allotment Association in celebrating National Allotments Week by coming to their allotment open day on Saturday, August 16.
The allotments on Whitesfield Road and Engine Lane will be open to everyone between 2-4pm.
This year’s National Allotments Week, organised by the National Allotment Society, is themed around allotments and wellbeing, celebrating the inclusive nature of allotments and the positive impacts growing your own food can have on both mental and physical health.
Visitors will be able to taste the result of growers’ efforts with homemade cakes available for a small 'cash only' donation, and for those who want to learn more about having an allotment there will be free tours at 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Nailsea Allotment Association secretary Tracey Thomas said: "We want to show how brilliant allotments are and encourage people to see the value in having them on their doorstep."
Whitesfield Road site rep Sarah Hearne said: "Having an allotment has been hugely beneficial to my mental health.
"I’ve struggled with depression since I was a teenager and having an allotment has really helped.
"There is a sense of accomplishment in taking a seed and turning it into food that even the worst depression can’t quash”.
The local association, which has more than 290 members, runs the allotments in collaboration with Nailsea Town Council.
There is a very short waiting list and it’s hoped that the open day will encourage people to consider getting their own plot.
Nailsea allotments open day
Nailsea allotment holders renewal date
Fruit, flowers, vegetables, arts & crafts, children's classes and photography there was a bumper crop of entries and lots of visitors - it was amazing.
Put together by Nailsea & District Horticultural Society the traditional village show has been going since 1853!
With approximately 500 entries and around 350 people visiting during the afternoon it was deemed a great success.
Show secretaries Martyn Davis and Jane Knight were in charge helped by a willing band of helpers.
Nailsea Town Council vice chair Graham Parsons presented the prizes and chairman Rod Lees took the photographs of the presentation.
Martyn said: " It was lovely to see Nailsea School full of exhibits brought to the Nailsea Flower Show on Saturday, August 2.
"From local growers there were flowers, pot plants and vegetables.
"Homecrafts were on display with cookery, preserves, and all types of handicrafts.
"There were photographs and children’s handicrafts and cookery.
"This lovely summer weather has been a nightmare for gardeners.
"It’s just not been possible to keep up with the watering that everything in the garden has needed.
"In the circumstances the quality of the vegetables and flowers we had on the bench on Saturday was surprisingly good.
"There must have been a lot of effort put in to watering.
"Hayden Grove was the most successful gardener, winning prizes for his excellent vegetables; Margaret Newton won most prizes for her flowers and pot plants and Val Davis won trophies for flowers and plants.
"Jocelyn Smith and Jane Knight won trophies for most prizes in cookery sections.
"Councillor Graham Parsons won the trophy for most points in the photography classes and, at the end of the show as town council vice chairman presented the prizes to the winners.
"There was a “new” trophy, the Wraxall Cup, presented for the best exhibit in cookery classes.
"This trophy had last been used in the 1930s and was presented to Mrs Zinn by Nigel Stenner, who had had returned the trophy to the society.
"It had been held by his family since last presented some 90 years ago."
A slideshow of photos from the spring show also at Nailsea School is in an earlier gallery.
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Dates for 2026 are spring show on Saturday, April 4, and summer show on Saturday, August 1, both at Nailsea School.
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And earlier the allotment open day is on Saturday, August 16, with tours at Engine Lane and Whitesfield Road
A slideshow of more photos are in the gallery HERE
TROPHY WINNERS
Phillip Williams Memorial Trophy for best exhibit in horticultural classes, Hayden Grove; John Weeks Memorial Plaque for most points in members’ classes, Ken Barlow; Nailsea Town Council Trophy for most points in allotment holders’ classes, Colin Griffin/John Caradine; Robert Hobbs Trophy for most points in horticultural classes, Margaret Newton; Cottagers' Cup for most points in vegetable classes 1-35, Hayden Grove; Naylsey Plate for best exhibit in vegetables classes 1-34, Hayden Grove; Raymond Randall Trophy for most points in potato and onion classes, Hayden Grove; Reg Harvey Memorial Trophy for best exhibit in cut flower classes, Val Davis; Tom and Edith Greenwood Trophy for most points in cut flower classes 46-72, Margaret Newton; Eric and Mary Robins Award for most points in dahlia classes 37-45, Val Davis; Enid Giles Trophy for most points in roses classes 61-64, Val Davis; Edith Balsdon Trophy for rest rose exhibit, William Knight; Jim Lord Trophy for best gladiolus exhibit, Gareth Davies; Thatcher Cup for best exhibit in class 72 collection of flowers, Val Davis; Harry Bennet Memorial Trophy for most points in pot plant classes 74-89, Margaret Newton; Gordon Adair Cup for best exhibit in pot plant classes 74-89, Val Davis; Mrs Gordon Adair Cup for best exhibit class 74 three pot plants, Margaret Newton; Bill and Eileen Copestake Award for planted containers, Basil Billinger/Sue Irwin; Bristol Gardeners Association Curtis Cup for best exhibit in planted containers classes 90-92, Basil Billinger; Frank Calcraft Memorial Cup for most points in fruit classes 93-98, Denis Wilmoot; Mary Filmer Memorial Trophy for best use of plant material in floral art; Mrs H Glanville; DE Bunce Cup for best exhibit in floral art classes 100-104, Mrs H Glanville; Sylvia Pullin Trophy for most points in novice's floral art class 104, Mrs L Moore; HP Lucas Cup for most points in cookery classes 120-138, Jocelyn Smith; Cis Weeks Award and Wraxall Cup for best exhibit in cookery classes 120-138, Mrs S Zinn; Jesse and Phyllis Williams Trophy for more points in cookery and preserves classes 120-150, Jane Knight; Makepeace Trophy for most points in preserves, Jane Knight; Penny Santer Awards for best exhibit in handicraft classes, Jo Lurie; Audrey Baker Trophy for most points in handicraft classes 162-175, Marie Evans; Mercury Challenge Cup for most points in photography classes 184-190, Graham Parsons.
CHILDREN'S CLASSES
Best exhibit in children's classes: u4s Mabel Player; 5-7 Harriet Barlow; 8-11 Henry Morgan; 12-16 Kathryn Morgan.
Most points in children's handicraft: u4s Mabel Player; 5-7 Jack Mason; 8-11 Isabelle Barlow; 12-16 Kathryn Morgan.
Most points in children's cookery: 8-11 Henry Morgan; 12-16 Kathryn Morgan.
NATIONAL AWARDS
RHS Banksian Medal for most points in horticultural classes, Hayden Grove.
National Dahlia Society bronze medial for best exhibit in dahlia classes, Val Davis.
Showtime in Nailsea
Despite Miss Netcott’s meadow having rare flora and fauna the developer who bought the field seems determined to flaunt local wishes.
Blocking the shortcut between The Perrings, Nailsea, and Backwell Lake has angered many residents of Nailsea and Backwell.
You can read more about the August protest on our On The Roads (and footpaths) page HERE and see a slideshow of the photos in our gallery HERE.
But a multi-million pound conservation programme has shown more than 150 species out of a threatened 1,000 including rare mammals and insects are ‘in recovery’ thanks to a Species Recovery Programme’s Capital Grants Scheme.
Projects in Somerset and North Somerset have supported recovery of dormice, bats, eels and lamprey
The £13 million pound funding ran from August 2023 to March 2025, and saw Natural England invest in targeted conservation efforts that gave species such as water vole, oystercatcher, lady’s slipper orchid, hazel dormouse and Atlantic salmon a chance to flourish.
In Somerset and North Somerset two projects have been funded under the scheme:
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Wilder Woodlands, in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust; and
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Cam and Wellow Eel Project, run with Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.
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The £398,000 grant for the Wilder Woodlands project focused on species recovery in the North Somerset and Mendip Special Area of Conservation.
It targeted greater and lesser horseshoe bats, barbastelles and dormice by changing woodland from an even-aged site with plantation trees to one with diverse structure and increased light to benefit native species.
Seven dexter cattle and several goats are now grazing the Goblin Coombe woodlands, as the dung they create attracts insects for the bats to feed on.
Surveys carried out during the project have given a valuable baseline for species in the area and a steering group has been formed, including local landowners, which will allow for a more joined up approach in managing the landscape.
Plus, the project has provided 250 practical conservation volunteer days, several training sessions and many guided walks to achieve aims of connecting people with nature.
The actions have been developed by Natural England in partnership with eNGOs, expert societies, government agencies, and individual specialists.TSRA will inform species conservation priorities nationally and guide the development of future recovery projects, covering priority species from corncrake and natterjack toad to miniscule lichens, and paving the way to delivering the legally-binding 2042 extinction risk target.
Funds to save our flora and fauna
PHOTOS: Dormouse nest by Hannah Batchelor and goats at Goblin Combe, by George Cook, both of Avon Wildlife Trust. The beautiful images in the slideshow were taken at Backwell Lake by Cynthia Miller, of Backwell Camera Club
