Pontesbury's Big Green Day is declared a triumph

A biodiversity workshop, a range of children’s activities, and a visit from an owl were among the attractions at the Big Green Day staged last weekend at the School Green and in the Public Hall in Pontesbury.

The event also featured a birdsong walk, a plant sale, a tombola, a repair café, refreshments, a book stall, talks and exhibitions – plus the chance to see how the community garden has developed since being started a little over a year ago by volunteer gardeners and children from the village school.

“The event really was a complete triumph, and the Pontesbury Climate Emergency Action Group, the Church Eco Group, the Rea Valley Community Wildlife Group, the local churches, and the Friends of Pontesbury Library and everyone else involved in organising it should be congratulated,” said Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley.

“It all started when, just 12 months or so ago, a small group of people in and around the village wanted to do something for the environment, and within a year the idea has really blossomed.

“The Big Green Day brought everybody together from the local WI to the scouts and beavers. It was wonderful.”

There was also the chance to meet an owl brought along by Battlefield Birds of Prey.

Mrs Buckley added: “And the volunteer gardeners and the local schoolchildren have done a fantastic job with the community garden. They’ve been looking after it since the launch. Huge congratulations to everyone involved.”

Yvonne and Rob Davies of the Friends of Pontesbury Library – a highly active group in the village and recent recipients of the King’s Award for voluntary service – were among those delighted with the event.

Yvonne said: “It went very well indeed and everyone enjoyed it. As regards the community garden, the parish council had decided that there should be a space as a focus for the community – especially for the people who live on the nearby estate and for children at the local school. And it’s clearly a big success.”