TRANSITION Town Wellington (TTW) has been awarded a grant of £5,000 from Somerset West and Taunton Council’s Community Chest Fund.

The money, along with sponsorship from The Blue Pantry and Eat Wellington, will go towards an ambitious new project to create a Wildlife Map of Wellington.

The map will show a range of wild animals, birds and insects townsfolk may find on a walk in local green spaces or hidden in back gardens.

It builds on the success of the Foraging Map, which many people use to find out where to pick fresh fruit and nuts around town.

Hundreds of residents have already responded to a call on Facebook for sightings of bats, hedgehogs, amphibians and reptiles. These will be shown on the map with logos painted by local artist and writer Anita Roy.

On the back will be a host of ideas about how to make gardens more welcoming to wildlife. These will be accompanied by separate fact-sheets, giving more details about how to help insects, hedgehogs, birds, bats, amphibians and reptiles.

“We will be encouraging everyone to get involved and work with their neighbours to create wildlife corridors across town,” said Helen Gillingham, who created the original map and has been spearheading the wildlife gardening campaign.

Many people discovered a new-found appreciation of nature during the first Covid-19 lockdown this spring. With winter approaching, and a second lockdown under way, townsfolk can do much indoors and out.

Helen added: “Now’s the time to plan for next year. With the help of the wildlife map and fact-sheets, and all the information on the TTW Facebook page, we’re hoping that everyone will notice the difference in 2021. We’re looking forward to a wilder, greener Wellington in future.”

The group will also use the grant money to give out packs of seeds to households to create wildflower areas in more than 250 gardens across the town. Prizes, stars and certificates are on offer for those who join in. To find out more, get in touch with TTW via Facebook or on its website at ttw.org.uk