THE CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Somerset division welcomed a generous donation from the family of a local campaigner in his memory.

The donation to the Fingerpost Fund was made by the family of Mike Ginger, a well-known cycling campaigner and founder of the Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC) who passed away in October 2025.

Mike’s entire life was devoted to cycling. Before moving to Taunton, he created new cycle routes across the Avon area and was awarded the Golden Pedal by Bristol Cycling Campaign for services to cycling in Bristol. He masterminded Bristol City Council’s bid to Government for Cycling City status and £11-million of funding for cycling, amongst many other initiatives.

The generous donation to CPRE Somerset will be used by the countryside charity to continue its work to restore cast iron road signs across Somerset.

Chair of CPRE Somerset Hugh Williams, said: “CPRE Somerset has supported the restoration of over 50 fingerposts across Somerset in recent years.

“We set aside part of our own budget for this because we cherish these special features of our rural landscape. Somerset Council can no longer afford to repair these signs, and Parish and Town Councils are having to foot the bill, which can be very expensive.”

Demand for the grants has overwhelmed the charity this year and they have already had to close the fund and turn down requests for help with the budget running out.

Hugh added: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this generous donation from Mike ’s family, which will mean we can now continue to offer our grants in future years and restore more signposts.

"Mike made a massive difference to cycling in Taunton during his life, and now his legacy will be helping to keep our Somerset countryside special, by maintaining these iconic landmarks for everyone to enjoy.”

Mike’s daughter Kate Ginger, added: “After a lifetime of designing and building cycle routes, Dad moved to Taunton from Bristol so he could spend his retirement cycling in the local countryside. Friends came from Bristol to join him on his rides.

“He never stopped promoting cycling. He researched and published the Taunton Cycling Map and created the Foxglove Cycle Trail around Taunton.”

Vicky Briggs of TACC said: “Having known Mike for over 10 years through TACC I know how passionate Mike was about the Somerset countryside.

“He would regularly cycle the lanes of Somerset and knew all the best routes to enjoy the wealth of wildlife and natural beauty of the county.

“This donation to the signposts project contributes to a cause that was dear to his heart; to get more people out on their bikes and help them find their way to all the quaint villages, hidden coombes and misty moors.”

More details of the Fingerpost Project are available at www.cpresomerset.org.uk or via email at [email protected]

Applications for a grant need to be via a parish or town council within the county of Somerset.