Only a few weeks left to nominate your favourite projects for our Love Your Countryside Awards. Don't be modest, blow your own trumpet!
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

Restoring Somerset's historic signposts CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

Sadly, our fund for 2026 is now fully allocated so we can't offer any new grants this year. We will re-open the fund in 2027.
To see our beauty parade of the Somerset fingerposts we have helped to restore in recent years, head to tinyurl.com/fingerposts

#fingerpostfriday

Another historic fingerpost restored with a little help from us.

We are proud to have helped Milborne Port Parish Council with a grant towards restoring this post. Well done to all involved.

Housing is needed- but not where it will cause such significant and demonstrable harm

The Blackdown Hills National Landscape has strongly objected, on the grounds that this speculative development will harm its special qualities. So has the National Trust, which points out that it will harm the views and setting of both the Monument and the National Landscape.

The Duke took his title from the town, because his ancestors came from the area. He would be turning in his grave at this proposal, which the Town Council says will compromise the rural nature and unique character of the historic market town.

We supported over 150 Wellington residents at a protest march last week.

Local people are appalled at plans for a large housing estate in the undeveloped landscape between the town and the Wellington Monument, which sits on a ridge in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape overlooking the site.

What hope is there for our #Somerset countryside with weak planning enforcement? Currently it seems that Somerset Council is just turning a blind eye to people who want to ignore the rules. 😡

You need to read this article in @somersetconf.bsky.social

CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

We are excited about working together on these new awards.

There are five categories of award and anyone can enter, as long as the project is within the county of Somerset.

Closing date is 30th April - get your entries in soon!

Find out more here 👇
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

CPRE Somerset has always been a strong advocate for more affordable housing in our villages, to meet local need. Here in Somerset, where wages are relatively low compared to house prices, rural affordable housing is essential.

In other words, it’s a great match!

We are thrilled to announce that Hastoe Housing Association are sponsoring our new "Love Your Countryside Awards"!

Hastoe is a well-respected rural housing provider, well-known for their small scale, environmentally sensitive affordable housing developments.

tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

It's #WorldWildlifeDay today!

And - it finally feels like spring has arrived here in soggy Somerset...

Makes you want to flap your wings and get out there!

photo: Michelle Earl - Heron at Greylake

CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

Don't forget to nominate your projects for our Love Your Countryside Awards.

There are 5 categories - visit our website to find out more

tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

The big idea - could the Somerset Levels become our next National Park? CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

We are excited to be speaking at the Visit Somerset AGM & Conference on Wednesday. We will be sharing our "big idea" - could the Somerset Levels be the UK's next National Park?

If you can't make it along, read about our big idea on our website here 👇
tinyurl.com/SomersetLeve...

This is what our skies looked like on Sunday!

Beautiful picture from @glastomichelle.bsky.social

This is so ironic! We have been asking people to count the stars in Orion all week for Somerset #StarCount. It's a citizen science project to measure light pollution.
It ended on Saturday after a solid week of cloudy skies, so our results were minimal.
Of course, Sunday night was then clear!!! 🤬

a cartoon character with a very angry face and the words `` frustrating !!! '' ALT: a cartoon character with a very angry face and the words `` frustrating !!! ''

Very annoyingly, last night was the first clear night in ages. Guess what? Star Count week was over by then!😡🤬🤯

A big thank you to everyone who did manage to spot some stars last week, against all the odds. Our data is very limited but we will share the map soon anyway.

Maybe next year?

Somerset Star Count - help us to map local light pollution this February CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

We will be SO grateful if you can take a peek - and if the skies are clear, get out and have a go. It only takes a few minutes!
Find out more and submit your results here 👇
tinyurl.com/somersetstar...

Thank you to those hardy souls that have already submitted their #StarCount results. 👏👏👏

It looks like tonight and tomorrow might be the best chance to see some stars this week - if those pesky clouds stay away from our Somerset skies.

It's looking like a pretty cloudy week ahead - not great for doing your Somerset Star Count 😒

But - you never know. Things can change.

Please keep a look out between 14 and 21st February and have a go if the clouds do decide to part!

It only takes a few minutes and is good fun.

#StarCount

📣Somerset Star Count is coming!

From 14th-21st February, you can help us to map light pollution.

It only takes a few minutes and you don't need any special equipment.

All you do need is a clear night, however.... 🙏🤞😒

Find out how to take part here 👇
tinyurl.com/somersetstar...

Somerset Star Count is back - and we need your help!

From 14- 21 February, we are asking people of Somerset to count the stars and help us paint a picture of light pollution in or county.

We'll be posting more info soon on how you can join in.

Can't wait? - go to 👇

tinyurl.com/somersetstar...

Come and join us for this free and very popular event - all welcome, no need to book.

@joshduryphotomedia.bsky.social

CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

If you know a Countryside Changemaker, why not sing their praises to us!

Go on - nominate them for an award.

Details here 👇

tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

We want to celebrate those who inspire change, raise awareness, and speak up for rural communities.

This could be through hands-on action, community leadership, campaigning, or creative storytelling.

Do you know someone who is making a real difference in the Somerset countryside? They can be individuals or groups.

Tell us about them and they might win our Countryside Changemaker Award.

tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

Know of a great project? Tell us about it and they might get an award!
More info here 👇
tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

Whether it’s a new walking route, improved signage, accessible infrastructure, or a community-led programme, we’re looking for initiatives that help more people enjoy and benefit from nearby green spaces.

Let's find out more about the Countryside Access category in our Love Your Countryside Awards...

This award celebrates projects of all sizes that make the Somerset countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.

CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards CPRE Somerset is working to enhance, promote and protect Somerset countryside. Love Somerset beautiful rural areas? Find out more and get involved.

Tell us about your project here 👇

tinyurl.com/countrysidea...