Talbot Village Trust

Talbot Village Trust Talbot Village Trust is a grant-giving charity supporting worthy causes across South East Dorset.

Estate Warden Rob spent a brilliant morning reptile surveying on Talbot Heath this Sunday with our partners from Amphibi...
21/05/2026

Estate Warden Rob spent a brilliant morning reptile surveying on Talbot Heath this Sunday with our partners from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Newcastle University.

Our team recorded 4 adders along with multiple slow worms, sand lizards and common lizards basking across the heathland. These surveys are an important part of understanding how our reptile populations are doing and help guide future habitat management and conservation work. Handling adders requires a license and training and is only undertaken as part of conservation efforts. Don’t try this at home!

Lowland heath is one of the UK’s rarest habitats and supports an incredible range of wildlife, including all six native reptile species. Seeing these species present on Talbot Heath is a great reminder of how important careful heathland management and usage is.

If you’re visiting the heath during warm weather, please stick to paths where possible, keep dogs under control and give wildlife plenty of space.

Join our conservation volunteering sessions next week for our Half Term family specials:Tuesday 10am - bird box making T...
20/05/2026

Join our conservation volunteering sessions next week for our Half Term family specials:
Tuesday 10am - bird box making
Tuesday 1.30pm - 'deadhedge' habitat creation
Friday 10am - laurel removal in the woods
Friday 1.30pm - woodland butterfly survey

We meet at each start time at Slades Cafe before going together to our work site. Children are very welcome, but must be actively supervised by a parent or carer throughout the session.

Refreshments will be provided. There's no need to book, but do drop us a message via our website so we can make sure we have enough doughnuts! https://talbotvillagetrust.org/get-involved/

13/05/2026

Over the next few days, you’ll see our contractor installing fencing around the Heathland Support Area, making it secure for exercising dogs, separate from the conservation grazing on Talbot Heath.
You can find out more about the coming Heathland Support Area here: https://talbotvillagetrust.org/our-estate/heathland-support-area/

We're feeling summery here at Talbot Village Trust...Join us for a Family Craft Workshop & Fireside Storytelling event o...
11/05/2026

We're feeling summery here at Talbot Village Trust...
Join us for a Family Craft Workshop & Fireside Storytelling event on Saturday 20th June
We're planning a special afternoon of creativity, community and storytelling, making the most of summertime in Talbot woodland.
We begin with a one-hour family craft workshop, at Slades Pavilion Café, led by artists from CoCreate, where we’ll be making paper butterfly puppets. These handcrafted butterflies will guide our way as we gather for a woodland procession at 4pm.
The workshop runs from 2.30pm–3.30pm and is suitable for children of all ages, accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Workshop details:
£4 per person
Advance booking required https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1989213902330?aff=oddtdtcreator
At 4pm, we will process into the woods to our fireside story circle. The procession and storytelling are free to attend and do not require booking. There, we’ll hear a mixture of original stories and traditional folk tales around the fire, shared by storytellers Anna Shiels and Sharon Coyne. Storytelling will conclude at approximately 5pm.
Guests are warmly invited to remain afterwards and enjoy the atmosphere – you may wish to bring marshmallows or other treats to toast over the fire.
Important Information:
Storytelling takes place outdoors – please dress warmly.
Seating is limited to a small number of fallen logs; this is primarily a standing event.
You are welcome to bring your own chairs and blankets for comfort.
We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of craft, connection and shared stories in the woods.

06/05/2026

Capital Grant Programme Autumn 2026 is now Open for Applications!

Following the success of our Capital Spring 2026 Programme, we are pleased to open applications for the Capital Autumn 2026 funding round.

Capital Grants Programme
* For capital projects from £10,000 upwards
* Aligned with the organisation’s strategic plans
* Funding facilities, equipment, and more

Deadline to apply: 28 June 2026, 11:59pm.

Apply now or learn more: https://talbotvillagetrust.org/grants/application-form/

The popular Small Grants Programme will move to a monthly rolling basis to improve the pace of funding distribution to local charities and grassroots organisations, with a refreshed launch planned for summer 2026. More details to come.

We’re here to support local organisations to thrive, and we’re always on hand if you have any questions or need guidance with your application - just reach out and we’ll be happy to help.



Headline photo credit: MYTIME Young Carers

NEST AMNESTY!We hope our nest has had an interesting few days away, but we'd very much like it to come back now. It wasn...
06/05/2026

NEST AMNESTY!

We hope our nest has had an interesting few days away, but we'd very much like it to come back now. It wasn't built to travel, so whatever condition, we would much rather have it back.

If you have been part of its journey over the last few days, please return it. No questions asked, we'd just like it back to where it can continue to bring joy to the community, and share a very important message.

We're not on TikTok, but think this message might have more traction there - please do share if you can.

PS photo is of artist Bob Brewer and our estate warden Rob Groves taking the nest for original installation.

We’re so disappointed to hear about yesterday’s vandalism and see that the nest sculpture by Talbot Heath has been stole...
05/05/2026

We’re so disappointed to hear about yesterday’s vandalism and see that the nest sculpture by Talbot Heath has been stolen. Our team are on the ground looking for it, in the hope it can be repaired and reinstated.
We owe huge thanks to those who alerted us to this incident, and to the many local residents who have been searching too. Your help means so much – thank you!
The giant willow nest, complete with three eggs, was created by local artist Bob Brewer, to help remind dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead when walking on the heath. Talbot Heath, a registered Site of Special Scientific Interest, is home to rare species of ground nesting birds such as Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and Woodlarks, and animals including Adders, Sand Lizards and Common Lizards. These animals can be disturbed by roaming dogs, disrupting their breeding and endangering future generations.
Rest assured we will continue to share this message throughout the nesting season, helping to protect the future of these species.

This morning Charlie, Rob and our conservation volunteers have been surveying the section of Bourne Stream that runs thr...
01/05/2026

This morning Charlie, Rob and our conservation volunteers have been surveying the section of Bourne Stream that runs through Talbot Heath. They've found mayfly nymphs, freshwater shrimp, and also these fish...are they minnow, chubb, or grayling....? We're not certain - do message us if you know the answer.

We're looking forward to joining CAN's Volunteer Fair on Wednesday! The event will be packed with stalls promoting oppor...
26/04/2026

We're looking forward to joining CAN's Volunteer Fair on Wednesday! The event will be packed with stalls promoting opportunities to volunteer. It runs 10am to 1pm, at the Citygate Church, 138A Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth BH8 8AS (opposite Asda). You don't need to book - just pop along and say hi!

Local artist Bob Brewer has woven a giant bird’s nest, now installed by the Mayford Road entrance to Talbot Heath, remin...
24/04/2026

Local artist Bob Brewer has woven a giant bird’s nest, now installed by the Mayford Road entrance to Talbot Heath, reminding dog walkers to keep their dogs on a short lead when visiting the Heath. Talbot Heath, a registered Site of Special Scientific Interest, is home to rare species of ground nesting birds such as Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and Woodlarks, and animals including Adders, Sand Lizards and Common Lizards. These animals can be disturbed by roaming dogs, disrupting their breeding and endangering future generations. Please help us protect the future of this wildlife by keeping your dogs on a lead.

Address

Slades Park Pavilion Ensbury Avenue
Bournemouth
BH104EP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441202028741

Website

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