Winterbourne and Frome Valley Environmental Group

19/06/2026

🌿🌿 Could a bit more time in nature make a difference? 🌾

Rooted Together is a free nature-based wellbeing programme for young people aged 18-25 at the Frome Valley Growing Project in Winterbourne. 🌳🦋🐝

It’s a chance to connect with nature, learn new skills, build confidence and meet others in a friendly, supportive environment. Sessions include practical outdoor activities, growing food, wildlife and wellbeing in a beautiful community space.

🌱 Starts 6th July 2026

Do you know a young person who might enjoy getting involved?

Find out more:
https://fromevalleyenvironmental.org/uncategorized/rooted-together-nature-based-wellbeing-programme-for-young-people-aged-18-25/

These workshops are free, nature-based wellbeing programme for young people aged 18-25 who are experiencing anxiety about the meta-crisis. Continuing our series of free sessions delivered at Frome Valley Growing Project, the workshops offer a supportive, group space for participants to process feel....

17/06/2026

🔧♻️ Got something that needs fixing? Don’t throw it away - bring it along!

Our next Winterbourne Repair Café is coming up, but please note that for this month only we’re at a different venue:

📍 Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne (next to Elm Park Primary School)
🗓️ Saturday 20th June 2026
⏰ 10.30am - 12.00pm

Our fantastic team of volunteer repairers will be on hand to help with electrical items, household gadgets, toys, bikes and more. We’ll also have our wonderful sewing volunteers there, helping to give clothing and textiles a second life. 🧵✨

🌱 We’ll also have a selection of plants available for a donation, so you might even find something new for your garden while you’re there!

The photos below show just some of the amazing repairs carried out at previous cafés - from Christmas lights and vacuum cleaners to sewing repairs and electrical fault-finding. ✨

Every item repaired means less waste, saves money and keeps useful things in circulation for longer.

☕ Pop in for a repair, a chat and a cuppa.

Please share with friends and neighbours - we’d love to see you there! 💚

♻️🔧

15/06/2026

🚲 A huge thank you to Yate Community Bike Hub! 💚

Today we collected this fantastic cargo bike, which will be used to help deliver veggie boxes across our community. 🥦🌱🥔🥕

It’s a practical, environmentally friendly way to support local people while reducing car journeys - exactly the kind of simple, sustainable solution we love. 🍃🌍 Sometimes the old ways really are the best: local food and community spirit.

A special thank you to Stuart, whose kindness and dedication never seem to have limits. Kate was understandably a little nervous about riding the cargo bike home for the first time, so Stuart kindly offered to cycle alongside her to Nibley, going out of his way to make sure she felt safe and confident.

That level of care and community spirit is something really special.

Thank you, Stuart, and thank you Yate Community Bike Hub. We can’t wait to get this bike out on the road helping deliver fresh produce across the Frome Valley! 🌱🚲💚

13/06/2026

🪟 Keep the heat out before it gets in! ☀️🌅

When the sun is shining, one of the simplest ways to keep your home cooler is to close curtains, blinds or shutters on the sunniest side of your house.

It might seem odd to shut out the sunshine, but stopping the sun’s rays from entering through windows can help reduce overheating and keep rooms more comfortable on hot days.

Retrofit West highlights the importance of external shading, which can help prevent heat building up indoors by stopping the sun from reaching windows in the first place. This could include trees, pergolas or canopies that provide shade during the hottest parts of the day.

➡️ This is Week 2 of our Keeping Homes Cool This Summer series with Retrofit West.

☀️ Do you have a room that gets unbearably hot when the afternoon sun hits?

Find out more:
https://homeowners.retrofitwest.co.uk/knowledge-guide/how-to-stop-your-home-overheating/



Retrofit West

Your home overheating is a critical aspect that should not be overlooked, especially as our climate shifts to warmer conditions. Retrofitting with insulation, while effective in reducing winter heat loss, can pose challenges, increasing the risk of overheating during the summer if not appropriately....

11/06/2026

🌍 Earthfest is in full swing!

Looking for something a little different this June?

Earthfest 2026 is packed with events celebrating nature, community and sustainability - from wildlife walks and wellbeing activities to energy-saving ideas, community gardening and family-friendly events.

There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved before the festival finishes on Saturday 27th June, including the Home Energy Fair, Forest Bathing, Twilight Birds, Bats & Chats and the brand-new Flower, Produce & Crafts Show. 🌱🦇🌻

Take a look through the programme and see what takes your fancy:

https://friendsofemersonsgreenpark.com/earthfest-2026/

Which event would you most like to try?

Programme of Events Family Eco Day Saturday 23rd May, 11am – 3pm Wild Foraging Walk Monday 25th May, 10:30am – 12pm Bio Blitz Wednesday May 25th, 6pm – 7:30pm Woodland Discovery T…

09/06/2026

🐞 How much wildlife do you think is living at the Frome Valley Growing Project?

This Saturday we’re hosting a special Open Day with local ecologist Amie Cook, who will be helping us discover and identify as many species as possible across the site. ⬇️

From insects and wildflowers to birds and other fascinating creatures, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about local biodiversity and see just how much wildlife can thrive when nature is given a helping hand. 🌿🦋

Whether you’re a keen gardener, nature enthusiast, have children who love exploring outdoors, or simply fancy a wander around the Growing Project, we’d love to see you.

You can also find out more about the project, buy some veg plants, get involved with gardening activities, or just enjoy spending time in a beautiful community space.

📅 Saturday 13th June 2026
⏰ 11am-3pm
📍 Frome Valley Growing Project, Swan Lane Winterbourne

Drop in anytime - no need to book.

🦋 Please share if you can and help us spread the word to local people who might enjoy exploring the amazing wildlife right here on their doorstep.

https://www.facebook.com/100063515025633/posts/1353532303440591/?

We can't wait for this one! Join us for all the usual fun of an Open Day at Frome Valley Growing Project but enjoy the extra fun of amazing local Ecologist Amie who is coming to join us for a big bioblitz across our site. Help her to see what we can spot so we get a really good picture of what incredibly biodiversity we have cultivated on this special plot of land. All welcome expect to learn new species, buy some veg plants and get stuck in with some gardening jobs or some serious play. Whatever you prefer!

04/06/2026

☀️ Last week’s 33°C heatwave got us thinking…

While the weather has cooled down for now, many of us probably noticed just how warm our homes became during those few hot days.

As our climate changes, hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves are expected. That’s why we’re launching our new Keeping Homes Cool This Summer series in partnership with Retrofit West.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing practical tips and ideas to help keep your home cooler, more comfortable and energy efficient - without relying on air conditioning.

🌡️ Which room in your house gets hottest during a heatwave?

Find out more about why homes overheat and what you can do about it:
https://homeowners.retrofitwest.co.uk/knowledge-guide/how-to-stop-your-home-overheating/

03/06/2026

🌿 Rare House Martins Right Here in Hambrook! 🐦

Did you know Hambrook is home to one of the area’s rare colonies of house martins?

Join Whiteshill Wonders - Home for House Martins this Saturday (6th June 2026) from 1-4pm at Hambrook Sports Club and discover these incredible birds, learn from local wildlife expert David Hanks, enjoy a printing craft activity with artist Catherine Williams, and tuck into some cake too!

Perfect for families and nature lovers of all ages.

💚 Pay what you feel
📍 Hambrook Sports Club
🕐 Saturday 6th June, 1-4pm

Booking is requested to help organisers plan craft materials and refreshments.

As part of the Festival of Nature, there’s also a nature walk and picnic from 10.30am beforehand if you’d like to make a day of it!

Have you spotted house martins in your garden this year? 🐦👇

🌿🐦💚

26/05/2026

🌱 A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported our first ever Toy Swap & Plant Sale at the weekend. 💚🧸

We had lots of lovely toy donations from our amazingly generous community ♻️ and it was so nice seeing toys heading off to new homes instead of landfill. 😊

The plant sale was also a great success, with loads of lovingly grown vegetables, herbs and flowers finding new homes. 🌼🫑🍅

There are still some plants left though! 🪴 They are now outside the house next to The Mason’s Arms in North Road, Winterbourne until they’re gone - suggested donation £1.💚

We’d really love some feedback from the community too.. 👀

Do you think a regular Toy Swap is something worth doing again? And is there anything else you’d like to see alongside it? Books? Uniform? Puzzles? Games? Crafts?

We’re always looking for simple ways to help families save money, reduce waste and bring the community together. ♻️