Campaign to Protect Rural England

04/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week and as part of this year’s Big Help Out, we’re promoting meadows volunteering in Hampshire. 🌼

Ken De Souza reflects on the impact the role has had on him, and the difference it’s making locally.

Find out more about meadows volunteering: https://www.cpre.org.uk/stories/meadows-volunteering-a-gentle-way-to-manage-the-ecosystem/

03/06/2026

From students in their 20s to campaigners in their 70s, CPRE volunteers share more in common than you might expect. For Volunteers' Week, we spoke to some of our youngest and longest-standing volunteers to explore how different generations see the countryside, and what unites them. 🤝

Check out the full story: https://www.cpre.org.uk/stories/standing-up-for-the-countryside-across-the-generations-for-100-years/

02/06/2026

Our brilliant friends at CPRE Hampshire have made a film called The Hedge, and we think you'll love it. 💚

For centuries, hedgerows have shaped the countryside, supporting wildlife and connecting communities. The Hampshire Hedge Project is making sure that story continues. They're on a mission to create a living green corridor connecting the South Downs and the New Forest National Parks, one hedge at a time.

Take 15 minutes and step into the hedgerow 🐝

https://bit.ly/4f3y0IP

CPRE Hampshire

Hedgerows have shaped the British countryside for centuries, creati...

01/06/2026

Happy Volunteers’ Week! 🙌

Across the country, dedicated volunteers are making a huge difference in their local communities. From tackling the climate and nature crises through research and practical projects, to advocating for the protection and regeneration of the green spaces that matter to them; the dedication of our volunteers across the country powers our movement for a beautiful, thriving countryside for everyone.🌿

Quite simply, we couldn’t do what we do without their time, passion and commitment. This week, we’re celebrating everything they do. Thank you to our brilliant volunteers!

Take a look at some of our award winners: https://www.cpre.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/volunteer-awards-2026/

01/06/2026

Something special is taking shape at Park Hill, Sheffield. Our On The Edge garden is coming to life! We can't wait to see Gaia and the garden in their full glory. 💚

31/05/2026

This week, we're heading back to 1981, and a landmark year for the countryside and farmers.

In 1981, we fought to save Halvergate Marshes in the Norfolk Broads, and our campaign helped give rise to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, offering farmers real incentives to protect and enhance landscapes of outstanding natural, wildlife and historic value.

This campaign proved that protecting nature could be practical, not just idealistic.

Learn more - https://www.cpre.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-achievements-and-history/

30/05/2026

5–8 June is coming ⏳

We’re proud to support The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out taking place on 5-8 June 2026.

It’s one big do and everyone across the UK is invited to meet, eat and lend a hand locally, in the UK’s biggest celebration of community.

Millions are expected to join in, and you can be one of them!

If you’re interested in volunteering with CPRE, keep an eye out for opportunities happening near you, including online sessions and local projects across our network.

To start us off, our friends at CPRE Kent, The Countryside Charity are hosting an online session on their Dark Skies project on Friday 5th June, 12pm.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JaYVuS8sT8ayqJbBJeFPyQ

29/05/2026

What a fantastic example of a community rooftop solar project 👏

More than 600 community-owned solar panels are set to be installed on the roof of a bus depot in Reading.

How we make the shift to cleaner energy has never mattered more for our countryside, and communities need to be part of that shift.

Getting solar on rooftops is a great way to protect more countryside for what it does best: growing food, supporting wellbeing, and providing a home for nature. 💚

More 👇
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgppn33vy2o

📷 Vladimir Srajber

The group behind the project says it will be Reading town centre's largest solar power plant.

29/05/2026

'The Green Belt is the wrong place for any of the government's new towns'

Enfield Council has withdrawn from the government's new towns programme due to proposals being linked to development on Green Belt land at Crews Hill.

We support the delivery of well-planned new towns and genuinely affordable homes — but these should be built on previously developed (brownfield) land to protect valued countryside.

We know this is possible too. Schemes such as the Meridian Water regeneration programme shows real potential to provide homes people can afford without sacrificing the countryside on the edge of towns and cities.

Our full response 👇

CPRE responds to Enfield Council withdrawing from the government's new towns programme over concerns about building on Green Belt land at Crews Hill.

27/05/2026

As part of the CPRE Centenary National Awards, each category is assessed by a panel bringing a range of experience and perspectives, ensuring the very best projects and individuals are recognised.

Meet the judges in the Best housing solution and Best green space project categories — helping us celebrate the people making a real difference. 🌿

For more information and to nominate, head here: https://www.cpre.org.uk/cpre-national-centenary-awards/