Somer Valley Rediscovered

29/10/2026

Final dates confirmed for our ‘Cosy Homes & Sustainable Living Workshop’ series delivered by EcoWild with Bath & West Community Energy - BWCE!

During these free hands-on workshops, you will learn about ways to make your home warmer and more energy efficient, alongside an introduction to nature-based crafts and practices.

Cosy Homes, Foraging & Fermenting in Clutton ~ 26th November

Cosy Homes & Willow Weaving in Radstock ~ 28th November

There is still time to book your space. We hope to see you there.

22/10/2026

On Tuesday evening, Somer Valley Rediscovered hosted a fascinating Demystifying Beavers talk at Westfield Sports & Social Club with Avon Wildlife Trust.

We learned how beavers are true ecosystem engineers, creating wetlands that support wildlife, improve water quality, slow flood flows and help landscapes remain resilient during drought. Their wetlands can also create healthier river habitats that support fish and a huge variety of other species.

Dan shared a map showing that beavers are now being recorded on both the River Cam and Wellow Brook, highlighting how these remarkable animals are continuing to spread across our local landscape. He also told us that Bath remains one of the best places to see beavers and signs of their activity.

It was also great to hear that, following reports from community group Paulton on the Wild Side, Cam Valley Wildlife Group has set up camera traps to help monitor local beaver activity.

While beavers can sometimes cause challenges for landowners through burrowing, damming and tree felling, Avon Wildlife Trust's Beaver Advice & Support Team offers free practical advice and can help mitigate impacts on land through measures such as tree protection, dam management and tailored site-specific support.

A huge thank you to Avon Wildlife Trust and everyone who joined us for an engaging evening.

20/10/2026

Our brilliant Volunteer Leaders were awarded Inspirational Citizens certificates from Radstock Town Council on Saturday during their monthly habitat management session. Thank you to Radstock Town Council for taking the time to honour these skilled and hard working community members for everything they do to take care of our greenspaces. Well deserved!! Thank you Friends of Somer Valley!

20/10/2026

Tonight in Westfield !! Interested in beavers? Worried about beavers? Come along and enjoy a presentation and an open discussion about living with beavers in the Somer Valley. Book onto this free event by clicking the link below.
The bar will be open from 6pm and we will start around 6:15pm

Beavers are back on the Cam and Wellow, but what does their presence mean for our rivers, wildlife and local communities?

Join Avon Wildlife Trust’s Beaver Officer for an fascinating introduction to the ecology and behaviour of beavers and learn more about these remarkable ecosystem engineers.

We’ll explore how beavers shape rivers and wetlands, the benefits and challenges their activity can bring, and what it means to live alongside them. With beavers now present in our local river system, this is a chance to separate fact from fiction, ask questions and better understand the changes we may see in our landscape.

Whether you’re excited, curious or simply want to know more about our new neighbours, come along to discover the science behind beavers and what their return could mean for the Cam and Wellow catchments.

Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/demystifying-beavers-the-role-of-beavers-in-a-changing-climate-tickets-2002619892006?aff=oddtdtcreator

11/10/2026

Nordic Walking, One off event

Event date: Saturday 31 October

Event time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Location:
Midsomer Norton Town Park
Gullock Tyning
BA3 2UH

Book here - https://www.wellbeing-courses.co.uk/events/b408ca23-159f-4e0f-fa32-08df07fb2219/nordic-walking

08/10/2026

Forest Bathing, 3 sessions over 3 weeks

Event dates: Monday 12 October, Monday 19 October, Monday 26 October

Event time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Location:
Midsomer Norton Cricket Club
Withies Lane
Midsomer Norton
BA3 2JE

Book here - https://www.wellbeing-courses.co.uk/events/6b8841fd-d690-4acc-b6b1-2b9c5fff5755/forest-bathing-for-mental-wellbeing

08/10/2026

We started October the only acceptable way, with a fungi walk! Although the dry summer has meant fewer fungi, we were still able to find a wide variety on Midsomer Norton Town Batch last Saturday.

The best part was learning all sorts of interesting facts from Steve and feeling one step closer to being able to survive in the wild, should the day ever come! For example, did you know you can make ink from fungi? Or use fungi to help start a fire? During the war, a fungus we found called the "razor strop fungus" was even used as a plaster, as it can act as a microporous, self-sticking and antiseptic dressing for minor cuts.

We were even treated to some mushroom pâté and hedgerow preserves. So delicious! A great reminder of the fantastic, weird and sometimes tasty things growing right here on our doorsteps. Please always be careful when foraging for mushrooms, we did also found a killer mushroom on the batch.

Thanks to everyone who came along, to Debbie Chatting for including us on her Somer Valley FM show, and to Steve for always bringing his enthusiasm and helping us all get one step closer to understanding the natural world.

06/10/2026

Nature Craft Connection, 6 sessions over 6 weeks
Wellbeing course for everyone, connecting to nature and mindfulness led by Ecowild

Event date: Thursday 8 October - Thursday 12 November

Event time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Location:
Taking place in Waterside Valley Westfield, meeting to start the sessions in SWALLOW Community Cafe, Radstock, BA3 3QG
Book here - https://bookwhen.com/ecowild/e/ev-sks0o-20261008100000

06/10/2026

Still some places left for this unique workshop!

https://the-makers-bee.sumupstore.com

05/10/2026

Midsomer Norton! Your festival of local food and drink line-up for Saturday 10 October is here

EAT Festival have live music from Follow the Dolphin, face printing, circus skills with the Hula Hoop Lady and strolling entertainment from Marvellous Eventures too!

All dietary choices catered for
All on hard standing and level access
100% dog friendly
Extra seating and bins provided

Stalls:
Ad Astra C***r
Ah-Ma’s Dumplings
Anna Fraser Facepainter
Bake My Day
Bath Culture House
BeeBee and Leaf
Bluestone Vineyards
Boulton Spirit
Carslake Tea Company
Chiki Monkey
Cocoa's
Country Bumpkins Catering
Country Bumpkins Steamers
Cream & Crumble
Creamberry Artisan
Drinks Kitchen
Flapjackery
Garden chef
GingerBeard's Preserves
Hetty's Hen House
Kitchen Garden Plant centre
Little Jack's Sausage Rolls
Little Oak Farm
Malmesbury Honey
MaryartGB
miRandom
Nut and Leaf
Nutts Scotch Eggs
Passion & Smoke
Plants by Ogie Placido
Pop's Thai Kitchen
Punk Jerky
RebelRoast Coffee
RebelRox Kitchen
Riverford Organic Farmers
RSPB
RUTAB Ltd
Salsa Stories
somerset charcuterie
Somerset Wildlife Trust
South Devon Chilli Farm
South West Water
Stencil Shed
Still Sisters
Sunshine Graze
The Bath Soft Cheese Co.
The Cheese Connection
The Garlic Farm
The Loaf Shack Bakery
The Macaroom
The Slow Vinegar Company
Times Past cheese dairy
TnT Tacos
Untamed
Wessex Meadworks
White Horse Honey
Wrapped
You Know You Wood

Supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council