New committee member and lifelong countryside and wildlife advocate, Paul Rutter, explains the reasons behind his mission to reconnect the habitats of the Quantocks to the surrounding landscapes. ~ ~ ~ I began my career in countryside management and wildlife …
Most of our day to day campaigning and conservation work is done by volunteer committee members and funded by your membership fees. Occasionally we receive a larger donation from a Friend which means we can invest in longer term projects, …
In previous newsletters we have described our struggle to convince Somerset Council that an official response was required to the unauthorised removal of hundreds of metres of hedgerow within the Quantock Hills “protected” area. It seemed clear to us that …
Friends of the Quantocks were approached by Garry Dawson back in the autumn when we celebrated taking ownership of Bicknoller Quarry. Garry and his fellow volunteers at the Somerset Geology Group (SGG) have offered to help develop interpretation material for …
In May, committee member Vernon Hughes met with Garry Dawson of the Somerset Geology Group at Bicknoller Quarry. The aim was to work out how Friends of the Quantocks can best show off the geology of our recently acquired quarry. …
We have already told you about the enhanced protection given to Protected Landscapes such as the Quantock Hills by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA). Last December teams from the National Landscapes and Exmoor National Park issued a briefing …
Josh Wedderkopp, teacher at Crowcombe Primary School, on the Friends of the Quantocks Elm & Hairstreak School visit and tree planting on 14th February 2025 When to plant a tree? One of my favourite proverbs is that “The best time …
~ Robin Stamp The Quantocks is a great place to see butterflies with 31 species regularly recorded including 4 of the UK’s rarest and most threatened species. Another three rare species (White-letter Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper and Grizzled Skipper) are still …
~ Paddon, Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme Wildlife Officer In England there are only seven native species of reptiles: three species of lizard and four species of snakes. Each species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) …
~ John Andrews Where springs and seeps on the higher ground of the hills create permanently wet ground that is poor in nutrients, a distinctive and diverse collection of plants can flourish. Anyone who has seen the Ramscombe mire in …