FUNDING has been secured for a further two years to support the South Wye and Belmont Community Environmental Project.

It is run through Community First in Hereford and is funded by SRB and the SEED Programme.

The project, just launched at the Big Event, will offer an opportunity for people to be involved through a competition and mapping exercise. Benches and other goodies made by local volunteers from reclaimed timber will be for sale and a rickshaw will be available free of charge to take visitors around the site or even home if its not to far away!

The main aims of the project are to work with local people in a voluntary capacity to bring about environmental changes and enhancements. These can be as simple as planting bulbs along fence lines or at the base of trees to raising funds to support big green space enhancements such as reinstating sites of historical significance or safe and exiting play areas for young people.

A group of residents from Southgate Court in Redhill are making benches made in the traditional way from green oak donated from Crumps in Swainshill. These benches will be used to benefit the wider community.

A gardening/landscaping project run through the Community Environmental Project has proved a massive success with 37 gardens having been improved by volunteers. Achievements include concreting a pad to allow access for a disabled child to use his bike in the garden, rebedding a green house floor to enable the disabled owner to use it and braving wasp nests to clear unwanted mounds of earth.

Richard Fishbourne, community environmental officer, is also working with St Martin's Residents Association to raise funds for the creation of an urban masterplan.

Given St Martin's status as an important southern gateway into Hereford, the group is keen to bring about some significant environmental changes.

Work is also being done to reinstate the apple press on Court Crescent in Hinton. It is hoped a project will centre on Hereford's cider heritage.

The project officer is also attempting to set up a 'green nappy scheme'.

Nature trails are being organised through the project and it is anticipated that volunteers will be trained to take small informal groups around sites such as Newton Coppice and along the Withy brook in South Wye. The development of Luard Walk green space in Hunderton is also being worked on.

Big Event proves worthy of its name as crowds enjoy the fun

THE South Wye Big Event proved to be just that as young and old joined in with the fun on Hereford's King George V playing fields.

During the day, children had their faces painted before watching, with great amusement, Punch and Judy and Wizard Wonky.

Others tested their physical attributes on an army assault course and then received some expert tuition from professional soldiers on a firing range.

And the live music and fireworks ensured the mums and dads continued their celebrations long into the night.

The day also had plenty of educational exhibitions with the fire brigade acting out an emergency procedure and a display showing party-goers how Herefordians lived in the Middle Ages.