Exminster Green Spaces is a group of volunteers who form a working party of the Parish Council which relies entirely on volunteers to carry out its work around the village. It was formed in 2014 following a request made in the Community Plan survey to enhance green spaces. The Parish Council makes a grant to Green Spaces each year which is used to purchase trees, bulbs and other materials in support of the work. New volunteers are always welcome.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions volunteers have not been able to work as frequently as desired during the past year. However, outside lockdowns, working sessions have taken place observing the ‘rule of six’.
Fruit trees in the Village Orchard continue to develop. Nine species of butterfly, together with other insects, including grasshoppers, were observed in the orchard during summer 2020, particularly favouring the sunny inward facing side of the road hedge.
Following a suggestion from a volunteer, the Parish Council have agreed to install a water-butt at the Cemetery to catch rainwater off the gate roof. This should be of long term benefit to those placing flowers at graves as well as volunteers watering any new trees planted there.
Work at Crockwells Meadow included creating a small trial wildflower area and planting saplings on the eastern edge. Some saplings were cared for in pots at home by village families and have been labelled when planted out with the names of the children who helped care for them.
Following a suitably spaced guided walk, led by Green Spaces volunteers, the members of Exminster W.I. kindly gave a donation for bulb planting which, together with additional funding from the Parish Council, was used to plant daffodils beside many of the seats around the village. Please see the photo of the Bowling Green.
Larger tree planting included a Rowan by the Bowling Green and five ornamental cherries, four of which were planted on the edge of Deepway Green. Three pink flowered Hawthorn trees were planted in an open area in Reddaway Drive and should provide blossom in spring and autumn leaf colour as well as food for birds.
Looking ahead to 2021/2022, several ideas have been put forward by volunteers to enhance green spaces. These include a mass planting of crocus, further planting of daffodils which began in 2014 and the planting of suitable trees. Once restrictions are lifted, it is hoped to progress the making of a short video about the green spaces in Exminster which should appear through social media.
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