IN 2016 Newent Town Council successfully applied to the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust for a grant of £5,000 and, with the help of local businesses, the Jubilee Wildlife Walk around the town's lake has been created.

Local resident Dave Warren produced a number of bird boxes and, over the winter, members of the Newent Dolphin Gateway Club, the local branch of Mencap, have been busy painting the boxes in readiness for them to be installed very soon.

The town council was so impressed with the efforts of the 25 people who had worked on the bird boxes, it was decided that certificates should be presented to those who had taken part.

The certificates were given out by Newent’s deputy mayor, Cllr June Davies, accompanied by Cllr Christine Howley who instigated the project, at a recent presentation evening.

Cllr Davies said, “A lot of residents and visitors to the town enjoy our Lake area very much and, as well as the birds, will appreciate and admire the bird boxes for many years to come, so thank you to those members of the Dolphin Club who have supported the town council in this way, thus enhancing the area.”