Residents of Bilbrook celebrated the completion of the village’s two Jubilee Walk routes with a guided bird-walk, last month.
The walk was led by Theresa Dorrance, RSPB Local Group Leader for the Codsall/Bilbrook area.
The two nature walks – one south and one north of the village – form part of a larger heritage project in Bilbrook, which was set up to coincide with the Queen’s Jubilee celebration last year.
The new routes will enhance natural habitats, supporting biodiversity, teach the community about its heritage and local wildlife and encourage the community to be fit and active.
The £7,725 project involved installing way-markers, signs, and seats along the route, as well as interpretation panels displaying drawings of local wildlife including birds, trees, flora and fauna and a heritage-trails overview map prepared by South Staffordshire District Council.
New plants have also been planted to attract natural wildlife. The walk is accessible to all community groups including people with disabilities or limited mobility and people with pushchairs.
Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, said: “These new routes go to show what can be achieved when local organisations, volunteers and businesses work together to make their community a better place.
“I, myself, can’t wait to go walking on these routes and have no doubt that they will also be enjoyed by many other local residents in the years ahead.”
Funding for the project, which has been spearheaded by Bilbrook Parish Council, has come from various sources including Staffordshire County Council, South Staffordshire District Council and The Veolia Environmental Trust, who awarded a grant of £5,000 through the Landfill Communities Fund.
The whole community has been involved in the project. Volunteers helped with the groundwork and children from Lane Green First School produced drawings that have been carved by a local sculptor into the wooden way-markers, signs and seating along the route.
Val Chapman, Chair of the Parish Council, said: “We are delighted that the project is now finished and thoroughly enjoyed the walk on Saturday. Previously there were no nature walks in Bilbrook, but now the whole community can enjoy their beautiful surroundings.
“The new walks have created a place of interest that is desirable to people of all ages and abilities while providing a source of education about the area and its wildlife. We are looking forward to organising more social events including community walks which will also create volunteering opportunities, enhancing community cohesion.”
The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, McNabb Laurie, added: “Outdoor exercise is known to have positive effects on people’s mental and physical well-being, as well as broaden people’s understanding and appreciation of nature. It is great to hear that this project is now complete and I hope the community of Bilbrook enjoys many more walks along the routes in the future.”