Young people get planting for community project

Young people in Porlock have been playing their part in a new community project, being the first to use some of the Emergency High Street Recovery grant awarded by Somerset West and Taunton Council to Porlock Parish Council in December.  

The Saturday Club children from St. Dubricius Church did an amazing job planting 120 plants along the church railings to bring much welcomed colour to the village. Ann Spence, who runs the junior youth club, said, “The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience especially as they have only recently been able to meet again after COVID restrictions and it was great for them to have the opportunity to contribute to improving the High Street for their community.”

Many more plants were donated on the day by the residents of Porlock, so many that a further five planting beds had to be created. Such is the success of this Community project, it is now hoped to have plants the full length of the railings.

This project will be followed by further new floral displays plus seating in the church grounds and at the Methodist Church Garden to provide outdoor spaces for visitors and locals wishing to enjoy Porlock’s beautiful, thriving High Street. Also planned are regular pop-up events on the High Street to entertain the visitors and improved signage to help visitors find everything that is on offer.

During the last year the Saturday Club have met whenever restrictions have allowed with all of their meetings being outside. Activities have included treasure hunts, outdoor games, an Easter Egg Hunt and walk, a litter pick at the Rec and a wild art session.

Go Team Adviser Andy Levett commented, ‘It’s great to see groups being creative! Re-starting provision for children and young people is not easy with restrictions still in place, but using outdoor spaces and getting involved in the wider community is fantastic to see.”