Projects
Projects
Our Projects aim to save waste, reduce carbon emissions and make Bradninch a greener and more biodiverse place.
We are always open to new ideas - so contact us if you have any ideas for a project in Bradninch.
Library of Things
We’re working with Bradninch Town Trust to create a Library of Things behind the Guildhall, giving local people the opportunity to borrow items they might only need occasionally, rather than buying them and leaving them unused. The project has received a £3,000 grant from Mid Devon District Council’s Strategic Sustainability Fund.
The Library will include things like drills, saws, pressure washers, carpet cleaners and other household and gardening equipment – as well as items such as chocolate fountains for those special occasions! People will be able to browse an online catalogue, reserve items and borrow them for a small subscription fee. Other local organisations will also be able to add equipment to the scheme, helping us make better use of things that might otherwise sit unused.
We hope the Library of Things will help reduce waste and unnecessary consumption, save people money and encourage a culture of sharing and reuse in Bradninch. It will also provide an opportunity for volunteers and local groups to get involved, with regular lending sessions planned once the facility is up and running.
The project will form part of a wider Eco Hub behind the Guildhall, with plans for an outdoor area with seating and planting where people can meet, share ideas and enjoy the space.
We’re hoping to get the Library of Things up and running soon – and we’ll be looking for both volunteers and donations of useful items once the space is ready!
Bradninch Community Food Shed
This is a Community Fridge project. Volunteers collect surplus food from supermarkets and businesses that would otherwise have been thrown away. They bring it to Bradninch where it is put in our fridge, freezer or on the shelves. In the foyer of Bradninch Baptist Church in Millway, it is free for everyone and anyone to take, and we are open between 10am and 6pm. We have been open since November 2020.
Tree Nursery
We’ve been running a tree nursery in Bradninch for the last couple of years. Here trees can be kept until there is a space to plant them out. The Town Council lets us use part of our Community Allotment for trees temporarily while they wait for their forever home.
Churchyard Wilding Project
Along with the Town Council and St Disen’s Church we are part of the Wilding Group who are advising Bradninch Town Council about making the churchyard of St Disen’s Church more biodiverse, by managing parts of it as a hay meadow, where flowers will be able to thrive. We recently funded and planted, along with the congregation of the church, 1000 spring flowering native bulbs (snowdrops, wild daffodils, snake-head fritillaries, bluebells and anemones) which should line the path to the church with a beautiful display in the spring.
Charwell Wetlands
Charwell Wetlands is Bradninch’s own local nature reserve. Sustainable Bradninch has been helping make the wetlands even better for wildlife. This winter bird boxes were put up, funded by donations to Bradninch Repair Cafe, and within 2 hours some blue tits were inspecting them to nest in. Sustainable Bradninch is also present on the Charwell Wetlands working group and advertises work days to all its volunteers. You can find out more about the Charwell Wetlands here.
