“What a great time to start at Avon Wildlife Trust! Not only the opportunity to be involved with the exciting Folly Farm project from the start and be able to witness the daily development of the renovation, but with swallows dancing around our heads and the yellow ripples of Folly’s meadows in June - could there be any better inspiration for an exciting programme of courses to entice anyone to enjoy this magical spot?

Lucy Owen

In my previous role as Education Officer for a busy residential education centre, I was no stranger to hard work- designing, planning and delivering educational courses about wildlife for schools and adults. However, the new challenge for me here is being involved in such a grand scale project! The potential for learning and enjoyment at Folly Farm is vast - there are so many areas to delve into; the fascinating history of the Strachey Family and the farm, the rich history of the landscape, the huge abundance of nationally important wildlife, the conservation efforts made by the Trust, the sustainability ambitions of the project…the list is endless!

I am now faced with the challenge of where to start! As well as working on a programme for schools that links discovery at Folly Farm with the current National Curriculum schemes of work, I am also researching possible links to those children and young people who might not usually have the opportunity to visit a wild flower meadow, or wander out in the woods at night in hope of spotting a badger. Through an exciting and inspiring range of courses at Folly, all ages and abilities are welcome to discover the magic of Folly - and through this discovery be enthused about our natural heritage.

In terms of the events programme for adults, I am currently meeting a host of artists, practitioners, ecologists, historians and natural history experts who may be interested in running workshops at the new training centre for adults. There will be a variety of training courses, weekend workshops, holiday retreats, talks, walks and events - so a busy calendar to fill! I am constantly on the look out for interesting new ideas and am open to suggestions. So far I have met some wonderful local specialists in felt-making, story-telling and wild food forays. Do you have any interesting ideas for a workshop? If so, please do be in touch.

We are also hoping to develop a team of volunteers to help us run the centre once open. If you are interested in getting involved with the Folly Farm project - from garden maintenance and admin help to education volunteers, please do contact us at lucyowen@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk ”

the farmhouse

The Folly Farm appeal update

Ken Johnson, our Folly Farm Project Manager writes:

Spring has arrived at Folly Farm. Yesterday I saw my first swallow and the bluebells are out in the woods. The swallows used to have easy access to the barn, but now that we're restoring it they're wondering where to roost. So, we're building the roof with overhanging eaves and special openings to let them in.

We're still waiting for the bats to take advantage of the 'maternity wardrobe' we've built for them. Yes, this is the mating season and surely any broody bats would be glad to take advantage of this five star accommodation. Last week we had to evict a pair of frisky jackdaws from the wardrobe, so word is obviously spreading.

Ken Johnson

On the building front, we've now got a fabulous new roof on the farmhouse, complete with new leadwork and tiles. The scaffolding is down and we are starting work on the interior of the building.

Staff-wise, we've struck lucky. We've employed a new programme manager, Lucy Owen. It'll be Lucy's job to set up the various learning programmes that we'll be running for schools and adults. Lucy used to run an education centre for the RSPCA, so she is used to dealing with the needs of schools and residential centres.

We held our major fundraising event earlier in April in conjunction with the BBC's Planet Earth team.Since then, I've been taking potential sponsors on tours of the site and brainstorming creative ways in which they could become involved. This is fun, but there's a serious side to it - the funds need to keep coming.

See the stars
So you can see why the creation of the Folly Farm Environment Centre is at the top of the trust’s priority list. Folly Farm will give urban children a chance to get a real taste of nature, on their doorstep. It will also open their eyes to nature - not through TV, the computer or commercial animal exhibits, but through the senses and the emotions. Actually doing something is how we all learn best, and so activity outside will be the focus of school visits. Providing residential accommodation means that young people can stay overnight, providing opportunities to see the stars, hear the owls, smell the dawn, be creative, get dirty, get physical - even build fires and taste wild food.

And for those of us adults who are world-weary and may long to take time out to rediscover and reconnect, there will be plenty of adult residential and day sessions to experience the natural wonders Folly Farm offers.

Alastair Fothergill © BBC

From Folly Farm to PLANET EARTH

Event launches final fundraising push for wildlife centre

The producer of one of the most ambitious TV programmes ever made has given his support to Folly Farm.

Alastair Fothergill, executive producer of the breathtaking series ‘Planet Earth’, held an audience spellbound at St George’s, Bristol on 2 April as he talked about the making of the award-winning series and screened footage not seen on TV. 

The exclusive event marked the launch of the final fundraising push for Avon Wildlife Trust’s Folly Farm Appeal, which will see the old farm buildings at the Trust’s Folly Farm nature reserve near Bishop Sutton renovated into a unique regional environment centre.  

The Trust has already raised £3.8m through the Heritage Lottery Fund and other fundraising partners, but still needs £650,000 to complete the project.

Last night’s event was attended by more than 400 people, including 300 members of Avon Wildlife Trust plus leading lights from local business and creative communities.

The Planet Earth series took four years to make and featured groundbreaking footage of our world and its wildlife.