Wiltshire Wildlife Trust brings countryside to town (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

50th anniversary celebrated as sheep and cows are brought to Devizes

5:22pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in News By Jill Crooks

The country came to town at Devizes Market Place on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's founding.

The trust brought Dexter cattle and Herdwick sheep and took visitors by minibus for tours of its reserve at Morgan’s Hill in between Devizes and Calne.

Cows and sheep at Coombe Bissett are helping restore grassland and revert marginal arable land back to grassland through managed grazing.

Among the activities that visitors had a go at were riding a mechanical horse, trying traditional crafts such as making a hazel hurdle and willow weaving, while children enjoyed clay modelling.

Trust food champions were on hand and visitors could make their own pizzas which were cooked in a wood fired oven while special 50th anniversary sausages, made by Devizes based Country Butchers, were on sale.

In the Corn Exchange various talks were held including on the work of the trust and different projects.

The entries in the trust’s photographic and art competition were on display. The winner in the adult photography competition was Philip Male whose picture was of a great spotted woodpecker. The children’s category was won by Kyle Pepper, whose entry was a deer at Clanger Wood.

The winner of the art competition was Ruth Juneman with ‘daily bread’.

Planning for the event started three years ago.

Michele Gard, membership manager at the trust, said: “Our staff took up the challenge, producing activities, displays and products that reflect the incredibly diverse nature of the work of the trust.

“It showcased our expertise, creativity and the fun that we have doing what we do.

“On Saturday thousands of local people experienced our passion for themselves. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the event happen and those who came along and celebrated our anniversary with us.

“I think our founders would be justly proud of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 2012. We’re looking forward to the next 50 years protecting Wiltshire’s natural environment for everyone to enjoy.”