As part of our big idea campaign for the Somerset Levels to become a National Park, we're gathering stories from people who love this special place. We'll keep adding new ones so do pop back now and then. Here's one, written by our Trustee, Janette Ward www.cpresomerset.org.uk/stories/my-s...

As part of our big idea campaign for the Somerset Levels to become a National Park, we're gathering stories from people who love this special place. We'll keep adding new ones...... Here's our first one, written by CPRE Somerset Trustee, Bron Purkiss 👇 tinyurl.com/5yhd94kp Photo by Lance Bellers

We want every town and city to be surrounded by thriving, protected countryside. We're asking everyone across England to stand with us and call for countryside On The Edge to be protected and regenerated — for nature, for climate, for wellbeing. Add your name - bit.ly/4eA2Rg7 📸Joe Dunckley

It's photo competition time again! There are two prizes of £100 each. That's £100 for each age category - "adults" and "18s & under". We can't wait to see your photos - check out all the T&Cs and our gallery of entries here tinyurl.com/photocompSom...

Thanks to all the fabulous people who entered our Love Your Countryside Awards. The awards are now closed and our judges are carefully reading all the nominations. We will start sharing news of the award winners soon...

Only a few weeks left to nominate your favourite projects for our Love Your Countryside Awards. Don't be modest, blow your own trumpet! tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

Another historic fingerpost restored with a little help from us. We are proud to have helped Milborne Port Parish Council with a grant towards restoring this post. Well done to all involved.

We supported over 150 Wellington residents at a protest march last week. Local people are appalled at plans for a large housing estate in the undeveloped landscape between the town and the Wellington Monument, which sits on a ridge in the Blackdown Hills National Landscape overlooking the site.

What hope is there for our #Somerset countryside with weak planning enforcement? Currently it seems that Somerset Council is just turning a blind eye to people who want to ignore the rules. 😡 You need to read this article in @somersetconf.bsky.social

We are thrilled to announce that Hastoe Housing Association are sponsoring our new "Love Your Countryside Awards"! Hastoe is a well-respected rural housing provider, well-known for their small scale, environmentally sensitive affordable housing developments. tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

It's #WorldWildlifeDay today! And - it finally feels like spring has arrived here in soggy Somerset... Makes you want to flap your wings and get out there! photo: Michelle Earl - Heron at Greylake

Don't forget to nominate your projects for our Love Your Countryside Awards. There are 5 categories - visit our website to find out more tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

We are excited to be speaking at the Visit Somerset AGM & Conference on Wednesday. We will be sharing our "big idea" - could the Somerset Levels be the UK's next National Park? If you can't make it along, read about our big idea on our website here 👇 tinyurl.com/SomersetLeve...

This is what our skies looked like on Sunday! Beautiful picture from @glastomichelle.bsky.social

Very annoyingly, last night was the first clear night in ages. Guess what? Star Count week was over by then!😡🤬🤯 A big thank you to everyone who did manage to spot some stars last week, against all the odds. Our data is very limited but we will share the map soon anyway. Maybe next year?

Thank you to those hardy souls that have already submitted their #StarCount results. 👏👏👏 It looks like tonight and tomorrow might be the best chance to see some stars this week - if those pesky clouds stay away from our Somerset skies.

It's looking like a pretty cloudy week ahead - not great for doing your Somerset Star Count 😒 But - you never know. Things can change. Please keep a look out between 14 and 21st February and have a go if the clouds do decide to part! It only takes a few minutes and is good fun. #StarCount

📣Somerset Star Count is coming! From 14th-21st February, you can help us to map light pollution. It only takes a few minutes and you don't need any special equipment. All you do need is a clear night, however.... 🙏🤞😒 Find out how to take part here 👇 tinyurl.com/somersetstar...

Somerset Star Count is back - and we need your help! From 14- 21 February, we are asking people of Somerset to count the stars and help us paint a picture of light pollution in or county. We'll be posting more info soon on how you can join in. Can't wait? - go to 👇 tinyurl.com/somersetstar...

Come and join us for this free and very popular event - all welcome, no need to book. @joshduryphotomedia.bsky.social

Do you know someone who is making a real difference in the Somerset countryside? They can be individuals or groups. Tell us about them and they might win our Countryside Changemaker Award. tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

Let's find out more about the Countryside Access category in our Love Your Countryside Awards... This award celebrates projects of all sizes that make the Somerset countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming.

It's time to focus on another of the 5 categories in our new Love Your Countryside Awards Let's explain our Blue or Green Spaces Award 🧵 tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

Our new Love Your Countryside Awards celebrate our Somerset countryside and those who help to cherish and protect it. There are 5 award categories. Today we are focussing on our new Rooftop Solar Award 🧵 tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

Our new Love Your Countryside Awards celebrate our Somerset countryside and those who help to cherish and protect it. There are 5 award categories. Today we are focussing on the Housing Solution Award 🧵 tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

📣Do you know a project that’s making a difference here in Somerset? 📣 Are you part of a group doing something great for the countryside? If so, then we want to hear from you! Nominations are open for our brand NEW CPRE Somerset: Love Your Countryside Awards tinyurl.com/countrysidea...

The countryside is at a crossroads. Climate change, nature loss & decisions that risk destroying landscapes and farmland are putting pressure on the land that sustains us all. Support our Letter to Somerset to help shape a countryside for everyone. ✍️ tinyurl.com/lettertosome...

"🎉 🎉 We’ve turned 100! From the first Green Belts to protecting and planting hedgerows, dark skies and treasured landscapes, together we’ve stood up for our countryside – and we’re just getting started. But first: Our past 100 years in 100 seconds. bit.ly/4aG4iaV%22

You could buy someone a ticket for our monthly lottery for just £12.00. They will have 12 chances to win (one draw every month during 2026) and you will be helping our charity too. tinyurl.com/v4unsjew photo by Mike Lanning

CPRE Somerset is an independent charity speaking up for Somerset's countryside, but we are also proud to be part of the @cprecountryside.bsky.social family. That's why we are looking forward to celebrating CPRE's centenary next year. Come along with us - it's going to be fun!

This has to be our "most improved" fingerpost so far! Top work by Kingston St Mary Parish Council and Somerset Forge, with a little help from our grant funds. #fingerpostfriday

Another #Somerset fingerpost restored with a little help from our funds. Well done to Kingston St Mary Parish Council - this was a big job with a whole arm needing to be replaced! #fingerpostfriday

Are you good with numbers? Could you spare an hour a week to help a small Somerset environmental charity? We are looking for a new Treasurer. It's an exciting time to join as we have big plans for 2026, our centenary year. Details: www.cpresomerset.org.uk/news/could-y...

Congratulations to Stuart Watson, winner in the adult category for our photo competition. "Evening hay gathering", was taken near Wedmore. Stuart tells us "Hay making time required a whole family effort and first outing for our old David Brown 995." Well done Stuart. The £100 prize is yours!

The govt has stripped out crucial protections from the Planning & Infrastructure Bill. This includes measures to safeguard nature, prioritise brownfield land and give Parliament proper oversight. https://www.cpre.org.uk/news/government-strips-protections-from-the-planning-and-infrastructure-bill/

It's dark and gloomy out there today.... Have you got your tickets for the CPRE Somerset lottery club yet? Go on - it might just brighten your day! Details here www.cpresomerset.org.uk/get-involved... Thank you Photo by Mike Lanning, our volunteer photographer.

We will be speaking out against this proposal at committee next week. Planners refused this development in August and now it's back again! Please sign to let Somerset Council know the strength of feeling about this: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/st...

We have our winner! Congratulations to Olivia D'Ovidio - you won our 2025 photo competition (18s and under category). A £100 cash prize is yours! Here is Olivia's fabulous picture called "Chicken in the meadow" . We love the detail and the expression on the chicken's face - what a character!

Well done Cllr Mike Rigby @somersetcouncil.bsky.social for challenging these housing targets. We recognise the desperate challenge of the housing crisis. But it’s not a crisis that will be solved by more detached homes in villages where there are no jobs and no buses. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Exmoor was designated as Europe's first Dark Sky Reserve in 2011. 60+ events taking place in celebration of this year's annual Exmoor Dark Skies Festival until 2 November. Free #exmoordsf programmes available at National Park Centres. 📸 Richard Presley exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/darkskiesfestival

Volunteer with us! Are you good with numbers? Can you spare an hour a week to help Somerset's countryside charity? We're looking for a new Treasurer. tinyurl.com/we8au2bu

Another #FingerpostFriday and another beauty restored here in #Somerset with the help of our grant fund. This is one is in the small village of Greinton, below the Polden Hills. Well done to Greinton Parish Committee.

We all spoke up together on this and it seems the Govt has listened. Well done. #strongertogether 👊💚

This #FingerpostFriday we are thanking the Somerset Vintage Motorcycle Club for their kind donation to our fingerpost fund. Their annual signpost rally is a great way to explore Somerset but vintage bikes have no SatNav. No problem - our lovely cast iron posts show the way! tinyurl.com/3cafmpu6

We can’t afford to weaken National Park protections ⚠️ But there are rumours that some in Westminster want to remove the Protected Landscapes duty - the only real power to secure action for nature We can't let 30 years of campaigning go down the drain https://bit.ly/48OseaX

Did you know there is space for over 6000 homes on brownfield land here in Somerset? It's time we made this a priority and stop digging up our green fields. www.cpresomerset.org.uk/.../brownfie...

The UK is the fifth-worst in Europe for green space loss, with 1,680 football pitches of protected land lost in five years. Brownfield sites with planning permission sit unused. We must rethink our towns & cities as compact, sustainable places that celebrate the countryside on their doorstep.

These October misty morning are perfect for spider spotting! Our new cover photo of autumn spider webs is by our very talented and generous volunteer photographer, Mike Lanning.

Only a few hours left to get your photo competition entries in! tinyurl.com/3mk95u32

Want to win £100? You have less than 2 weeks left to send us your 3 best photos. The theme is Somerset: life in the countryside All the details are here tinyurl.com/3mk95u32 Psst - tell your kids to enter too!