Coronavirus has been on all of our minds, but quietly, behind the scenes, an environmental crisis is unfolding with changing weather patterns, loss of species and plastic reaching Everest and the deepest oceans.

Peasedown Environment Group (PEG) has been working on various initiatives to try and make our area an example of what can be done.

Just before the pandemic hit, we organised a litter pick in February that took 64 sacks of rubbish off the streets of the villages. But other actions that had been planned were put on hold.

Yet that hasn’t stopped the group. A Facebook page was started that encourages people to report the wildlife they have seen in our area and as people took their exercise, they reported back what they had seen – with plants, deer, frogs, other reptiles, many species of butterfly and fifty different bird species being noted. Those wanting to join the 120 members of the Facebook Group can find it at Peasedown Environment Group (Wildlife).

Working within changing Covid regulations, we have started regular collections of items that can be recycled, but normally go to landfill. Working with Westfield Terracycle, PEG has collected 31kg of crisp packets, pens, biscuit wrappers, pet food pouches and other items. We are really glad that the local school is helping us with this initiative.

Work is going forward to become a Plastic Free community as we ask businesses to look at their work and try to eliminate three items of single use plastic. Community groups can also become supporters.

PEG are also hoping to produce a small booklet soon, listing local businesses that can supply food items and the like without the plastic packaging.

The Parish Council have taken the initiative to plant more trees in the area and we are looking forward to joining the planting session when the virus allows this to go ahead – another step to a greener Peasedown St John. The B&NES Councillors have also been working with PEG to make cycling in the village easier.

Then there’s climate change, and PEG hopes that the Parish Council might declare a Climate Emergency and that steps will be taken to get some electric vehicle charging points installed in the village to help those who can’t safely charge their cars at home to have the chance to own an electric car.

And finally, some of our PEG members are looking at ways in which some of the verges in the village might be left uncut or be cut less so that wildflowers for pollinators can be allowed to grow.

All this is aimed to ensure that, as we come out of the Covid restrictions, Peasedown St John will become an even more beautiful place to live. In the year that the important COP-26 conference will take in Glasgow, PEG wants Peasedown St John to be ahead of the curve in caring for the planet.

Ian Souter