THE launch of a new project to improve Romsey’s environment was held at the Plaza Theatre last Sunday, when around 70 residents gathered to hear more about what community driven “wilding” looks like and how they can get involved.

“Wilder Romsey” is about empowering residents to improve and care for the environment around where they live and take exercise.

It is supported by Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

There are so many small changes that communities can make to deliver huge differences to local areas and help slow climate change.

The event was opened by Mayor of Test Valley Cllr Mark Cooper who said: "Wilding gardens, verges and under-used spaces is something we can all do to increase bio-diversity, enhance the biosphere and tackle climate change”

Other speakers included:

* Cllr Neil Gywynne, Wilder Romsey Project Lead, who spoke about a project on the Woodley Estate to manage under-used areas for benefit of bees and other wildlife. He stressed that green areas well used by residents will remain under normal maintenance to be enjoyed by all;

* Cllr Sally Yalden, Braishfield Parish Council, described their project to plant and maintain wildflowers on the road verge;

* Rob Phippen talked about potential opportunity to introduce more small areas of trees and scrubs throughout the area;

* Marianne Lotter-Jones, of Hampshire & IoW Wildlife Trust, described its “Waste of Space” initiative, demonstrating how under used areas as small in size as a table tennis table can be transformed with innovative planting by community volunteers.

* Boyce Jeffries, senior countryside officer at TVBC, illustrated the council’s approach to encouraging wildlife in areas they own and manage for other landowners. He explained his team’s role in providing information and education on their work and explained some of the difficulties they have ensuring changes introduced work for the majority of local residents and reflect health and safety needs close to highways, are sustainable and affordable. Land left to grow wild still needs expensive maintenance to ensure natural grasses do not overwhelm the wildflowers they are trying to encourage.

* Daisy Kennard, TVBC countryside officer, demonstrated how to make and use wildflower seed “Bee Bombs”.

The event was also used to launch the new website www.wilder-romsey.org as the projects develop more information will be added to this website.

Cllr Gwynne said: "Wilder Romsey was launched on July 25 as a communication and volunteer hub for all local natural environment groups. Its focus will be to increase the amount of wildlife, both plants and animals, in and around our lovely town - and the 25th was an excellent start!"