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Wilder Enmore & Goathurst

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Goathurst recently earned the prestigious Wilder Community Award from the Somerset Wildlife Trust, in a joint initiative alongside the neighbouring village of Enmore. This award recognises the village's coordinated, community-wide effort to restore natural habitats, welcome local wildlife, and transform green spaces across the parishes.

 

The idea for Wilder Enmore was first introduced at the Enmore Parish Council (EPC) Village Assembly in May 2023. The EPC formally adopted the proposal, and Goathurst Parish Council soon voted to join the effort. Together, the Wilder Enmore & Goathurst initiative was created with a shared mission to enhance sustainable wildlife habitats across both parishes, boost local biodiversity, and support thriving, balanced ecosystems through the active involvement of everyone who lives or works here.  A key ambition from the outset has been to create a connected network of wildlife corridors linking gardens, farmland, churchyards, Enmore Primary School, and the wider green spaces across both villages.

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Building the Initiative

To identify priorities and opportunities, the group worked closely with residents, the Headteacher of Enmore School, both village parochial church councils, and major landowners. Community WhatsApp and Facebook groups were launched to encourage involvement and share progress.

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Project sub‑groups were formed to focus on:

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  • Village residents’ gardens

  • Village hedges and verges (including farmer and parish responsibilities)

  • Enmore School

  • Village churchyards

  • Parish Council - owned land

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Residents were encouraged to apply for their very own Wildlife Garden Awards too!

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As part of the Wilder Enmore and Goathurst initiative, the Goathurst PCC (Parochial Church Council) have been working with their regular children's group and the children have been involved in some of activities being done around the churchyard including the following:

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  • Owl box

  • Barrell pond (with plants to be added soon)

  • Hedgehog houses with infrared cameras

  • Animal tracks boxes

  • Tree planting (a Rowan, a Flowering Cherry and 3 Buddleia bushes)

  • Bug hotel with a roof garden

  • 2 bird nesting boxes​​​​​

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Bug hotel with roof garden

After securing some funding from organisations including the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme (QLPS) the PCC were able to restore the Willis Monument and with help from a grant by the Parish Council they were able to turn an old tree stump into a double sided seat (which faces the monument) and provide some extra benches (now totalling 5) in various locations around the churchyard, making this a beautiful communal space to be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone who visits!​

Regular community litter picks also began/continued in both villages. All activities have been supported through a blend of external funding, private donations, and volunteer time.

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Willis Monument

Tree stump seat

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Goathurst community litter pick

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Goathurst community litter pick

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Litter collected and ready for collection

Recognition & Awards

In September 2025, Enmore became the first community in Somerset to receive the Wilder Community Award from Somerset Wildlife Trust. Goathurst followed as the second award recipient in February 2026. In June 2026, the joint initiative received CPRE’s Countryside Changemaker Award.  Councilor's Fiona Jackson and Beth Riches from Enmore and Goathurst have since shared the project’s achievements and practical “plan‑to‑action” approach at local gatherings, parish council meetings, and events hosted by the Quantock Hills National Landscape, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Quantocks, and Somerset Council.​​​

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Wilder Enmore Award

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CPRE Countryside Changemaker Award 

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CPRE Countryside Changemaker Certificate

Inspiring Others

Neighbouring parishes including Broomfield have now begun, or are actively discussing their own Wilder initiatives. This growing network strengthens wildlife corridors across the region and helps fill important gaps in the Somerset Nature Recovery Network.

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Our Guiding Messages

Three simple ideas have been central to engaging and motivating our communities:

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  • Everyone can make a difference

  • Build it and they will come

  • What happens next is up to us! (Sir David Attenborough)

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