Inspired by Springwatch

The 2008 event was held in Bridgwater

On Sunday 8 June 2008, BBC Somerset gave Bower Manor Estate in nearby Bridgwater a Springwatch style makeover.

Wild flowers were planted, log piles were constructed and placed around the edge of the park and nestboxes were put together on the day and put up in trees by the local council.

Around 300 people attended the event to learn about nature on their doorstep and also clear out the local ponds.

Many of the children who took part were pupils at Kingsmore Primary School in nearby Bawdrip and for them the event sparked a long-term interest in nature.

'Great excitement'

Headteacher, Mick Bird said: "They came into school following the Springwatch event in Bridgwater telling me all about it, full of great excitement and naturally they wanted to prolong their interest in these activities.

"During the course of this year we've built up a series of curricular days to extend their interest and add to their skills in working in the countryside."

Now this year's annual summer fair is having a distinct theme - wildlife.

"There are wildlife quizzes, bird, animal and tree identification activities as well as things like hunting for mini beasts and making mini beasts out of art media."

Apart from adopting a wildlife theme for the fair pupils have also asked for more nature activities to be brought into the classroom.

Over the past 12 months Kingsmore Friends, the school's Parent Teacher Association, has helped to fund trips to Fyne Court and Secret World Wildlife Rescue.

"We have made several local visits, so we have a conservation area close by to the school called Skylark Meadow which has got lots of native wildflowers and animals.

"We've also been up to Fyne Court in Broomfield which is owned by Somerset Wildlife Trust. We've done a series of walks around the school and we've also been working in our own school grounds as an outdoor learning environment."

'Impact of Springwatch'

Many of the children have also learnt that nature is on the doorstep.

"Often they'll say 'I didn't realise there were so many things so close to us,' so often it's a case of helping them see what's around them all the time.

"There were always some children that are particularly interested but I think the impact of Springwatch was to widen that level of interest to more children and help them realise that nature was on their doorstep and they could do something about promoting it."

This year's event will be held at Kingsmore School on Saturday 4pm til 7pm.

A proportion of the money raised from the admission fee will be donated to Secret World Wildlife Rescue, Heaven's Gate and Somerset Wildlife Trust which will all be taking part in the event.