Some weeks ago, I attended an out-patient’s appointment at Paulton Hospital. On arrival, I was dismayed to see quite a lot of litter strewn around the site.

After attending my appointment I had a little wander around. I noticed that all the shrubbery borders were quite overgrown with large, unkempt plants and brambles spreading out in many areas, together with ivy clinging to the walls of the buildings. I contacted the property manager of the site and asked if a group of

Wombles would be permitted to clear the borders of the weeds and collect the litter. I was given permission to go ahead with the project.

On Saturday, 16th October seventeen volunteers arrived on site armed with brooms, lopers, secateurs and other gardening equipment!

We set to work. Areas were swept, ivy removed from the walls, dead vegetation hacked down and brambles were banished! The flower at the rear was cut back and all the undergrowth cleared. The entrance to the hospital now looks presentable and tidy. A skip was soon filled to overflowing with all the vegetation we removed.

Some of the volunteers said: “A huge thank you to the wonderful Wombles and friends who worked so hard.”

“Fantastic team work. What a sense of achievement at the end of the session. We hope that by bringing some life into the garden by the conservatory, it will help brighten someone’s day. It was a great feeling to give time back to the hospital, where so many of the group had had their babies and were cared for by the wonderful staff at the time. It was lovely when two members of staff brought out refreshments for us. Wonderful to do something for the community and seeing the difference we made. Fun time working with the Wombles. So worthwhile. I was so impressed with the spirit of the volunteers.”

“Such a friendly group and volunteering connects us to our community in such a positive way and the reward is mutual.”

The Men’s Shed have kindly offered to refurbish the garden benches which are used by the patients and their visitors in good weather. The benches have sadly deteriorated over the years, but with the hard work by the men we should see them restored for next Spring. They are also going to build new planters, for the area by the conservatory, which can be planted up in the Spring.

If anyone is interested in joining the Wombles our site is on Facebook and called ‘Wombles of Midsomer Norton and surrounding areas’. We often organise group litter picks in the community, but many of our members also litter pick alone. Pickers can be obtained from the Town Hall in Midsomer Norton together with the Council’s gold sacks. When full, just leave beside a council litter bin! Happy Wombling!

Sandra Coles