Schoolchildren and local residents were joined by a broom-maker, a basket-weaver, an archaeologist and naturalists to celebrate the local environment at Yeading Junior School on Saturday, 18 July.

The event encouraged people who live near the Greenway and Yeading Brook to explore their local green places. It celebrated six weeks of environmental activities carried out as part of ‘Touching Nature’, a project run for local schools and residents by Groundwork Thames Valley, in partnership with National Grid.

The ‘Touching Nature’ project was sponsored by National Grid as part of its commitment to caring for the environment and the event enabled people in the community to learn and participate in environmental activities as well as enjoy their local surroundings.

Martin Magee, National Grid project manager, said: “We are delighted that National Grid, through its partnership with Groundwork Thames Valley, can provide the opportunity for local people to enjoy and engage in their local environment.”

Barry Watson, Groundwork project officer, said: “If you keep your eyes and ears open around here, you will come across orchids and bats, kingfishers and deer. Yeading Meadows are a real surprise and probably only really enjoyed by a few keen-eyed dog walkers. But if you talk with the local wildlife experts, or visit local woods and hollows with them, you’ll discover an interest that makes every walk a pleasure.”

The day also included a competition where children had to design a poster to celebrate their local environment, which was judged by Cllr Sandra Jenkins and James Kingston (National Grid and Murphy Pipelines Ltd representative). The winners were Yeading Junior and Grange Park, who each won £100 Homebase vouchers.

ENDS

For more information contact Sarah Harris, National Grid Media Releations on 07866 488 894

National Grid
National Grid is an international electricity and gas company and one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. We play a vital role in delivering gas and electricity to millions of people across Great Britain and northeastern US in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. We believe the power of action can play a major role in safeguarding our global environment for future generations and tackling the effects of climate change, providing all our customers with the highest standards of service through network investment and through our talented, diverse workforce.

National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales and operates the system across Great Britain. It also owns and operates the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain and its distribution business delivers gas to 11 million homes and businesses.

National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.  
*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Groundwork Thames Valley
Groundwork Thames Valley (GTV) is an independent local charity, committed to social, economic and environmental regeneration.  GTV works with partners to improve the quality of the local environment, the lives of local people and the profitability of local businesses. 

GTV’s projects focus on building stronger neighbourhoods, training, stimulating enterprise, integrating the economy and the environment and realising young people’s potential. Projects range from small community schemes to major national and regional programmes that use the environment to engage and motivate local people to improve their quality of life.

GTV’s partners include community groups, local authorities, government and businesses.

GTV has three subsidiary social enterprises:
• Blue Sky Development & Regeneration - www.elsdale.co.uk
• West London Floating Classroom – www.blueskydevelopment.co.uk
• SKIDZ Reading, the Reading Motor Education Project – www.skidz.org.uk

GTV is part of the Groundwork federation of about 50 local Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information please visit www.groundwork-tv.org.uk