The company was awarded a Licence to occupy, manage and improve the 10 acres of former grazing land known as Lyncombe Hill Fields by Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) on 01/09/2020.  Its operations commenced following a public launch meeting by Zoom on 19/10/2020.  From this a pool of active volunteers was formed.  

The company’s Mission is to conserve and enhance the biodiversity of the land and maintain its wild nature whilst safeguarding public access. It initially raised funds comprising £1,105 from local Community and Residents’ Associations, and subsequently a further £4,760 from other sources in the period to 31/05/2021. This initial level of funding was required to fund various start-up costs and initial investments.  In the subsequent financial years to 31/05/2022, 31/05/2023 and 31/05/2024, the total income raised was £2,589, £3,879 and £4,540 respectively.  

 

The company’s activities have benefitted the community in the following principal ways:

·      Laying more than 40 tonnes of recycled stone to improve the condition of the footpaths;

·      Manufacturing and installing benches, made from recycled timber;

·      Planting more than 3,000 saplings, comprising many native species, in support of B&NES’ Climate Emergency objectives;

·      Creating and managing our saplings nursery, containing around 1,000 baby saplings grown from seed, in partnership with More Trees B&NES;

·      Installing 6,000 litres of rainwater storage;

·      Creating small shallow ponds as ‘watering holes’ for mammals and birds;

·      Working with primary schoolchildren and Duke of Edinburgh Award students on various activities;

·      Completing two cuts of the grassland each year, the arisings being removed by raking, to improve the profusion of wild flowers;

·      Providing information about the site and our activities by means of our website and social media, and by improved signs and other information in the Fields.

 

In October 2024, the CIC was awarded the highest category of ‘Level 5, Outstanding’ in the annual Royal Horticultural Society and South West in Bloom ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards, and was presented with a glass rose bowl by Bath in Bloom, this being their top annual award for community engagement.