Launch of ‘On The Edge’ campaign by CPRE
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has recently launched a new national campaign, ‘On the Edge’, which recognises the importance of the countryside on the edges of the nation’s towns and cities. It aims to help protect and regenerate the countryside around every town and city and has included Packsaddle Community Fields in its ‘Stories from the Edge’ to demonstrate how Frome residents are fighting for the countryside on their own doorstep.
CPRE says that the countryside on the edges of our towns and cities, the edgelands, is some of the most pressured and overlooked land in England, facing neglect, lack of investment, unsustainable development and too little protection.
Winning RHS Chelsea garden
As part of its campaign, CPRE submitted a Show Garden to the Chelsea Flower Show by award-winning designer Sarah Eberle. The ‘On the Edge’ garden was set on undeveloped land looked after by a community on the urban fringe, showcasing nature’s resilience. It won a gold medal, and Best in Show at the prestigious event.
Toby Culff of People for Packsaddle said, “Those of us who know and love Packsaddle Community Fields are already very aware of the value of our own edgeland. So we are delighted that CPRE has chosen the story of our campaign as one of their Stories from the Edge. Thank you to them for highlighting what we are doing in Frome, to CPRE Somerset who have been by our side from the very beginning, and huge congratulations on winning Best in Show at Chelsea!”
Join in with the ‘On The Edge’ campaign
CPRE is inviting people across England to stand behind a shared ambition, that every town and city should be surrounded by thriving and protected countryside, for nature, climate and wellbeing. This chimes closely with the People For Packsaddle ambition to protect local fields for climate, conservation and community. The public is invited by CPRE to add their names to their campaign, to help protect and regenerate the countryside around every town and city. Find out more and support the campaign on the CPRE website.