DOZENS of families recently enjoyed a wildlife-themed community fun day at a new development in Thornbury. 

Organised by housing association Sovereign, more than 150 guests joined the team at the Cleve Wood development on Wednesday, August 16 to take part in a range of activities. 

Activities included a floral crown making session with Jolie’s Fleurs, face painting and sustainable wildflower seed bomb workshops. 

Sessions were run by several organisations and businesses including Jolie’s Fleurs, Owl Occasions and Thornbury Orchard Group.

The show-stopper of the day was a visit from Loki the Barn Owl and his handler David Knowles from Owl Occasions, who provided guests with a fascinating talk on the different types of owls in the UK and how they live in the wild.  

The children then had the opportunity to meet Loki face-to-face and ask questions about the beautiful owl.

Gazette Series: Ivie and Nole with Thornbury Orchard GroupIvie and Nole with Thornbury Orchard Group (Image: Sovereign)

Guests also enjoyed delicious food and drink from local suppliers Butties Sandwich Bar and Ezzy’s Ices, before the charity raffle took place at the end of the day. 

The raffle was free for all guests to enter, with Sovereign choosing to make a £250 donation to both Young Minds and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, rather than charge for tickets.

Michelle Edwards was the winner of an annual pass to Bristol Zoo Project. 

She said: “Wow, what an amazing prize! My boys are over the moon. 

“We will visit the Wild Place Project all the time now. Thank you so much to Sovereign for a lovely day and incredible gift – even without winning a raffle prize, we have still had such a fantastic day.”

Gazette Series: Les, Linda, Poppy and Roman enjoying the dayLes, Linda, Poppy and Roman enjoying the day (Image: Sovereign)

Gazette Series: Sovereign

Lisa Moran, Sales and Marketing Director at Sovereign said: “The wildlife event has been a great day filled with excitement and community spirit. 

“Cleve Wood is a vibrant neighbourhood with a real community feel, and today has captured the spirit of this perfectly. 

“Wildlife and biodiversity have been key considerations when designing and building the scheme, so we are thrilled to have celebrated and learnt more about our local wildlife today with so many visitors."