RESIDENTS of a road in Windermere are proving what it really means to be neighbourly, while protecting their local environment.

The efforts of people living on Victoria Road North have taken community action to new heights, from woodland management to the planting of a communal orchard.

They are being supported by green campaign Windermere Reflections as part of its Windermere Footprint project – but residents have led the way.

“We wanted to see how our community could work to live more sustainably,” said Barry Butler, one of the residents.

Following a survey to find out what local people wanted to do, the group began with a party and have gone on to improve the area and help to clean up the environment.

They won support from South Lakeland District Council to fund a woodland management plan for School Knott and organised wood-crafts events for local people.

Windermere and Bowness Civic Society agreed to ‘adopt’ the group to support its work and a community orchard was planted with the help of the Wood Education Programme and Windermere Food Group.

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All the residents received a Windermere Reflections Property Pack with tips on cutting carbon and pollution – and they have booked a training session with wildflower and bird experts in order to understand how to attract more wildlife.

“We have done several community litter picks to remove the disintegrating plastic rabbit guards from the trees. One person has spent a lot of time doing this and has collected 35 bags of guards,” said Barry.

“People have been interested in different elements of the project, but it’s the idea of helping to look after and make improvements in the woodland which has been the most popular. Being involved has got people talking and having fun when they didn’t know each other before.”

Windermere Reflections’ programme manager Liz Davey said: “These people are truly local heroes. They have sought advice and support, and then got on with it themselves. We could all learn a great deal from their example.”