A FESTIVE workshop for children to make nest boxes for birds and bug hotels for insects saw a packed house on Saturday (December 9).

The event, in the Friends Meeting House, in Wellington town centre, was led by Milverton Conservation Volunteer Group in partnership with local Transition Town members.

A completed bird box in a children's workshop led by Milverton conservation volunteers and Transition Town Wellington.
A completed bird box in a children's workshop led by Milverton conservation volunteers and Transition Town Wellington. ( )

More than 20 nest boxes and bug hotels were made by the children and their parents.

The hall was filled with the sounds of well-supervised hammering, sticking, and stapling, and at the end of the session, lots of children had produced future homes for birds and mini beasts.

Putting the finishing touches to a bird box during a children's workshop in Wellington.
Putting the finishing touches to a bird box during a children's workshop in Wellington. ( )

The youngsters were also provided with advice on the best location for their nest boxes and information on the type of birds likely to use them.

A spokesperson said: “The children’s concentration while working on the boxes and hotels was a joy to see, and the wonderful sense of achievement as they proudly presented the finished results was clear to us all.

Trevor Phelps (right) and some of his elves who led a children's workshop making bird nest boxes and bug hotels.
Trevor Phelps (right) and some of his elves who led a children's workshop making bird nest boxes and bug hotels. ( )

“It was a fabulous event and resulted in some lovely home-made Christmas gifts to put under the tree this year.

“Let us hope the nesting birds in the spring will enjoy their new homes.”

Leading the activity was a ‘cheery, six-foot-six elf in stripey tights’, Trevor Phelps, who with other volunteers supervised the workshop.