Conservation work is carried out on Brean Down throughout the year, however this week the National Trust site hosted a volunteer work party with a difference.
The Squadron of 39th Signal Regiment have been working with the National Trust’s North Somerset rangers to carry out essential maintenance to the Fort at the end of Brean Down.
They have also been scrub cutting and clearing bramble and hawthorn, pictured right, to improve the flora of the southern rampart of the Iron Age hill fort.
Although based in Bristol, the Squadron fittingly bear the title ‘North Somerset Yeomanry’ and organised the day’s work with the National Trust as a leadership, cohesion and bonding exercise.
Captain Terence Morrissey explains that the rich military history of Brean Down drew the regiment to the site.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We chose Brean because of its military background and we believe that the fort was part of a chain of five batteries designed to protect Cardiff and the Bristol Channel.”
“The forts were Palmerston Forts and we carried out some voluntary work for the Palmerston Fort Society while in Gibraltar a few years ago.”
