Fakenham Area Conservation Team delivered new van from Norfolk Commercials of Dereham after fundraising

The Fakenham Area Conservation Team (FACT) took delivery of a new van this week after a long fundraising effort.

A number of FACT members received the van from a local garage in Dereham, Norfolk Commercials Ltd.

FACT, who have been doing a wide variety of nature conservation and public access works in and around Fakenham for more than 30 years, rely on having a van in order to tow a large mower and take tools to and from the sites that they manage.

It had been thought that with their old van coming to the end of its life after serving them for more than 15 years they might have to pack up their efforts.

However a concerted fund raising effort of more than £10,000 by Tracey Yardley (secretary) saw three grants from The Lottery Awards for All, the Geoffrey Watling Charity, which distributes grants for charitable purposes to organisations throughout Norfolk, and the Norfolk Community Trust being awarded and a van purchased.

FACT work with a number of partners including North Norfolk District Council (working on their tree planting projects around Fakenham), Fakenham Town Council (whose land the group helps to maintain) and a number of other organisations and groups including Hempton Parish Council.

The team does a wide variety of work from footpath cutting and clearing, tree planting and habitat management and chairman Geoff Fletcher said FACT are always looking for more members.

They are also involved with a climate change micro forestry project with North Norfolk District Council and will be monitoring the results for the council.

They have a Facebook page on which you can see their activities and to find contact details.