The ECO group would like to welcome more members to attend their monthly talks and films.

Who we are

Our Group started its life at the very beginning of Covid restrictions.  So, for the first year none of us actually met up with each other.  However, since then we have met monthly (except in December).  Yes, Eco Warriors as such, but very peaceful.  Our main aim is to learn more about what we, as individuals can do, in our normal lives to help our environment and planet.

Purpose of group: To become better informed about ecology and the environment and improve our awareness of the environmental threats which can cause ecological systems to deteriorate. To consider what we can do, as individuals and as a community, to minimise our negative impact on those systems.

We hold this group in the pleasant meeting room at The Other Place, 81 - 83 Meadow Street. We meet at 2.30pm for coffee/tea and biscuits, then into the meeting room for a 3pm start to finish at 4.15pm. The total charge is £2 (50% goes as a donation to the Other  Place, the remainder for costs of speakers, etc.). However, first time attendees do not pay.

We often invite speakers to our meetings to talk on topics related to ecology, the natural world and living in a more eco-friendly way. In the past few months our speakers have covered a wide variety of topics including how to minimise household waste and increase recycling; the cost and benefits of electric road vehicles; insights into wild animal rescue; how volunteers maintain our local nature reserves; volunteer litter pickers keeping Weston tidy; and a new local community tree nursery supporting the council's plans for new tree planting around the town. 

Trip Report

For our final meeting of the year in November, we took a minibus trip to the RSPB Reserve at Ham Wall near Glastonbury. The Reserve is a key habitat for many species of native and migrating birds, and during the winter months is a very popular roost for Starlings. Many of the Starlings are migrants from the colder areas of Northern Europe, with birds gathering at Ham Wall from November right through until the start of March. They leave the marshes during the day and go off to feed, some up to twenty miles away, and return in the afternoon. Their murmurations can start an hour or so before sunset.

We arrived at the site in the mid afternoon and had time to look around and explore some of the many ponds and walkways. We watched a beautiful Great White Egret in flight and played ’spot the species’ around the various ponds, comparing swimming waterfowl with the informative picture boards by the viewing platforms and hides. A beautiful Robin came to say Hello and hopped around us for a few minutes. A Kingfisher was heard, but was too agile to be spotted!

Just after 4pm we started to see groups of Starlings flying in towards the reed beds so we all made our way to various platforms and seats where we could get the best views towards their roosting spot. For the next half hour we were treated to the incredible sight of literally hundreds of thousands of Starlings, flying in groups, coming in from every direction towards the reed beds for the night. The sight was quite amazing, and so were the sounds of their flight as huge groups came whooshing overhead. The sound was similar to the sound of the sea. As more and more birds settled the sound of their chatter was astonishing and carried across the Reserve.

Driving back in the minibus we all felt we’d experienced something very special. We’re extremely fortunate to live so close to this site and many of us promised ourselves we would make another visit before too long.

How to find us

The Other Place does not have a sign with this name on it. However, it is easy to find, - going up Meadow Street, same side of road as Atlantic Fish Bar, but nearer to junction with Alfred Street. Look for the flowers decorating the window. All u3a members are very welcome to join us at any of our meetings.

We welcome all members of u3a, old and new.  No charge is made for your first meeting, and after that it is just £2 each time – which includes the tea/coffee and biscuits.

For further info please contact Pauline Cook

(last updated 24/03/26)