A BUG hotel shaped like a quarry truck has landed a scheme to provide more habitats for wildlife a £4,000 prize.

The Bug Big Build project, to construct the unique bug hotel at Batts Combe quarry in Cheddar, picked up the top prize in the community category of the Quarry Life Award, Heidelberg Materials’ nature-based competition.

Axe Valley Men’s Shed, a social group supporting men’s mental health through practical skills, and the Somerset Earth Science Centre, a charity focused on educating people about the mineral extraction industry and its relationship to the environment, ran the scheme and claimed the £4,000 prize during an awards ceremony at Heidelberg Material UK’s head office, in Maidenhead, Surrey.

The Bug Big Build project involved the design and construction of a bug hotel shaped like a quarry truck that serves as a habitat for a variety of insects vital for a healthy ecosystem.

The judging panel, which included representatives from RSPB, were impressed with the project team’s engagement with local schools, who were invited to take part in a competition to name the bug hotel.

Seven-year-old Isaac Parsons, of Axbridge First School, came up with the winning name – the Creepy Crawler Hauler – and attended a special naming ceremony at the quarry.

Isaac Parsons with the Creepy Crawler Hauler

Gill Odolphie, education manager at Somerset Earth Science Centre, said: “This award shows that what we’ve done is really valued. We have big ambitions to roll out this project and have bug hotels across all Heidelberg Materials quarry sites in the UK to provide habitats for even more insects.”

Andy Laken, chair of Axe Valley Men’s Shed, added: “It’s been really enjoyable to be involved in this project, helping to educate children and spread the word about preserving insect habitats.”

The community stream of the competition is aimed at individuals, groups and schools to help quarry sites better connect with neighbours and raise awareness of the biodiversity at extraction sites.

Marian Garfield, sustainability director at Heidelberg Materials UK, said: “This project was a great example of strengthening quarry connection with the community. It was truly a collaborative effort, involving many members of community groups and local schools.”

Quarrying at Batts Combe dates back around 130 years, with limestone extracted to this day, which is used in ready-mixed and precast concrete products, as well as asphalt for road construction and maintenance.

Winners and runners-up at the awards