DorsetCAN Newsletter 4 ~ May 2021
This Newsletter brings news of Climate & Nature Crisis events (black) and campaigns (green) across Dorset (some led by DorsetCAN, some by other organisations), plus resources (red) and case studies (teal) with ideas which we think could be an inspiration for other towns and villages in the county. There's also Help Needed (earthy brown) and magnificent purple stuff (yup).
We’re building our website - if you’re part of a group that should be listed, please let us know at: DorsetCAN.news@gmail.com
We have a dream for Dorset: a Dorset with clean rivers, fantastic public transport, chemical free fields, carbon neutral homes for everyone, not just the rich, regenerating wildlife, locally-grown food, resilient town and village communities AND the Great Dorset Hedge. When we've finished the dream we'll be inviting the whole county to sign up to it.
We’re building our website - if you’re part of a group that should be listed, please let us know at: DorsetCAN.news@gmail.com
We have a dream for Dorset: a Dorset with clean rivers, fantastic public transport, chemical free fields, carbon neutral homes for everyone, not just the rich, regenerating wildlife, locally-grown food, resilient town and village communities AND the Great Dorset Hedge. When we've finished the dream we'll be inviting the whole county to sign up to it.
*** CAMPAIGNS ***
*** CAMPAIGN by the Dorset CEE Bill Alliance ***
Help get the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill passed (YES we can!)
Why we need the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill (CEE Bill)
We're on a pathway to climate chaos and 1 million species are at serious threat of extinction. For a science-based explanation of the grave situation we face the 15 min video below is really helpful. (If you can't see it, view it here on YouTube). If it's passed as an Act of Parliament the CEE Bill would be game-changing. It would ensure the Government develops an emergency strategy and would accelerate the ability of local authorities, such as Dorset Council and all our Town and Parish Councils, to tackle the C&EE and rapidly reduce carbon emissions.
We're on a pathway to climate chaos and 1 million species are at serious threat of extinction. For a science-based explanation of the grave situation we face the 15 min video below is really helpful. (If you can't see it, view it here on YouTube). If it's passed as an Act of Parliament the CEE Bill would be game-changing. It would ensure the Government develops an emergency strategy and would accelerate the ability of local authorities, such as Dorset Council and all our Town and Parish Councils, to tackle the C&EE and rapidly reduce carbon emissions.
What's been happening lately? On that basis, Dorset Council and Dorset's Westminster MPs should support the CEE Bill. Two years ago, Dorset Council declared a C&EE and it desperately needs central government funding and support to achieve its climate and nature strategy and goals. But last month the Leader and the Chair of Dorset Council refused to allow a motion to support the CEE Bill to be heard by Full Council. The Dorset CEE Bill Alliance is disgusted with this decision to block debate, as are many Councillors. Meanwhile, Devon, Oxfordshire and Cornwall Councils to name but a few, and our very own Portland Town and Bridport Town Councils, and Corfe Castle Parish Council recently voted to back the Bill. Well done them! Our sincere gratitude.
What CAN you do?
What CAN you do?
- If you haven't, please sign the petition and ask your friends to sign it.
- Contact your Dorset MP to ask him to vote for the Bill when it re-enters Parliament. For help contacting your MP, click here.
Another reason we need the CEE Bill
The housing secretary Robert Jenrick has rejected Swale Borough Council’s attempts to impose stringent carbon reduction conditions on plans for 675 homes in Sittingbourne (Kent). In his decision, Jenrick agreed that “the need for housebuilding to become greener, warmer and more energy efficient has become more urgent”. Despite this, he ruled that “under the plan-led system, it is not possible or desirable to predict what policies might apply in the future and apply them now”. The council’s proposed conditions “went beyond current and emerging national policy”, and were therefore not “reasonable or necessary”.
DorsetCAN Comment: That’s why we need the CEE Bill to move current national policy forward. The knock-on effect on planning decisions (among many other things) will be important.
DorsetCAN Comment: That’s why we need the CEE Bill to move current national policy forward. The knock-on effect on planning decisions (among many other things) will be important.
*** CAMPAIGN by Dorset Action***
DORSET PENSION FUND - Don't delay! Divest from Fossil Fuels Today!
A growing number of people in Dorset and across the South West understand that continued investment in fossil fuels is bad for our planet, bad for our health, bad for our future and bad for our bank account.
Calling all Dorset Pension Fund Members (DC and BCP) Do you want a clean, genuinely green, fossil-free pension? Tell Dorset Pension Fund to divest your money from fossil fuels, and invest in climate-friendly alternatives. Details of how to do this and a summary of the campaign efforts so far can be found on the campaign page.
A growing number of people in Dorset and across the South West understand that continued investment in fossil fuels is bad for our planet, bad for our health, bad for our future and bad for our bank account.
Calling all Dorset Pension Fund Members (DC and BCP) Do you want a clean, genuinely green, fossil-free pension? Tell Dorset Pension Fund to divest your money from fossil fuels, and invest in climate-friendly alternatives. Details of how to do this and a summary of the campaign efforts so far can be found on the campaign page.
*** CAMPAIGN by Dorset CAN***
Fix the Local Plan and halve the number of planned new houses (YES we can!)
Dorset Local Plan: The Dorset CAN Advocacy Team will shortly launch their campaign to secure a re-think of Dorset Local Plan. Following a meeting with Peter Bowyer, chairman of Dorset CPRE they agreed a slight change in the stated aim, which now reads (more clearly):
“We call for three main changes to the Local Plan:
“We call for three main changes to the Local Plan:
- Reduce from 39,000 to 20,000 the number of new homes to be built so that they are in line with local need and fully meet our shortage of truly affordable housing
- Preserve the sensitive ecology of our county and the “green lungs” around our towns by avoiding any major new developments in the AONB, avoiding all encroachment on the Green Belt land in Eastern Dorset and substantially reducing the scale of new greenfield housing estates elsewhere.
- Ensure all new housing developments are built to sustainable and net-zero emissions standards to ensure compatibility with the council’s own Strategy for Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and avoid costly retrofitting at a later date.”
Planning News -- new angle on the Dorset Local Plan
Analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) suggests that at least 1.1 million homes in England with planning permission have yet to be built. Why does this matter? Because here in Dorset the draft Dorset Local Plan (which DorsetCAN is campaigning strongly to change) proposes to build 39,000 new homes in the county by 2038 (causing heavy incursion on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and breaching the Green Belt).
The LGA says 2,782,300 homes have been granted planning permission by councils since 2010/11. But only 1,627,730 have been built. This shows, they say, that planning is not the barrier to housebuilding - it's the housing delivery system that must be reformed.
To help councils to get developers to build out their permissions quicker, the LGA is calling for the government's new Planning Bill to enable councils to charge developers full council tax for every unbuilt development from the point the original planning permission expires. The planning bill should also make it easier for councils to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire stalled housing sites.
Read more on this story at The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
The LGA says 2,782,300 homes have been granted planning permission by councils since 2010/11. But only 1,627,730 have been built. This shows, they say, that planning is not the barrier to housebuilding - it's the housing delivery system that must be reformed.
To help councils to get developers to build out their permissions quicker, the LGA is calling for the government's new Planning Bill to enable councils to charge developers full council tax for every unbuilt development from the point the original planning permission expires. The planning bill should also make it easier for councils to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire stalled housing sites.
Read more on this story at The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
*** CAMPAIGN by Power for People on the LOCAL ELECTRICITY BILL***
On the morning of 20th May there will be a major opportunity for the Local Electricity Bill campaign when 20 backbench MPs are randomly drawn in a Parliamentary ballot. Because the Local Electricity Bill is now supported by nearly half of all MPs, Power for People will attempt to have it adopted as a Ballot Bill by one of the 20 MPs.
(The Local Electricity Bill would give small-scale renewable energy a massive boost by empowering communities to sell their energy directly to local people.)
On the day, they need your help persuading one of the 20 lucky MPs to choose the Local Electricity Bill. They need you to email every one of the 20 MPs with a short, simple message asking them to adopt the Local Electricity Bill. Go here to see a short video explaining how you can help.
(The Local Electricity Bill would give small-scale renewable energy a massive boost by empowering communities to sell their energy directly to local people.)
On the day, they need your help persuading one of the 20 lucky MPs to choose the Local Electricity Bill. They need you to email every one of the 20 MPs with a short, simple message asking them to adopt the Local Electricity Bill. Go here to see a short video explaining how you can help.
*** CAMPAIGN by XR Dorchester, Weymouth & Portland (and others)***
Ceremony of Nothing Sunday 16th May from 11am: Dorchester Borough Gardens
On 16 May 2019 we celebrated when Dorset Council declared a climate and ecological, a proud moment and an optimistic start from our brand-new Council. Two years on...and two public consultations later, we still have no published action plan, no transparency of the decisions being made, no debate at Full Council and a large dose of silence. From the perspective of regular Dorset residents, it looks like the Council have done nothing and said nothing about the C&EE. That's not good enough.
Please join a family-friendly Ceremony of Nothing to mourn the lost opportunities, and send a positive message to Dorset Council that they urgently need to get on with it. Please visit the Facebook event to indicate you are going and share with friends, family and network. Everyone welcome!
Please join a family-friendly Ceremony of Nothing to mourn the lost opportunities, and send a positive message to Dorset Council that they urgently need to get on with it. Please visit the Facebook event to indicate you are going and share with friends, family and network. Everyone welcome!
*** CAMPAIGN by E Dorset FoE ***Martin Price, for East Dorset Friends of the Earth, has submitted a detailed 5-point objection to the proposed Eco Solutions incinerator at Hurn. The objection cited in particular the BCP Climate and Ecological Emergency Action Plan, which the proposal breaches.
You can read the full text of the objection here. |
*** CAMPAIGN by Dorset CAN ***Michael Dower, for Dorset CAN, has submitted a detailed objection to the proposed Portland Waste incinerator, citing in particular the likely impact of the incinerator on the natural environment, transport and landscape as well as conflict with Climate Action targets.
You can read the full text of the objection here. |
RESOURCES
RESOURCES --- the Health Crisis and Glyphosate/Chemical Farming
Dementia, Parkinson's, Autism, Immune Deficiencies, Inflammatory Disease... and links to Chemical Farming, Glyphosate and RoundUp.
Below is a fascinating, detailed and well-informed video with Dr Zach Bush. Bush is well respected but some say he's a charlatan. Monsanto, however, are not above reproach either. Watch the film and do your own research.
Below is a fascinating, detailed and well-informed video with Dr Zach Bush. Bush is well respected but some say he's a charlatan. Monsanto, however, are not above reproach either. Watch the film and do your own research.
RESOURCES: Help for Town and Parish Councillors
Support for Town and Parish Councillors in Dorset. If you serve on a town or parish council, or know anyone who does, Caz Dennett and Julie-Ann Booker run a monthly Climate & Ecological Emergency Support meeting for councillors. Contact Julie-Ann for details. Next one is 18th May...
RESOURCES: How to talk to friends/neighbours/strangers about the crisis
Climate Outreach: Britain Talks Climate
A little introduction to a big opportunity! Britain Talks Climate is an evidence-based toolkit designed to support any organisation that wants to engage the British public on climate change and find the most effective ways to start conversations. It can also equip individual campaigners and communicators with the insights they need to shape the debate in a way that seeks to draw on shared values and avoid divisions.
The segmentation research underpinning Britain Talks Climate identifies 7 distinct groups. It reveals a public that is fractured but not deeply polarised, with climate change emerging as an issue that has the potential to unite us. Building narratives that resonate with a diverse range of values and everyday concerns is critical for the long-term goal of deepening public engagement – and keeping it there.
Coming soon... People's Assembly style meeting / workshop to explore how we can apply the learnings from Climate Outreach to engage with different groups across Dorset. In the meantime... check out the toolkit on their website: climateoutreach.org/britain-talks-climate
Email Caz Dennett if you're interested in getting involved: de-net@hotmail.co.uk
A little introduction to a big opportunity! Britain Talks Climate is an evidence-based toolkit designed to support any organisation that wants to engage the British public on climate change and find the most effective ways to start conversations. It can also equip individual campaigners and communicators with the insights they need to shape the debate in a way that seeks to draw on shared values and avoid divisions.
The segmentation research underpinning Britain Talks Climate identifies 7 distinct groups. It reveals a public that is fractured but not deeply polarised, with climate change emerging as an issue that has the potential to unite us. Building narratives that resonate with a diverse range of values and everyday concerns is critical for the long-term goal of deepening public engagement – and keeping it there.
Coming soon... People's Assembly style meeting / workshop to explore how we can apply the learnings from Climate Outreach to engage with different groups across Dorset. In the meantime... check out the toolkit on their website: climateoutreach.org/britain-talks-climate
Email Caz Dennett if you're interested in getting involved: de-net@hotmail.co.uk
RESOURCES: Farming News -- how to respond to the Nitrogen Crisis
Precision agriculture, smart nitrogen, deep placement... just three of the ways we can respond intelligently to the nitrogen crisis.
A May 2021 New Scientist article reports on the 'Nitrogen Crisis' - the forgotten environmental issue. It reports that a United Nations panel set up to assess the problem has said that nitrogen pollution is one of the most dire crises we face. The key issues revolve around chemical farming and fertilisers. But it's not all doom and gloom. New Scientist reports on techniques that are already being used:
If you're interested in questions like this, please contact Dorset CAN's Land Use team, which is already a hive of expertise and activity and could always use more members/supporters.
A May 2021 New Scientist article reports on the 'Nitrogen Crisis' - the forgotten environmental issue. It reports that a United Nations panel set up to assess the problem has said that nitrogen pollution is one of the most dire crises we face. The key issues revolve around chemical farming and fertilisers. But it's not all doom and gloom. New Scientist reports on techniques that are already being used:
- to inject nitrogen more deeply, accurately and effectively into the soil to avoid run-off pollution
- to deliver fertiliser only where it's needed via agricultural drones
- to coat the seeds, not spray the soil
If you're interested in questions like this, please contact Dorset CAN's Land Use team, which is already a hive of expertise and activity and could always use more members/supporters.
RESOURCES: Hedgerows & Woodland Project Event (past but JOIN the Purbeck Action)
At an amazing online event this week on their Hedgerows and Woodland Project, organised by Alexia Haysom - Planet Purbeck's inspirational Land Use Team Coordinator - we heard about plans for creating tree nurseries and restoring and regenerating hedgerows on Purbeck. In the west of the county, Char Valley Lifelines (see the CASE STUDIES at the end of this newsletter) is aiming to extend its 'chemical-free corridors' project to map and regenerate local hedges. There's a sense of things starting to join up.
Then at the Planet Purbeck event, the Great Dorset Hedge was mentioned. There's a vision! Miles and miles of new and established hedges reaching across the county like green fingers, allowing wildlife to thrive and wilder nature to flourish. You heard it here first: the Great Dorset Hedge is coming.
Find out more about Planet Purbeck's Hedgerows and Wood Pasture Group
Then at the Planet Purbeck event, the Great Dorset Hedge was mentioned. There's a vision! Miles and miles of new and established hedges reaching across the county like green fingers, allowing wildlife to thrive and wilder nature to flourish. You heard it here first: the Great Dorset Hedge is coming.
Find out more about Planet Purbeck's Hedgerows and Wood Pasture Group
RESOURCES: Mapping and restoring local ecosystems - a role model from Berkshire
BioCap is an amazing young organisation in Berkshire addressing the Biodiversity and Climate crises through community led, landscape ecosystem restoration and carbon capture. It's developing "Opportunity Maps" of the countryside in a particular region and using them to provide a vision of where nature based activity, such as establishing trees, can be used to offset carbon and improve wildlife habitat. Their aim is to engage a local community through practical work, biodiversity enhancements and carbon offsetting to bring about the positive changes in the Opportunity Map.
Could they help or be a role model in your local area? Interested? Find out more about BioCap.
(See also the Char Valley Lifelines Case Study in this issue)
Could they help or be a role model in your local area? Interested? Find out more about BioCap.
(See also the Char Valley Lifelines Case Study in this issue)
RESOURCES: A great way to get your international climate news
Watch the big picture: DeSmog was founded in January 2006 to clear the PR pollution (greenwash) that clouds conversations about climate change. Their team quickly became the world’s number one source for accurate information on global warming misinformation campaigns. Follow their reporting at www.desmog.com
Their latest headline article (12th May) reads:
“The UK government has defended its decision to celebrate representatives of companies involved in Canada’s controversial tar sands industry as “Climate Champions”, ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit it is set to host later this year. A UK-Canada event last week praised 26 “exceptional individuals actively working to move Canada to net-zero emissions”, five of whom work for companies and investors involved in the fossil fuel industry, including the Canadian oil sands.”
DorsetCAN Comment: Looks like COP26 will be interesting on this. Will David Attenborough outplay the 'net-zero ambassadors' from the fossil fuels industries?
Their latest headline article (12th May) reads:
“The UK government has defended its decision to celebrate representatives of companies involved in Canada’s controversial tar sands industry as “Climate Champions”, ahead of the COP26 UN climate summit it is set to host later this year. A UK-Canada event last week praised 26 “exceptional individuals actively working to move Canada to net-zero emissions”, five of whom work for companies and investors involved in the fossil fuel industry, including the Canadian oil sands.”
DorsetCAN Comment: Looks like COP26 will be interesting on this. Will David Attenborough outplay the 'net-zero ambassadors' from the fossil fuels industries?
RESOURCES: News on fossil fuels - funding, technologies, international (in)action
Get your fossil-free news all in one place, regularly from 350.org. See a sample issue of their newsletter and sign up here.
HELP NEEDED
HELP NEEDED: Dorset CAN needs people to ask good questions!
Dorset CAN is busy putting questions to Dorset Council and its various committees, asking about its Local Plan Climate & Ecological Emergency Strategy, its Pensions Fund (which is heavily invested in fossil fuels), its transport plans... and more.
You can see a sample meeting and the questions asked by DorsetCAN members and others, and the responses received here.
You can see the full list of questions asked by/on behalf of DorsetCAN this year here.
If you'd like to help us plan, organise and ask questions at future meetings, please get in touch with the DorsetCAN Questions Team.
You can see a sample meeting and the questions asked by DorsetCAN members and others, and the responses received here.
You can see the full list of questions asked by/on behalf of DorsetCAN this year here.
If you'd like to help us plan, organise and ask questions at future meetings, please get in touch with the DorsetCAN Questions Team.
HELP NEEDED: Dorset CAN needs a membership coordinator
Membership Coordinator/s
Dorset CAN is setting up a membership scheme with a voluntary donation invited annually instead of a subscription.
We aim to build the membership base, which will include both individual members and organisational members.
Having a wide and diverse, engaged membership is key to Dorset CAN’s success.
Main responsibilities:
A key early-stage task and finish responsibility for the Membership Coordinator(s) is to ensure that the membership database links cleanly and effectively with the new website.
To apply or for more information, please contact Vicki
(If you saw our email on this last week, you'll remember we were also looking for a Treasurer. We've found one! Thank you Dorset, brilliant people.)
Dorset CAN is setting up a membership scheme with a voluntary donation invited annually instead of a subscription.
We aim to build the membership base, which will include both individual members and organisational members.
Having a wide and diverse, engaged membership is key to Dorset CAN’s success.
Main responsibilities:
- Co-ordinate a Membership Team to build the membership of Dorset CAN in line with its constitution
- Retain and manage the membership database in line with GDPR
- Synchronise the membership database with Mailchimp
- Ensure Mailchimp is managed and segmented as agreed by the Steering Group
- Report regularly to the Steering Group on membership data
A key early-stage task and finish responsibility for the Membership Coordinator(s) is to ensure that the membership database links cleanly and effectively with the new website.
To apply or for more information, please contact Vicki
(If you saw our email on this last week, you'll remember we were also looking for a Treasurer. We've found one! Thank you Dorset, brilliant people.)
PURPLE STUFF
HOPE: When is a door not a door? |
BIRDS: Why we have to act NOW |
|
The winds of change
Deloitte is one of the Big Four accounting organizations and the largest professional services network in the world by revenue and number of professionals. The latest ‘Monday Briefing’ from Deloitte’s Chief Economist in the UK was headed “It’s time to value the environment” and began with a full page on the climate and nature emergency, It concluded by quoting the Dasgupta Report to the effect that “no amount of technological progress can make economic growth as conventionally measured an indefinite possibility. Ours is inevitably a finite economy, as is the biosphere of which we are part”. Read the 10th May Deloitte's Monday Briefing in full here. DorsetCAN Comment: The door is truly ajar. Can we all lean against it? (Stronger together) |
From the New York Times, September 2019
"Nearly one-third of the wild birds in the United States and Canada have vanished since 1970, a staggering loss that suggests the very fabric of North America’s ecosystem is unraveling. The disappearance of 2.9 billion birds over the past nearly 50 years was reported in the journal Science, a result of a comprehensive study by a team of scientists from seven research institutions in the USA & Canada. As directors of two major research institutes that directed this study, even we were shocked by the results. The magnitude of losses among 300 bird species was much larger than we had expected and alarmingly widespread across the continent. What makes this study particularly compelling is the trustworthiness of the data... and the results signal an unfolding crisis. More than half our grassland birds have disappeared, 717 million in all. Forests have lost more than one billion birds." Read the full NY Times article. (Subscription needed.) DorsetCAN Comment: 30% of North American birds; up to 80% of German insects - the losses are shocking. This is why we are DorsetCAN - there is NO TIME TO WASTE (Stronger together) . |
Together we CAN event
At our last event Dorset CAN on 28th April:
Do have a quick scan, it's well worth your time and you will be inspired! Here are three highlights:
- We crafted letters to our MPs, sharing our experiences.
- We learned about the process and strategy of submitting questions to local council meetings,
- We heard your ideas for creative actions. Some brilliant ideas were shared in the breakout rooms and are summarised in the document below.
Do have a quick scan, it's well worth your time and you will be inspired! Here are three highlights:
- Let’s make development plans visible and striking! Can we use art and demonstrations to highlight development on greenfield sites?
- Can we get on the open topped buses to make noise for public transport? Another attention grabbing visual to highlight a critical issue.
- You suggested a coordinated eco-homes open house event to highlight the benefits of retrofit and address hesitancy.
- DTAction - A very clear website with instructions on how to take action to address the Climate & Ecological Emergency in Dorset
- Hope for the Future - Get tailored advice for communicating more effectively with your MP.
- Areas for Action - Please have a look at this spreadsheet and comment or get in touch if you know a specific group that are actively working on one of these issues so that we might support them.
- Join one of our Dorset CAN Teams!
Ecochurch in DorsetNews from Brother Hugh at Hilfield Friary: "27 Dorset churches of many denominations have gained Ecochurch awards since the national scheme launched 5 years ago. So far in Dorset, there have been about 21 bronze awards, 4 silver and 2 gold awards (out of only 16 awarded nationally). Many more are registered to work towards bronze. Churches have to achieve standards in worship and teaching, buildings, land, community and global engagement, and lifestyle. Most are Anglican, but Lyme Regis Baptists have a silver and the Immanuel Church in Southbourne a bronze. Details, including a map of participating churches
The Diocese of Salisbury gained the first ever EcoDiocese Bronze Award in 2018. The C of E General Synod has set a 2030 target for net zero carbon emissions." |
Shell ShockAn institution that describes itself as “the home of ingenuity” has come up with a novel way of demonstrating its commitment to future generations.
Already under fire for partnerships with oil giants BP and Equinor, London’s Science Museum delicately dropped another bombshell last month, quietly revealing the new major sponsor of its upcoming flagship climate exhibition: Shell. Thanks for this news from DeSmog (see the earlier piece on International Climate News) |
%%% FORTHCOMING EVENTS %%%
16 MAY: CEREMONY of NOTHING Sunday 16th May from 11am: Dorchester Borough Gardens (see details earlier in this newsletter).
A fleshworld event - NOT ON ZOOM
A fleshworld event - NOT ON ZOOM
19 MAY: GARDENING EVENT: BRIDPORT. Seeding our Future and Transition Town Bridport are holding an Open Veg and Fruit Garden event on Wednesday 19th May from 2pm-5pm. This will include an opportunity to visit up to two Bridport venues to talk to gardeners about the methods and crops they are using to help adapt to climate change. The event is free but everyone who wishes to attend will need to book a slot through the eventbrite website. To book your place and for more information please click here.
A fleshworld event - NOT ON ZOOM
A fleshworld event - NOT ON ZOOM
01 JUNE: CPRE North Dorset Group AGM and Talk by Jo Witherden, local planning consultant, on "Rebuilding Trust in Dorset's Planning System", online Tuesday 1st June at 5.30pm. Reserve a place and obtain Zoom link from rupert@hardyfinancial.co.uk
02 JUNE NETTLE EVENT: STOUR PROVOST SP8. As part of Dorset Art Weeks and themed around Sustainable Living there will be demonstrations, displays, upcycled fashion and half term activities at Hawkers Farm SP8 5LZ. See their website for details: www.hawkersfarm.org
One of these is the Nettle Workshop Wed 2nd June 10.15 - 4pm
Brigitte Kaltenbacher from http://www.beekaymakes.co.uk/will run this workshop at Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost, SP8 5 LZ. In the morning you will learn how to identify and gather the nettles which are most suitable for fibre extraction. Then move on to learning how to extract the nettle fibre and turn it initially into string.
Cost: £55. To book a place email Jennifer Morisetti at: info@creatinghealthyhomes.com or call 07801 240103.
One of these is the Nettle Workshop Wed 2nd June 10.15 - 4pm
Brigitte Kaltenbacher from http://www.beekaymakes.co.uk/will run this workshop at Hawkers Farm, Stour Provost, SP8 5 LZ. In the morning you will learn how to identify and gather the nettles which are most suitable for fibre extraction. Then move on to learning how to extract the nettle fibre and turn it initially into string.
Cost: £55. To book a place email Jennifer Morisetti at: info@creatinghealthyhomes.com or call 07801 240103.
12 JUNE ECO-TRAILS: MARNHULL. AS part of Dorset Art Weeks and themed around Sustainable Living there will be a day of Eco Trails at Marnhull, on Saturday 12 June. The Trails will be walking- and cycle-friendly routes around the village, linking volunteers willing to chat about their experience with solar panels, batteries, ground- and air- source heating, electric cars & bikes, meadows & wilding, eco-dying & printing, wildlife gardening, composting, apple juicing, tree-planting, beekeeping, litter-picking, recycled glass art, and recycling in general. Find out more on the Marnhull Green TEAMS Facebook page, or email marnhullgreen@outlook.com or call 01258 268714 and see the Marnhull Case Study (below).
09 JULY: DCAN EVENT: DCAN Summer Social - Friday 9th July 11am-3pm SAVE THE DATE
Another fleshworld event - NOT ON ZOOM 💚 Location TBC You are invited to in person Dorset CAN Summer Social. We have got to know each other well through our computer screens now we have an opportunity this summer to meet face to face and share lunch together.
Venue? Do you have or know anyone that could provide a venue? We are looking for a venue that has a nice outside area we can use plus a sheltered indoor area in case it rains.
Another fleshworld event - NOT ON ZOOM 💚 Location TBC You are invited to in person Dorset CAN Summer Social. We have got to know each other well through our computer screens now we have an opportunity this summer to meet face to face and share lunch together.
Venue? Do you have or know anyone that could provide a venue? We are looking for a venue that has a nice outside area we can use plus a sheltered indoor area in case it rains.
CASE STUDIES
This month we've got three more inspiring 'Look and Learn' case studies for you:
- DorsetCAN Case Study 5: Trees for Beaminster – How to Run a Tree Planting Campaign
- Dorset CAN Case Study 4 - Char Valley River and Lifelines – Bringing Back the Wild Things
- Dorset CAN Case Study 7 - Marnhull Green Teams
Introducing Greener Gillingham - a mini case study
Greener Gillingham was set up in the North Dorset town towards the end of 2019. Attending Planet Shaftesbury meetings in the absence of any such group in our own town, 3 or 4 of us decided to set up our own group, to "think global act local". Most of us continue to be in touch with Planet Shaftesbury as we do so. As a group of around 8 - 10 people, Greener Gillingham wanted to start some small projects to raise local awareness about climate and environment issues, to engage more people in our activities, and to add to and improve efforts to develop our town's biodiversity and open space management. We held several successful sessions collecting items for recycling. There were many volunteers for a Repair Café and we chose a starting date. We dreamed of an apple pressing day and sharing surplus garden produce in the autumn. Then the first lockdown happened and both schemes closed.
Our numbers have doubled despite lockdown and we have been meeting monthly on Zoom. During the past months we have started to connect with our Town Council over management of open spaces, looked into incorporation and fund raising for our group, and made connections with local organisations and individuals working in an environmentally friendly way with land management. We want to develop links with the Gillingham Action for Nature Group. We are starting to plan tree planting (during the winter) and growing vegetables in public spaces this year, as they are projects which can be planned and carried out with any necessary Covid - related distancing. We are determined to shift the balance from planning and researching to active projects as soon as possible and look forward to new people joining us as we do so. Contact us at greenergillingham@gmail.com
Our numbers have doubled despite lockdown and we have been meeting monthly on Zoom. During the past months we have started to connect with our Town Council over management of open spaces, looked into incorporation and fund raising for our group, and made connections with local organisations and individuals working in an environmentally friendly way with land management. We want to develop links with the Gillingham Action for Nature Group. We are starting to plan tree planting (during the winter) and growing vegetables in public spaces this year, as they are projects which can be planned and carried out with any necessary Covid - related distancing. We are determined to shift the balance from planning and researching to active projects as soon as possible and look forward to new people joining us as we do so. Contact us at greenergillingham@gmail.com