Encouraging lifestyle changes; Supporting our network; Local food topics; GBGW 'thank you's; Hedges need volunteers; Participate in Dorset's COP; Open greener homes 2023 and more |
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Talking about lifestyle changes ... Take the JUMP - is a group that promotes six, scientifically-based, lifestyle shifts that those of us who are comfortably off need to make this decade - affecting our food, travel, dress, clutter, holidays and influence. The project engages everyday people - anyone concerned about the state of nature but not necessarily 'environmentalists'. The approach is 'never any shaming but supporting each other, we're all hypocrites'. See more through the website link below ... or come to our next meeting Thursday 20th July, 7.30pm at Shaftesbury Town Hall Many of us find it difficult to talk with friends and family about making sustainable choices in our lives. Could we approach it better and with greater effect? For part of the meeting we'll be joined (online) by Magsy & Tom from Take the Jump. What can we learn from them? The meeting is open to all and there'll be some informal time for connecting with other participants. |
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Supporting Planet Shaftesbury ... If we can can find an appropriate date before the holiday season, we'll have one of our occasional, extra meetings to review what's working well and what we, collectively, could do better to support the other individuals and groups who make up our network. Join in, add your own concerns to the agenda. Please indicate convenient times for you to join in by using this Doodle poll (by 15th July). To suggest other dates and times after the holidays please comment on the recent post in the website Forum... (where you'll also see a request for objections to a recent application for an extension of planning permission for onshore oil drilling). |
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Local Food ... what, how, where? Shaftesbury Food Festival: Celebrate local food & drink. Sunday, 9th July, 10am-4pm. Amongst the fun and frivolity find producers from The Dorset Farmers Market and Dorset Food and Drink in the High Street. Food Resilience in Dorset: How can we support the shift to locally secure, low-emission, nature positive food production and diets in Dorset? Webinar and discussion hosted by Dorset Climate Action Network's Land Use team, Monday, 10th July, 7pm. Registration via event details on our website. Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future: the newly released, second book by small farmer, social scientist and blogger, Chris Smaje, makes the case for an ecological food system and against manufactured foods. If you can't wait for Chris' next appearance in Shaftesbury then checkout his new website (ChrisSmaje.com) or hear him in conversation with ffinlo Costain in a Farmgate podcast (link below). The book will be available at Folde. Producing a Local Food Register: a small group is producing accessible basic information on local outlets that provide access to food that's healthy for humans and the planet. To get involved and receive an invite to their next meeting, please email rachel.bodle@gmail.com. |
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'Thank you' many times over - Great Big Green Week 2023 (10-18th June) Simon Hoare MP launched our GBGW activities by thanking individuals and local groups for the necessary actions that tackle issues around climate and nature and by paying tribute to both Margaret Thatcher and Caroline Lucas for championing environmental awareness in parliament. Many local people were involved in supporting our subsequent programme of activities and events. 'Thank you' to the more than 50 local businesses and organisations who provided materials, venues, or displayed a promotional poster. 'Thank you' to the people from our network who led walks or workshops, gave talks, offered reflective or creative activities, or had a presence on High Street stalls. 'Thank you' to all contributors - for varied exhibits, music and singing, artwork, passion and commitment. 'Thank you' to all attendees and participants who engaged in conversations that could enhance the impact of the week. And 'THANK YOU' to Chris Harwood who co-ordinated all of these efforts and maintained an online presence. |
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Sustainable Shaftesbury Working Group brings town councillors & staff together with people who have diverse environmental expertise. The group is working on a policy and action plan that can set the town on its way to greater sustainability. Glyphosate update: The practical relevance of the group's work came to the fore at a town council meeting this week where the 2016 policy relating to the exceptional use of glyphosate was due to be reviewed. The decision was deferred until after Sustainable Shaftesbury has completed its report. Let's Go Wild in the garden: An additional contribution from the group was launched on 5th July - a free, beautifully illustrated poster to encourage us to welcome wildlife into our gardens. The artwork, produced by Gary Cook, is being made available to other councils so that they can produce their own versions (contact Brie Logan at Shaftesbury Town Council for free use of the illustrations). The poster and leaflets are available to residents, at no charge, from the Town Council and throughout the town. For an interactive version online see the link below. Hedges in town: Shaftesbury Tree Group has launched a project to safeguard and protect the town’s significant hedges and they're looking for volunteers. Angela King writes: "Much attention is rightly being given to the loss of hedgerows in the countryside. But what about hedges in our towns and villages?" The Tree Group wants to Identify important hedges so they can be given special consideration in proposed housing/road development areas, and be included in the revised Neighbourhood Plan ... Locally Important/Significant Hedges will be highlighted according to their location, history/archaeology, species richness or role as a vital natural corridor for wildlife. They may contain interesting trees, have local interest and affection, or contribute to the distinctive character and beauty of the town. Could you help to identify and survey these important hedges so they have a better chance of being cared for and protected? Please let Angela know if you are interested and she'll arrange a special meeting - email: angela.king37@btinternet.com |
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The Government's independent Climate Change Committee has now published its 2023 assessment of UK performance towards achievement of its Net Zero plans. The Climate Change Committee’s confidence in the UK meeting its goals from 2030 onwards is now markedly less than it was in their previous assessment a year ago. There is a live online Q&A on Wednesday 12th July at 11am with Committee members answering questions from the public. Details via the link below. Hawkers Farm: is a hub for diverse projects and sustainability-themed events including regular Thursday morning sessions for Hawkers Re-creatives which have now been added to our events listings. On 13th July they'll be experimenting with natural printing, no experience necessary. |
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Shaftesbury School: There are opportunities to support the school's ever more ambitious and innovative Destination Imagination and TEDx Youth activities during the next school year. See more about either of these through the links below. To join other volunteers and be connected with Alex More at the school please email planetshaftesbury@gmail.com Vision for Shaftesbury: is a new community group coming together to oversee a project that will find out and declare what the wider community wants for Shaftesbury in 20 years' time - with the potential to influence decisions that will affect the area. The enquiry will be as wide ranging and inclusive as it can be and a process inspired by citizens assemblies will be used to define the vision and recommendations (as was used to derive the People's Plan for Nature). This is not a Planet Shaftesbury project and participation in the group will not provide any opportunities to predetermine what the vision will look like, however, interested individuals from this network are invited to become involved. Contact Rachel, rachel.bodle@gmail.com Dorset COP: Saturday 9th September 2023, Dorchester Corn Exchange. Would you be interested in attending this gathering of like minded souls to network and listen to inspiring speakers? Topics will include: Nature Recovery, Circular Economy, Youth Activism and Energy. There will be an opportunity for groups to showcase their achievements as well as a selection of workshops. If you are interested please register as a member of Planet Shaftesbury or as a representative of another group using the link below. If you'd be willing to describe the experience at one of our meetings (informally), please email planetshaftesbury@gmail.com Fantastic Fungi: this well-reviewed film was unable to be shown during Great Big Green Week and will, instead, feature during a Mmmm, 'Monday movie, meal and mingling' session, early in the autumn. Details will appear in the next newsletter and on the website. Open Homes 2023: A selection of greener homes across Dorset will be open to the public again this year (late September). As well as seeing some new technologies, there's always interest in hearing what ordinary people have been able to do in ordinary homes to support more sustainable living or reduce energy costs. Have you made changes that people might like to find out about? For more information about joining other Shaftesbury area homes that will be open, please contact Rachel as above. |
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