Moving forward to Shaftesbury 2030: what can you do this summer?
Last month's event Shaftesbury 2030: Choosing our future at Shaftesbury School started conversations: What changes do we each want to make as we adapt to more sustainable lifestyles? and: How can Shaftesbury support us? This month's film underpinned the importance of 2030; collectively we need change during this decade. Here are some of the ways you could build momentum in Shaftesbury over the summer ...
Town Councillor and chair of the Planning & Highways Committee, Virginia Edwyn-Jones, participated in last month's event and afterwards wrote: I would very much like to meet up to discuss how we can move things along as a town. She subsequently shared many ideas including for any of us to work more closely with the town council (STC).
- If transport strategy is your thing you could join in a working group that will be formulating a Shaftesbury view on the regional M4 Connectivity Study. Email Virginia (VEdwyn-Jones@shaftesbury-tc.gov.uk) for background information and an invite to meeting on Tuesday June 28th.
- Home energy efficiency measures for different styles of building, as well as heating technologies and energy generation, will be a key focus during the Dorset Greener Homes event which STC are supporting this year. Virginia is keen to include a range of homes and technologies that are particularly relevant for Shaftesbury. Could you help to find hosts? The event is already on the website or email Rachel c/o planetshaftesbury@gmail.com for more information.
- Is community energy your thing? New initiatives might include finding streets where people joining together to arrange solar panel installations could achieve discounted rates. Or identifying potential locations for a wind turbine. Or using a thermal imaging camera to spot our leakiest homes. Email planetshaftesbury@gmail.com to be connected with others and start moving forward with Virginia's support.
- Attend town council meetings. Details including agendas are on their website. Any of us can attend and there's an opportunity for comments and questions at the start of each meeting. Do their priorities reflect the declaration of a climate emergency? What progress has been made on the Sustainability Action Plan? Over to you!
... Help to extend the conversations
Planet Shaftesbury has a stall at the Summer Fair organised by Shaftesbury Primary PTA on 2nd July 11am-2pm. Pop by to support the school and volunteers from several of our projects. To get involved with preparations to include nature, biodiversity, hedgehogs and whales contact Jocelyn Elson-Riggins (email jocelyn_gaynor@yahoo.com).
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show on August 17th provides an opportunity to engage with families having a day out. This year local green groups are sharing a stand with Dorset Climate Action Network. Key themes will be hedgerows and energy-saving measures for the home and there'll be information for the curious as well as activities to engage children. We need more people: get involved in preparations or add yourself to the rota, email co-ordinator jennymorisetti@hotmail.com
A noticeboard is available to promote events and groups organised by people from across the Planet Shaftesbury network. Or get creative and design an eye-catching poster for us all. Email to planetshaftesbury@gmail.com. Thank you to the Swans Trust for providing us with the noticeboard which is now a feature of Swans Yard!
Shape a public information display: Imagine a kiosk or stall designed to support local people who want to make lifestyle changes in response to the global challenges we face. What would you include? Home energy? Travel? Food? Waste? Gardening for wildlife? Come along to either of our meetings in July to share ideas with others and get involved in creating a mock-up for display in the town.
