Sustainable Haltwhistle Newsletter October 2024

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We're ready for the next step on our verge project, managed in conjunction with Haltwhistle Town Council, on a section of Avenue St Meen. We'll be sowing yellow rattle seeds into the sward on Weds 6th Nov.
Meet at 9.45am on the southern verge beside the 'for sale' vehicles.
It shouldn't be a long job - plenty of time for coffee and chat afterwards!




Veteran trees - September's lunchtime talk report
Nick Johnston, from Northumbria Veteran Trees project, talked about the importance, magic and social history of trees in Northumberland and what allows us to class a tree as Ancient or Veteran. He drew attention to the Ancient Tree Inventory where individuals can add trees to the record themselves.
Nick's project: https://www.ancienttreeforum.org.uk/

Libby Scott then brought things closer to home by discussing her work with the Beltingham Yew. Libby, along with a group of others, is working to care for and protect this wonderful piece of our living heritage.
Do get in touch if you would like to be involved: libby13scott@hotmail.co.uk

We divided the donations given at the event three ways, keeping a third to go towards our lunch costs.
We sent £30 for the Beltingham Yew project:
Thanks very much for that contribution. You're our first contributor!! Libby

And £30 to The Fairtrade Foundation:
The incredible generosity of all involved at Sustainable Haltwhistle will continue to help us to extend the reach and deepen the impact of Fairtrade across the world. This also means we can reach farmers and workers in communities with the support they need, where they have been badly affected by climate change and the pandemic. With our deepest appreciation and many thanks, Olivia.

Sycamore Gap tree exhibitions
The Sill currently has an exhibition dedicated to the Sycamore Gap Tree and is asking people to make a promise to nature which may be incorporated into a future art work: - Click here -

Heartwood
Queen's Hall, Hexham, until Oct 19th. An exhibition of prints by made directly from a disc of the tree trunk by Shona Branigan.




Swifts
our next free Lunchtime talk, Nov 13th 11.30am start
- note earlier start time -
Community hub, above library.

Speakers: Beanie Merson, Gilsland
and Matthew Greening, Hexham Swift Haven.



Kate Bramfitt of Hexham was found guilty at a recent court hearing of obstructing the highway during a
Just Stop Oil protest in London.
She has been ordered to pay costs of £200. A crowdfunder page has been set up to help Kate pay the fine.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-kate-with-court-and-transport-costs#start

Kate said 'I feel that we should not have been arrested for just walking down the street' and, after hearing the verdict, shouted 'You are criminalising people who are fighting for your futures. Shame on you, judge'.




Free Zoom Webinar on Electric vehicles:
https://cafs.org.uk/events/?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/event/info&id=425

Explore the world of electric vehicles and charge points for home and work. Hear from local EV experts and users to get answers to your questions.
October 21st, 2024 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Speakers and Q&A panel:
  • Richard Waller: Lived experience EV expert; Director of Penrith Action for Community Transition (PACT); Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at Keele University
  • Clare Taylor: A Day in the Life of an EV Driver - Project Officer at CAfS;
  • James Hulme: Programme Lead - EV Infrastructure, Westmorland and Furness Council
  • Jill Hendry: Customer Inclusion Manager, Low Carbon Technologies, Electricity North West - https://golowtoday.co.uk/



Community Energy and Clean Rivers

During the time between sending out the September Newsletter and this one I heard from two groups asking us to contact our MP. The subjects were Community Energy and Clean Rivers. Unfortunately the time for the specific urgent action requested on both issues has passed.

To keep in touch with the community energy campaign https://powerforpeople.org.uk/

Prof Becky Malby of the Ilkley Clean Rivers Campaign is leading the demand for amendments to the Water (Special Measures) Bill. The four amendments suggested are:
  1. Put failing water companies into special administration
  2. Stop public bailout of the water industry (the bill allows for public bailout).
  3. Reform the duties of Ofwat to be for clean water, conservation and regional bills. This brings English water regulation up to the standards of, and improves upon, the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 section 1 (The Bill puts growth before the environment).
  4. Put employees and bill payers on the Boards of water companies. This reflects the normal practice in most wealthier OECD countries for large companies.

    https://www.ilkleycleanriver.uk/

    https://www.facebook.com/Ilkley-Clean-River-Group-431201944302819/






Haltwhistle freecycle group now has 1300 members with several items being offered every day!
- Take a look - save yourself money and save things going to landfill.



Get in touch
Any questions, comments or contributions to this monthly e-newsletter?
Please contact sue@mosspeteral.com 07935 259416



Sustainable Haltwhistle aims to reduce the impact of the community of Haltwhistle and surrounding villages on our environment. This will help individuals, families and our community save money and resources and ensure a more sustainable future for us all.

To join Sustainable Haltwhistle contact Sue Seymour, sue@mosspeteral.com 07935 259416