| This newsletter has been postponed as a mark of respect, due to the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September. |
|
Welcome to your monthly Climate Change update.
Northumberland County Council is committed to making our county carbon neutral by 2030 and we need everyone to do their bit to help reduce carbon emissions.
How can you help make a difference? 👇
|
|
| | | Our free tree giveaway is back! Have you claimed yours yet? We have 15,000 tree saplings up for grabs. Applications are open to residents, schools, community groups and town and parish councils to help make our county a greener and cleaner place to be.
What trees are on offer?
There are two tree species available for small, medium and large sized gardens, as well as small planter-based shrubs available for those with limited garden space, balconies or rented properties.
These include:
- Large garden: Wild cherry, English oak
- Medium garden: Silver birch, Rowan
- Small garden: Crab apple, Holly
- Limited garden space: Box, Wild privet
Saplings for individuals and packs of up to 120 saplings for groups are available. There will be a number of collection points and confirmation of your collection point will be sent out to you three weeks prior to the collection date. The trees are small cell grown plants, sourced from the UK, and come provided with a biodegradable shelter guard, cane and planting and aftercare instructions.
|
| | | | We're trialing biofuel in Blyth As part of a six-week pilot scheme, we are trailing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in one of our refuse vehicles in Blyth. If successful, this could be expanded and used in more of our council vehicles. HVO fuel is made from fossil free, sustainable waste materials and it is hoped this will reduce our carbon emissions and contribute to more sustainable transport. The fuel produces 88% CO2 emissions than diesel and requires no modification to the existing diesel engine.
|
| | | |
Success of the Northumberland Climate Change Fund
Community and voluntary groups in the county are set to benefit from our climate change funding scheme. Over 40 applications were made to our first round of funding which launched in May this year. The fund aims to help groups including registered charities, constituted groups or clubs, community interest companies (CIC), social enterprises and parish councils make changes to become more sustainable. The full £50,000 worth of funding is being awarded between the 25 successful applicants which will help with projects such as: - Community climate change events
- Energy audits
- Feasibility studies for solar PV and heating options for community buildings
- Tree planting activities
- EV bikes to encourage active travel
|
| | | Inclusive cycling provision
Between the 22 and 24 September Northumberland County Council’s Strategic Transport team will be working alongside Wheels for All to present examples of inclusive cycling provision to Northumberland through a series of taster sessions. Wheels for All (WFA) are a long-established all abilities cycling charity, and will be on hand to present a range of cycles for attendees to try out and understand their functionality and needs.
The taster days will target the following:
- Thursday 22 September, 10am - 2pm (NCC Staff, councilors, stakeholders) Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, Wentworth, NE46 3PD
- Friday 23 September, 10am - 2pm (NCC Schools) Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham, Wentworth, NE46 3PD
- Saturday 24 September, 10am - 1pm (Public) Tyne Riverside Country park, Prudhoe, NE42 6NP
An understanding of inclusive cycling will play an important role for the cycling offer in Northumberland to ensure it is inclusive and accessible to everyone.
|
| | | Carbon Literacy course
Join Annie The Sustainable Life Coach, on a Carbon Literacy Training course designed for sole traders, freelancers and entrepreneurs who want to make a positive change and take action on climate change. Carbon Literacy is “An awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis.”
The course will cover:
- The basics of climate change science
- What’s already happening globally & locally
- How your actions affect climate change
- The tools & knowledge to reduce your impact at work and at home
- How to build your own climate action plan for your business and lifestyle
- How to begin creating your own Carbon Literacy course
What will the course consist of?
Training will consist of a presentation along with group discussion, videos, quizzes and games. In addition, one hour of home-based activity is required to complete the course. At the end of the course, you will be able to create your own Carbon Literacy course for your organisation or audience*.
When and Where is the course taking place?
There are three sessions via Zoom:
- 28 September 9.30am to 12.30pm
- 29 September 9.30am to 11.30pm
- 30 September 9.30am to 11.30pm
Cost: £130
To receive the Carbon Literacy certification, you will need to submit an assessment form at the end of the course, which will be checked by the Carbon Literacy Project. |
| | | | The Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of community action tackling climate change. Running from 24 September to 2 October 2022, there’s lots going on across the county. Come along to the events listed below and meet the people in your community taking action to make Northumberland and the world a better greener and cleaner place.
|
| | Morpeth
National Trust: Great Big Green Week
What: To celebrate Great Big Green Week 2022, the National Trust will be hosting a range of events to celebrate climate action. From nature walks with experts to demonstrations on how food is sourced sustainably, there will be plenty to get involved in. Try an electric bike for free, join in with some nature-themed crafts and enjoy some live music. There will be activities for all ages to join in with. Find out what Wallington is doing for nature recovery and climate change through our Wilder Wallington project and the plans for this vast estate.Our Climate Team will be there along with a host of other organisations and groups, who will be sharing their work, plans and ideas, and engaging with visitors on the day. More information here
When: Saturday 24 September
Time: 10am – 3pm
Where: Wallington National Trust, Cambo, Morpeth, NE61 4AR
Morpeth’s first eco fair
What: Come along to Morpeth Market Square between 10am -3pm to support local sustainable stalls. Organised by Climate Action Wansbeck, there will also be a wide range of music, talks and sustainable kid's activities to get involved in. More information here
When: Sunday 25 September
Time: 10am-3pm
Where: Morpeth Market Square, NE61 1HG
|
| | | Rothbury
Rothbury Climate and Nature: Great Big Green Event
What: All are welcome to a fun-filled, informative day of climate action, information sharing, fun activities and more! There will be:
- Stalls selling eco-friendly lovely things, including food.
- Story-telling session for 6 year olds and up.
- Design, create, and take home your own eco-carrier bag.
- Werca’s Folk singing
- Rothbury Tree Trail Launch
- Climate Cafe
- Repair Cafe
- Coffee/tea/juice and cake.
Contact: climateactionrothbury@gmail.com
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 9am – 4pm
Where: Jubilee Hall, Rothbury, Morpeth, NE65 7SD
Ashington
Ashington Town Council: Great Big Green Week Event
What: Ashington Town Council will be taking a pitch at the local Ashington Market to hear your ideas and talk about all things climate change. Other representatives will be joining them from NCC Climate Team, Groundworks NE and Cumbria, and Citizens Advice Northumberland. You will be able to find out what the organisations are doing to move towards a greener future, as well as what you can do. There will also be advice and tips on saving energy, reducing bills, and some giveaways! More information here.
When: Tuesday 27 September
Time: 10am – 3pm
Where: Ashington Market, 30 Station Road, NE63 9UJ
Berwick
Berwick Parish Church Eco Group
This event is an opportunity to hear how Berwick Parish Church is working towards becoming carbon neutral, caring for the environment and developing the churchyard for wildlife; for children to enjoy nature trail activities, and for all ages to experience the beauty, history and wildlife of Berwick’s hidden green acre through a guided tour.
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 10.00am to 12noon
Where: Berwick Parish Centre, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DF
Space for Shorebirds: Protecting the Globally Important Birds and Dunes of the Northumberland Coast
What: Suitable for all ages, this talk from wildlife ranger Katherine Dunsford, will cover the work that Space for Shorebirds does protect the internationally and nationally important bird populations on the Northumberland Coast and why this is important. The session will discuss efforts to reduce the impacts of increased recreational disturbance to breeding and non-breeding birds all year round, as well as our vital role in conserving the beautiful flower rich dune systems and grasslands that we are so lucky to have here on the Northumberland coast, many of which are of global importance. The talk will last approximately 45 minutes, with 15 minutes for questions at the end.
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 1.00pm to 2.00pm
Where: Berwick Parish Centre, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DF
Norham Natural Environment Group (NNEG)
What: A 30minute presentation from Jim Greenwood with a 10minute Q&A about how the Norham Community Energy Project hopes to provide Norham with renewable energy through a wind turbine and solar farm.
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 2.30pm to 3.10pm
Where: Berwick Parish Centre, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DF
Lion House Allotments
What: An illustrated talk from Joan Reed at Lions House Allotments, a site for organic gardening in the centre of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Not only does tending to an allotment bring the joy of growing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers, but organic gardening benefits gardeners and wildlife alike throughout the year.
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 3.30 to 4.30pm
Where: Berwick Parish Centre, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DF
Refreshments provided.
Wellbeing, Mental Health and Nature
What: A presentation from Dr Julia Barth and Michael Wilson which will reflect on research in the links between a healthy diet and a healthy planet from the fields of nutrition, medicine and psychology. The format of the presentation will include a balance of information and conversation and will finish with a brief nature connection exercise in the grounds of the venue. Wellbeing naturally follows on from this and includes the mental health benefits of being in nature.
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Where: Berwick Parish Centre, Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1DF
Refreshments provided.
18+
Friends of Castle Parks: Rake the wildflower meadow
What: An opportunity to get hands on experience in the parks with Kate Dixon, parks manager and regular volunteers and to ask questions about meadows and wildlife, and so on. Please bring your own rake if you have one.
Date: Saturday 24 September
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm (or when it’s done!)
Where: Tommy the Miller’s, Coronation Park, 2 Castle Terrace, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1NP
Friends of Castle Parks: Weekly wildlife watch and walk
What: An opportunity to observe and count the wildlife and explore Castle Parks with regular volunteers and Kate Dixon, parks manager in affiliation with the British Trust for Ornithology. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Date: Thursday 29 September
Time: 12.30 to 2.00pm
Where: Lily Pond, Castle Vale Park, 7D Railway St, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1NF
Coast Care litter pick and beach clean
What: A beach clean to remove marine debris from the coastal environment. Tools, equipment and PPE provided. Please wear appropriate clothing for weather and sturdy shoes. Accessibility is good. This event is suitable for people under 18 years old if accompanied by an adult. Contact Mark mark@coast-care.co.uk or 07816 603953.
Date: Friday 30 September
Time: 10.00am to 12 noon
Where: Carpark at end of Sandstell Road, Spittal, TD15 1RF
The Big Green Week: Climate Book Club session
What: Climate, capitalism and catastrophe: The great adaptation by Romain Felli. Ben Lewis, Interesting Books & Zines, has kindly offered to run a Climate Book Club session during the national Big Green Week in September. If popular then it could become a regular climate book club. There are still spaces available. Please email Ben Lewis at hello@interestingbooks.co.uk.
Date: Friday 30 September
Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Where: Interesting books and Zines, 36 West St, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 1AS
Climate Café
What: An informal social gathering where groups sit with tea, coffee, and cake and talk about thoughts and feelings in response to the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity. This is one way of coping with the challenges facing us all. While cafés are bounded by confidentiality, these are not therapy. Rather, these are warm, friendly and hospitable conversations. Further details at Climate Café. Please note: participation is by email booking only: admin@berwickclimateandnature.co.uk.
Date: Saturday 1 October
Time: 11.00am to 12.30pm
Where: Berwick Parish Centre, Parade, TD15 1DF
Refreshments provided.
18+
|
| | | | This email has been produced by the Northumberland County Council Communications team. |
|
| You can also view this email online here if it doesn't display correctly |
| |
|
