Tools & Links
CATCH UP ON OUR RECENT MEETINGS
Wotton's Waterways talk - part 1 of 2 (26/10/23)
Looking at the waterways in and around the town of Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. Considering their historical use, their value as wildlife habitat and the need to care for and preserve them.
Wotton's Waterways talk - part 2 of 2 (26/10/23)
Looking at the waterways in and around Wotton-under-Edge, including water quality monitoring and how to get involved. Followed by a talk about beavers by a local mammal expert describing the many benefits they can bring to waterways in general.
'Blue Recovery' - a talk by Jackie Harris of Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Sept 2023
Our wetlands are crucial in protecting us from climate change: storing carbon, reducing flooding and boosting biodiversity. Find out more about how the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust are creating and restoring 100,000 hectares of wetland with local expert Jackie Harris from WWT.
The life of Orchards - a talk by Martin Hayes (February 2023)
In February we were treated to a fascinating discussion on the Life of Orchards and the people associated with them by Martin Hayes. The talk ranged widely; the mix of fruit trees that can and perhaps should be grown together in a traditional orchard, how different root stocks affect the way in which trees grow, pruning, the curious names of some our oldest apples such as 'Grimes Golden' and 'Dogs Snout', and heard about the life of an itinerant or casual orchard worker in the 1970s and 80s around the Vale of Evesham.
Solar Panels - guest speaker event (January 2023)
Including speakers from Big Solar CoOp, Stroud District planning department and local installers.
Disclaimer: we are unable to provide endorsement for any of the companies represented in our talks. If considering installing solar panels you should seek several quotes, check reviews and make your own independent selection based on your research.
Considering our transport choices and carbon emissions including EVs, road and mountain eBikes
With guest speakers Dan (EDEMO, Nailsworth), Tim Porter (Cotswold Mountain Biking), Dawn (Wotton Area CAN) and Richard (EV owner and knowledgeable non expert)
(Original meeting: 7th April 2022)
Dawn from Wotton Area CAN covers how our transport choices can have a big impact on our carbon footprint...
Tim from Cotswold Mountain Biking's slides illustrate what it's like to own and use eBikes, including those he uses with customers on his guided mountain biking days...
Dan from EDEMO Nailsworth introduces his business and Riese & Müller electric bikes...
Richard's slides discuss life as an EV owner and his understanding of the factors to think about when considering EVs in reducing our carbon emissions...
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Introducing retrofit, solar and air source heat pumps, and ways to reduce energy bills at home
Introducing many ways to reduce our energy bills and carbon emissions while keeping a warm, comfortable home. With guest speakers from Severn Wye Energy Agency talking about air source heat pumps and generating solar power, and local business Adapt Architects on an introduction to retrofit possibilities.
(Original meeting: 3rd Feb 2022)
We also have an article pulling out the key points about retrofit, solar and air source heat pumps from this talk.
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"The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's role in linking thriving wildlife with sustainable food production"
With guest speaker Bel Whitwam (FWAG). Plus a case study from Matthew Riddle talking about flood management and sustainable farming on Kyneton Park Farm in South Gloucestershire.
(Original meeting: 10th May 2021)
https://www.sustainablethornbury.org/_resources/2021Meetings/fwag.mp4
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Nuclear's Role in Meeting Climate Targets - Dr. Kevin Howard
(Original meeting: 22nd April 2021)
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Plants for pollinators in public spaces, with guest speaker Catriona Bass (Eynsham Nature Recovery)
- a talk for councillors and local organisations in Wotton and surrounding parishes.
(Original meeting: 16th Apr 2021)
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Land Use Climate Projects in Wotton-under-Edge and surrounding areas, as well as overseas
(Original meeting: 22nd Oct 2020)
Meeting Recording:
Access Passcode: Jq!iBs4H
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Professor David Waltham, The 100-tonne, low carbon diet
(Original meeting: 24th Sep 2020)
Meeting Recording:
Access Passcode: U0FF*a&K
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Recommended tools
WWF Carbon footprint calculator
The World Wildlife Fund offer an easy-to-use carbon footprint calculator. Whilst not going in to granular detail, this calculator gives an idea of what your carbon footprint might be, how it compares to others and what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
Home energy directory
Our team pulled together a Home energy directory, giving details of all the services available locally (some with funding) that can help you reduce energy use in your home.
Five-minute online articles
"Good Energy's 5-minute read on how Climate Change and weather are connected, and how this affects us here in the UK. The article also includes a great video from the Met Office" - Sam and Nick
Related groups & organisations
The following local groups may interest you…
Wotton Green Drinks meet once a month at The Star pub in Wotton to hear from a guest speaker. Contact wottongreendrinks@gmail.com to find out more.
Wotton Town Council climate working group work in collaboration with groups like ours. The group formed in July 2019 and set out to ascertain what the council can feasibly and practically do about climate change.
Wotton Community Parc hold regular tree planting events within the parc (the land around the skate park and community orchard).
Wotton, Charfield and Kingswood Greenway Group aim to create a safe walking, cycling and jogging route connecting the three locations, and potentially extending further in future. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/wckgreenwaygroup
Stroud District Lucky Severn Community Lottery
Like to play Lucky Severn Community Lottery? Buy your tickets from our page and 50% of the lottery ticket price comes to us, plus 10% goes to other local good causes. If you enter before 26th June '21 you could also win 12 monthly fruit and veg boxes delivered to your door from Boxxfresh.
https://www.luckysevernlottery.co.uk/support/wotton-area-climate-action-network
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Each month we release a newsletter giving details of upcoming events, our public meetings and other useful tips to help you reduce your impact on the environment.
You can view all our past newsletters here.