It may still be winter, but there has been a lot going on in TDEG! Our February newsletter contains information about the next whole group meeting on 2 March, our new Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting project, as well as updates from the different project groups.
If you’d like to find out more about any of the project groups, and receive notice of their meetings, please tick the relevant group box when you sign up to TDEG (it is free to join). If you’d like to add a group to your existing list, just let us know by emailing info@tdeg.org.uk.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the production of this newsletter. This would usually be undertaken by our wonderful communications officer, Claire McKenzie. However, Claire is very poorly at present. Everyone at TDEG sends their love to Claire and her family at this difficult time.
WHOLE GROUP NEWS:
NEXT TDEG WHOLE GROUP MEETING: 2 March 7.30-8.30pm, by Zoom
THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ENTERPRISE (TREE) will give a presentation focusing on renewable energy options at home. Everyone is welcome. If you would like the Zoom details, or if you have any queries or questions for the speakers, please contact cag@tdeg.org.uk .
QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY PROJECT
2022 is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and we are joining a national initiative – The Queen’s Green Canopy project – to celebrate this special year. Along with our partners, Tideswell Parish Council, Tideswell Community Orchard, the 1st Tideswell Scouts, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the Peak District National Park Authority, and our own Climate Pathfinders Youth Forum, we are encouraging local people to plant a tree, a hedge – or even a small copse – to benefit wildlife, contribute to climate action, and improve our local area for everyone.
The Peak District National Park Authority has offered us free trees and shrubs to launch the project this spring. Watch out for more information about how to apply for your free trees and a special Planting Day at the end of March. Details coming soon!
We hope local schools, businesses, landowners, and other community groups will want to join us. Just get in touch if you are interested in helping in any way. Email us at info@tdeg.org.uk .
PROJECT GROUP NEWS
CLIMATE ACTION GROUP:
The group is powering ahead exploring energy options for everyone in the community.
- We have invited Sarah Dines MP to a second meeting to discuss the need for clear government policy and appropriate funding. Both are essential so DDDC can plan strategically, including training a workforce to rollout the retrofit measures homes need.
- In the last two meetings we have heard from renewable energy businesses. On 9 March we will focus on insulation in the home.
- As part of The Wider Energy Group led by HVCA, we are joining with groups across the region to pool knowledge, experience and resources.
- Our research on retrofits has been collated. Part one lists useful websites we have found. Part two lists local tradespeople and businesses. It is a work in progress and aims to give a starting point. The document is on the website.
Climate Pathfinders Youth Forum:
CPYF is proud to celebrate three new Tideswell members. We want to grow the group to 30 members this year. Contact yf@tdeg.org.uk if you want to do your bit for the climate and environment.
- The newest action is a major tree planting project across the Peak District. CPYF are part of the planning team for the Tideswell Queen’s Green Canopy project and have lots of ideas and skills to offer.
- We continue to meet the decision makers. Approaches from the Peak District National Park Authority and Derbyshire County Council have been made seeking our Climate Pathfinders’ views on new strategies.
- We plan to meet on Zoom on the second Thursday of the month and get together in person once a month to do something to help the local environment. Young members are now leading the Zoom calls and choosing the topics.
ETHICAL CONSUMER GROUP:
The ECG would like to thank Claire for all her work leading this project group. You will see from all the news below that it is flourishing under her leadership. We are also grateful to Jules Fell who has taken on this role for the time being.
- At the end of November, we hosted a very successful `Swop Don’t Shop` event at the St. John’s Institute in Tideswell. People were able to donate their pre-loved clothes in exchange for tokens, and then swop their tokens for new clothes. Children’s toys and games were also exchanged, and coffee and cake consumed. We made significant donations to several local charities at the end of the event as well. Wins all around! Our thanks to everyone involved.
- Fashion Declares is a new campaign focusing on ways of addressing the climate emergency from decarbonising fashion related business to social justice and equality. You can read the five commitments that fashion industry organisations are asked to sign up to here. Sheffield & Rotherham Climate Action are holding an event online, about gaining a better understanding of how to buy more sustainable clothes, discover new styles, have fun and save money along the way.
- Our Repair Café initiative has had funding from Derbyshire Dales DC via Neil Buttle, Tideswell Parish Council and Tideswell & District Community Association, for which we are very grateful. We are awaiting the outcome of the decision of a few more organisations. We aim to launch early in the Spring. We need a wide variety of repairing skills, including woodwork, electrical, sewing, upholstery, and more. Anyone interested in volunteering as a repairer or helping to run the café once a month should contact Jules Fell (Felly55@btinternet.com or 07711 871046). Anyone can attend Transition Chesterfield’s East Midlands ‘FixFest’ on Saturday 18 March 11am to 3pm, to find out more about Repair Cafés.
- Buying Organic Food – In December we ran a survey to find out if people would be keen to source organic produce locally. We had over 40 responses expressing varying degrees of interest. The information is being shared with local traders to see if this is enough to help them to take the risk of sourcing organic produce, or if we can help to connect them with others close by who are sourcing organic who they could partner with. Watch out for more details.
- Tidza Buying for Good Club (Tidza BfGC) – This is a group to share orders of foodstuffs and other products from Lembas, a Sheffield vegetarian and vegan cash & carry. For a £5 annual fee, members get free deliveries every 4-6 weeks. Where possible, we join together to buy in bulk, which saves money and packaging. We can split orders on delivery so you don’t need lots of home storage space. We have tested our approach – and it works! So now we can invite more members. Email – bfgclub@tdeg.org.uk for more information, or look at our web page here.
- Innovation – Ethy is a free app to support consumers with sourcing from accredited ethical businesses and provides insights on personal spending to keep people informed on important environmental & social issues. Find out more here.
LITTER PICKING GROUP
- The litter picking group held a New Year Litter Pick in January and it was great to see old friends and some new faces; people new to the litter picking group, and even new to the village. Welcome!
- We’re looking forward to more litter picks in the spring, including one to support the Great British Spring Clean. Dates to follow.
- We also have exciting news – Laura Berzins has volunteered to become the new litter picking lead. Please continue to support the group and Laura by coming along to enjoy some fresh air and a natter whilst taking action to help make our villages and green spaces as clean and beautiful as they should be.
RECYCLING GROUP:
- The Recycling Group will be considering how to support the Tideswell Food Festival in improving recycling at the event in May.
- Bishop Pursglove School are involved in the Bag2School fundraising scheme. The date for the next collection is Thursday 31 March. There is more information here about what can be collected and where to deliver items at the school.
- Recycling tips are posted into the Village Voice every month.
- If anyone comes across ways to recycle unusual or difficult to recycle items, please pass the information on to Rob via info@tdeg.org.uk.
WILDLIFE GROUP:
- TDEG Adopt a Bird Feeder Project – Thanks to generous funding from Beltonville Farm and the Tideswell Parish Council, we launched our `Adopt a Bird Feeder Project’ in the summer. We now have bird feeders in Fountain Square, Cherry Tree Square, Tideswell Community Garden, and in trees visible from Manchester Road. Anyone can apply for a bird feeder, filled with sunflower hearts, to be placed in any public area in Tideswell. You will then be responsible for re-filling the feeder and ensuring it is kept clean. Just get in touch (info@tdeg.org.uk), stating where you are intending to place the feeder.
- Tideswell Dale Butterfly Transect 2022 – Last year we had a great team of TDEG members undertaking a simple butterfly transect along Tideswell Dale, under the guidance of the Derbyshire Butterfly group. It is fascinating to hear about all the butterflies seen across Derbyshire. This county-wide monitoring effort will begin again in April. Let us know if you would like to be part of the Tideswell Dale team this year. There is a regular commitment to walk the short route every few weeks and note down the different butterflies seen. We’d love to have some complete beginners involved, and our previous butterfly recorders will be there to advise you. Email us at info@tdeg.org.uk if you’d like more information.
- RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – 28-30 January 2022 – If you took part in the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January, you can share your results with us – either on our TDEG Facebook page or by emailing info@tdeg.org.uk . We would love to provide a summary of the results in our area.
- Wildlife Sightings – October-December 2021 – A summary of all your wildlife sightings during October-December 2021 is now available on our web site here, as well as a summary of all the species seen during 2021 (here). Many thanks to everyone involved. It’s so important to keep celebrating and sharing our love of our local wildlife. You can add any sightings and photos to our web site, by completing the form on this web page. Or you can share your sightings on our TDEG Facebook page or just email us at info@tdeg.org.uk .
- News on Geodiversity from one of our Members – One of our members attended an excellent presentation emphasising the importance of geodiversity, the underlying foundation of the natural world. More information here.
Such a huge amount of activity and action. Our thanks to everyone who has contributed, in whatever way.
