August Newsletter

GET INVOLVED – GO GREEN – GET READING – GET ACTIVE
August 2022
News and recent activities
The Lichfield Cathedral’s Re>Dress 10th August event went well, highlighting the issues faced in the fashion industry – use of resources and abuse of workers in particular. Great to have Vicki, one of our sewing repairers from Repair Café as one of the event speakers!
Maintenance work on our wilding areas has continued although of course, the hot weather has meant that some of the plants have not done so well, but that contributes to the use of these spaces for education purposes – we will have to adapt planting to suit the changes in our climate! Thank you to all those who helped out.
The volunteers at Monks Walk Gardens arranged a sunflower growing competition, in solidarity with Ukraine, for the residents of Chapter House apartments. It resulted in some fabulous flowers as you can see in the photo! The Sheriff of Lichfield, Cllr Janice Greaves came to award prizes at a special event. Over £500 was raised for the DEC from the competition entries, raffle and sale of sunflower cupcakes. Well done everyone!

Angela Lax, the LDC Cabinet Member for Housing, Ecology and Climate Change, is working with LDC, LCC and SCC green spaces departments to bring about some consistent working practices and look at ways of reducing the impact on nature ie use of weedkillers, grass cutting and so on. We look forward to hearing more on this.

LDC Local Plan
The delayed Local Plan 2040 is now available to view between the following dates - 12/08/22 and 16/11/22 – online as well as hardcopy in the council offices. Worth following up on and feeding back to LDC if you have comments. Good luck though as not all that easy to read and understand!
 
Learning opportunities, inspiration and handy hints
Ecofest
Sat 24th September sees our second Ecofest event, to be held at Lichfield Methodist Church from 10am through to 4pm. There are speakers covering a range of topics, exhibitors, Repair Café, activities to join in, snacks and lunches from the church café and a FREE drink for attendees! Please do spread the word and come along and support it and learn something new too!

Tiny Forests
Do you know about the five Tiny Forests that have been planted in Lichfield District? You may have wondered what the fenced off areas were in places like Cherry Orchard (Mesnes Green) and St Michael’s Road. Take a look at the information on the LDC website.  Nick Burton of Forest Harvest is one of the volunteer ‘keepers’. If you want to get involved then follow the link on the website.

Solar Panels
If you don’t have panels already but have been wondering if it is worthwhile then this useful article on the Money Saving Expert website might help with some of your questions.

Worth a Read
The actress Emma Thompson’s views on ‘greenwashing’ by the oil and gas industry and how we can work to bring about change in the same way as has happened with the tobacco industry. A good example of a business doing what it can to help its customers see what impact it is making is Decathlon – full disclosure about the sustainability of its products.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust have lots of tips and resources regarding bee-friendly plants, including this menu for September!

Worth a Listen
The Big Green Money Show Podcast – we have mentioned this one to you before but it is absolutely worth listening to. The excellent, and very eco-conscious, Deborah Meaden and Felicity Hannah cover all the main topics of interest and properly probe key business leaders on what changes they are making. Find it on BBC Sounds or Spotify.

Worth Checking
It has been brought to our attention that residents in Fazeley, which is part of the Lichfield District, are being affected by high levels of air pollution from nearby industry. Air and water pollution monitoring are not areas that we as a group have been proactive about but it is worrying that local people are suffering the consequences of industrial pollution and not getting the support that they need.
You can check out pollution levels where you live through the Address Pollution website – just put in your postcode. If you can offer any support/expertise on pollution then please do get in touch as we would like to try and help with environmental issues that are affecting people’s health and wellbeing. Health data is available by Ward on request.

Get involved
Friends of Lichfield City Station
Bob Harrison, of Litter Legends fame, has taken on the role of co-ordinator in getting Lichfield City Station ‘adopted’ with West Midlands Trains so that planters can be maintained there and the station kept neat and tidy. If you are interested in being part of this initiative then email Bob – [email protected].

Tamworth Street Green Space
We need a few more people to help with the section of green space down Tamworth St and round to Backcester Lane which LDC have allowed us to leave wild. Wildflower seeding and bulb planting will be tasks to sort over the coming months. We are working with Lichfield Methodist Church groups too, as being local to the site they can keep an eye on things and contribute as part of their own activities – Brownies, Boys Brigade and Toddler group are all keen to help. Get in touch with Pam via [email protected].
We welcome any support with projects that we talk about in here or on our social media.
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Forthcoming events
**No repair cafes through August**
20th to 27th Aug – Alrewas Arts Festival. A fabulous range of activities to join in with, exhibitions, talks, displays and fun!
20th/21st Aug – Brownhills Canal Festival, organised by LHCRT. Full details here.
27th Aug – Lichfield Wildlife Group bat walk. Fisherwick Lakes, Fisherwick Wood Lane, Whittington WS13 8QF. 8:00pm, meet in the car park.
28/29th Aug – Burton Conservation Volunteers - Meadow cut at Rosliston Forestry Centre, followed on 30th by 'Grabbit for your rabbit' where people can collect surplus hay for their pets. Email [email protected]
2nd to 18th Sept – ‘PoliNations’ in Victoria Square, Birmingham. Not to be missed! Full details here. The city centre will bloom into a vibrant living oasis filled with thousands of plants and brought to life through free garden tours, audio baths, live music and light shows, costume design workshops, sensory experiences, poetry and performance and more!
3rd Sept – Burntwood Repair Café, 10-1pm, St Joseph’s RC Church
4th Sept – ‘Folk on the Farm’, 11.15am onwards, Woodhouse Community Farm in conjunction with Lichfield Arts. Tickets available here. Music, storytelling, Morris dancing, licenced bar….bring a picnic!
6th Sept – Lichfield Wildlife Group. Talk from Nicola Lynes of Transforming the Trent Valley project. Wade Street Church, 7.45pm start (preceded by AGM).
7th Sept - WFEG Green Drinks, (The Bell Inn or The Dog Inn) Whittington. 7.30pm
18th Sept – Burton Conservation Volunteers, wetland work at Goose Green Yoxall. Email [email protected]

19th & 26th Sept – Painting Seasonal Florals sessions with Bryony Halsted at Forest Harvest, 1-4pm. Booking essential

24th Sept – ‘Ecofest’, Lichfield Methodist Church, 10-4pm – includes ‘Repair Café’ session
29th Sept – Plant Propagation Course, Forest Harvest. 10.30-1.00pm Booking essential
 ****Check directly with Lichfield ReCycle for their bike ride events*****