CASaV monthly meeting – 18th June 2024

Climate Action Stokesley and Villages group met on Tuesday 18th June, in The Globe Community Library, North Road Stokesley, from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. As well as hearing updates from the various sub-groups we had a discussion about the coming general election and how to make the climate and nature our candidates’s priority.

Attendees: Caryn, Bridget, Anne, Wendy, David, Simon, Mike, Derek, Eileen, Helen, Maxine, Spenser

Apologies: Kate, Pete, Anne, Ron, Jenny

Great Big Green Week – Review

Community Earth Festival: Anne Prest – conducted tour of ancient churchyard in Ingleby Greenhow which is being allowed to bloom, Kildale church is also considering going the same way. Fantastic huge lime trees in replanted ancient woodland nearby.

Saturday 8th June: successful Repair Cafe in the Globe with extra interest raised with ‘Mend in Public‘ event on the bench outside the fish and chip shop on Stokesley High Street.

Saturday 8th June Anne Herd took people on a tour of her cut flower business Songbird in Ingleby Greenhow – 7 people came on the Flower Field Tour.

Saturday 8th June: CASaV stall at the Village Fair, Great Ayton – Mr Sunak attended but did not engage, managed to get a few new members plus talked with head of local infant school and methodist minister.

Saturday 8th – Saturday 15th June Environment / Climate Action Displays on nature, plastics, energy and CASaV group at the Globe Stokesley, Discovery Centre Great Ayton, Hub Hutton Rudby and Labman Seamer.

Wednesday 12th June 6.30pm Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) Presentation was well attended at the Discovery Centre, Great Ayton.

Friday 14th June CASaV Information Stall including LEAD promotion, Stokesley Market, cancelled due to election.

Energy

LEAD project now underway quietly NYC happy with progress, will be more visible once election is over.

Environment/Nature

Living Leven: invasive species, Himalayan Balsam – if found pre-flower – easy to pull up, can also be managed if mixed within hardy perenials, seeds last about 7 years – so any removal reduces reservoir. Need statement from Rivers Trust on what to do when you spot it to give to both public and local councils. Also have presence of Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed.

No Mow May and beyond: Hutton Rudby – lots of flowers, different areas being treated differently, despite this there has been limited kickback; No Mow May was highlighted on Springwatch, hopefully this will help to secure further public support; However need to let things grow as cutting back in June means some insect species then don’t have food.

Restore Nature Now walk – 22nd June: Lots of NGOs marching in London in support of Nature; CASaV RestoreNatureWalk – Stokesley to Great Ayton meet 2pm Coop in Stokesley to walk for afternoon tea in Great Ayton.

Great Ayton Floodplain Meadow walk – 30th June: Highlight progress made with a regime grass cutting once a year, poetry wildflower walk – 5 poems along the way.

Food

Farm to Fork Summit: will the actions be carried forward.

Working with Quorn: cookery demonstration planned

Transport

Moorsbus: Delayed to July but will run until October

Esk Valley Railway timetable: Running longer trains, so more chance for seats

Waste

Repair Cafes: first Richmond Repair and Repurpose Cafe was a success on 9th June, second Middlesbrough Repair Cafe will be held on 22nd June and our next Repair Cafe will be on 20th July in Swainby.

Zero Carbon

General election: CASaV page on General election 2024 plus recording of joint Climate and Nature Hustings held in Osmotherley Village Hall on June 14 attended by Labour and Green candidates and Liberal Democrat election agent, active debate with over 40 in the hall and 10 more online, recording has been watched by 50 more.

NY Climate Coalition website update re election North Yorkshire General Election Candidates (https://nyclimatecoalition.org) and NYCC letter to candidates – send single letter for Richmond & Northallerton on behalf of all constituency climate groups.

Climate and Nature Bill open letter Richmond and Northallerton General Election 2024 (https://zerohour.uk); Climate Coalition email to candidates – https://peopleclimatenature.org/email-your-candidates

Friends of the Earth https://groups.friendsoftheearth.uk/elections/resisting-threats-climate-action-and-justice; Not just money also need appropriate regulation, planning and education support.

Wildlife Trust Hustings on YouTube now and recording is here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vgusjWwsKQ.

CASaV AGM – 16th July

Where: Howard Court – Just outside Great Ayton; Opportunity to visit the trees that CASaV planted; pooled supper; venue provide glasses / cutlery; Musical chairs part way through so people get to talk to each other. Starting at 7:30pm.

Steering group members: Jack Turton has left for university so we are looking for new members.

Opportunity to look into a number of initiatives which have stalled: EV chargers, 20mph, Cycleway.

Future events: Station Cafe – perhaps do a speaker event; local People Planet Pint event?