Welcome to July’s Update from Climate Action Stokesley & Villages
Thank you for your role in taking urgent action globally and locally on climate breakdown and biodiversity loss.
July welcomes the start of the Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count, a key Citizen Science project to not only monitor these beautiful insects but to also track how climate change is impacting on wildlife generally. We have an opportunity to join in a group count locally as well as counting in your own garden or nearby green space. Plastic Free July invites everyone to make a personal pledge to be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Read on for a round up of local zero waste businesses which help reduce all waste including plastic as well as nearby opportunities to act on waste plastic.
Diary dates: local events & activities
Tuesday 15th July 19.00 – 21.00 Annual General Meeting & pooled picnic supper, Yatton House, Great Ayton
Saturday 5th July 13.00 – 17.00 Bric-a-brac stall by Environment Climate Osmotherley (ECO) at Osmotherley Summer Games
Tuesday 8th July 13.30 – 15.00 Yatton House Community Garden, Great Ayton working party
Tuesday 8th July 19.00 Waste & Circularity Group meeting by zoom (see Waste Group section below)
Monday 14th July 17.00 – 19.00 Stokesley Mending Circle, Stokesley Town Hall
Tuesday 15th July midnight Last date to respond to North Yorkshire Council’s Local Plan (see Nature group section)
Thursday 17th July 15.00 Nature Group meeting at the Globe Library, Stokesley (see Nature Group section below)
Saturday 19th July 10.00 – 12.00 Repair Cafe with display on local Flood Resilience followed by volunteers garden lunch 13.00
Thursday 31st July 18.30 Food Group Face to Face Meeting at Wendy’s allotment (see Food Group section below)
Diary dates: regional, national & global events & campaigns
July 1st – 31st Plastic Free July:
- Saturday July 5th 10.30 Saltburn monthly beach clean
- Saturday 19th July 19.00 ‘A Plastic Ocean’ film screening, Saltburn
Ongoing until 2026 Friends of the Earth ‘Planet Over Profit’ campaign – with local activities (see below)
July 18th – August 10th The Big Butterfly Count – with local activities (see below)
Newsletter
Our online newsletter / magazine focuses on our group’s values and purpose, summed up by our motto ‘Think global, act local’, beginning with global / national / regional issues including ways in which you can influence policy, followed by local news and activities you can participate in that develop our relationship with the environment and fight climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Think global”
July 1st – 31st Plastic Free July
Single-use plastics significantly harm the environment by contributing to pollution, harming wildlife, and exacerbating climate change. They persist in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that contaminate ecosystems and enter the food chain.
The UK generates roughly 5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. While some measures, like the plastic bag charge and bans on certain single-use items, have been implemented to reduce plastic waste, significant challenges remain in reducing overall single use plastic consumption and improving recycling rates.
This year’s Plastic Free July campaign focuses on small changes each of us can make to reduce plastic waste under the slogan “Small steps, big difference”.
What can I do now?
1. Choose one single-use plastic to avoid The “Top 3” items are single-use plastic items we commonly use each day that most of us can be easily replaced by;
- Refilling reusable water bottles from the tap
- Bringing a reusable cup or sitting and enjoy a real cup
- Switching from plastic wrap to reusable containers or wax wraps.
2. Take the pledge to reduce plastic waste here: plasticfreejuly.org/campaigns/small-steps-big-difference/
3. Check out our latest round up of zero waste shopping packaging options available locally in the Waste & Circularity section below.
4. Saturday 19th July 19.00 at Saltburn Community & Arts Centre Plastic Free Saltburn have organised a film screening of ‘A Plastic Ocean’, an award-winning feature length documentary created by a group of dedicated scientists, film-makers, social entrepreneurs, scholars, environmentalists and journalists, that explores the fragile state of our oceans and uncovers alarming truths about the consequences of our disposable lifestyle. All welcome to attend. Get tickets on Eventbrite.
5. All summer – Take part in a beach clean
As well as beach cleans organised by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in nearby Saltburn the Keeping It Clean At Saltburn (KICAS) group holds regular beach cleans on the first Saturday each month, next session is Saturday 5th July 10.30, just turn up, all equipment provided.
Surfers Against Sewage also arrange regular beach cleans along the north east coast, more info here: million-mile-clean/find-a-clean-near-you/
Friends of the Earth ‘Planet over Profit’ Campaign
At the CASaV May monthly meeting we were joined by Simon Bowens, Friends of the Earth Yorkshire Campaigns Organiser who gave us an overview of the support he can provide as a member of the Local Action Group network, the work of Friends of the Earth internationally and the latest campaigns. The campaign that those present were most interested in supporting was Planet Over Profit.
This campaign highlights that UK companies are profiting from supply chains that destroy precious forests worldwide, threaten wildlife, accelerate climate change, and violate the rights of local communities. FOE say we need a new law that requires UK companies to prevent harm to communities and the environment in their supply chains, wherever they operate. A comprehensive Business, Human Rights, and Environment Act would go far beyond the limited protections in existing legislation, requiring companies to actively prevent environmental and human rights abuses, rather than merely reporting on it after the damage is done.
What can I do now: Friends of the Earth local action groups have a critical role to play in the Planet Over Profit campaign. Local action groups like ours are needed to build support for the new law in their communities. There will be petition postcards to write and sign at our AGM and July Repair Cafe as well as at forthcoming market stalls and agricultural stalls in August
More information here:
introducing-our-planet-over-profit-campaign
take-action/planet-over-profit-take-action-summer
July 18th – August 10th The Big Butterfly Count
The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment. It was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world’s biggest survey of butterflies. Over 64,000 citizen scientists took part in 2022, submitting 96,257 counts of butterflies and day-flying moths from across the UK. The Big Butterfly Count 2025 is between the 18th of July and 10th of August.
Counting butterflies can be described as taking the pulse of nature and we depend on you, our citizen scientists, to help us assess how much help nature needs. The data from this and other counts will also help us to identify important trends in species that will assist us in planning how to protect butterflies from extinction, as well as understanding the effect of climate change on wildlife.
What can I do now?
Simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather during the Big Butterfly Count. This time of year has been chosen because most butterflies are at the adult stage of their lifecycle, so more likely to be seen. Records are welcome from anywhere: from parks, school grounds and gardens, to fields and forests.
You can download free identification guides & record your findings here:
CASaV will be organising a visit to the floodplain meadow in Great Ayton to count the butterflies on a sunny afternoon during the Big Butterfly Count. If you would like to take part please contact Caryn.
Several counts will also take place in the Butterfly Conservation Trust Wild Space at Great Ayton Station. The planting in the new planters at the station will hopefully attract plenty of pollinators. These new planters on the platform at Great Ayton Station, installed by Friends of Great Ayton Station, were designed and constructed by Thompsons Timberworks with funding and support from Northern and Climate Action Stokesley and Villages. Great Ayton Station is designated as a Butterfly Conservation Trust ‘Wild Space‘ so plants were chosen to attract pollinators.
“Act Local”
This month’s local activities
Tuesday 15th July Annual General Meeting 19.00 Yatton House,
Great Ayton
(Artwork for the community garden created by children from Marwood School, Great Ayton)
Our AGM will be at Yatton House, Great Ayton on Tuesday 15th July, starting at 19.00. We warmly invite everyone to come whether you are a formal member, a supporter or just interested to hear more about our work.
We will start the evening with the formal AGM over a pooled picnic supper. This will be followed by talk about the work of Yatton House including having a look around the beautiful community garden that CASaV helped develop (weather permitting).
Please bring something to share for the picnic supper.
NB Registered members: As a change is being proposed to the constitution (see recent email to registered members only dated 1/7/25 regarding AGM) it is essential that registered members vote as the proposal needs 75% in favour to make the change. If you are a registered member and unable to attend the AGM please respond to the email with your decision to support or reject the proposal.
Tuesday 8th July 13.30 – 15.00 Yatton House Community Garden Working Party
Thank you to the group of children from Marwood CoE Infant School who recently came to help in the garden. They sowed some vegetable seeds, planted out some flowers, weeded one of the paths and hunted for bugs. They also brought along their fantastic design for a sign for the reflective space in the garden.
The next working party will be on Tuesday 8th July, from 1:30 – 3:00pm. Come and help get the garden ready for summer visitors and our AGM.
Monday 14th July 17.00 – 19.00 Stokesley Mending Circle, Stokesley Town Hall (every second Monday monthly)
After delivering two sewing / mending lesson sessions in May, in June textile artist and mending tutor Jane and sewing and alterations businesswoman Jo launched the Stokesley Mending Circle, a monthly textile mending group where the purpose is to reduce textile waste, encourage sustainable consumption, and celebrate the art of mending through free face to face hand mending support where you can learn and share sewing and darning skills including how to mend holes, sew up seams and hems, alter and adapt your existing clothing, sew on buttons and patches to make your cherished clothing or textile items last longer, giving them a new life and saving textile waste. The emphasis is on skill sharing so all are welcome – complete beginners, experienced needle crafters and anyone interested in fun with fabric.
What can I do now? All materials will be provided or you can bring an item you are working on. All participants will also receive a free mini sewing kit to carry on your sewing superpowers at home (while stocks last!). Session is free but donations to cover costs welcome. Come along to find out more or email mending@casav.uk with any questions
Saturday 19th July 10.00-12.00 Repair Cafe with display on local Flooding Resilience at Swainby Village Hall followed by garden lunch for repair volunteers
Since we started over three years ago our incredible volunteers have fixed over 1500 items, saving their owners money and allowing them to carry on using their cherished items for longer as well as saving waste from landfill or incineration and so reducing carbon emissions.
Our July Repair Cafe includes free Fair Trade beverages and vegan treats to refresh you whilst our wonderful volunteer repairers meet your fixing needs. Bring along your treasured household items in need of repair on Saturday 19th July 10-12 at Swainby Village Hall.
Our pink T-shirted volunteers will endeavour to fix your items, saving you the cost of buying new and protecting the climate and the earth’s natural resources by reducing waste going to landfill or incineration and reducing the need to manufacture new.
Household items for repair can include: clothing & textiles, electrical appliances, wooden furniture, toys & bikes, laptops & mobile phones. Plus we have blade sharpening so bring along your garden and home tool blades to give them a new edge!
On average, we manage to fix 75% of items, give advice on possible repair steps for 10% and how best to recycle the 10% that are sadly beyond repair (statistics). But 100% of attendees are offered free refreshments of tea, coffee or juice as well as cakes and biscuits and a great opportunity to chat with friendly, like minded people and learn new repair skills.
This month’s free refreshments include Fair Trade beverages and home made sweet treats (including vegan!) made with Fair Trade ingredients, kindly donated by Stokesley Co-op.
We are also hosting an information stall on local Flood Resilience by the Environment Agency so make the most of this opportunity to find out what measures are being taken locally to prevent flooding and how you can volunteer as a local flood warden.
Following the Repair Cafe there will be a garden lunch for volunteers and their families. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer you are warmly invited to join us.
What can I do now?
Come along with your item in need of repair and sit with our skilled repairers as they share their fixing knowledge with you. New repair and reception volunteers always welcome – come along, have a cuppa and a chat or email Simon Gibbon. If you are not sure come and bring an item to be repaired to get a feel for the Repair Cafe.
Ideas & news from the groups
1. Waste / Circularity (including Repair Cafe)
This subgroup focuses on reducing waste through circularity: rethinking & reducing consumption; and repairing, repurposing and recycling materials that might otherwise go to landfill or incineration.
Please join us at this month’s zoom meeting on Tuesday 8th July 19.00-21.00: contact email Simon Gibbon for a zoom link
1. Plastic Free July: latest round up of local options for zero waste packaging shopping
For Plastic Free July a simple step you can take to reduce single use plastic is to use shop refill stations for household cleaning liquids, beauty products and some foods. Also aim to buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than plastic wrapped prepacks
Some local heroes reducing the need for single use plastic:
Tindalls Hardware, Stokesley
Tindalls stock a wide range of eco household cleaning products which you can either buy in bulk or refill existing smaller containers to reduce single use plastic waste. Their range includes laundry liquid, washing up liquid, liquid hand soap, toilet cleaner, fabric conditioner, all purpose surface cleaner and dishwasher tablets.
Roots Farmshop, East Rounton
Roots Farmshop encourages you to bring your own containers to fill and refill to reduce plastic waste. Their extensive range of zero waste products includes frozen foods (fruit, vegetables, pastries, deli items), cooking oils, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. You can also use your own containers for fresh fruit and vegetables or paper bags are provided. They also sell plastic free toothpaste, soaps and other beauty products.
Guisborough Refill, Gallaghers Hairdressing, Guisborough
Guisborough Refill supplies refillable, vegan friendly toiletries to reduce single use plastic including a range of shampoos, conditioner, facial cleanser, moisturiser and hand soap.
A little further afield but worth visiting if you’re in the area:
Refill Save Weigh, Billingham
Supplies refill / zero waste food and household cleaning products.
Earth Warriors, Darlington
Supplies plastic free food and household cleaning and beauty products. Also sells a good range of organic wines and organises wine tasting evenings.
Off the Scale, Castleton
Supplies refill / zero waste food products specialising in home baking ingredients.
The Old Weigh, Pickering
Supplies refill /zero waste food products as well as household cleaning and toiletries.
2. The Restart Project Brings Repair Back to Westminster
Our Stokesley and Villages Repair Cafe co-ordinator, Simon Gibbon, joined 40 members of UK Repair Cafes and Restarters to “Bring repair back into Parliament“. Simon says, “We went to Parliament to make sure that repair moves up the legislative priority list, so it was great that we were joined by 35 MPs and the Minister for Circularity, Mary Creagh. Our nearest MP was Tom Gordon (Harrogate and Knaresborough) who agreed to sign the Repair and Reuse Declaration after very little perssausion. Mary Creagh was amazed to hear that even in rural North Yorkshire, people needed and were using repair cafes, such that Stokesley and Villages Repair Cafe had the most recorded repairs of any UK Repair Cafe in 2024.”
The presence of Mary Creagh highlighted the growing importance of the circular economy in the UK, giving added momentum to Repair Cafes and Restarters, who focus on repair and reuse initiatives. While Repair Cafes are looking at increasing repair generally, Restarters highlight the environmental urgency posed by electronic waste (WEEE) and the associated carbon emissions, alongside the significant economic opportunities that a shift towards repair and refurbishment will create, including job growth and financial benefits. Jeremy Vine had personal experience of the challenges posed by manufacturers who design products that are difficult to mend, leading him to celebrate the vital role of community-led repair cafes and government commitment, symbolised by the Minister for the Circular Economy, in fostering this transition.
The Restart Project aims to tackle the climate emergency by making electronics work for people, for the planet, and for longer as well as supporting Repair Cafes and other initiatives across the UK. The UK is the second highest producer of electronic waste per capita in the world. So Restart is calling on politicians to make the UK a leader by removing barriers to repair and reuse. Their Repair and Reuse Declaration has been signed by hundreds of community groups, allied organisations and businesses and endorsed by a growing list of MPs. The Repair and Reuse Declaration has five asks: 1. Make repair affordable (repair vouchers, reduce VAT on parts), 2. Make repair easier (right to repair), 3. Help people choose repairable products (repair stars on product like energy), 4. Reduce waste through reuse (targets for reuse not just recycling), 5. Create green jobs (fund and accredit repair training). All of which could be easily accomplished through appropriate legislation / government action.
Mark A Philips was there as the official photographer, his website unbroken.solutions uses his photographs to explore the impact and our systemic solutions to waste.
What can I do now
Come along to our Repair Cafe to have your household items fixed or think about becoming a volunteer – lots of roles as fixers, reception / admin or refreshments. Read more about the event, our Repair Cafe and Restarters : https://casav.uk/repaircafe
3. Clothing circularity: New to You Clothes Swap Event in September – equipment & volunteers & participants needed
The climate impact of clothing is significant, with the fashion industry considered one of the most polluting industries globally, contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions through its production processes, material sourcing, and waste generation, primarily due to the high water usage, energy consumption in manufacturing, and reliance on synthetic materials like polyester which are derived from fossil fuels.
Not only this, but “fast fashion” encourages frequent clothing purchases and quick disposal whilst garment workers are often exploited with low pay, unsafe working conditions, and long hours. Fast fashion’s affordability and new trends can make consumers value clothing less so instead of taking care of our clothing and repairing any damage to extend the life of our clothing we end up buying more and more that will sit in our wardrobes and never see the light of day.
What can I do now?
– Support sustainable and ethical fashion brands and choose high-quality clothing that lasts longer.
– Recycle or repurpose clothing when it’s no longer needed.
Most of us have far more clothing stuffed in our wardrobes that we no longer wear or in some cases have never worn after an impulse buy.
Jane and Jo, Repair Cafe textiles specialists, are hoping to address this locally and are currently planning a new to you good quality clothing swap event on 27th September to coincide with Sustainable Fashion Week (27th September to 5th October) where our local community can have a wardrobe refresh by exchanging the clothes they no longer wear for ‘new to you’ clothes they would like to wear.
If you have any spare clothes rails or would like to volunteer to help or would like more information to participate please contact clothesswap@casav.uk. Watch for updates casav.uk/clothesswap, on Facebook Stokesley clothes swap, on Instagram @Stokesley_clothes_swap
2. Nature Group
This subgroup focuses on discovering more about and supporting biodiversity and our living environment. Please join us at our next face to face meeting on Thursday 17th July 15.00-16.30 at the Globe Community Library, Stokesley. Contact Bridget for more information.
1. Tuesday 15th July midnight last date to respond to North Yorkshire Council’s (NYC) Local Plan
The new North Yorkshire Local Plan will guide future development and conservation in the area until 2045. This plan covers North Yorkshire, excluding the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, and outlines our priorities for land use and development.
NYC has started an Issues and Options Consultation. This consultation is running now until midnight on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
NYC is asking for your views on the priorities and issues the North Yorkshire Local Plan should address, the future of places and spaces in the area, and how the new plan can influence that. Read about the Local Plan and have your say here:
https://northyorks-consult.objective.co.uk/kpse/event/28CE99ED-5D9F-4FD4-8B95-120E888E26EA
2. Wednesday 9th July 19.00-20.00 North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Recovery Strategy webinar
North Yorkshire Council is responsible for putting together the local strategy that will improve nature locally. They are holding a webinar on Wednesday 9th July 7pm – 8pm where you can learn about the strategy and how to have your say in making the strategy as helpful to nature as possible. Follow these links to learn more about the Strategy (north-yorkshire-and-york-local-nature-recovery-strategy) and to attend the Webinar (attend the webinar)
3. Fire risk on North York Moors continues
First and foremost, although we have had some rain, the North York Moors remain at extreme risk of fire.
Bridget Holmstrom, Nature group lead, notes: “Although we vehemently disagree with land managers and owners on the causes of the fuel load on the moors and uplands, I am sure that we all agree that it is vital that wild fires are dangerous and very damaging. So please, no fires, BBQ’s, or smoking on the moors. As the NYM Park Ranger states, it only takes a spark to ignite a wild fire and it is almost invariably a human that provides the spark. Any fires seen on the moors should be immediately reported with a 999 call.
In addition to the obvious fire risk, please also remember that using disposable BBQ’s on the ground burns the grass underneath and will impact the soil underneath. Once the soil reaches a certain temperature, all the seeds within it are killed, as are the fungi and other tiny living things that support the plant growth you see above ground.
The picture shows the impact of a BBQ on the Low Green in Great Ayton. Please keep your BBQ’s at home.”
It is important to note that a human is responsible for virtually all wildfires.
What can I do now? Enjoy visiting the moors this summer but refrain from lighting barbeques or fires. Any fires that are seen should be reported immediately to the fire service.
north-york-moors-announce-fire-alert
4. Enjoy time in nature this July!
The more we connect with nature, the more motivated we are to protect it. For those of us looking for nature and biodiversity over the summer, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust website is a great place to find different locations. You can find the nearest reserves including those of Tees Valley Wildlife and Durham Wildlife Trusts. A great resource.
3. Food Group
This subgroup focuses on food & its impact on climate change – from growing your own and eating seasonally to reducing food going to waste. Meetings held bimonthly, next in person meeting Thursday 31st July at Wendy’s allotment contact Wendy for a link to join
1. Growing Your own: July Tips of the Month
What are the benefits of growing your own?
Environmental benefits: You can avoid pesticides and herbicides, which pollute the air and water, you can practice water conservation, you reduce food miles, you help pollinators by providing food for them.
Health benefits: you can eat more fruits and vegetables, and include them in healthy meals, homegrown vegetables are more nutritious and taste better because they are free of artificial additives.
Economic benefits: you can save money on food by growing your own vegetables and be more self-sufficient in case of food shortages or price increases.
What can I do now?
July is the perfect time to prepare for autumn harvesting by sowing chard, pak choi, beetroot, turnips, swede, radishes, broccoli or plant out winter cabbages, kale, and leeks for a later harvest.
2. Garden Share Scheme
Gardening can be a solitary activity, and for many people, the lack of community gardening can be great, but if you have trouble getting there or you want more say in what you want to grow that’s where garden sharing comes in.
Locally, there are currently many people on allotment waiting lists, and some who have gardens are struggling to manage them alone. Garden sharing with others can help to reduce costs, save time and resources, and build a sense of camaraderie around the joy of gardening.
The Food Group are currently trying to set up a Garden share scheme – those without a garden help those for whom their garden has become too large, by using it for their mutual benefit.
What can I do now? If you are without a green space to grow your own or have a garden that you struggle to manage alone and are interested in this scheme, please contact Wendy
3. Foodshare: surplus food prevented from going to waste and helping those in need
Foodshare is a joint initiative by the Food and Waste groups and is organised by Jenny. EVERY evening at 9pm a Volunteer collects surplus food from the Ayton Coop and Premier supermarket and both Stokesley Coops and takes it to various distribution centres (often in Middlesbrough) such as Nitelight (for homeless) for use/distribution amongst those in need. This is fresh food such as fruit, veg and bread, NOT the tins and dried food that are needed by Food Banks.
Foodshare collects 40 – 60 kilos of food each day with a value of approx £250. This is £78,000 worth in a year!
What can I do now?
Jenny is always keen to recruit more volunteers to support the foodshare so if you feel this is something with which you could help, please contact Jenny here Jenny Earle.
4. July Seasonal Eating
Eating food in season (local as far as possible) can have substantial positive impact on climate breakdown by reducing high-energy input from artificial heating or lighting needed to produce crops out of the natural growing season. In July there is a multitude of fresh, local fruit and vegetables to enjoy including:
Artichokes, Courgettes, Broad beans, Aubergines, Chard, New potatoes, Onions, Spring onions, Watercress, Spinach, Parsley, Rocket, Lettuce, Raspberries, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Peaches, Blackcurrants and redcurrants, Plums
Recipe of the month:
More info on seasonal eating: Minty Griddled Courgettes
Make the most of July’s bounty with this tasty side dish
Fruit and vegetables in season in June – ready to harvest or buy locally in your greengrocers or farm shop: Baby carrots, Broad beans, Chard, Courgettes and summer squash, Currants, Gooseberries, Lettuce, Parsley, Radish, Rocket, Spinach, Spring cabbage, Spring onions, Strawberries
5. ‘Taste not Waste’ Recipe leaflet with recipes created by Stokesley School Students
In the UK, an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food waste is generated annually. As well being shocking in a cost of living crisis where families go hungry each day, this waste contributes to climate changing emissions harming the planet. Members of the CASaV Waste and Food groups recently worked together with Stokesley School Green Group’s staff to invite school students to create tasty recipes with a focus on reducing waste. These have now been compiled into a free leaflet which will be launched to celebrate Great Big Green Week.
What can I do now? Pick up your free booklet from the Globe, Stokesley and the Discovery Centre Great Ayton or download (save paper!) here: casav-leaflets/taste-not-waste/
6. Food news
Food businesses must make it easier for customers to buy healthy food, under new government plans announced on 29th June. Supermarkets and food manufacturers in England will partner with the government to tackle obesity rates by encouraging people to make their weekly shop healthier including increasing fresh fruit and vegetables. Ministers say it will be up to food retailers to decide how they do that, but it could involve offering promotions on healthy food, tweaking loyalty points to incentivise healthy options, or changing shop layouts.
More info here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
Consuming higher amounts of fibre reduces levels of toxic Pfas “forever chemicals” in human bodies, a new peer-reviewed pilot study suggests. The research found fibre most effectively reduces Pfos and Pfoa, among the two most common and dangerous Pfas. Each can stay in bodies for years, and federal data shows virtually everyone has the chemicals in their blood. Fibre is only found in plant based food.
More info here: theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/11/pfas-dietary-fiber-forever-chemicals
4. Ideas from the groups: Transport
Low carbon travel: Moorbus
Moorsbus operates a bus network servicing the North York Moors National Park in summer, from now until September 28th, with services on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. For very low cost you can travel across the moors from Stokesley & Great Ayton to visit Castle Howard, Danby Lodge, Malton, Easingwold, Rosedale Abbey and more.
This year there are some service expansions, but also unfortunately some service withdrawals, so please check the soon to be uploaded timetables carefully, as there are some significant changes since last year.
Moorsbus is run by a group of volunteers aiming to create an affordable transport system to and around the North York Moors. They want to help locals, as well as visitors from home and abroad, to travel without cars. In 2014 they formed the Friends of Moorsbus and the Moorsbus Community Interest Company as not-for-profit organisations, working with communities and other groups to develop and promote local bus services. They depend on donations to keep the services running as the fares and the low pass reimbursement only pay for about half the bus costs each year.
What can I do now? Check out the Moorsbus website for timetables and updates and start planning your car free travels around the beautiful moors this summer, information here:
5. Ideas from the groups: Environment & Climate Osmotherley (ECO) Group
Environment Climate Osmotherley (ECO) meets regularly and holds events which raise awareness and address local environmental issues such as becoming a Dark Skies Village and increasing local biodiversity.
They will be holding a fundraising Bric-a-brac stall at the Osmotherley Summer Games on Saturday 5th July, any offers of help greatly appreciated. They need people to manage the stall on the day & people to dispose of unsold goods in the following week.
Contact Becci Wright for more information
Signing off
If you have any news or any event / activity you would like promoting on next month’s (August‘s) update please email Kate Gibbon by Tuesday 29th July .
Kate also helps promote activities via Facebook so let her know if there is anything that you would like shared via our Facebook page if you are not a Facebook user.
Hope to see you at the AGM Tuesday 15th July 19.00 at Yatton House Community Garden, Great Ayton
Kate Gibbon,
on behalf of the Climate Action Stokesley and Villages Steering Group Steering group:
Bridget Holmstrom, Caryn Loftus, Ron Kirk, Barry Warrington, Simon Gibbon
Climate Action Stokesley and Villages 