Welcome to November’s Update from Climate Action Stokesley & Villages
Supporting local action for a sustainable, greener and more resilient Stokesley & surrounding villages.
This month world leaders are meeting for the United Nations Climate Action Conference COP30 to focus on the need to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C with the presentation of new national action plans and you can catch up on these and more news as it happens at our COP30 information display at our monthly Repair Cafe. The clocks have gone back bringing earlier twilight – time to observe the beauty of starling murmurations like the one pictured below at Ripon Wetlands Nature Reserve and elsewhere, info in our Nature Group section. Treat yourself to evenings out stimulating your mind at our two local environmental talks and we also look sustainably forward to the festive season with our eco upcycled decorations workshops and our Christmas jumper switch collection at this month’s Repair Cafe
Diary 1: Local / CASaV (details below in newsletter)
Tuesday 18/11 19.30 Whole Group Meeting & Riverbank Invasive Species talk at Stokesley Community Library
Monday 10/11 17.00 – 19.00 Stokesley Mending Circle, Stokesley Town Hall
Tuesday 11/11 13.30 – 15.00 Yatton House Community Garden Working Party
Tuesday 11/11 19.00 – 20.30 Waste & Circularity Group Meeting by zoom
Friday 14/11 15.30 & 17.00 Upcycled / Eco Xmas Decorations Workshops Great Ayton Discovery Centre
Saturday 15/11 10.00 – 12.00 Repair Cafe & Climate Coalition Day Info Display, Swainby Village Hall
Wednesday 19/11 19.30 – 20.30 ‘Lower River Tees Pollution: impact on seals & crabs’ – talk with Ayton Wildlife Association, Friends Meeting House, Great Ayton
Thursday 20/11 15.00 Nature Group Meeting face to face, Stokesley Community Library
Thursday 20/11 19.00 Food Group Meeting by zoom
Friday 5/12 9.00 Sustainable Christmas & Eco Living Info Stall, Stokesley marketplace
Diary 2: Regional, National & Global (follow links)
Saturday 1 – to Sunday 30/11 World Vegan Month world-vegan-month
Saturday 1 – Sunday 30/11 Buy Nothing New Month buy-nothing-new-month
Monday 10th – Friday 21st November United Nations Climate Change Conference COP30 climatechange/cop30
Saturday 22 – Sunday 30/11 National Tree Week national-tree-week
Friday 28/11 Buy Nothing Day buynothingday
Newsletter
Tuesday 18/11 19.30 Managing Invasive Plant Species on the River Leven plus whole group meeting Globe Library, Stokesley
This month all are welcome to our environmental action talk by Chloe Lawrence, Tees River Trust, on how non native plant species have colonised the banks of our local river, the Leven, severely impacting on native plants and affecting biodiversity. She will also explain what actions are being taken to manage this and how everyone can help. We will then spend a short time on updates of activities.
Steering Group updates: We thank Joanna Whitwell for her input to the steering group but she has decided she would prefer to help CASaV in other ways so has stepped down. We welcome Helen Almond to the steering group to represent Environment Climate Osmotherley (ECO) who are now formally a sub-group of CASaV. The group meets regularly and holds events which raise awareness and address local environmental issues such as becoming a Dark Skies Village and increasing local biodiversity.
Monday 10/11 – Friday 21/11 UN Climate Change Conference: The Implementation COP
COP30 is taking place in Belém, Brazil, appropriately within the Amazon. Calling COP30 “the implementation COP” identifies that we know what has to be done and have tools to address the climate emergency.
The geopolitical machinery has been created by the COPs since the first in Berlin in 1995. COP3 in 1997 created the Kyoto Protocol which bound developed nations to emission-reduction targets. COP21 delivered the Paris Agreement, with all nations agreeing a common goal of holding global warming “well below 2°C”. Even COP28 held in Dubai, a fossil fuel state, concluded the first-ever “Global Stocktake” and for the first time, called for “transitioning away from fossil fuels.”
Each successive COP was underpinned by growing scientific certainty about what happens as greenhouse gases increase in the atmosphere. One of the biggest changes since COP1 has been in public understanding and perception of climate change, meaning that politicians across the world have been forced to act as over 60% of their populations consider climate change to be a top priority, continuing pressure on politicians should now drive implementation. While COPs have been going on, technology has advanced from renewable energy and battery technology which are now the cheapest forms of energy, to new approaches in agriculture which offer the opportunity to feed the world and still leave space for nature. Every month we see the effects of climate change from catastrophic flooding in Valencia, to the devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean. Local effects may be less extreme but they are extensive with both increasing flooding and wildfires, and seeing biodiversity change as white egrets on our rivers are now common as swallows are now more rare.
So it is essential we don’t miss opportunity that COP30 offers to accelerate implementation through the clear agenda which stresses ambition, finance and adaptation: ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which must be plans not just pledges; New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) a climate finance target of $1.3 tillion annually to help developing nations; Global Goal on Adaptation to ensure the world’s most vulnerable communities get the resources to survive the impacts we can longer prevent. The UK is seriously stepping up to the challenge of COP30, with our Prime Minister going to attend and the government having just published its climate and green energy plan (the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan).
Hopefully you can now see the importance of COP30, but even if you are not convinced that the world will step up to the opportunity which COP30 offers to ensure a better future for humanity, everything you have done and will do to reduce your impact on the environment and nature, will make the world better for future generations.
Saturday 15/11 10.00-12.00 Repair Cafe, Climate Coalition Day of Action Info Display & Christmas Jumper Exchange Collection at Swainby Village Hall
https://casav.uk/repaircafe
Running monthly now for more than three years, well over 2000 household items have been saved from going to waste by our Repair Cafe – saving our local community the cost of buying new, allowing them to carry on using their cherished items for longer as well as reducing carbon emissions from manufacture & landfill waste or incineration.
Our incredible pink T-shirted volunteers will endeavour to fix your items – including electrical appliances, wooden furniture, toys & bikes, clothing & textiles, laptops & mobile phones. Plus we have blade sharpening so bring along your garden and home tool blades to give them a new edge!
Everything is free including refreshments of Fair Trade 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.
There will also be a display with information about UN Cop30 as part of the global day of climate action and how you can use your voice to influence the future.
October’s Repair Cafe at Stokesley was a bumper session with over 50 people bringing nearly 100 items to mend, 25 volunteers assisting & refreshing our visitors and fixing their items.
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.
Tuesday 11/11 13.30 – 15.00 Yatton House Community Garden Working Party
This month’s working party will be working in the perennial vegetable area. The garden is being much appreciated by visitors, both young and old, throughout the year. They particularly like being able to taste some fruit or even take some away to eat later.
What can I do now? Just turn up and join in on the day and enjoy time in a beautiful garden.
Friday 14/11 15.30 & 17.00 Upcycled / Eco Xmas Decorations Workshops Great Ayton Discovery Centre
CASaV is partnering with Great Ayton Discovery Centre to bring you two hands on eco / upcycling crafting sessions, making festive decorations from resources that might otherwise go to waste.
Everyone welcome, including children with an after school session and a later session at 17.00.
Save money, learn craft skills, protect the planet and make your home more beautiful this festive season!
What can I do now?
Book at place at the Discovery Centre or just turn up on the day.
Wednesday 19/11 19.30 – 20.30 ‘Lower River Tees Pollution: risks to seals & crabs’ – talk with Ayton Wildlife Association, Friends Meeting House, Great Ayton
On Thursday 19th November at 7.30pm, Simon Gibbon a member of the North East Marine Research Group and CASaV will present his talk “The Lower Tees and its Coast – The Risks that Industry, Dredging and Development Pose to Crabs and Seals” to the Great Ayton Wildlife Association at the Friends Meeting House in Great Ayton. Simon became aware of the risk that the marine environment faced in the Tees when he was asked to help the North East Fishing Collective understand why all the crabs died around the Tees estuary and the local coast in late September 2021. The talk will explain the nature of the River Tees and the chemical legacy that over 150years of heavy industry has left in the river. The talk will explore how this chemical legacy presents challenges to the marine ecosystem, focusing on the benthic flora and fauna, while highlighting their influence on both crabs and local harbour seals.
Ideas & news from the groups: Waste & Circularity (including Repair Cafe)
https://casav.uk/waste
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 11/11 19.00-21.00: contact email Simon Gibbon for a zoom link
Blankets for Teesside – 9th November last date for collection
Creative and caring CASaV knitters and crochetters have been busy over the last few months using up yarn which would otherwise have gone to waste to make blanket squares for local vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness. These will be taken to the collection point at the Redcar Palace Community Arts Centre for distribution before the last day for collection Sunday 9th November. If you have spare time and spare yarn join us to knit (or crochet) as many colourful squares (20cm square) as you can and add them to the collection.
More info here: blankets-for-the-world/ and redcarpalace
Christmas Jumper Switch
As part of Buy Nothing New month and following our successful Halloween Switch event last month we will be collecting your unwanted Christmas jumpers (all ages / sizes) for free distribution via our festive clothing drawers at Stokesley & Great Ayton Community Libraries. Research shows that we spend around £220 million on Christmas jumpers each year in the UK and at least a quarter of those are only worn once and will end up in landfill. This year aim to avoid this unnecessary waste and wear what you already own or bring last year’s jumper to our collection point at November’s Repair Cafe after which they will be available to take away at our local libraries all for free or a donation to your local library would be welcome.
Any jumpers remaining just before Christmas will be donated to charities supporting the homeless locally.
Local recycling / repurposing collections
Winter coats & clothing – Stokesley Rotary is linking up with Wrap Up UK who are collecting serviceable warm winter coats to distribute to homeless shelters, refugee centres, women’s refuges, children’s centres & other charities locally and have collecting points at Stokesley Methodist Church, Stokesley Sports Club & Stokesley Town Hall
Medication blister packs – collection boxes now at Stokesley Community Library & the Discovery Centre, Great Ayton collected for recycling at Boots
Plastic milk bottle tops – Rea Funeral services, Stokelsey, raises funds for cancer research
Spectacles – Cooper & Barr, Stokesley collects unwanted spectacles to repurpose for good causes
Bras – donate usuable condition bras to raise funds for breast cancer research, collection boxes at Hutton Rudby GP Surgery as well as Mowbray House Surgery, Northallerton
Used postage stamps, used but clean aluminium foil, children’s wellies, good condition underwear – all being collected locally for good causes contact Louise
Small electrical appliances – the Mind charity shop, Stokesley collects these for sale after safety testing
Ideas & news from the groups: Nature Group
This subgroup focuses on discovering more about and supporting biodiversity and our living environment. Face to face meeting Thursday 20th November 15.00 at the Globe Library, Stokesley. Contact Bridget Holmstrom for more information.
Observing & Protecting Nature this month
Hedgehogs
Bonfire Night is coming up. If you are having one please remember to check your bonfires for hibernating hedgehogs. keep-hedgehogs-in-mind-this-bonfire-night/
Starlings
Starling murmurations are starting to happen. These very dramatic events are well worth seeing. RSPB Saltholme is the nearest location that you can see them but it is also worth checking starlingsintheuk to see where murmurations are occuring. Though these murmurations can comprise many thousands of Starlings, the species is on the red list in the UK.
Here is some advice from the RSPB on what we can do to help support these birds
Starlings are regular garden visitors though, so there are ways you can help your local birds:
Keep a natural grass lawn so Starlings can forage for invertebrates in the soil. Starlings need short grass to keep watch for predators whilst feeding, so mow the lawn now and again.
Put up a nest box in a suitable position, following the RSPB’s easy guidance. Be sure to choose a box with a 45mm entrance hole as this is the ideal size for these birds.
Provide fresh clean water in a shallow dish throughout the year as natural water sources can be harder to find during hot weather and harsh freezes.
Fungi
November is an important time of year for seeing fungus. Local woods are fantastic places to go and see the huge variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Don’t forget to look up into trees. This is the jelly ear, often seen on Elder trees.
Although fungi are beautiful and fascinating, many are poisonous so be safe by observing & taking photos but don’t touch them. Find out more info here poisonous-mushrooms
Ideas & news from the groups: 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 meeting online Thursday 20th November 19.00 contact Wendy Smith for a link to join
World Vegan Month
To celebrate World Vegan Month make more of beans in your diet which are healthy, nutritious and affordable, more info here campaign-launched-double-bean-consumption
Some fantastic bean recipes here: beanspo-recipes
Recipe of the month: Red pepper & Carlin Pea Winter Stew
Carlin peas are a traditional British legume with a nutty, earthy flavour. They are now being grown in the UK again and can be found dried or canned, serving as a lower carbon alternative to e.g. chickpeas. carlin-pea-stew
New Reports from EAT Lancet
Plant based diets are not only better for you but also the planet. The Lancet has recently published this article
lancet-commission-warns-food-systems-breach-planetary-limits/
further summarised here:
digest-eat-lancet-1-the-headlines/
and condensed onto a film here
Growing Your own: October Tip of the Month
What are the benefits of growing your own? As well as health & economic benefits, the environmental benefits are: 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.
What can I do now? November is time to plant garlic. Be aware that while ordinary eating garlic from the shop will grow, it may well have been treated to discourage this so source your garlic bulbs carefully.
Early November you can also plant onions, spinach, kale, and broad beans for overwintering and prepare the soil by adding organic matter. You can also start preparing for next year by sowing green manures and planning for spring crops.
Foodshare – nightly food redistribution
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 to those in need. This is fresh food such as fruit, veg and bread, NOT tins and dried food that are needed by Food Banks. Our group collects 40-60 kilos of food every day with a value of approx £250, worth £78,000 every 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.
Recipe of the month –
Ideas & news 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.
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 (December’s) update please email Kate Gibbon by Friday 28/11
Hope to see you at the whole group meeting Tuesday 18/11 19.30 at Stokesley Community Library
Kate Gibbon,
on behalf of the Climate Action Stokesley and Villages Steering Group Steering group:
Bridget Holmstrom, Caryn Loftus, Ron Kirk, Barry Warrington, Helen Almond, Simon Gibbon
Climate Action Stokesley and Villages 