Willows on the Wey, Guildford
In this month’s newsletter
- Green drinks
- Tyndall talk
- WhatsApp group
- Restoring Woolbeding
- Ed teaches veg
- Apple tree tlc
- Free energy advice
- Climate crisis and mental health
- Green coffee
- Farmers’ market
- Wild Fell
- BVeech TPO
Green drinks
We will hear about Zero Carbon Guildford’s energy efficiency advice programme, look at what we should be doing in our vegetable patches now, and discuss other Spring activities and topics. In the Snug at The Mill, Shottermill Road, from 7.30pm on Thursday 7 March. Please join us.
Talk on Tyndall, climate science pioneer
At the height of his fame in the 19th Century, John Tyndall drew crowds of 2,500 or more to his public lectures on recent developments in science, including his own discoveries in atmospheric dynamics that laid the foundations of meteorology and climate science. We are not expecting quite such a crowd at our lecture on Tyndall’s life but it should be fascinating nonetheless. It will be given by former head of the Science Museum and Tyndall biographer Sir Roland Jackson. 7.30pm Wednesday 27 March, Haslemere Hall. Free entry. You can find out more and book tickets here, or just turn up on the night.
Join our WhatsApp group
Want to keep up to date between newsletters or join in discussion on current issues? Join our new Transition Haslemere WhatsApp group. Send your mobile number to info@transitionhaslemere.org and we will add you to the group.
NT restores Woolbeding
The National Trust is holding two events about its plans for its Woolbeding estate. On Saturday 9 March, lead ranger Dave Elliott and project manager Becky Hiorns will lead a walk across the common and discuss plans to introduce grazing livestock to help restore habitat that is home to rare and threatened species. Meet at 10.30am at the Older Hill carpark. An event on Wednesday 20 March at the South Downs National Park Centre will explain plans to create large areas of woodland and wood pasture, restoration of the common, river and floodplain, along with species recovery and reintroduction. There will be volunteering opportunities and to help shape access routes. For more information call NT on 01730 816638 or email info@transitionhaslemere.org.
Ed teaches veg
Edwin Brooks, agroecological farmer and founder of Ed’s Veg, is leading two courses on agroecological vegetable growing. An introductory course on Sunday 14 April on the basics of growing food, chemical-free, with foolproof ways to plan and execute an edible garden. The Agroecological Veg Growing Success course on Sunday 21 April, for experienced growers or those who have completed the introductory course, will look at ways to improve the productivity of gardens and the quality of produce in a natural way. Both courses are at Devil’s Lane Market Garden, Liphook. The cost per course is £80 or £140 for couples, including refreshments and vegetarian lunch. You can find more information here or email edsvegdevilslane@gmail.com.
TLC for apple trees
Gareth Matthes writes: “We are holding a pruning session in the National Trust orchards, meeting at Swan Barn Orchard House at the Base Camp for 9.30am, working through to 3pm on Wednesday 6 March. We will give trees and protective fences some tender loving care, with a quick reminder about pruning. If you have sharp, decent secateurs, please bring them. All welcome. Please bring a packed lunch, and suitable footwear – wellies may be best as it’s very muddy in places. Hot drinks and toilets available.” For further information call, text or email Claire on 07765 890484, clairematthes.copse@gmail.com.
Free energy efficiency advice
Zero Carbon Guildford is offering free thermal imaging surveys and in-person energy advice from its Home Energy Advice Taskforce to Surrey residents to help them cut their bills, ensure homes are healthy and comfortable, and reduce carbon emissions. They offer remedial measures for draughts and can point you toward energy efficiency funding. You can check if you’re eligible for a free home energy survey here.
Attachment and climate crisis
With increasing evidence of the profound impact of climate change on mental health, a conference delves into the crisis through the perspective of attachment theory and looks at the natural world as a vital source of comfort and healing. ‘Attachment, climate crisis and the natural world’ is an online conference organised by the Bowlby Centre with Professor Jeremy Holmes as keynote speaker. Saturday 10am to 5pm 20 April 2024. Cost: £150 for non-Bowlby Centre members. You can book here.
Green coffee
Can’t make green drinks? Join us for green coffee from 10am to 12 noon on Wednesday 20 March at the Courtyard Cafe off the High Street. Come along for a coffee and informal chat on all things green.
Farmers’ market and repair cafe
We will be at the farmers’ market from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 2 March on the High Street. The Repair Cafe will be at the Swan Inn from 10am to 1pm on the same day.
Book of the month: Wild Fell by Lee Schofield
“The author has been overseeing the ecological restoration of a Lake District landscape, including Haweswater Reservoir and two traditional hill farms, on behalf of the RSPB. Facing huge resistance from the local farming community and numerous agencies, the RSPB try to promote reduced sheep stocks and nature restoration. He highlights the loss of biodiversity caused by the huge sheep numbers, while acknowledging how governments have forced farmers into more intensive farming over decades. Schofield finds inspiration in traditional farms operating in bio-diverse landscapes in Norway and Italy. In the Lakes there is progress, a growing conservation movement and an increasing number of farmers embracing a new way forward. A fascinating and inspiring book” writes Jon Lissimore.
Tree of the month: Veteran beech
This veteran beech (Fagus sylvatica) is one in a line of beech, oak and other species, including an ancient beech, on the Midhurst Road that have recently had Tree Preservation Orders placed on them. The trees are threatened by a planning application for housing development at Scotland Park, a National Landscapes area. Our new tree warden group drew the attention of Waverley’s tree officers to the threatened trees.