ACTION against climate change is stepping up across the district.
Three rural communities will be holding climate engagement events next month – uniting residents to take local action on climate change, and more communities are invited to get involved.
Marston Sicca Parish Council, Henley and Beaudesert Joint Parish Council and Alcester Town Council have all declared a climate emergency and formed working groups to agree and plan initiatives to tackle climate change together with their community.
Each event will be unique to the parish and led by the local council with support from the South Warwickshire Climate Engagement Programme, which sees Stratford and Warwick District Councils engage with the public to support and influence local decision making on climate change.
Marston Sicca is the first to hold an event, with the “Great Big Green Day” taking place on Saturday June 10 from 10am to 4pm at Meon Vale Village Hall.
Debbie Woodliffe, Parish Clerk to Marston Sicca, said: “We are taking the opportunity to utilise the parish council assets in the context of biodiversity and climate change. Local environmental charities Hedgehog Friendly Town, Forest of Hearts and Woodland Trust will be walking and talking our residents through maintaining a forest, preserving insect and wildlife species and natural habitats. Our residents will learn the why but also the how.
“The working group has also lined up speakers on waste, recycling and fashion. We want to show how the impact of small changes at local level can add up to a big change. “
Henley and Beaudesert Joint Parish Council declared a climate emergency in November 2022. The JPC has formed a working group to liaise with residents, businesses and climate groups. Actions include working with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to look at natural flood defences and Solar4Schools, a project to help schools acquire solar panels whilst also providing education to students about renewable energy.
A pop-up stall hosted by the SWCEP will be outside John H Cranmer and Co in High Street, Henley on Saturday June 17 from 9am. This will give local people the opportunity to feed in their hopes, needs, and barriers around topics relating to the District Councils’ Climate Change Action Plan to ensure that rural perspectives are considered when the plan is updated.
Alcester Town Council’s Climate Emergency Action Group formed in June 2022. It promotes the Alcester Repair Café and Alcester Community Fridge and is looking at areas in which the council itself can make changes. Locally, examining ways to improve transport and reduce waste are high on the agenda.
A Climate CAFÉ is planned for the residents of Alcester on Saturday June 24 at the Eric Payne Community Centre from 1.30pm to 5pm, where residents are invited to help create an action plan for the town.
Vanessa Lowe, Clerk to Alcester Town Council said: “Climate action can seem pretty daunting especially when looked at from a global perspective. We want to give our residents confidence and knowledge to take manageable and enjoyable steps to help in the battle to save our precious planet. We also want to communicate co-benefits for residents’ health and wellbeing, such as reducing the risk of flooding and cost of energy bills.”
Community groups interested in working with the programme can contact [email protected]
