There are Green events coming up on each of the next few weekends. You are invited to go along to Extinction Rebellion’s picnic this Sunday, 13th March, and come on to the Torridge Green Party meeting at Fairlight, Torridge View, Torrington afterwards. The GP meeting starts at 3.00 pm.
Extinction Rebellion Event this Sunday
Extinction Rebellion are having a gathering in the beautiful woods at High Bickington from 11 am to 2 pm to which you are all welcome. It is being held at the forest school area in the middle of the woods behind the new community centre. There will be a fire and people will bring goodies to eat and drink. Also bring a chair.
Great Torrington Water Forum Sunday 20th March at 2 pm until 4 pm
This event is hosted by the Plough Arts Centre in Torrington. The Water Forum is part of the World Water Quality Alliance (under the UN) and its aim is to encourage water efficiency and clean affordable water. The meeting will be led by Liz Nabb and Mike Machin and will include short films and discussion not to mention tea and cake. The cost is £8 and you can book online or call 01805 624624 for tickets.
Saturday 26th March 2 – 4pm at Littleham Village Hall, EX39 5HR
“Wilder Littleham and Landcross”: organised by Littleham and Landcross Parish Council, with community Climate Action and Biodiversity Groups.
Celebrate the arrival of Spring and hear about activities and plans to help wildlife and biodiversity within the Parish, as well as action relating to the climate emergency.
Speakers include: Emily Willoughby from North Devon Biosphere and Alex Paines (RHS Rosemoor) on Gardening for Wildlife
Displays; Q&A Session
Free to take away: wild flower seeds, bird and bat boxes, plus homes for bees
Free tea, coffee and soft drinks available
Further information from Rosemary Gent – r.gent927@btinternet.com
North Devon Climate Forum Saturday 2nd April on Zoom The North Devon Climate Forum meet on Zoom on 2nd April from 11 am to 12.30 pm. Their speakers will be Cristiane Fontes a Brazilian journalist who works with Global Canopy as their Brazil and Regional Partnerships lead and she will talk about her work. Also Donna sibley who was appointed in July 2021 as the Climate and sustainability Officer for North Devon and Torridge District Councils who will talk about what is being done in our area. Email: ndclimateforum@gmail.com for details of how to join the Zoom.
Ghost Flights – parliamentary petition: Please sign the Parliamentary Petition to ban ghost flights. These are planes that take off empty of passengers purely to preserve flight slots for airlines. It is a crazy way to achieve this and empties tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. It is hight time that a different system came into operation and should be a painless way to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. Go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/605749 to sign.
District and Parish Council Elections May 2023
We are beginning to look for candidates to stand in winnable seats on these councils. A Green presence makes a huge difference on local councils. Rosemary Gent, for example, is doing stirling work on Littleham and Landcross Council and increasing the Green voice there. Our two District Councillors, Peter Hames and Peter Christie have made a huge difference. For example, as you can see from the next Climate Forum, we now have a Climate and Sustainability Officer shared between North Devon and Torridge, a great move forward for this area.
So have a think about standing and come along to a meeting of the GP to find out what would be involved. We want to begin leafleting in Target seats this Autumn.
All the best
Ruth Funnell
GP Secretary