Hello from the Environment Team
Spring has sprung and how beautiful it is! A time of hope, inspiration and appreciation of nature!
Here at SSDC it has been a productive month, which included meeting Parish Environment Champions at two events – hedge laying lessons at Ham Hill and a visit to Wyke Farms near Bruton to hear about their flagship anaerobic digester and renewable energy plant. We've also produced a video to showcase our environmental achievements since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, created a brand new Community Biodiversity Toolkit and are ready to issue free wildflower seeds to successful applicants of the Parish Wildflower Giveaway. Read on to find out more and hear about grants, future events and more.
Best eco wishes from the SSDC Environment Team x
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Welcome to the team Tamara
We would like to introduce you to our new team member Tamara McKay. 'Tam' has joined us as our new Environment Communications Officer.
"I have recently graduated from the Arts University Bournemouth with a BA in Creative Events Management, where I focused on marketing, sustainable events and human behaviour.
My role within SSDC will consist of showcasing the incredible work the organisation is undertaking to make South Somerset a more sustainable place to live. This includes communicating new strategies with residents of the area through social media, press releases and our environment website. I look forward to helping drive change and improving public understanding of sustainable behaviours."
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SSDC Environment Achievements
We've been creating the new 2022-2023 environment action plan. It's given us the opportunity to reflect on what's already been achieved to date. Here are some of the highlights – there were too many to showcase them all, but it provides a snapshot of some of the great work delivered so far. Thanks for all your involvement and support.
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Community Biodiversity Pack
Welcome to the South Somerset Community Biodiversity Pack. Our new Toolkit has been developed to allow our communities to take the lead in preserving and restoring biodiversity in their community!
The toolkit is designed for use by community groups, local landowners, Parish and Town Councils, schools and youth groups and it provides a structure for how local communities can better understand what they already have in terms of biodiversity, as well as how to plan for developing greater biodiversity in the future. The Toolkit also provides a series of practical tips for how you can manage your land for biodiversity.
Within the pack you can see both the obligations to protect biodiversity and also the opportunities available to us all, in terms of existing projects and good practice carried out locally. There is so much great work being delivered across South Somerset that this also gives us the opportunity to showcase some of those case studies and celebrate progress to date. Our thanks to all the contributors!
We hope that you find the pack useful, and feel free to share this guide more widely within your communities.
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Urban Tree Challenge to local landowners
We believe our private landowners across South Somerset could really progress urban area's access to trees and the benefits they provide, including cleaner air, reduced flooding risk and increased biodiversity. The Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF) allows anyone with full management of their land to apply for a minimum of £10,000, supporting tree planting projects which lie within the ‘Urban’ mapping which can be checked here, using the ‘UTCF Trees Close to People’ layer. 50% of the costing must be match funded, but these costs can be matched using labour in addition to money. The UTFC is now open for new applications until midnight on 31 May 2022. If you are interested in this fund please contact Joshua.bennett@southsomerset.gov.uk.
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New water refill point comes to Yeovil
Local people and visitors to Yeovil can now top up with tap water for free, thanks to a new Wessex Water refill point.
To coincide with UK Nutrition and Hydration Week (14 to 20 March), the water company has switched on its new water refill station in Middle Street. It will be cleaned, maintained and inspected regularly to ensure the highest standards of hygiene.
Wessex Water is working with councils and businesses across its supply region to install refill units in public spaces, encouraging people to drink more tap water and avoid using single-use plastic bottles. You can find other refill point locations here.
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Thermal Imaging Camera Trial comes to an end
Thank you to all the parishes who took up this trial opportunity, which has now come to the end. 14 Parishes have trialled the thermal imaging cameras in their communities. We will soon be sending out a questionnaire survey to those who trialled the cameras to find out their experiences and if their use has helped homeowners identify where their homes could benefit from improved insulation and draught-proofing, signposting them to support and potential grants to implement retrofit improvements. Further energy saving tips can be found here.
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Parish Environment Champions |
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What's all the fuss about?
We were thrilled to welcome David Ramsden MBE to a recent Parish environment Champions webinar where he delivered his inspiring "Climate & Ecological Crisis - What's all the fuss about". We implore everyone to watch it!
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Parish Environment Champions can work together to make a difference
A reminder that we are looking to expand our Parish Environment Champion network! Parishes can have more than one environment champion so if you are unsure about committing, why not team up with someone else in your area?
Our Environment Champion network is a growing group of local residents, passionate about the environment, who are willing to volunteer their time to share best practice and support each other to deliver local eco projects in their community. Volunteers act as the 'eyes and ears' in their local areas as well as acting as a pathway for sharing initiatives such as our Great Parish Wildflower Giveaway!
For more information of how to get involved and to see a list of where our Champions are currently located click here.
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Wyke Farms Sustainable Energy Visitor Centre Tour
27 members of our Parish Environment Champions and local businesses joined us on a tour around Wyke Farms flagship sustainable energy visitor centre and anaerobic digester plant near Bruton.
Our aim was to share knowledge of the sustainability and energy efficiency measures that Wyke Farms are implementing as part of their journey to carbon neutrality. Here’s what we learnt:
- Wyke are one of the UK’s largest independent producers of green biogas, generating enough to be self-sufficient; additional gas is then sold back into the grid to power local homes;
- The system links into their manufacturing operations through a combined heat and power unit;
- They generate the majority of their own electricity from solar PV;
- Produce and sell natural fertilisers for local farms using waste effluent from the digestate;
- Recover up to 90% of their water usage from operations; and
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Have integrated a Green Business Strategy supporting their suppliers financially to be more sustainable;
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The first cheese producer to receive a carbon neutral accreditation for one of their cheeses Ivy's reserve vintage cheddar!
“The key is to be a progressive business that doesn’t stand still, to continue to challenge ourselves to find more sustainable ways to operate to enable us to farm and run a business for generations to come.” Richard Clothier, CEO.
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It wasn’t all business however; we ended the session with a cheese tasting session afterwards. Yum!
You can watch an extract of Richard Clothier's presentation from the Circular Economy seminar October 2020 here.
Just click play.
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Hedge laying at Ham Hill
We had a great day learning from Paul, our Ham Hill Country Park Ranger, how to hedge lay and why specifically we learnt the Midlands-style (the most common). This included how to sharpen a billhook, checking for wildlife (especially sleeping dormice), clearing and preparing a hedge and then the act of laying.
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7 champions attended the day, all leaving with new found confidence that they can go into their communities or land and begin their hedge laying journeys! We will run this event again when the season restarts October – March to ensure we don’t bother any nesting birds!
You can watch this video to learn more about the Midlands-style of hedge laying.
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South Petherton Tree and Wildlife Group (TWiG)
Environment Champion, Kath Brace, alongside the South Petherton Tree and Wildlife Group (TWiG), has successfully planted up 2 new stretches of hedgerow in the parish. Funding for the project was obtained from the Parish Council as well as a grant from the Tree Council’s Community Hedge Fund.
TWiG is a Parish Council led working group and is well supported by both councillors and local residents. Their next project is to plant more hedge in the village and to create a wildflower meadow on an acre of parish council owned land next to the allotments in the village. Great work!
To read about other local case-studies, visit the Community Projects page of our website here.
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Future Environment Champion Events
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Check out our events page on the South Somerset Environment Website for full details:
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6 April 2022 - South Somerset Rivers: Restoration and Climate Resilience
Join us for our next SSDC Environment webinar to hear about our local rivers and some of the adaptations and solutions required to help provide climate resilience for our communities. We will hear from the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust (YRCT) on river restoration, Langport Town Council and the Somerset Rivers Authority on their flood warden scheme, and Phil Brewin on the challenges that climate change pose to the spread of invasive species! The session is free to attend. An invitation will be sent out; if you are not part of the Environment Champion network and would like to join this webinar, please get in touch.
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30 April 2022 - River Restoration and Channel Management (10.30-12.30)
Following on from our River's webinar, join us for an in-person walk at Dodham Brook, Yeovil Country Park and hear from our Yeovil Rivers Community Trust (YRCT) representative about the work they have been undertaking.
We will also have a number of other guest speakers. Interested? Get in touch here.
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Somerset Climate Action Network's Insulating Somerset webinar
Insulating our homes better is not only key to managing rising fuel prices and temperature changes, it is also crucial to helping us reach net zero carbon emissions.
Getting a retrofit assessment done by a qualified assessor will ensure that when you make the necessary changes, you can do them with the confidence that you will not be causing any other issues, such as damp and mould, which can occur if the measures aren't done to the correct standards.
To find out more you can watch Somerset CAN's webinar, however please be aware that there was a glitch in the recording so only the second half is provided.
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The Somerset Retrofit Accelerator project is offering 50 discounted retrofit assessments and plans are available to householder in Somerset who wish to share their retrofit journey with others – to apply click here.
If you have already made energy efficiency changes to your property you can share your experiences with others through a series of online open home events. Please click here to sign up!
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Environment Grants
You can find all information on external grants and funding on the South Somerset Environment website here:
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Patagonia Environmental Grants – offering grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 for small grassroots not-for-profit environmental organisations in the UK that are working to protect local habitats and frontline communities through bold, original actions. The next application deadline is Tuesday 31 May. For details visit: Patagonia Environment Grants
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Grow Wild Community Grants – the Royal Botanic Gardens are offering 5 grants of £2,000 to community organisations across the UK to transform a neglected urban space. The grants are open to UK community organisations here. The deadline is Monday 4 April.
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SUSTAIN Food for the planet – grants up to £5,000 are available to not-for-profit groups and local authorities for projects, which create meaningful change to local food systems and promote climate justice. The deadline is Friday 15 April – click here.
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The Learning through Landscapes’ Local School Nature Grants – awards up to £500 are available to provide outdoor learning training and equipment to schools. Grants can be used to purchase outdoor materials from the catalogue such as bee and insect hotels, bird boxes, gardening tools and clothes, and wildlife watching kits, including outdoor cameras. The deadline is Friday 29 April.
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The Somerset Retrofit Accelerator project- Funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, this 6 month project is offering a limited number of discounted Retrofit Assessments to home owners wanting to share their retrofit journey with others. These discounts are available until stocks last and must be booked by 30 June at the latest. For more information and to apply, please click here.
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Growth Accelerator Fund launched
Grants are being made available to Somerset SME businesses (Small and Medium Size Businesses of up to 250 employees) to support the growth of eligible organisations to help drive economic recovery post Covid and support Somerset’s low carbon economy. By implementing the decarbonisation of business practices, processes and supply chains and the introduction of new technologies, work practices and cultural change, Somerset can work towards it's commitment to Net Zero by 2030. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is Monday 11 April - to find out more click here.
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Local Eco-Friendly Business? Join the SSDC Great Green Directory
Get listed! If you are a South Somerset business or organisation with great eco credentials, based in or supply to South Somerset, you can list for FREE in our Great Green Directory.
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Green Business Support Survey
If you missed our green business survey last November, SCC are now offering a second chance for businesses to get involved in steering the Net Zero business support being offered. The results of our initial survey have helped guide this piece of work - complete the survey here.
It should only take 10-15 minutes and your answers will be crucial in helping to shape the support required to suit local need. As a thank you, all survey responses will be entered into a prize draw to win prizes from My Carbon Coach.
Note, the survey has been developed by Resource Futures on behalf of SCC. Data will not be shared outside of Somerset's local authorities and your responses will remain anonymous in any reporting.
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Small Business Sustainability: Reaching Net Zero
If you’re looking to understand and adopt environmentally friendly practices for your small business then join this 3-hour free webinar on 5 April, offered by the Somerset & Devon Business Information Point (BIP). You can find out about the advantages to becoming Net Zero and what it means for your business, as well as how to take steps to start reducing your carbon footprint. This webinar forms part of 12 hours of free business support offered by the BIP, which you can sign up for here.
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Actions and advice
New energy tariffs come into force on 1 April, which could make the average household energy bill rise substantially. We have provided some advice and tips to save energy and help reduce bills here.
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Free support on how to save energy in your community building
If you are looking for advice on how to save energy in your community building, or require support with fundraising for energy-saving improvements, The Community Council for Somerset (CCS) have you covered! Over the next month, CCS are running a series of online advice surgeries for any hall committees looking for individual support.
You can book an hour session for energy efficiency specific support on Thursday 31 March and Thursday 7 April between 7-9pm, and Friday 22 April between 10am-4pm. To book a session please contact Robert Horn here. If you are unable to attend, you can watch their recent webinar on How to Undertake a DIY Energy Audit or download the DIY Energy Tool.
You can also access similar sessions regarding advice on fundraising on Thursday 31 March, Tuesday 5 April, Wednesday 6 April, Monday 25 April and Tuesday 26 April between 10am-2pm. To book a session please contact Kate Burrough here.
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Learn to Scythe
Ever wanted to learn how to scythe? You can tick it off your bucket list with a day learning to scythe with expert Larry Leventhal, on Saturday 16 April at Honeypot Farm, Fosse Way, Yeabridge, Somerset TA13 5LW. For more details and to book click here.
You might even be good enough to enter the Scythe trials at the Green Scythe Fair on Sunday 12 June!
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Community Garden Week 4-10 April 2022
Community Garden Week is a celebration of all the school and community gardens across the country and reigniting the passion of gardening after decades of decreased interest. These gardens are great for the environment and local ecosystems; for producing locally grown produce, for meeting new people and for encouraging positive wellbeing!
Westfield Community Garden in Yeovil opened earlier this month and is already a fantastic example of how a garden can positively impact the local community. You can join the Westfield Community Association group here.
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Earth Day April 22 2022
The first Earth Day took place in 1970 in an effort to educate more people on the environmental movement, and inspire them to take positive actions towards a more sustainable future. Since it's beginning Earth Day have mobilised over 1 billion people around the world. This year the theme is 'Invest in our planet', and you can visit the website to find to take part.
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Recommended Reading & Ones to Watch |
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Meat - A Benign Extravagance
By Simon Fairlie
This book is an exploration of the difficult environmental, ethical and health issues surrounding the human consumption of meat. It lays out in detail the reasons why we must decrease the amount of meat we eat, both for the planet and for ourselves and explores how different forms of agriculture shape our landscape and culture.
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The Human Planet: How We Created the Anthropocene
An engrossing exploration of the science, history and politics of the Anthropocene, one of the most important scientific ideas of our time, from two world-renowned experts Simon Lewis and Mark Maslin.
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Levelling up the conversation
Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, joins Chamber in a panel event in Somerset to discuss the impact of the Environment Act, climate change and agriculture on the environment in the South West and beyond.
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Visit our South Somerset Environment Website
Stay in the know about all things environment in South Somerset.
Pop in and have a look around!
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If you enjoy Get SuSSed and would like to share it, you'll find the link on our website here. Just copy and paste the link into your social media or within some text on your website. Or just forward the email to friends.
You can also find all back issues of Get SuSSed here.
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