Events and News

Events - Sustainable Tiverton

Activities and events information, kindly provided by Sustainable Tiverton's newsletter.

Find more details for all these events at info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

The community fridge is back in the library in a new location, opening times as above.

Volunteers will present at all sessions. It is not open all library hours.

We can always do with more volunteers! Contact us through facebook or at info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

Phoenix House Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6SA

Day of Event	Event
Saturday 9.30am till 12 Noon	Share Shop
2nd and 4th Wednesday 10am-12noon	ECOE drop in for Energy advice
3rd Thursday 2pm-4pm	ECOE drop in for Energy advice

Other activities and locations:

Saturday 7th September	Share Shop Stall in Pannier Market
Saturday 14th September	Repair Café @Tiverton Library
Saturday 14th September	Litter pickers @ Tiverton Hotel
Saturday 14th September	Historic Perambulation on the Leat @ Tiverton
Sunday 15th September	Energy Awareness aession1 - Eco hub Tiverton
22nd-29th September	FORE campaign week with Eat Festival
Saturday 28th September	Rerooted café@ St Georges am.
Saturday 28th September	Apple Juicing @ Halberton Village Hall
Sunday 29th September	Salmon Run @ Tiverton
Sunday 29th September	Eat Festival In Fore Street Phoenix Lane and alongside the River

Further details and volunteering opportunities for all these events below, or later ones in the next newsletter.

Sustainable Tiverton Membership scheme

Become a member of Sustainable Tiverton CIC!

Sustainable Tiverton is a company limited by guarantee and like all companies is accountable to its members. Membership is open to everyone aged 16 or over who lives or works in, or within 15 miles of, Tiverton.
As a member you will get notice of our AGM and other general meetings, and be able to vote at these meetings, including the appointment of the Directors who run the company day to day. For a membership application form, please e-mail committee@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

Friends of Sustainable Tiverton

There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in Sustainable Tiverton

Be a regular project volunteer for  Repair Cafe or  ReRooted,

Develop a new skill - become an equipment librarian for Shareshop, or learn to keep bees with  the Bee Group

Join in with one-off events such as Tree Planting Days
Become a member or friend
Get a friend involved!
Can you be a Sustainable Tiverton Director? We are looking at the skills we most need centrally - we would love to hear from people with skills to offer who can commit the regular time needed.

Look at individual project details for who to contact below, or get in touch at info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

NEWS FROM AROUND THE GROUPS.....

Share Shop is now open!

Shareshop Lending Sessions

Every Saturday 9.30am-12 noon

at The EcoHub, Phoenix Lane Tiverton

We have 200 items to choose from, and our website and online catalogue are now live at shareshoptiverton.org.uk
To borrow - visit the website and follow the links to become a member. Then browse our catalogue and reserve items on-line.

We now have lots of camping equipment and are checking it all at the moment - including tents, pans, sleeping bags, airbeds and camping mats, and even a camping toilet!

We also have some items for parties -reusable crockery, popcorn machine, cupcake stands, karaoke machine. We would love more items for childrens or adult parties, equipment for visiting children or adults, and to add to our newly started 'newborn' section.

Bring your items for donation to us at the following times:

Fridays 10 - 1 pm at the Eco hub

You can also drop off at COOP funeral care weekdays 9am to 5pm.

Or to next Repair Café @ Tiverton Library between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm.

Are you unsure if your item is suitable, or need larger items picked up? Email shareshoptiverton@gmail.com to discuss what you have or make different arrangements for donating.

Volunteers Needed

We always need more volunteers to train, and we are also collecting names of people who can step in occasionally when a rota volunteer has to cancel.

Email shareshoptiverton@gmail.com fill in our volunteer form.

Or chat to the team on a Saturday.

Skills Sharing and Re-purposing

At plastic free Bampton workshops, children used old fabric to make colourful shopping bags, and waste plastic for decorations. This year, Petroc students are creating a fashion show from surplus fabrics and other materials, and we hope to encourage more re-purposing activities with pop up events/ workshops at the college.

Volunteers needed.
We would like to run practical community sessions on repurposing. We need skills in crafts, hand or machine sewing, woodwork, but most of all we need your ideas! Do you have something you have repurposed you can show to others to start them off? We are also collecting left over fabric in bright colours. To get involved, contact Gill at gillgale101@gmail.com, email shareshoptiverton@gmail.com . or call Catherine on 07763882955 to find out more.

Shareshop Volunteers needed!
Sign up to help at a Saturday session on our rota here volunteersignup.org/938Q7
We always need more volunteers to train, and we are also collecting names of people who can step in occasionally when a rota volunteer has to cancel. Email us at shareshoptiverton@gmail.com, fill in our volunteer form at https://shareshoptiverton.org.uk/volunteer-now/ or chat to us at a Saturday session.

Climate Outreach Group

Climate Outreach Group (COG) drop in This month's dates are

Please note we "Sustainable Tiverton" have decided to suspend these meetings for the summer until the Autumn. Look out for news of our new plans in the newsletter.

At COG meetings you can come and discuss your concerns about the climate crisis, to meet other people and to find out what we can do together locally, and join in activities which help our projects.

Tea and coffee will be available for a donation. No need to book - just put it in your diary and turn up on the day. We will be glad to see you there!

Biodiversity watch- removing Himalayan Balsam before it spreads seed

Introduced to the UK in 1839, Himalayan balsam is now a naturalised plant, found especially on riverbanks damp areas and in waste places in towns and countryside.
Now regarded as a problem weed, Himalayan balsam tolerates low light levels and also shades out other vegetation, so gradually impoverishing habitats by killing off native plants important to specific insects.
How does it spread?
Each annual plant can produce up to 800 seeds. These are dispersed widely as the ripe seedpods shoot their seeds up to 7m (22ft) away.

The plant is also spread

by humans passing on seed to friends
when established near rivers, seeds are transported further afield by water

It's important to encourage people not to nurture this plant, and to take steps to stop seed from spreading

Seeds ripen from August to October, so there is still time this autumn to prevent dispersal of many seeds.

How to remove the seeds and plants

This year - plants will already be flowering - cut down as many as possible before the seeds ripen and spread. Plants with seed pods should be burnt, not composted. Also note areas of growth to tackle earlier next year.

In May and June next year

hoe off seedlings and dig or fork out plants when young

Bash the area -Bashing the same area over five years can exhaust the seed bank and eventually make the area balsam free.
When plant density is high, cut or trim the plant stems below the lowest node.

Look out for 'balsam bashing' work parties organised to clear areas near you and join in.
There are similar looking flowers so make sure you're pulling the right ones! The ones below are Rosebay Willowherb and Hemp Agrimony.

Friends of the River Exe

Friends of the River Exe have now established a Tiverton Citizen Science water testing group.

They recently had their first training session at Lowman Green in Tiverton run by Howard Cuthbert.

The results are sent to Westcountry Rivers Trust where they are analysed. WRT relies on volunteers to get involved and support the valuable work they do.
With the recent local outbreak of cryptosporidium it shows there is no greater priority than the health of our water and rivers.

FORE still have some of the grant money able to buy more kits, so if you are interested in being a local volunteer please contact us on citizenscience@friendsoftheriverexe.org

Campaign Week
Our Festival of the Exe has evolved into a River Action Campaign Week running from Saturday 21st September to Sunday 29th September ending with Salmon Run (see below). We've now received funding from Lush, and hope to run various activities along the river including a paddling event.
Confirmed is Exmouth Quakers holding Lights in Darkness swim on Tuesday 24th at 8pm and Evening Stillness, Thursday 26th at 7pm.

In Tiverton we will be having an information stall at the EAT Festival again on Rotary Way on Sunday 29th September where we will be signalling actions people can do at home and in their community to care for the river.

We will also be welcoming the Tidelines' Salmon Run runners again on their way to Tarr Steps tracing the route of spawning Salmon. The whole run follows the path of migratory salmon from sea to spawning ground and bringing awareness of the plight of Atlantic Salmon and their vital role in the culture and ecology of our rivers.
You can come along to walk/run part of the way with the runners, be a salmon steward or take part in a longer stretch. Find out more here : https://tidelines.uk/blog/salmon-run-2024/ or email info@tidelines.uk or call 0789024401

Sampford Peverell Bees

This is the month for settling bees down for the winter.

We have four good colonies and are leaving all the honey the bees have managed to store, for them to eat during the winter, though we will check later on to see they have enough.

We have made a Solar was melter from waste materials (Its and Old brood box with a fitted pane of glass, a take away tray and some plastic tubs. It works when the temperature reaches 24C, so a few days of this summer.) Which has filtered out some beautiful wax, for candles or possibly furniture polish.

Talks to Groups

Would your club, church or community organisation members like to hear more about the work of Sustainable Tiverton?
We recently gave a well-received talk to Tiverton Civic Society, and are happy to talk to other local organisations, and also get their feedback on what we do.
To discuss having a talk for your organisation, please call Peter on 01398 332094 or email info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

Food Growing

If you are interested in joining the new food growing group email info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

Or come along to one of our events and talk to the volunteers.

News from other organisations...

Uffculme Green Team News

Uffculme Community Fridge

Opening hours
9.30- 11.00 a.m. Monday-Friday

Uffculme Community Fridge container
Grounds of Uffculme Branch Surgery, Commercial Road. Contact us for more information on hello@uffcommfridge.org.uk Please come and help us stop food waste - this is a community fridge and larder which is open to all.

The only day we'll be closed over the holidays is Christmas Day 25^th December - otherwise a warm welcome (and some good food) awaits!

Tiverton Volunteer Litterpickers

Love Where You Live –

– Help Keep Tiverton Tidy

We start at 10am every 2nd Saturday in the month,

finishing by 11.30am

Dates Coming Up:-

September 14th @ Tiverton Hotel Blundells Road

October 12th @ McDonalds, Lowman Way.

November 9th @ Pannier Market, Town Centre.

There is no session in December.

All equipment provided for litterpicking
Contact: tivertonvolunteerlitterpickers@gmail.com, and come and join us.

Wildlife wardens

For details of all Wildlife wardens activities and events go to Mid Devon Wildlife Warden Scheme | wildlife | Devon, UK

Energy Advice

Energy Outreach Project - Get 1-2-1 advice or book a presentation on saving energy

This winter we are working with Citizens Advice to meet individuals or households and provide invaluable energy advice that will help you or your community to save money and keep warm.

Along with this advice, our DCT Energy Champion Martin Rich is available to come to your community for a free community energy presentation to provide advice to people in your area. These can be held in community spaces such as public libraries or village halls. This is especially beneficial to the community if you are a Parish, District or County Councillor and want to address high energy costs.

If you would like to receive 1-2-1 advice or arrange a presentation, please contact martin@devoncommunities.org.uk or call 07984 001542.

You can also contact Martin if you need advice on undertaking energy audits, funding energy saving measures or other help with cost reductions. All events and advice are completely free. Further information may be found below, including any upcoming community events.

Find out more at https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/projects/energy-outreach-project
Best wishes,Devon Communities Together

Exeter Community Energy

MID DEVON REGULAR FREE DROP IN ENERGY ADVICE CLINICS
Sustainable Tiverton Ecohub – Energy advice drop-ins

Wednesday mornings 4th week of the month, 10 – 12.00

Thursday afternoons 3rd week of the month. 2 - 4pm

Information on other ECOE drop in sessions can be found on https://www.ecoe.org.uk/healthy-homes-clinic-information/
On this site you will also find information on current grants and on retrofitting insulation.

Home visits are available to those eligible, and regular clinics are now being held across the area. https://www.ecoe.org.uk/healthy-homes-clinic-information/

Talks are available to community groups. If you'd like a talk for your local group or parish please contact ECOE as above.

Community Energy sessions in Tiverton

We have arranged a two-session in person training with ECOE this autumn to give us ideas and materials to help people keep homes warm this winter - and save emissions and money!

Session dates are
Session 1 - Sunday 12 September 6pm
Session 2 - Thursday 10 October 6.15pm
at the Ecohub Phoenix Lane Tiverton

We don't need to become experts -just pass on ideas and encourage people to consult ECOE

Please call Catherine on 07763 882955 or email catherinestott@hotmail.co.uk for more detail. We would like people from all over our area to be involved so that the energy saving and keeping warm message can be spread throughout our community, and make a difference this winter.

Planet and People

Planet & People launches a new Planet Action Workshop for schools.
'There's No Place Like Home' is a fully-funded half day workshop that offers a positive and age-appropriate introduction to climate change that empowers students to create a better future for planet and people. It inspires students to co-create a book for your school to encourage others to act for the planet.
If you are a parent or teacher connected to a school in Devon that would benefit from these curriculum-linked (to take the pressure off teachers!) and well-respected environmental education workshops (we have reached over 9000 students since Nov 2021), please get in touch via hello@planetandpeople.co.uk. We work hard to fundraise to ensure that our workshops are accessible and available to all. We are very grateful for all donations given (via the 'donate' button on our website), please consider making a contribution as we bridge the gap in environmental studies in schools. We also support eco councils and committees through our Environmental Healthcheck and can offer teacher training days. You can see more on www.planetandpeople.co.uk.

Community Action Groups Devon

CAG (Community Action Groups) Devon is an organisation which supports community projects to reduce, reuse, recycle, share, swap, mend and compost.

If you have a local project that you would like to start you can find useful information here
https://cagdevon.org.uk/doing-stuff

To sign up to their monthly newsletter and keep in touch with what is happening with other groups around Devon and get ideas for your community go to
https://cagdevon.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1df054a243851ef35de6d23ee&id=d857be1c51

Devon Climate Emergency

Are you interested in what's happening across Devon to make our lives more sustainable? For more information about the Devon Climate plan and latest news from Devon Climate Emergency, go to https://devonclimateemergency.org.uk/. You can also sign up to their ,mailing list to receive a regular newsletter.

Sustainability advice for businesses

Devon Climate Emergency also provides a range of tailored support to businesses to enable them to become carbon neutral and work in a low impact way. You can find information, and access to funded one - to one advice on their website at
https://devonclimateemergency.org.uk/resources-for-organisations/tailored-support/
Other resources for business support in Devon are shown below.
The Devon Local Nature Partnership business section helps direct businesses to advice and resources, particularly in the Devon context
https://www.devonlnp.org.uk/knowledge-hub/sustainability-at-work/
The Federation of small businesses has free advice here
https://www.fsb.org.uk/knowledge/fsb-infohub/small-business-sustainability-hub.html as well as offers for its members

The Devon Planet Action Partnership (DPAP) is a sustainability consultancy service for businesses run by Jess Carter to help them take action for the planet through a supportive and practical framework.
To find out more go to www.devonplanetactionpartnership.co.uk

Plastic free North Devon has set up The Sustainable Busineess Resource which works with small and medium size businesses to improve their sustainablilty - see https://www.thesbr.org.uk/

Plymouth and Devon Chamber of Commerce has some free advice as well as more information and support for their members.
https://devonchamber.co.uk/net-zero-directory/

Interested in Electric Carsharing?

I would like to hear from anyone in the Tiverton Area interested in starting a low scale electric car sharing scheme or willing to share their electric car, sharing costs.

I gave up my car in March 2019 to cut down my carbon footprint, and rely on an electric bike, public transport and many kind folks who give me lifts. I would like to be more mobile and flexible but am reluctant to go back to resource wasting individual car ownership. Sadly Co Cars in Exeter closed down last year and traditional car hire fees seem cost prohibitive.

Please contact me if you are interested at sallychapman81@gmail.com

If you can help with any of the activities shown in this Newsletter, get in touch direct with the project, or email Sustainable Tiverton at committee@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

CONTACT US
You can contact Sustainable Tiverton using this email link

‘Sustainable Tiverton is always keen to hear from people with new ideas they would like to share’

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info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk

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Find more details for all these events at info@sustainabletiverton.org.uk