News: October 2021

Butterflies and moths in decline – what you can do to help; Environment Action Day, Richmond Climate Action Group event; Fungi and more; Public transport: buses; Reeth Makers Christmas Market; Reeth Petrol Station  petition; Roads: A66 upgrade; Swaledale to Antarctica; Trees – National Tree Week; Tree planting in the two dales – volunteers sought; Tree planting grants; Tree guard removal: Do trees have memories?

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Butterflies and moths in decline- what you can do to help

The Big Butterfly Count 2021, which took place 16 July – 8 August,  recorded the lowest number of butterflies in its 12 year history. It is believed that a general loss of habitat and more variable weather patterns have reduced numbers. Visit the Butterfly Conservation charity’s website for information on their plans to halt the decline and how you can do your bit by planting flowers and trees to provide nectar and buying peat free composts. 

Environment Activity Day: Just the Job, Richmond

‘Just the Job’ charity at the Gallowfields Industrial Estate, Richmond are running a free event on Saturday 6 November offering the following activities:

• Forest school activities

• Make a bug hotel

• Pond dipping

• Create your own bird box

• See green wood working demonstrations

• Hazel & willow coppice activities

• Composting session

• Have a go at upcycling crafts

Refreshments will be available.

This is the final Richmondshire Climate Action Group Climate Festival event and is also a COP26 sponsored event. Please register at: https://tinyurl.com/4bhwpckp

Fungi and more

Every now and then you read a book that really makes you look at the world in a different way. ‘Entangled Life’ by Merlin Sheldrake is one such book. On the surface, it’s a lively, engaging, gently yet surprisingly informative book about fungi, but it is also rammed full of radical ideas. You may know that trees share food and information through underground fungal networks, but did you ask what’s in it for the fungi? The answer involves re-thinking what you know about the relationships between plants, fungi, and animals (including us, of course).

Public transport: buses

North Yorkshire County Council has unveiled a £116 million ambition to transform public transport.

The Council has set out how it plans to work with bus operators to increase passenger numbers, improve reliability and reduce journey times as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Source: Richmondshire Today article  5/10/2021.

Reeth Makers Christmas Market

Visit the Reeth Makers Christmas Market in Reeth Memorial Hall on Saturday 13th November 10am – 4 pm. A good chance to buy locally made and repurposed goods and gifts in time for Christmas.        

Reeth Petrol Station petition

Hudson House is investigating the re-opening of Reeth Petrol station forecourt with 24- hour access to the pumps through card payment.  Plans would include electric car charging points, a new car wash and shop/showroom.  You are invited to sign a petition sheet at the following locations:

Grinton: Dales Bike Shop

Gunnerside: Kings Head

Keld: Resource Centre

Langthwaite: Red Lion, CB Inn

Reeth: Gift Shop, Hudson House/National Park Desk, Medical Centre, Post Office

You can also indicate support on the Reeth and District Community Facebook site 

Roads: A66 upgrade

The consultation on the proposals to make the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine  route dual-carriage along its entire length and improve junctions closes 6th November 2021.  National Highways is consulting on its preferred route.  Once the consultation period ends, an application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order and this will go to the Secretary of State for Transport. Information on the preferred route and an online consultation form can be found on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine website.

Swaledale to Antarctica

Dr Thomas Barningham returned to the Richmond School and Sixth Form College to speak to geography students on 6th October about his work as a project manager for the British Antarctic Survey. Dr Barningham leads the Halley Automation Project which enables continuous monitoring of the ozone hole over Antarctica. A summary of his talk can be found on both the Sustainable Swaledale and Richmond School and Sixth Form College facebook sites.

Trees - National Tree Week

This year’s National Tree Week runs 27th November to 5th December 2021 and marks the start of the tree planting season. The Tree Council is planning lots of events to mark National Tree Week. Check its website for competitions, webinars and tree planting  events.

Tree planting in the two dales – volunteers sought

Volunteers are sought for tree planting in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. Together for Trees is ready to swing into tree planting action, with planting dates available from 30th November. There will be both weekend and weekday opportunities for anyone able to spare from 2-4 hours. No experience necessary – just bring enthusiasm! 

To get involved please email info@sustainableswaledale.org or look out for updates on our Facebook page.

Tree planting grants

The Forestry Commission Woodland Creation Scheme is a new scheme being administered by the Forestry Commission with the aim of  encouraging farmers and land managers  to fund woodland creation.  More information on the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is available at: https://tinyurl.com/52u42apz

The Tree Council has funds to support schools, community groups and Tree Warden Networks to plant trees, hedges and orchards. The projects must involve young people up to the age of 21. Preferably planting should take place within National Tree Week but can take place up to March. You are advised to apply early but the final deadline  for applications is 17 December 2021. Details are available at:  https://treecouncil.org.uk

Tree guard removal

A small group removed 4 dumpy bags of  tree guards from Rowleth Woods at the start of October and another event is arranged for the Heggs-Castle cluster in Arkengarthdale on 21 October 10am onwards. Meeting place is at the top of the drive down to Castle Farm, one mile up Arkengarthdale Road from Reeth where there is plenty of parking space. 

Do trees have memories?

Do trees have memories?  Research is taking place in UK universities to establish whether trees can remember past stress conditions such as drought or disease and transfer these memories to their descendants. More can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/6yjmp4bc

Core Group Meeting

Our meetings (first Thursday of the month) are online for the time being – please get in touch if you’d like to join us on Zoom.

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