Planet Wimborne Newsletter
August 2024
More than 20 local community groups came together to share their passion for the environment at Planet Wimborne’s Green Networking Event last week. We heard inspiring accounts of what groups are doing to benefit both people and nature around Wimborne, and connections and friendships were strengthened between the groups. Information on all the groups can be found on Planet Wimborne’s website here.
But the day after our Networking Event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced that the planet had just experienced the three hottest days since records began. His speech here is a sombre reminder of the effects of rising temperatures, the scale of adaptation needed and the chronic disease of our addiction to fossil fuels. A sombre read maybe, but a practical and informative one that puts our local activities in a wider context and sets us a wider challenge.
So, this newsletter gives details of two simple things you can do now to influence local leaders who are currently making decisions on the environment. There is also a look at some of the issues affecting the Stour at Eye Bridge, some background to Dorset’s declaration of a Nature Emergency, an update on how Dogdean SANG is developing, a ‘Focus On’ one of our newly affiliated community groups and articles on some
special eco activities taking place locally as well as our regular ‘What’s Happening’ listings.
There are short introductions to the articles which you can then access using the link. We hope this format will make it quicker for you to find the ones you’re interested in. Let us know what you think.
The programme for Planet Wimborne Green Festival (12 19 October) is nearly complete. It’s already bursting with amazing activities workshops, talks, walks, demonstrations and the Saturday Fair- and it’s set to be the best ever Green Festival! Keep some spare dates for that week in October and look out for details on social media.
Two things you can do now, without moving from your seat
1. Show Dorset Council your support for responding to the climate crisis
When Dorset Council debated the Nature Emergency motion in July, one councillor told the chamber that not one of his constituents brought up environmental issues when he went canvassing in May. They told him that there were far more important things the Council should be doing.
By contributing online to their Big Conversation, you can help show the Council that there are plenty of people who think that it should be responding the climate crisis.
Read more here
2. Help shape the future of Eye Bridge
The National Trust recognises that the area along the Stour at Eye Bridge is suffering from several different pressures. So, it’s looking at options for Eye Bridge over the coming years to ensure that it’s sustainable and safe for all. People who visit the site are asked to respond to an on-line questionnaire and share their ideas. If that includes you,
Read more here
But you may want to see the next article before responding…
Mounting pressures on Eye Bridge
An iconic local beauty spot for generations
With sightings of dead fish and reports of sick children and dogs, the Stour at Eye Bridge has had a bad press. But what are the different pressures and what can be done to restore its environment?
Read more here
Dorset declares a Nature Emergency
Agreeing to reduce or restrict glyphosates and committing to a reduction plan
At the beginning of his term of office in May, the new leader of Dorset Council, Nick Ireland, declared that the Council should play a leading role in protecting and enhancing the county’s nature. He would be putting forward a Council motion to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’, and he hoped it would attract cross-party support.
Two months later, that motion was indeed passed, with some degree of cross-party support. But it wasn’t an easy ride.
Dogdean SANG
A management regime to help increase biodiversity
If you walk through the Dogdean SANG (accessible from the Wimborne Chase estate and entrances along Burts Hill and Dogdean), you’ll see that
a transformation has taken place since its opening in 2021. Careful management and local support are changing the rather featureless landscape to one that is a home to an increasing range of life including, when I last looked, lots of butterflies! Niki, from Trees for Wimborne, explains how this is being done.
Read more here
Dorset Greener Homes
An opportunity to see for yourself
Dorset Climate Action Network (DCAN) organises an amazing couple of weekends in September when people who have made green or sustainable changes to their home can showcase what they’ve done and help others to find out what’s involved and how it works. As well as advertising the Dorset Greener Homes weekends to the public (14-15 and 21-22 September), DCAN is also calling for additional homes to be
included. The scheme has several homes in the west of the county and it would be great to have more in our own area. Homes with even small green changes are sought. Whether a potential visitor at the weekends or a potential show-caser
Read more here
Sustainable Fashion
What can that mean?
If you think of fashion as being something that’s ‘popular at the time’, it might be a struggle to use the word ‘sustainable’ to describe it. But that’s exactly where ideas from Sustainable Fashion Week can help. And with the Makers and Shakers ‘Stitch don’t Ditch’ event in September, we’re all set to celebrate fashion that really is sustainable.
Read more here
Focus on Wimborne Allotment Association
Promoting eco-friendly, sustainable and regenerative methods of growing
One of the recent groups to affiliate with Planet Wimborne is the Wimborne Allotment Association (WAA). Its secretary, Cilla, tells us how its aims have developed and changed since it first started 16 years ago, and how you can start to get involved in allotment gardening.
Read more here
News and requests from our Wimborne Community Groups
Wimborne Community Theatre
Wimborne Community Theatre is beginning to develop a new theatre project on the theme of HOME and what Home means for people living in the Wimborne area. If you’d like to find out more or get involved, or if you would like take a quick survey about what Home means to you, please read here
Makers and Shakers
Makers and Shakers have been up to more craftivism. This time about sand dredging at Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, which is damaging the lake bed and contributing to the ecological disaster there. Why get involved with a problem so far away? Because our local Earl of Shaftesbury at Wimborne St Giles owns the Lough’s bed and banks, and grants the sand-dredging licences. With friends from XRW, we made ten two-sided coasters and sent them to individuals involved in the Realisation Festival which is supported by the Earl and held on his Wimborne estate. The purpose was to inform and encourage a discussion about the future of sand dredging at the Lough.
Wimborne Minster & Colehill Fairtrade Community
Thanks to the strong Fairtrade presence in our shops, cafes, businesses, churches and other community groups, our three-year Fairtrade community status has been successfully renewed. Come and celebrate with us at our stall on the Minster Green on Saturday 14th September to
mark Fairtrade Fortnight. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Fairtrade mark which has made, and continues to make, such a positive, life-changing impact for farmers, producers and artisans worldwide. More details in the Things happening section.
6 August Tuesday 7.30–9pm. Extinction Rebellion Wimborne (XRW) invite you to their friendly meeting at the Cafe at the Allendale. (Prompt start so please feel free to arrive from 7pm). Feedback on the Restore Nature Now march. What’s Extinction Rebellion all about nowadays? How are XRW’s plans coming along? Climate change, the nature crisis, the right to protest.
16 August Friday 9am–2pm Dorset Council’s Big Conversation. comes to Wimborne Minster Town Square. Meet councillors there and tell them what you think the Council should be focussing on. A chance to let them know of your interest in responding to the climate crisis. Details here
31 August Saturday, 12noon–4pm. Wimborne Gardening Club Late Summer Show. Allendale Community Centre, BH21 1AS Show Schedule, Rules and Regs on the WGC website here.
9–22 September Fairtrade Fortnight. Events around Wimborne to celebrate Fairtrade.
11 September Wednesday 7.30–9pm. Makers and Shakers Workshop for ‘Stitch, don’t Ditch’ event on 28 September. Workshop at Fair Ground shop in the Cornmarket, Wimborne. More details, when available, here
14 September Saturday 10am–2pm. Fairtrade stall on Minster Green during the Food Festival. Showcasing global Fairtrade food, drink and other produce, and sharing the stories behind the products.
14 September Saturday 10:30am–12noon. Wimborne Win on Waste Recycling Collection. Bring items to Wimborne Methodist Church BH21 1DY. Details, including what to bring, here.
14–15 & 21–22 September Saturdays and Sundays. Dorset CAN invites you to Dorset Greener Homes. Homes are open across Dorset to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy in the home, wildlife gardening & sustainable living. Details here
18 September Wednesday 7pm for 7.30pm start. Planet Wimborne Quiz Night at Colehill Sports & Social Club, Colehill BH21 2QR. £5 per person on the door (cash). Come on your own or with a team of up to 6. Email Jeff for details and booking: jeffhart414@gmail.com or call 01202 884201.
21 September Saturday 12noon–2pm. Wimborne Repair Café. Bring items for repair to Wimborne Methodist Church Hall, King St, BH21 1DY. Details here
28 September Saturday 10am–1pm. A Makers and Shakers Stitch don’t Ditch event in Wimborne during Sustainable Fashion Week. More details, when available, here
ADVANCE NOTICE
12–19 October The 2024 Planet Wimborne Green Festival
2 November Saturday 9am–5pm. Dorset COP at Bournemouth University. Booking and details here
We hope you’ve found some things of interest in this newsletter. If you have comments or suggestions for future topics, drop us an email at planetwimborne@gmail.com