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WEST SOMERSET TOGETHER DISCUSSION GROUP
If some or all of WST's values chime with yours then come along to meet like-minded people. The group is a Forum 21 initiative to explore ideas, opportunities and links between people who want to bring positive change to
West Somerset.
We had some top ideas come out of the small group discussions at the early gatherings in 2018 . We even found some reasons to be cheerful in these dark times. Now we're looking forward to meeting new people and exploring
new projects.
Do come and join in.
Venue The Friends Meeting House, 9, Bancks Street Minehead, TA 24 5DJ (currently meetings are on Zoom)
Below is archived material for information and interest on past meetings and actions in the group
If some or all of WST's values chime with yours then come along to meet like-minded people. The group is a Forum 21 initiative to explore ideas, opportunities and links between people who want to bring positive change to
West Somerset.
We had some top ideas come out of the small group discussions at the early gatherings in 2018 . We even found some reasons to be cheerful in these dark times. Now we're looking forward to meeting new people and exploring
new projects.
Do come and join in.
Venue The Friends Meeting House, 9, Bancks Street Minehead, TA 24 5DJ (currently meetings are on Zoom)
Below is archived material for information and interest on past meetings and actions in the group
NEXT MEETING NOTE THE CHANGE OF DAY!
When: West Somerset Together monthly gathering by 'Zoom' contact info@westsomersettogether.uk for the Zoom link
"Supporting each other in these challenging times"
Thursday 3rd September 2020: 7 pm to 8.30 pm:
Our focus at the moment is on how we “Build Back Better” during the Covid 19 crisis and how we listen and learn lessons to help our community rise to the challenge of the climate and ecological emergencies while striving for social justice and equality . This month we will discuss:
1) How can we support local climate actions and strategies with local communities and parish councils (inc access climate funds)? How do different parishes/areas have different needs? (in break out rooms?)
2) Where should WST focus its energies in light of ongoing CV-19 crisis and to best support the wider West Somerset Build Back Better campaign?
Further details info@westsomersettogether.uk or westsomersetBBB@gmail.com
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Past events in west Somerset in groups linked through West Somerset Together
These notes are retained for your information about the various on-going projects
Notes from the meeting on Green Transport
Due to the climate emergency, and the rise in the awareness of biodiversity loss, the October Gathering was on the subject of Green Transport. We had 3 speakers who are working in this area:
A summary of what our three speakers shared with us about Green Transport solutions and activities happening across West Somerset
1. Somerset Steam Coast Trail with Sarah Ellwood, Project Officer
The Steam Coast Trail's is an ongoing project to build a network of multi-user paths around West Somerset. To improve accessibility for walkers, cyclists, mobility scooter and wheelchair users and runners. Phase One of the Steam Coast Trail was opened in December 2016. It runs 2km from Dunster Beach, almost all the way to Blue Anchor.
Phase Two of the Steam Coast Trail opened in October 2018 and runs 1.1km from Old Cleeve (Dragon's Cross) to Washford (Cobbler's Steps).
The Steam Coast Trail is part of the jigsaw of infrastructure and networks of green transport in West Somerset for the benefit of local people and visitors. There are lots of ideas being developed including: electric assisted bike hire that link with the future train to Taunton; installing bike racks and bike pumps en route; and plans to complete the link to Blue Anchor (past the chalets).
Looking at an overview of cycle networks in the whole of the south west there is currently a big gap in provision in West Somerset. The benefits of the Steam Coast Trail to the local community include road safety, sustainable transport, health benefits, accessibility, and economic benefits from attracting tourism for a range of local businesses.
The biggest challenge at present for the Steam Coast Trail is access to land owned by private owners.
For more details contact: Sarah Ellwood, 07909007406 http://www.steamcoasttrail.org/
2. Village Agent for Transport, Somerset Community Council - Izzy Silvester
Izzy's role is funded by the West Somerset Opportunity Area, funding from central government.
Izzy helps individuals and communities with rural transport issues - working on solutions that are community led. This could be helping with a transport crisis to helping someone get to a hospital appointment, a job interview: Or a short term transport issue - such as struggling to access employment, training or education or managing a social life; And long term transport issues - coming up with solutions to fill gaps in transport provision in general.
Under 16s are given free bus passes if they live over 3 miles from school, but no help if you are under 3 miles away. Cycling could be one solution to help with these shorter journeys. One of the Transport Agent's role is looking at getting cycling back onto the agenda. West Somerset Opportunity Area are finding that children are more used to being bent over a computer or mobile phone than out on their bikes. Adverse affects of this include balance issues, lack of core strength and mental and physical health issues. But confidence, finance and knowledge, about where and how to cycle, are barriers to families cycling, especially with Bikeability not on the majority of school's agendas anymore.
As 45% of carbon emissions are from our transport use in Somerset West and Taunton District, education and enabling young people back on their bikes is very important. And cycling of course also helps with the lack of transport in rural areas.
Schemes in the pipeline to support older people, people trying to get to college or work etc include: piloting an electric community car with the Onion Collective and West Somerset and Taunton District Council; the Rusty Road Project - where old cars are done up and donated to those who are in need; Work Car Share Schemes; Car Schemes where people are paid to give others a lift; and Electric Community Cars.
We need to make it cool to cycle and normal to lift share.
To contact Izzy phone: 07931 018045, email izzy@somersetrcc.org.uk Web: www.somersetagents.org
3. West Somerset and Taunton District Council, Climate Change Portfolio Holder - Peter Pilkington
Electric Cars
The geography and rural nature of West Somerset gives us transport challenges, but technology is changing and coming to the area. There are now a number of electric charging points for cars eg. 3 at Wheddon Cross and more on their way for Bicknoller and Brushford and electric community cares are going to be piloted at Watchet.
Electric Cars would enable us to reduce our carbon footprint. There are a number of negative myths around electric cars which need to be challenged however, and information on the benefits need to be shared. For example Peter shared with us that electric cars and their batteries could actually be used as a power source for a street, when not in use.If we’re using electricity instead of fossil fuels to power our cars, we’re going to need to generate more electricity. But perhaps not as much as you think. Electric vehicles are much more efficient than conventional cars so don’t need as much power. Recent analysis from Cambridge Ecometrics shows that a total move to electric vehicles would only add 10% to overall UK electricity demand. Western Power have stated that we do have enough electricity already to power electric cars if we all charged out of peak time hours. Also 54% of our power is already from renewables, and as technology and the climate emergency gains momentum, renewable are going to be further developed.
Peter compared our transition from the combustion engine to the electric engine as the same cultural shift as going from horses to cars. So bear with this transition!
Notes from the meeting on the woodland of Exmoor and the future for tree planting
At the meeting, Graeme McVittie, Senior Conservation Officer from Exmoor National Park gave a very informative and thought provoking description on the woodland of Exmoor and how we'll all need to be aware of how climate change is going to impact on what trees we plant, and where, and the management of woodland on Exmoor. Graham covered the topics of protecting veteran trees; ash die back; 'rewilding' aka working with natural processes - nature regeneration; where communities could plant trees; carbon capture... There was a discussion around what we could do as a group to plant trees - including having a scheme where parishes plant trees, to planting trees in our gardens.
Important considerations for tree planting and renovation of woodland including on-going maintenance
Types of trees ‘best’ for carbon sequestration are generally exotic conifers and not necessarily native trees, such as Sitka spruce (Picea sichensis) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) but it could also be best to consider buying and planting ‘exotic’ trees from further south, e.g. sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) from the middle of France and Europe where the species are adapted to wider temperature ranges than have been experienced historically in Britain. Other tree species such as coastal redwood, (Sequoia sempervirens), wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) and small- leaved lime (Tilia cordata) are better adapted to a warmer climate.
When: West Somerset Together monthly gathering by 'Zoom' contact info@westsomersettogether.uk for the Zoom link
"Supporting each other in these challenging times"
Thursday 3rd September 2020: 7 pm to 8.30 pm:
Our focus at the moment is on how we “Build Back Better” during the Covid 19 crisis and how we listen and learn lessons to help our community rise to the challenge of the climate and ecological emergencies while striving for social justice and equality . This month we will discuss:
1) How can we support local climate actions and strategies with local communities and parish councils (inc access climate funds)? How do different parishes/areas have different needs? (in break out rooms?)
2) Where should WST focus its energies in light of ongoing CV-19 crisis and to best support the wider West Somerset Build Back Better campaign?
Further details info@westsomersettogether.uk or westsomersetBBB@gmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Past events in west Somerset in groups linked through West Somerset Together
These notes are retained for your information about the various on-going projects
Notes from the meeting on Green Transport
Due to the climate emergency, and the rise in the awareness of biodiversity loss, the October Gathering was on the subject of Green Transport. We had 3 speakers who are working in this area:
- Sarah Ellwood, from the Steam Coast Trail
- Izzy Sylvester - Somerset Community Council Transport Agent;
- Peter Pilkington, Somerset West and Taunton Council (Climate Change Portfolio)
A summary of what our three speakers shared with us about Green Transport solutions and activities happening across West Somerset
1. Somerset Steam Coast Trail with Sarah Ellwood, Project Officer
The Steam Coast Trail's is an ongoing project to build a network of multi-user paths around West Somerset. To improve accessibility for walkers, cyclists, mobility scooter and wheelchair users and runners. Phase One of the Steam Coast Trail was opened in December 2016. It runs 2km from Dunster Beach, almost all the way to Blue Anchor.
Phase Two of the Steam Coast Trail opened in October 2018 and runs 1.1km from Old Cleeve (Dragon's Cross) to Washford (Cobbler's Steps).
The Steam Coast Trail is part of the jigsaw of infrastructure and networks of green transport in West Somerset for the benefit of local people and visitors. There are lots of ideas being developed including: electric assisted bike hire that link with the future train to Taunton; installing bike racks and bike pumps en route; and plans to complete the link to Blue Anchor (past the chalets).
Looking at an overview of cycle networks in the whole of the south west there is currently a big gap in provision in West Somerset. The benefits of the Steam Coast Trail to the local community include road safety, sustainable transport, health benefits, accessibility, and economic benefits from attracting tourism for a range of local businesses.
The biggest challenge at present for the Steam Coast Trail is access to land owned by private owners.
For more details contact: Sarah Ellwood, 07909007406 http://www.steamcoasttrail.org/
2. Village Agent for Transport, Somerset Community Council - Izzy Silvester
Izzy's role is funded by the West Somerset Opportunity Area, funding from central government.
Izzy helps individuals and communities with rural transport issues - working on solutions that are community led. This could be helping with a transport crisis to helping someone get to a hospital appointment, a job interview: Or a short term transport issue - such as struggling to access employment, training or education or managing a social life; And long term transport issues - coming up with solutions to fill gaps in transport provision in general.
Under 16s are given free bus passes if they live over 3 miles from school, but no help if you are under 3 miles away. Cycling could be one solution to help with these shorter journeys. One of the Transport Agent's role is looking at getting cycling back onto the agenda. West Somerset Opportunity Area are finding that children are more used to being bent over a computer or mobile phone than out on their bikes. Adverse affects of this include balance issues, lack of core strength and mental and physical health issues. But confidence, finance and knowledge, about where and how to cycle, are barriers to families cycling, especially with Bikeability not on the majority of school's agendas anymore.
As 45% of carbon emissions are from our transport use in Somerset West and Taunton District, education and enabling young people back on their bikes is very important. And cycling of course also helps with the lack of transport in rural areas.
Schemes in the pipeline to support older people, people trying to get to college or work etc include: piloting an electric community car with the Onion Collective and West Somerset and Taunton District Council; the Rusty Road Project - where old cars are done up and donated to those who are in need; Work Car Share Schemes; Car Schemes where people are paid to give others a lift; and Electric Community Cars.
We need to make it cool to cycle and normal to lift share.
To contact Izzy phone: 07931 018045, email izzy@somersetrcc.org.uk Web: www.somersetagents.org
3. West Somerset and Taunton District Council, Climate Change Portfolio Holder - Peter Pilkington
Electric Cars
The geography and rural nature of West Somerset gives us transport challenges, but technology is changing and coming to the area. There are now a number of electric charging points for cars eg. 3 at Wheddon Cross and more on their way for Bicknoller and Brushford and electric community cares are going to be piloted at Watchet.
Electric Cars would enable us to reduce our carbon footprint. There are a number of negative myths around electric cars which need to be challenged however, and information on the benefits need to be shared. For example Peter shared with us that electric cars and their batteries could actually be used as a power source for a street, when not in use.If we’re using electricity instead of fossil fuels to power our cars, we’re going to need to generate more electricity. But perhaps not as much as you think. Electric vehicles are much more efficient than conventional cars so don’t need as much power. Recent analysis from Cambridge Ecometrics shows that a total move to electric vehicles would only add 10% to overall UK electricity demand. Western Power have stated that we do have enough electricity already to power electric cars if we all charged out of peak time hours. Also 54% of our power is already from renewables, and as technology and the climate emergency gains momentum, renewable are going to be further developed.
Peter compared our transition from the combustion engine to the electric engine as the same cultural shift as going from horses to cars. So bear with this transition!
Notes from the meeting on the woodland of Exmoor and the future for tree planting
At the meeting, Graeme McVittie, Senior Conservation Officer from Exmoor National Park gave a very informative and thought provoking description on the woodland of Exmoor and how we'll all need to be aware of how climate change is going to impact on what trees we plant, and where, and the management of woodland on Exmoor. Graham covered the topics of protecting veteran trees; ash die back; 'rewilding' aka working with natural processes - nature regeneration; where communities could plant trees; carbon capture... There was a discussion around what we could do as a group to plant trees - including having a scheme where parishes plant trees, to planting trees in our gardens.
Important considerations for tree planting and renovation of woodland including on-going maintenance
Types of trees ‘best’ for carbon sequestration are generally exotic conifers and not necessarily native trees, such as Sitka spruce (Picea sichensis) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) but it could also be best to consider buying and planting ‘exotic’ trees from further south, e.g. sessile oaks (Quercus petraea) from the middle of France and Europe where the species are adapted to wider temperature ranges than have been experienced historically in Britain. Other tree species such as coastal redwood, (Sequoia sempervirens), wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) and small- leaved lime (Tilia cordata) are better adapted to a warmer climate.
Past events in western Somerset in groups linked through
West Somerset Together
West Somerset Together
EVENTS CALENDAR
See the calendar for dates of events coming up. More details may be available in the Powerpont Slideshow- click here
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