LATEST NEWS
The Rest and be Thankful Inn at Wheddon Cross now has an EV charge point!
Electric Vehicle (EV) Launch and open day of the first EV2 Charge Point on the EV2Charge Rural Network was held at the ‘Rest and Be Thankful Inn’ Wheddon Cross, TA24 7DR on Wednesday 24th April 2019
We heard the latest about electric vehicles, hybrids and what we, as EV2 Charge Community Project, are doing to make access to EV public charging easier in West Somerset.
Brotherwood® the Somerset based leading Wheelchair vehicle specialists will have a Nissan NV‐200 Combi on display, and we are able to introduce Drive Green also Somerset based, and a leading distributor of second hand EVs and introduce their exciting PV innovation from Solar Edge that enables off grid charging.
For more information, ring David Croxton 07850 740 516 or email localfuel@gmail.com
www.ev2charge.home/blog
A Community Project out of Forum 21 and West Somerset
24th April 2019
Electric Vehicle (EV) Launch and open day of the first EV2 Charge Point on the EV2Charge Rural Network was held at the ‘Rest and Be Thankful Inn’ Wheddon Cross, TA24 7DR on Wednesday 24th April 2019
We heard the latest about electric vehicles, hybrids and what we, as EV2 Charge Community Project, are doing to make access to EV public charging easier in West Somerset.
Brotherwood® the Somerset based leading Wheelchair vehicle specialists will have a Nissan NV‐200 Combi on display, and we are able to introduce Drive Green also Somerset based, and a leading distributor of second hand EVs and introduce their exciting PV innovation from Solar Edge that enables off grid charging.
For more information, ring David Croxton 07850 740 516 or email localfuel@gmail.com
www.ev2charge.home/blog
A Community Project out of Forum 21 and West Somerset
24th April 2019
'Renegade' economist Kate Raworth has written a very accessible book 'Doughnut Economics- seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist' which outlines an economic model which won't destroy the planet.
As you can see she is passionate about rewriting economics so that it’s fit for the 21st Century. In this 2-minute video clip she uses something she found in her garden shed to explain how we can work with and within the cycles of the living world to create a circular, regenerative economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7NeFZOnzA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1XHU0uw2ZYKBeSqE1qoLA7gNMj3QqlUskeBd3b8jDq9broYjudPYdYch8
As you can see she is passionate about rewriting economics so that it’s fit for the 21st Century. In this 2-minute video clip she uses something she found in her garden shed to explain how we can work with and within the cycles of the living world to create a circular, regenerative economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7NeFZOnzA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1XHU0uw2ZYKBeSqE1qoLA7gNMj3QqlUskeBd3b8jDq9broYjudPYdYch8
TESSA MUNT CALLS ON SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL TO DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY
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Call to declare a Climate Emergency -Posted by Tessa Munt on January 30, 2019 Tessa Munt calls on Somerset County Council to declare a Climate Emergency and initiate a massive society-wide climate action mobilisation. Click here to see more details and to sign her petition |
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Posted here 4th February 2019
call to stand in may 2019 local elections
People of all political persuasions should consider standing for election to the new Somerset West and Taunton Council and Minehead Town Council in May to take action on the Climate Emergency, says West Somerset environmental group Forum 21.
Sir David Attenborough, reputed to be the most trusted person in Britain, has recently appealed to world leaders to change course urgently. He says that otherwise the future of the natural world and even humanity itself is threatened by climate change.
“We believe that immediate action is essential from central government, local government, individuals and businesses”, said Forum 21 Chairman, Bill Butcher. “While the country is consumed by the Brexit debate, the more important crisis lies in tackling climate change. We believe in the democratic process and there is a lot that local Councils can do. What we need is a set of councillors across all political parties, and independents, to be elected to Somerset West and Taunton Council in May whose main mission will be to accelerate policies and actions that improve health and wellbeing while reducing carbon emissions.”
A decade ago Forum 21 was commissioned by West Somerset Council to write a Climate Change Strategy for the District, and a Low Carbon Programme for the Exmoor National Park Authority. The Councils made good progress in the first few years, but funding cuts have meant that key officer posts were lost and the momentum has gone. “It’s vital that everyone gets behind a new push towards a healthy and safe local environment”.
Forum 21 is offering a full briefing on climate change to anyone interested in standing for election to either Somerset West and Taunton Council or Minehead Town Council.
Background information and links:
- Somerset County Council produced a Climate Change Strategy in October 2007. It undertook to aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the county by 20% by 2010, and to produce an annual update plan on progress. Forum 21 understands that annual update plans have not been produced by the County Council since 2011. The County Council does however report on carbon dioxide emissions arising from its own estate. Further information can be found here.
- The West Somerset Climate Change Strategy was prepared by Forum 21 for the West Somerset Strategic Partnership and West Somerset Council in 2008. It set targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of 22% by 2012 and 45% by 2020 compared with a 2004 baseline. A copy of the strategy can be downloaded from the West Somerset Council website here. Some information on progress against the target is also available on this website.
- The Exmoor National Park Carbon Neutral Programme was prepared by Forum 21 for the Exmoor National Park Authority in 2010. It set a target for the National Park to become carbon neutral by 2025. A copy of the Programme can be downloaded from the National Park website. Some information on the progress towards this target up to 2013 is available on the National Park website.
- Sir David Attenborough has been appointed the Climate Change Ambassador for the United Nations. He addressed the conference of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Katovice, Poland, on 2nd December 2018 and the Davos conference, Switzerland on 21 January 2019 in an interview with Prince William.
COMMUNITY WOODLAND HELPS TO WIN NATIONAL AWARD
EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK has won a prestigious Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Excellence in Forestry Award for its sustainable approach to woodland management and involvement of community groups, including Forum 21's management of the Woodcombe Community Woodland at Minehead. It complements a new Government accord announced last week that aims to expand and enhance woodland in National Parks**.
Moor Wood near Minehead is being slowly transformed by the National Park’s woodlands team using a technique called Continuous Cover Forestry, which harnesses the ability of woodlands to naturally regenerate.
The temporary gaps created when carefully selected trees are felled enriches the habitat for a wide variety of specialist species, such as rare birds, butterflies and fungi, while allowing commercially viable amounts of timber to be harvested sustainably. This avoids the need for largescale felling, which takes several decades to regenerate and generally involves uniform plantations that are more vulnerable to environmental pressures.
Graeme McVittie, Senior Woodland Conservation Officer for Exmoor National Park, said: “It’s great to get this kind of recognition for the work we’re doing to make Exmoor’s woodlands more resilient in the face of modern day threats from pests, disease and climate change. We’ve witnessed the loss of elm and larch in our woodlands, and are now losing horse chestnut and ash. Storms and drought have caused further damage and other diseases threaten our oaks and sweet chestnut. So it’s vital that we do all we can to prepare these places for the future.”
The Certificate of Merit was also awarded for the National Park’s commitment to creating opportunities for local communities enjoy and benefit from Exmoor’s woodlands.
Woodcombe Community Woodland is a project initiated by Forum 21, an environmental group in West Somerset. It leases an area of woodland from the National Park to produce seasoned firewood to help local people in fuel poverty with the help of local volunteers. Graham Boswell who leads the project for Forum 21 says: “It’s great to see our idea for a community woodland brought to life through our ongoing partnership with the National Park. The next few years will be crucial in terms of developing a workforce with the necessary woodlandskills, but we’re all up for the challenge and excited by the potential benefits for the whole community.”
Rob Wilson-North, Head of Conservation and Access at Exmoor National Park Authority, said: “Exmoor’s diverse woodlands are truly special, providing a rich haven for nature, from some of the country’s rarest birds, butterflies and bats, to seldom seen lichens, liverworts and mosses. But they’re also an important part of the local economy, providing timber and recreational opportunities, along with a host of public benefits, including educational opportunities, carbon storage and flood alleviation. Balancing these priorities isn’t always easy, but this award is a sure sign we’re on the right track.”
Presenting the Awards, RFS President Andrew Woods said: “The Excellence in Forestry Awards have once again revealed a rich seam of excellence in woodland management – from some of the most prestigious estates in the country to some of the smallest of woodlands. As landowners and woodland managers look to an uncertain future with increasing climate and environmental challenges, these are all woodlands we can learn from.
“It is also uplifting to see the fantastic work that is being carried out among communities to encourage forestry and woodland skills. These projects tap into the enthusiasm of those who will be planning, planting and managing our woodlands in the future as well as looking at how timber can be used in construction for generations to come and deserve the recognition they receive.”
* Duke of Cornwall Award 2018 for Resilient Multi-purpose Forestry: http://www.rfs.org.uk/awards/excellence-in-forestry-winners/duke-of-cornwall-award-2018-for-resilient-multi-purpose-forestry/
** New Accord Launches to Enhance National Parks and Woodland: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-accord-launches-to-enhance-national-parks-and-woodland
1st August 2018
Small shops better than supermarkets for reducing plastic waste
Every supermarket in Minehead has been rated as “Poor” or “Very Poor” for their performance on single-use plastics in a survey by West Somerset Together, an initiative of local environmental group, Forum 21. But some small local food shops, including outlets in Dulverton and Brompton Regis, were rated “Good”, especially for selling loose fruit and vegetables and giving shoppers the choice of paper bags.
Bill Butcher, a spokesperson for West Somerset Together said “it is particularly disappointing that, at a time when the public is very concerned about the damage that plastic waste is doing to marine wildlife, the big supermarkets appear to be offering little choice to shoppers. The survey found lots of examples of over-packaged food, and no sign at all of “plastic-free aisles”, the government’s idea to help shoppers make good choices. Some of the smaller shops and stalls at the Farmers’ Market are making good efforts to minimise the use of single-use plastics; now we need the supermarkets to change their approach too”.
Stefanos’s Food stall at the Minehead Farmers’ Market was singled out for praise for selling food in compostable containers. Jules Salvati of Stefano’s Food said “We’ve been using compostable plant-based food containers for over a year now and our customers really like them. They can be re-used for a few weeks and then home composted, where they will break down in around 3 months. If small businesses like ours can do this, when are the supermarkets going to change?”
Toucan Health Foods of Minehead was also commended for its use of paper and making cloth carrier bags available.
The Plastic Waste Campaign plans to repeat survey at intervals and hopes to see a rapid improvement in the actions taken by retailers on this urgent issue.
The survey covered fourteen food shops in Minehead, Dulverton and Exmoor villages. It was undertaken by volunteers from West Somerset Together as part of a Plastic Waste Campaign.
The survey took place in April and early May 2018.
The supermarkets surveyed were:
Minehead Morrisons, Minehead Tesco, Minehead Iceland, Minehead Lidl, Minehead Co-op, Dulverton Co-op.
The following were rated as “Good” or “Very Good” for their performance on single-use plastics:
Toucan Health Foods, Minehead; Stuart Lowen Farm Shop, Minehead; Stefano’s Food Stall, Minehead Farmers’ Market, Dulverton Delicatessen, Brompton Regis Village Shop, Dulverton Fruit and Vegetable Shop.
All of the food shops rated “Good” or “Very Good” for their performance on single use plastics were small shops or market stalls. None were supermarkets.
Bill Butcher, a spokesperson for West Somerset Together said “it is particularly disappointing that, at a time when the public is very concerned about the damage that plastic waste is doing to marine wildlife, the big supermarkets appear to be offering little choice to shoppers. The survey found lots of examples of over-packaged food, and no sign at all of “plastic-free aisles”, the government’s idea to help shoppers make good choices. Some of the smaller shops and stalls at the Farmers’ Market are making good efforts to minimise the use of single-use plastics; now we need the supermarkets to change their approach too”.
Stefanos’s Food stall at the Minehead Farmers’ Market was singled out for praise for selling food in compostable containers. Jules Salvati of Stefano’s Food said “We’ve been using compostable plant-based food containers for over a year now and our customers really like them. They can be re-used for a few weeks and then home composted, where they will break down in around 3 months. If small businesses like ours can do this, when are the supermarkets going to change?”
Toucan Health Foods of Minehead was also commended for its use of paper and making cloth carrier bags available.
The Plastic Waste Campaign plans to repeat survey at intervals and hopes to see a rapid improvement in the actions taken by retailers on this urgent issue.
The survey covered fourteen food shops in Minehead, Dulverton and Exmoor villages. It was undertaken by volunteers from West Somerset Together as part of a Plastic Waste Campaign.
The survey took place in April and early May 2018.
The supermarkets surveyed were:
Minehead Morrisons, Minehead Tesco, Minehead Iceland, Minehead Lidl, Minehead Co-op, Dulverton Co-op.
The following were rated as “Good” or “Very Good” for their performance on single-use plastics:
Toucan Health Foods, Minehead; Stuart Lowen Farm Shop, Minehead; Stefano’s Food Stall, Minehead Farmers’ Market, Dulverton Delicatessen, Brompton Regis Village Shop, Dulverton Fruit and Vegetable Shop.
All of the food shops rated “Good” or “Very Good” for their performance on single use plastics were small shops or market stalls. None were supermarkets.