Sustainable CalneMarden House Wednesday 22nd May 2024 7.30pm
Refreshments served from 7.00.
As well as reviewing the year and electing officers we will hear an update from our two members who are doing accredited retrofit training. We have been awarded significant funds to hold events to share this knowledge and would welcome your ideas.
On Saturday 11th May 2024, Sustainable Calne launched its new Retrofit project by launching Retro Duck at the annual Duck Race, organised by Calne Lions.
We are very excited to have secured funding from the Centre for Sustainable Energy for a new project on retrofitting our homes to make them more energy efficient – good for the planet and good for our pockets. Two of our volunteers have completed accredited training and will be looking for ways to share their knowledge to householders about the starting points for any work you may think would help you.
Sara and Denis will be at our AGM on Wednesday 22nd May 2024 to explain about:
We are very pleased that Wiltshire Council have brought forward the development of a plan to improve the walking and cycling network in Calne and surroundings. The plan will form the basis of any work that will be done when funding becomes available. This is the time to put our ideas forward.
The consultation time has been extended until Monday 5th February 2024. The draft is very much a desktop exercise and needs local input. We need comments on what is good in the plan, what won’t work, and also what missed opportunities there are. You can have your say by following this link.
https://calne-and-melksham-lcwip.commonplace.is/
We held a meeting via Zoom on Monday 11th December week where we shared ideas and local knowledge about proposed routes.
Sustainable Calne held a public meeting on Wednesday 18th October 2023 to discuss and share thoughts on the Wiltshire Local Plan as it relates to sustainability in Calne.
Resources from the meeting will be posted here along with our response to the consultation.
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/8048/Current-consultation-Reg-19-autumn-2023
Wiltshire Council held a public consultation event at Calne Library on Monday 16th October 2023. They also held an online webinar, and have made the video available:
Saturday 23rd September 2023.
Meet at Calne Leisure Centre at 11.00.
We believe that walking for leisure (especially in green spaces) is important for well-being and also encourages people to build walking into their lives – and perhaps drive less. This walk may be familiar to many, but lots of us don’t know how easy it is to get into the beautiful countryside around Calne. The walk is aimed at people who are able to walk 3-4 miles but the pace will be to suit those who come along. There are no stiles along the way. Pushchair friendly path. No need to book – just turn up. If weather is uncertain please check the website in case we have cancelled.
Sustainable Calne will be there to tell people about what we do and look for more ideas on how we can address Climate Change.
If anyone could come along and help out for an hour we would really appreciate it. email: contact@sustainablecalne.org.uk
BART (Bristol and Avon Rivers Trust) are running a citizen science project. This involves collecting samples of water from The River Avon catchment area and testing for a range of pollutants. You can join in by registering as an individual, or come along on Friday 14th July 2023 at 3pm to the Boat near the entrance to Castlefields Park and we will collect samples from a few places. It should take 1-2 hours depending on how many people we have helping. Find out more https://bristolavonriverstrust.org/riverblitz/the_project
or contact us on contact@sustainablecalne.org.uk to let us know you are interested in joining us.
Local Wildlife Walks – talk by David Sawyer on May 24th 2023
This presentation was a real feast for the eyes – spectacular photos of our local wildlife! Huge thanks to David for this talk. If you missed it here are a few of the 75 photos – all taken locally – and a summary of his talk.
David showed us some wonderful photos of local wildlife. He talked about how his wildlife observations start at his home near the centre of Calne in a residential area. In his garden he sees an array of birds, small animals such as snails and frogs, and a variety of insects. David also described two of the walks he does, going from his home to observe different species – though his special interest is in birds. Going from Calne out along Low Lane and following the cycle path to The Penn Ponds he showed us photos of a range of species that can be seen – best time is early morning but not exclusively. Views of kites and several different gulls are common here. The other route is going along Wenhill Lane and onto the footpaths to Bowood Lake – this can be a circular walk taking in Studley and the cycle track. A little further away, but still walkable if you have time, is Morgan’s Hill where the chalk grassland is home to a rich variety of flowers, butterflies and birds.
David reported that he has seen over 90 species of birds within the Calne area – showing that we don’t need to travel far to enjoy the wonders of wildlife – and also how important it is that we protect the green spaces both in and around the town.
Wednesday 24th May at Marden House – AGM at 7.00, talk at 7.30
The Sustainable Calne AGM will be held on Wednesday 24th May at 7.00 at Marden House. This will be followed by a talk at 7.30 entitled:
“Wildlife on Your Doorstep – nature photography from your home.”
Local wildlife expert and photographer, David Sawyer, will talk about the local wildlife walks he takes – and some of the species he sees. He will also give some tips for taking good photographs – while ensuring the wildlife is not disturbed.
Sunday 30th April – 10.00am at Hazelands wood
A chance for a tour of Hazelands near Studley. The tour will start at 10.00am for about an hour.
You will need to wear wellies and the site is rough ground.
You can leave after the tour or stay on to do some conservation work on the trees already planted.
The day is being led by Russell and Sue from Sustainable Calne.