Altogethergreener - John D Clare

County Durham’s Environment Partnership Newsletter: Autumn 2015

Altogethergreener Terry Collins, Chair of County Durham Environment Partnership

Welcome

Welcome to the Autumn edition of the Altogether Greener newsletter. In this edition we showcase the wonderful displays of wildflowers that have adorned roundabouts and verges during the summer. Community energy fortnight and Heritage open days have also taken place and there is still an opportunity for everyone to vote for their favourite park. There’s also a lot to look forward to, the results of the Britain in Bloom competition in October and in November the winners of County Durham Environment Awards will be announced. We will let you know the results in our next issue.

West Auckland

Bishop Auckland Town Recreation Park

Wildflower planting scheme Various species of wildflowers and herbaceous plants have been planted on roundabouts and verges throughout the county. They not only provide colourful displays, but are perfect habitats for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

County Durham Environment Awards 2015 Horden Colliery Heritage Centre

Heritage Open Days County Durham’s Heritage Open Days took place from 10 – 13 September, inviting the public to celebrate local history, architecture and culture. An impressive 72 venues overall took part with 16 venues joining in for the first time.

If you have any news that you would like us to include in a future edition of this newsletter. Please contact us, our details are on page 4.

Raby Castle, Staindrop

There has been a great response to this year’s environment awards with 66 entries received. Judging has already taken place and the shortlisted entries will be notified soon. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in November and a list of winners will also be published online at www.county durhampartnership.co.uk/ envawards

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Coastal, heritage and landscape

Vote for your favourite Green Flag park Residents in County Durham are being asked to vote for their favourite beauty spot in a national competition. Parks and open spaces in County Durham, which were awarded Green Flag status for 2015, are in the running to be crowned Britain’s Best Park in Keep Britain Tidy’s People’s Choice award.

After the success of the projects in Ferryhill and Easington, the Limestone Landscapes Partnership has now put a bid in to the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out another ten Village Atlases. If successful this will include the following settlements: • Coxhoe

• Cassop-cum-Quarrington • Trimdons’ and Deaf Hill • Horden

• Murton / Dalton-le-Dale • Seaham

You can vote online at www.greenflagaward.org by selecting the region on the interactive map and finding your favourite park or green space from the list. Closing date for nominations is 12 noon on 30 September.

Durham City judged for Britain in Bloom Judges from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) visited Durham City on 5 August to assess their ‘blooming great’ credentials. Durham in Bloom volunteers and partners have dedicated 4,972 hours over the last 12 months, working on a range of projects. The judges’ visit included a tour of HMP Durham where horticulture is used as part of the education and rehabilitation process for offenders. Results of the Britain in Bloom competition will be announced in October.

Before

Peatland restoration project

After

Damaged moorland has been transformed into a moss-covered landscape thanks to new techniques that aims to reverse the fortunes of the North Pennines’ eroding peat bogs. The aim is to get bare peat revegetated with Sphagnum moss, cotton grass, heather and other blanket bog species. A five step process is used, which can include fencing off the land to protect it from grazing, altering the hydrology and reintroducing Sphagnum moss. These techniques are working really well in a short time. It has been an unprecedented success which has transformed huge patches of bare eroding peat into lush and green spaces bursting with life.

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Environment in your community

Climate change

Mobile recycling site extended

Community Energy Fortnight 5-20 September

A mobile recycling centre serving residents in Weardale will continue until August 2016.

Chilton Green Energy Foundation hosted an event on

The facility in Frosterley, which is off the A689, was set

The event showcased successful projects that have

operation dates have been extended.

problems and pitfalls and highlighting the benefits of

More than 60 per cent of material taken to the site has

products.

up on a trial basis but it has proved so popular that its

10 September to promote community energy projects. been implemented across County Durham, outlining the installing renewable technologies and energy efficient

been recycled since it was opened.

Food Durham The theme for Food Durham’s inaugural annual

gathering which will be held on 17 September at Grey

Severe weather talks with Shildon Youth Group

Gary Hillery from Finchale College will be the guest

The County Durham Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) have

College, Durham University will be Community Growing. speaker with his talk ‘Dig for Victory.’ The event will also feature workshops, a market place, and learning and sharing sessions.

For more information about the event go to www.fooddurham.net Food Durham was launched in May 2014, with the aim to “work together for a more equitable, sustainable,

fairer food system for County Durham providing access to food that is healthy for people and the planet”.

recently held an information and activity session with 20 young people from Shildon Youth Group. The group were shown a new concept where stencils are sprayed onto pavements using a waterproof solution. When it rains, the water rolls off the letters leaving a message on the pavement. The CCU will work with the young people to spray the stencils onto the pavements in Shildon to create ‘Rain Works’.

Local nature partnerships

Big Tent Event 3Rivers Local Nature Partnership will be hosting a workshop on 4 November at the Big Tent event for the Joint Health & Wellbeing Strategy public consultation. One of the topics for discussion will be the strong links between health and wellbeing and the environment.

Recruiting volunteers As projects and activities are gathering pace, 3Rivers LNP are keen to create opportunities for people wishing to expand their skills and experience working in the environmental sector. During

Case studies from County Durham will also be shared.

Autumn they are planning

New web site

support the Local Nature

3Rivers Local Nature Partnerships new website is now live. Please check it out www.threeriverslnp.co.uk and let us know your thoughts.

to recruit two volunteers to Partnership with communication and administration tasks and evidence review.

4 To find out more about the County Durham

What’s on... Watercolour Workshop

18 September 2015 10am–3.30pm Bowlees Visitor Centre Painting session under the expert tuition of artist Gordon Lamb. Lunch, tuition and all materials is included in the workshop fee. For more details go to North Pennines AONB Events.

Walk on the Wild Side

19 September 2015 7.00pm Meet at Demesnes Mill, Picnic Area Join the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Field Officer, Alistair Lockett, as he takes a walk on the wild side to get a close-up look at the life of a bat, one of the UK’s most intriguing nocturnal creatures. This walk is weather dependent. To book a place go to North Pennines AONB Events.

Great British Beach Clean – Blackhall Rocks (From Stack North)

19 September 2015 10.45am–12.30pm On the beach at the stack – Blackhall rocks Join Natural England’s volunteers and youth conservation group for a coastal litter survey – MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend. Booking essential contact Joe Davies, Lead Engagement and Wildlife Adviser on 0780 3228 414.

Durham Dry Stone Walling Competition

19 September 2015 10.00am–4.00pm Beamish Museum, Beamish, DH9 0RG The event will see competitors of all abilities vying for the Championship Cup and up to £120 cash prize. The competition is free to enter and has the following classes Open, Amateur and Novice. For details go to Durham Dry Stone Walling Competition.

Guided Walk North Pennines Walking Festival Great British Beach Clean – Blackhall Rocks (From Stack South)

19 September 2015 10.30 am–12.30pm Blackhall car park, South East of Blackhall Colliery Park up and then walk approximately half a mile north on coastal footpath to Deadman’s for event meeting point. For further information call 03000 264 589 or email [email protected]. Please register if you would like to attend: www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/ beach/blackhall-rocks-stacksouth/event/2015-09-19

Bowes to Middleton 27 September 2015 10.00am–4.00pm The North Pennines Walking Festival was initiated by the Friends of the North Pennines in 2013 and is run by enthusiastic local volunteers. To book a place go to Heart of Teesdale events.

Guided walk North Pennines Walking Festival

Mickleton-Romaldkirk (10 miles) 30 September 2015 10.00am–3.00pm Contact Karen Collins, Heart of Teesdale on 03000 260 835 or email Karen.collins@ durham.gov.uk

Environment Partnership or to get involved: visit: www.countydurhampartnership.co.uk email: [email protected] call: 03000 266 099

Durham Hedgelaying Competition

Craft Fair

Acorn Amblers

Bishop Auckland Community Festive Fair

9 October 2015 10am–3.30pm Venue to be confirmed. The event will see competitors of all abilities vying for the Championship Cup and up to £80 cash prize. The competition is free to enter and has the following classes - Open, Intermediate and Novice. For details see Durham Hedgelaying Competition. 9 October 2015 Guided walk at Hamsterley Forest (5 miles) 18 October 2015 12.15pm Contact Karen Collins, Heart of Teesdale on 03000 260 835 or email Karen.collins@ durham.gov.uk

Climate Change Conference

How can schools engage? 20 November 2015 9.15am–3.45pm Durham Leadership Centre, Spennymoor The event is designed for all schools and organisations who support schools to find out more about the most recent scientific research on global climate change. £79 for partners, £85 for nonpartners To book a place call 03000 265 836 or email [email protected]

2015 Environment Awards 24 November 2015 Awards ceremony

26 November 2015 4.00pm–8.00pm The Greenhouse, Greencroft Industrial Park, Annfield Plain, DH9 7XN Christmas shopping opportunity and festive refreshments Contact Jill Frazer at Groundwork NE & Cumbria for further information 01207 524 830 or email [email protected]

Bishop Auckland College 28 November 2015 10.00am–2.30pm An opportunity to do some Christmas shopping, support local businesses and community organisations and find out more about how you can have a greener Christmas. Children’s activities, performances and of course the chance to visit Father Christmas in his grotto Contact Grace Crawford at Groundwork NE & Cumbria for further information 01207 524 803 or email grace.crawford @groundwork.org.uk

Volunteering opportunities Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Volunteering

Various dates from October 2015 onwards Come along and get involved in practical volunteering, helping make a difference to the gardens and arboretum in the Riverside Park. Contact Karen Collins at Groundwork NE & Cumbria for further information on 01207 524 803 or email [email protected]