What’s happening?

Up-coming Events!

Nailsworth CAN Grow It

Next meeting of this group will be on Tuesday 22nd April 7.30-9.00 pm in the Mortimer Rooms. Beginners and experienced growers are welcome, and it is an opportunity to share skills, seeds seedlings and plants. To join the Whatsapp group for Nailsworth CAN Grow It text 07932 623672. There will be meetings in members gardens during the summer months.

Nature in Nailsworth

There will be an informal drop-in Nature in Nailsworth event at Climate Corner in Nailsworth Library 10:30 - 12:30 on 2nd May where you can find out more and tell us your ideas. If you would like to join the group, please contact Megan Adamou at: megan.adamou@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk. For more on this initiative read Standing Up for Nature in Nailsworth below.

Nailsworth CAN Repair It

We throw away vast amounts of stuff - clothes, tools, appliances - often things that need s simple repair. If you have anything you want to fix, then bring it along to the next Repair Café on 11th May 10am - 1pm at Nailsworth Community Workshop. We'll try to help you fix it - mainly electrical, mechanical, woodwork, sewing and textile repairs. To book a slot, go to www.bookwhen. com/nrc or call 07977 228973 or email paulkhofman@me.com.

Standing Up for Nature in Nailsworth

Nature in Nailsworth - NiN - is a new community group that has been set up to support nature and wildlife in and around Nailsworth. The group was initiated jointly by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Nailsworth Town Council and NailsworthCAN and its role will be to provide advice, stimulation and expertise to people, community groups and Nailsworth Town Council on the priority actions to take to halt and reverse nature's decline in the local area. NiN will adopt a forward thinking and active approach, based on the best available evidence on what works, to encourage people to help restore nature. NiN will engage local communities to find out what is important to people and will focus initially on the following three priorities:

1. Work with Nailsworth Town Council to develop objectives for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy Biodiversity Action

2. Plan for the Nailsworth area.

3. Engage with local communities in caring for nature, offering a range of stimulating and rewarding projects that will make Nailsworth a better place for wildlife.

4. Work with local community groups such as NailsworthCAN to develop and promote practical delivery of projects that serve to reverse nature's decline and accommodate climate change.

At the NiN stall at the Town Event on 5th April we took a map of Nailsworth and asked people to tell us locations of iconic trees, special plants and local wildlife, collecting a wonderful amount of positive nature sightings. The next NiN will review this information, arrange a pre-survey visit to Norton Wood, identify species knowledge gaps and plan a BioBlitz. Everyone is welcome - there's a lot to do!

Take The Jump

We are promoting the initiative 'Take The Jump' - practical ideas on things we can all do to lower our environmental impact, which is also being promoted by Stroud District Council.

NailsworthCAN wants to highlight the positive steps we can all make on climate change and sustainability.

We encourage visitors to write down their ideas and include them on the ‘Climate Corner’ installation in Nailsworth Library.

We wish to celebrate example of changes that people have told us about in their own lives and households.

My Octopus Experience

Shelley Rider is a Nailsworth Town Councillor and Chair of the Environment Committee, and also the NCT liaison with Nailsworth Climate Action Network. She lives in a 1970s modern 3 bedroom semi-detached home, and here shares her experience of getting an air-source heat pump. Click here to read Shelley’s blog.

Your experience will depend on the current situation. If yiou already have double panel radiators throughout the house, you may not need to upgrade any radiators. But don’t listen to the naysayers that say you that old houses cannot use a heat pump etc. - read our piece 8 Heat Pump Myths.

Community Energy

This is a major theme for NailsworthCAN, and we should celebrate the work that has already been done. Treasurer, Matt Partridge, introduces this great film by Limestone Media celebrating the success of a solar energy project at Minchinhamption Primary school:

Read more in our blog on the New Community Energy Initiatives.

Demystifying Heat Pumps

There has been a lot of chatter recently about heat pumps being new and untried technology, or not suitable for old buildings, or being much more expensive to run than a gas boiler. None of these is true.

Our new page Demystifying Heat Pumps should help to dispel these myths, but please send us any questions you may have. Also note that Nesta are running a scheme to connect those curious about getting a heat pump with householders who already have one.

Go to Nesta’s Visit a Heat Pump page to learn more and book a visit (or if you have a heat pump, to offer your services, at dates/ times of your choosing).

Learn about the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme here.

Climate Corner

Have you got questions about climate change and positive actions that need to be taken to create a sustainable future? Or do you just want to chat about a related topic that interests you? Then drop into our monthly Climate Corner where Richard Erskine (our Education Lead) will be waiting for you.

The first Friday of every month, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Nailsworth Library

The ever evolving ‘climate cart’ was inaugurated at Nailsworth Library on 17th May, and you can read all about it in the blog post Launch of Climate Installation at Nailsworth Library

Nailsworth CAN Grow It

Is a support network, coordinated by Bill Roberts, for anyone growing anything to eat. We meet monthly and have a WhatsApp group, to join message ‘Grow It’ to 07932 623672.

Project ideas welcome

We are interested in proposals for projects / events that further the aims of NailsworthCAN from any supporter in the locality who is willing to take on a leading role. We have created a simple form to allow such ideas to be captured, so they can be reviewed by our Steering Group. The aim is to support each other and engage in local, positive action on climate and nature. You can register / offer up a project idea here.

Ongoing projects

On the blog