The following is a copy of an email we received from the South Somerset Climate Action Group. I have shown it here for information
Email from the Climate Action Group.
To visit our new website click: www.southsomersetclimateaction.org.uk
Sun 16 Sep 2.30pm Al Gore’s "An Inconvenient Truth"
To be followed by a discussion led by David Gordon, former County Councillor and Chairman of Ecos Trust, the award-winning builders of zero carbon homes.
Sat 22 Sep 2.30pm Al Gore’s Update on An inconvenient Truth
plus The GREENPEACE film "A Convenient Solution"
Discussion to be led by Catherine Le Grice Mack, former County Councillor, Organic farmer, Representative of environmental organisations at the Regional Assembly.
Call Joe Or just turn up at the theatre. — Donations requested
Global warming and related issues – Dr John Baxter
Workers Educational Association – Ilminster
This course will present planet Earth as a dynamic structure, constantly changing over eons of time. It will look at what affects our atmosphere and climate and how lifestyle changes and technology might come to our rescue.
6 Classes – Tuesday evenings 7.30 – 9 pm from 9 October 2007. Fee £30
www.wea.org.uk
AMONGST OTHER THINGS, ON OUR WEBSITE YOU CAN FIND:
Organisation
Evidence / document
Date / Comment
House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Climate Change: the citizens agenda Evidence submitted in January 2007, published on 13 September 2007
South Somerset Together
The Proposed Sustainable Community Strategy for South Somerset August 24th, 2007
Ilminster Town Council
Town Plan 1 June 2007
(soon to be updated)
Somerset Wildlife Trust (which has 20,000 members)
Planning Policy Briefing prepared for South Somerset Climate Action 1 Jul 2007
Joe Burlington
Chairman
SOUTH SOMERSET CLIMATE ACTION
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
News update
It seems my last general news update was around the end of June and there is a lot to catch up on.Summer holidays are partly to blame for the lack of posts plus lots of other jobs on the "to do" list!
Here in chronological order are brief references to wildlife related activities.
All references to "field log" relate to a local private nature reserve for which I help in the management.
05.09.07:Field Log:Reported fly tipping in lane adjacent to field.
24.08.07:Field Log:As arranged hay cut and left on ground for a few days.This also cuts back any hedge suckers at the edge of the field. The hay was baled and removed a few days later.
23.08.07:Contact other Area Group Chairs re informal meeting
21.08.07:Field Log: another ragwort check prior to hay cut, some 15 plants removed. now virtually clear.
19.08.07:Field Log:walk about with visitors.
16.08.07:Field Log:reported fly tipping near by.
12.08.07:joined butterfly group walk. inspected moths caught in previous nights activity.
11.08.07:National moth night. somerset moth group with several lamps in local woods for major count. for more detail go their web site . click here
06.08.07:Field Log: visit by friends who keep rare breed sheep locally for discussion about introducing sheep grazing for field. very informative but my conclusion is that the problems for us outweigh the benefits so we will not be using sheep.
03.08.07:Field Log: write up log to cover last couple of weeks activities and conditions on field.
02.08.07:Field Log: visit to local bird expert to collect report on a survey he carried out on our field. contains thoughts on how to attract more bird activity. includes planting native trees and adding a pond. there are grants available for tree planting.
31.07.07:Field Log: visit to remove one or two large thistles and pull ragwort.checked marked position of bee orchids and inspected pyramidals which are nearly all finished flowering.
27.07.07:Field Log: problem of miniature motor bikes being run round field. made contact with youngster involved and asked for them to stop. good result so far.
24.07.07:Field Log: checked introduced wildflowers, some OK others seem to have perished. marbled white not so numerous this year it seems. weather not good. other butterflies seem OK. plenty of grass hoppers. pulled ragwort.
23.07.07:Field Log:reported local fly tipping to council.
22.07.07:Field Log:adjacent similar sized field hay baled and removed. talked to farmer and contractor for need to do same on our field.
18.07.07:Field Log:adjacent field hay cut. they had to spend an hour or so pulling ragwort first. good for us as it stops seed transfer to our field.
13.07.07:Field Log: report of small motor bikes on adjacent field.
12.07.07:Field Log: meeting of the management committee. general agreement on progress and planned actions.
11.07.07: Had to miss a workshop event run by SWT to review and debate the 2008-2012 strategy document but sent email comments instead.
09.07.07:Field Log:had organised a visit to our field of local councillors. Important to us to keep them informed about our aims for our field as a private nature reserve and our concerns about the future of the adjacent field. successful visit I think.
08.07.07:Field Log: organised team effort to walk over the field to remove ragwort.
07.07.07:Field Log: took small group of visitors to inspect field. had to avoid local miniature motor bikes again on adjacent field.
05.07.07:Field Log:attended parish council meeting to hear news of adjacent field. no news!
04.07.07: attended a meeting of local climate change group to hear talk about recycling well attended.
03.07.07:Field Log: telephone call to local councillors to invite visit to field.
02.07.07:Field Log: general inspection of field. some bee orchids still flowering.plenty of pyramidals in flower and looking good.
scabious,knapweed, bedstraw, alium and yellow rattle seen. seed collected from the latter to spread around later in the year. perimeter path now being well used.
Here in chronological order are brief references to wildlife related activities.
All references to "field log" relate to a local private nature reserve for which I help in the management.
05.09.07:Field Log:Reported fly tipping in lane adjacent to field.
24.08.07:Field Log:As arranged hay cut and left on ground for a few days.This also cuts back any hedge suckers at the edge of the field. The hay was baled and removed a few days later.
23.08.07:Contact other Area Group Chairs re informal meeting
21.08.07:Field Log: another ragwort check prior to hay cut, some 15 plants removed. now virtually clear.
19.08.07:Field Log:walk about with visitors.
16.08.07:Field Log:reported fly tipping near by.
12.08.07:joined butterfly group walk. inspected moths caught in previous nights activity.
11.08.07:National moth night. somerset moth group with several lamps in local woods for major count. for more detail go their web site . click here
06.08.07:Field Log: visit by friends who keep rare breed sheep locally for discussion about introducing sheep grazing for field. very informative but my conclusion is that the problems for us outweigh the benefits so we will not be using sheep.
03.08.07:Field Log: write up log to cover last couple of weeks activities and conditions on field.
02.08.07:Field Log: visit to local bird expert to collect report on a survey he carried out on our field. contains thoughts on how to attract more bird activity. includes planting native trees and adding a pond. there are grants available for tree planting.
31.07.07:Field Log: visit to remove one or two large thistles and pull ragwort.checked marked position of bee orchids and inspected pyramidals which are nearly all finished flowering.
27.07.07:Field Log: problem of miniature motor bikes being run round field. made contact with youngster involved and asked for them to stop. good result so far.
24.07.07:Field Log: checked introduced wildflowers, some OK others seem to have perished. marbled white not so numerous this year it seems. weather not good. other butterflies seem OK. plenty of grass hoppers. pulled ragwort.
23.07.07:Field Log:reported local fly tipping to council.
22.07.07:Field Log:adjacent similar sized field hay baled and removed. talked to farmer and contractor for need to do same on our field.
18.07.07:Field Log:adjacent field hay cut. they had to spend an hour or so pulling ragwort first. good for us as it stops seed transfer to our field.
13.07.07:Field Log: report of small motor bikes on adjacent field.
12.07.07:Field Log: meeting of the management committee. general agreement on progress and planned actions.
11.07.07: Had to miss a workshop event run by SWT to review and debate the 2008-2012 strategy document but sent email comments instead.
09.07.07:Field Log:had organised a visit to our field of local councillors. Important to us to keep them informed about our aims for our field as a private nature reserve and our concerns about the future of the adjacent field. successful visit I think.
08.07.07:Field Log: organised team effort to walk over the field to remove ragwort.
07.07.07:Field Log: took small group of visitors to inspect field. had to avoid local miniature motor bikes again on adjacent field.
05.07.07:Field Log:attended parish council meeting to hear news of adjacent field. no news!
04.07.07: attended a meeting of local climate change group to hear talk about recycling well attended.
03.07.07:Field Log: telephone call to local councillors to invite visit to field.
02.07.07:Field Log: general inspection of field. some bee orchids still flowering.plenty of pyramidals in flower and looking good.
scabious,knapweed, bedstraw, alium and yellow rattle seen. seed collected from the latter to spread around later in the year. perimeter path now being well used.
Monday, August 06, 2007
What is " Climate Cafe" ?
Climate Café coming to a town near you...
This summer the Rising to the Challenge Roadshow will be taking to the streets of Somerset and visiting town centres, festivals and events with our Climate Cafe.
Here you'll be able to sit and relax with some free local strawberries and cream, watch short films about climate change, discover your carbon footprint on our solar powered laptops and get advice from our Carbon Coaches on how you can help tackle climate change. There'll be quizes, displays, activities for children and some fantastic freebies and prizes.
This summer the Rising to the Challenge Roadshow will be taking to the streets of Somerset and visiting town centres, festivals and events with our Climate Cafe.
Here you'll be able to sit and relax with some free local strawberries and cream, watch short films about climate change, discover your carbon footprint on our solar powered laptops and get advice from our Carbon Coaches on how you can help tackle climate change. There'll be quizes, displays, activities for children and some fantastic freebies and prizes.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
RealClimate . A commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists
RealClimate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream commentary. The discussion here is restricted to scientific topics and will not get involved in any political or economic implications of the science.
This blog can be found by clicking here.
or here.
RealClimate » About
This blog can be found by clicking here.
or here.
RealClimate » About
Saturday, July 28, 2007
"e" newsletter to members
Here is an example of how we try to communicate with as many of our local members as possible. This is a recent email to about 20% of our members. The details are also on our Diary blog. To receive our e newsletter all you need to do is send an email to:
levelswildlife@btinternet.com and ask to be added to the circulation list.
From: "David"
To: "Heart of the Levels Area Group"
Subject: Heart of the Levels Group news
Date: 27 July 2007 14:33
Heart of the Levels Group of Somerset Wildlife Trust.
27.07 News update sent to around 100 members and friends as blind copies (ref 01). For more information reply to this email.
Items in chronological order.
Dear all,
We hope you find some of these items of interest.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
11th August 20:00 Somerset Moth Group. Breach Wood MOD ST425306 National moth Night. Meet at Cemetery south of High Ham and we will then be directed to this fine underecorded woodland site.
Extract from their web site: We organise field trips throughout the year and these are open to all. There is no charge and you don't have to have a moth trap to come along. They are a good opportunity to learn how to identify moths, use trapping equipment and meet like-minded people. We try to target interesting habitats with a range of exciting species.
More information here: http://http://www.somersetmothgroup.org.uk/portal
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Sunday 12th August Somerset and Bristol Branch of Butterfly Conservation.
Programme of Guided Butterfly walks in Somerset in 2007
Sunday 12th August 2007 time tbc - Langport M.O.D. Rifle Ranges. Leader Tom Marlow
Meet at High Ham Cemetery at ST 425 306 to be escorted to the reserve. This is the morning after National Moth Night and the previous night's catch should be available for inspection. Target butterfly species: SWF, PH, WA.
More information here: http://www.somerset-butterflies.org.uk/
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
A training day for those who wish to find out more about running children and family friendly activities confidently
Thurs 6th Sept at Fyne Court or Sat 8th Sept at Carymoor
10-4pm
more information here:http://http://www.somersetwildlife.org.uk/education/education.html
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Thursday 13th September. Heart of the Levels Group, AGM and talk on Somerset Otters by James Williams from the Somerset Otter Group.
The Group members take responsibility for a particular stretch of watercourse to record and monitor Otters. The group produces its own newsletter and is a branch of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
15 - 30 September is Climate Friendly Fortnight. The Climate Friends campaign is about encouraging everyone to get involved in taking action towards achieving a more climate friendly lifestyle. It's about celebrating the people who have already taken steps towards this, and encouraging others to take positive action too. More information at: http://www.climatefriends.org.uk/ and also at:http://www.risingtothechallenge.org.uk for Somerset County Council.
***********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Sunday 16th September from 10 to 4pm.This is the 2nd year of the Somerset Wildlife Trust open day for members at the Bishop's Palace, Wells.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
October 6th SWT Annual Conference and AGM Saturday 6th October at Draycott Village Hall. 12 noon to 4.30 See next copy of magazine for details.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
For more information about our group visit our web site and better still let us have your comments on our programme.
Read news from our group at:
Heart of the Levels Wildlife Group
http://heartofthelevels.blogspot.com/
(updated 20.07.07)
Diary of Events:
http://heart-of-the-levels-diary.blogspot.com/
( updated 25.07.07)
To receive our e newsletter all you need to do is send an email to:
levelswildlife@btinternet.com and ask to be added to the circulation list.
levelswildlife@btinternet.com and ask to be added to the circulation list.
From: "David"
To: "Heart of the Levels Area Group"
Subject: Heart of the Levels Group news
Date: 27 July 2007 14:33
Heart of the Levels Group of Somerset Wildlife Trust.
27.07 News update sent to around 100 members and friends as blind copies (ref 01). For more information reply to this email.
Items in chronological order.
Dear all,
We hope you find some of these items of interest.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
11th August 20:00 Somerset Moth Group. Breach Wood MOD ST425306 National moth Night. Meet at Cemetery south of High Ham and we will then be directed to this fine underecorded woodland site.
Extract from their web site: We organise field trips throughout the year and these are open to all. There is no charge and you don't have to have a moth trap to come along. They are a good opportunity to learn how to identify moths, use trapping equipment and meet like-minded people. We try to target interesting habitats with a range of exciting species.
More information here: http://http://www.somersetmothgroup.org.uk/portal
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Sunday 12th August Somerset and Bristol Branch of Butterfly Conservation.
Programme of Guided Butterfly walks in Somerset in 2007
Sunday 12th August 2007 time tbc - Langport M.O.D. Rifle Ranges. Leader Tom Marlow
Meet at High Ham Cemetery at ST 425 306 to be escorted to the reserve. This is the morning after National Moth Night and the previous night's catch should be available for inspection. Target butterfly species: SWF, PH, WA.
More information here: http://www.somerset-butterflies.org.uk/
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
A training day for those who wish to find out more about running children and family friendly activities confidently
Thurs 6th Sept at Fyne Court or Sat 8th Sept at Carymoor
10-4pm
more information here:http://http://www.somersetwildlife.org.uk/education/education.html
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Thursday 13th September. Heart of the Levels Group, AGM and talk on Somerset Otters by James Williams from the Somerset Otter Group.
The Group members take responsibility for a particular stretch of watercourse to record and monitor Otters. The group produces its own newsletter and is a branch of the Somerset Wildlife Trust.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
15 - 30 September is Climate Friendly Fortnight. The Climate Friends campaign is about encouraging everyone to get involved in taking action towards achieving a more climate friendly lifestyle. It's about celebrating the people who have already taken steps towards this, and encouraging others to take positive action too. More information at: http://www.climatefriends.org.uk/ and also at:http://www.risingtothechallenge.org.uk for Somerset County Council.
***********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Sunday 16th September from 10 to 4pm.This is the 2nd year of the Somerset Wildlife Trust open day for members at the Bishop's Palace, Wells.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
October 6th SWT Annual Conference and AGM Saturday 6th October at Draycott Village Hall. 12 noon to 4.30 See next copy of magazine for details.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
For more information about our group visit our web site and better still let us have your comments on our programme.
Read news from our group at:
Heart of the Levels Wildlife Group
http://heartofthelevels.blogspot.com/
(updated 20.07.07)
Diary of Events:
http://heart-of-the-levels-diary.blogspot.com/
( updated 25.07.07)
To receive our e newsletter all you need to do is send an email to:
levelswildlife@btinternet.com and ask to be added to the circulation list.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Group events for August , September and October
Details of our programme and involvement in SWT events have been updated on our Diary blog. See link on this page.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Reports of events in June
June and July are very busy months for wildlife groups and there is a lot to record from activities we have been involved in. Brief notes in chronological order will be followed by a few photos.
9 and 10th June and overlooked last post was my sponsored walk in the Langport International Walking Festival. 10km on the 9th and 20km on the 10th raised around £100 for our group and the Trust. We tried to get publicity for the Trust and its difficult to gauge our success but the cash will be useful.
11th June. Our Group hosted a meeting of all Area Chairs in the Long Sutton Village Hall. Members of our committee provided tea and cakes for around 20 people including Council members of the SW Trust and Officers. This meeting happens three times a year and provides a chance for volunteers to exchange news and views and debate common problems with the Officers. It was quite a lively meeting with a number of actions to be followed up. We need to issue the minutes of the meeting soon.
23th June. Our visit to a reserve to see the Large Blue butterfly has already been reported in an earlier post.
26th June. Some time ago we had organised a trip to some local lakes to look for Dragonflies with an expert to guide us. Dr Mike Parr who also happens to be a member.
The weather wasn't kind for this visit and although it didn't rain ( only a little anyway) it was overcast and windy. We saw a fair number of Damselflies but none of the larger Dragonflies hoped for. Even so we spent an hour of so walking round the lake with enough interest to satisfy us but left us wanting more. Dr Parr generously offered to postpone the second part of the walk till the weather improved which we subsequently tried to organise but again beaten by the weather. See below for report dated 13th July.
Here are some photos - the best I could!
Some more to follow soon.
9 and 10th June and overlooked last post was my sponsored walk in the Langport International Walking Festival. 10km on the 9th and 20km on the 10th raised around £100 for our group and the Trust. We tried to get publicity for the Trust and its difficult to gauge our success but the cash will be useful.
11th June. Our Group hosted a meeting of all Area Chairs in the Long Sutton Village Hall. Members of our committee provided tea and cakes for around 20 people including Council members of the SW Trust and Officers. This meeting happens three times a year and provides a chance for volunteers to exchange news and views and debate common problems with the Officers. It was quite a lively meeting with a number of actions to be followed up. We need to issue the minutes of the meeting soon.
23th June. Our visit to a reserve to see the Large Blue butterfly has already been reported in an earlier post.
26th June. Some time ago we had organised a trip to some local lakes to look for Dragonflies with an expert to guide us. Dr Mike Parr who also happens to be a member.
The weather wasn't kind for this visit and although it didn't rain ( only a little anyway) it was overcast and windy. We saw a fair number of Damselflies but none of the larger Dragonflies hoped for. Even so we spent an hour of so walking round the lake with enough interest to satisfy us but left us wanting more. Dr Parr generously offered to postpone the second part of the walk till the weather improved which we subsequently tried to organise but again beaten by the weather. See below for report dated 13th July.
Here are some photos - the best I could!
Some more to follow soon.
Monday, June 25, 2007
"The Large Blue"
The one photo I really wanted to get right and here is the result:
A Large Blue butterfly which was extinct in the UK in 1979 and recently reintroduced in selected sites.
By clicking on the photo it should be possible to see it full size and by scrolling to cover the picture to find the butterfly on a flower head.
At least the Thyme plant the caterpillars feed on can be seen a little more clearly!
The highly successful Green Down butterfly conservation project is a wonderful example of human activity being integrated with a wildlife nature reserve.
For the Large Blue the effect of creating a gallop for training race horses must have been worse than building the Newbury Bypass!
So the guided visit to the reserve last Saturday where I was able to watch a Large Blue laying eggs on Thyme so close I could have reached out and touched it was an exceptional experience. I had to remind myself that this was not a butterfly farm and I was standing in the middle of acres of open downland.
Our guides on the visit of the 20 or so members of our party told us a little about the almost unbelievable story of the butterflies life cycle and the conservation project.
More information can be seen at the Butterfly Conservation web site.
A Large Blue butterfly which was extinct in the UK in 1979 and recently reintroduced in selected sites.
By clicking on the photo it should be possible to see it full size and by scrolling to cover the picture to find the butterfly on a flower head.
At least the Thyme plant the caterpillars feed on can be seen a little more clearly!
The highly successful Green Down butterfly conservation project is a wonderful example of human activity being integrated with a wildlife nature reserve.
For the Large Blue the effect of creating a gallop for training race horses must have been worse than building the Newbury Bypass!
So the guided visit to the reserve last Saturday where I was able to watch a Large Blue laying eggs on Thyme so close I could have reached out and touched it was an exceptional experience. I had to remind myself that this was not a butterfly farm and I was standing in the middle of acres of open downland.
Our guides on the visit of the 20 or so members of our party told us a little about the almost unbelievable story of the butterflies life cycle and the conservation project.
More information can be seen at the Butterfly Conservation web site.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Summer Garden Party - Photos
After taking a few pictures before we started, the party got going so well I forgot to take any more so this only gives an idea of how it looked with the 50 or so members and non members who attended. It was a great success and we must repeat it next year.
We added a raffle with a top prize of a garden token from a local nursery all on show at the entrance where our committee members used gentle persuasion on the visitors to sell raffle tickets.
It was a shock for the chairman who had the job of duty first aider and had to use his SWT issued first aid kit to find and apply a plaster.The scratch which needed plaster was definitely not the result of gentle persuasion. This was a significant moment as Health and Safety has become a serious matter and this was our first opportunity to apply our first aid skills.
We did find a bandage and it was duly applied.
From the entrance and after getting past the gate keeper there was a pleasant walk round to the start of the garden.
Awaiting our visitors we had tables for wine, soft drinks and Somerset cheeses.
At last our first guest made it to collect a glass of wine and the party was officially under way. We did eventually have around 50 visitors all of whom declared they had enjoyed the occasion.
We added a raffle with a top prize of a garden token from a local nursery all on show at the entrance where our committee members used gentle persuasion on the visitors to sell raffle tickets.
It was a shock for the chairman who had the job of duty first aider and had to use his SWT issued first aid kit to find and apply a plaster.The scratch which needed plaster was definitely not the result of gentle persuasion. This was a significant moment as Health and Safety has become a serious matter and this was our first opportunity to apply our first aid skills.
We did find a bandage and it was duly applied.
From the entrance and after getting past the gate keeper there was a pleasant walk round to the start of the garden.
Awaiting our visitors we had tables for wine, soft drinks and Somerset cheeses.
At last our first guest made it to collect a glass of wine and the party was officially under way. We did eventually have around 50 visitors all of whom declared they had enjoyed the occasion.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Guided walk on Dundon Beacon
Here are some photographs from our visit today.
You should be able to click on the images to get an enlarged view which makes it easier to see the Bee Orchid for instance and the Woolly Thistle flower head is spectacular when enlarged
A Bee Orchid. The only one we could find today when there are usually many. A close up would have been better!
The Twayblade Orchid
A flower head on a Woolly Thistle
The Greater Butterfly Orchid
The Heart of the Levels group on top of Dundon Beacon.
28 people, mostly but not all members of the Trust, enjoyed a stimulating guided walk and talk. for me the highlights were seeing for the first time the Twayblade and Grater Butterfly Orchids. The latter were quite numerous whereas the other species normally common on the Beacon were scarce this year. It was thought the early dry weather was responsible. Two other species not shown here but seen were the Pyramidal and Common Spotted Orchids.
You should be able to click on the images to get an enlarged view which makes it easier to see the Bee Orchid for instance and the Woolly Thistle flower head is spectacular when enlarged
A Bee Orchid. The only one we could find today when there are usually many. A close up would have been better!
The Twayblade Orchid
A flower head on a Woolly Thistle
The Greater Butterfly Orchid
The Heart of the Levels group on top of Dundon Beacon.
28 people, mostly but not all members of the Trust, enjoyed a stimulating guided walk and talk. for me the highlights were seeing for the first time the Twayblade and Grater Butterfly Orchids. The latter were quite numerous whereas the other species normally common on the Beacon were scarce this year. It was thought the early dry weather was responsible. Two other species not shown here but seen were the Pyramidal and Common Spotted Orchids.
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