As you will know from the March edition, the Sherwood Forest branch of Friends of the Earth planned to launch by holding half-day events in Warsop, Edwinstowe, and Ollerton on the last weekend in March. During these events they planned to plant wildflower and pollinator plant gardens, and in Warsop to plant the raised beds outside Age Concern with wildlife friendly plants. The aim of the events was to publicise the group and encourage more people to engage with climate and biodiversity action, starting at home.
They ordered the wildflower seeds and packaged them up ready to hand out on the day for people to plant in their own gardens. They also obtained sunflower seeds ready for children to take part in a sunflower growing competition which was to be judged at an event later in the year – perhaps they will do that next year. They also wanted to use these events to introduce the three campaigns that they will be starting with in their first year as a group.
The leaflets to advertise these three campaigns have all been printed. The first is regarding what we can all do to help stop the decline of pollinators, by planting wildflower seeds, reducing chemical fertiliser and pesticide use. The second is information on reducing single use plastic, and the third on reducing emissions in our area by looking at initiatives such as car sharing, walking and bicycle buses for schools and introducing no idle zones. They wanted to have the opportunity to hand out these leaflets together with information on climate issues in general, plus have the opportunity to chat with members. You can now see these leaflets on the group’s Facebook site.
Unfortunately, they were overtaken by COVID-19 and, following government advice, they cancelled the launch events. They considered a number of alternatives to the launch events, including trying to do something using social media. However, because of the lockdown which followed they decided that total postponement was the only correct and sensible way to go.
Members are determined to go ahead with the planting or wildflower seeds and the re-wilding of green areas in their villages as soon as they can. In the meantime, they want to encourage people to plant wildflower seeds in their own gardens. If you want a starter packet of seeds, which will cover approximately two square metres, send a stamped addressed envelope to the address below. They are waiting for the Government to lift the lockdown so that they can re-plan the planting events, so look out for the notices. When the pubs are open again the group will resume their monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Plough, Warsop.
If you want more information about Sherwood Forest Friends of the Earth please look at their Facebook page, Sherwood Forest FoE, contact them by email on sffofe@btinternet.com, or post to Sherwood Forest FofE, 19 Mellors Road, Edwinstowe NG21 9RY.