SWWG Brook Wood Event

Another great morning in Brook Wood last Saturday (29th). Making bird feeders was very popular...

But we also had some fantastic environmental art created...

And we hung up the bird boxes made at the summer Eco Day event...

So if you made one head down to have a look in the wood to see if you can find yours. We'll be heading back in the spring to see if we've had any residents move in so keep an eye on the blog for future events.

29th October SWWG Brook Wood Family Event

SWWG are holding another family nature event in Brook Wood, accessed via Townfields. between 10 and 12 on Saturday 29th October.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the event.

All activites are free.

Confirmed so far: a guided walk suitable for children, making bird feeders, natural arts and crafts.

More details closer to the event.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Julie

Sandbach Today

The Sandbach Today event is a wonderful chance for the various groups of Sandbach to get together and present what they do throughout the year to the public of Sandbach.

Our Fairtrade display promoted the idea of swapping an everyday product for a Fairtrade product. The Fairtrade publication ‘A Little Book Of Swap’ was the inspiration, a leaflet that encourages people at different times of the year to consider swapping to a Fairtrade product. For example Fairtrade lemons on Pancake Day, Fairtrade beers and wine on FA cup final day and Fairtrade cotton uniforms for the return to school.

Visually the theme for the display was one of Fairtrade’s favourite quotes:

“Many raindrops make mighty rivers flow”

Everyday products were pictured and the alternative Fairtrade product displayed, together with a possible end product such as Fairtrade Banana Loaf or Fairtrade Halva made by our volunteers. Raindrops adorned the exhibition and Fairtade information was displayed.

We ran a competition to get people to think about what product they would swap. Members of the group hand throughout the day to speak to people and promote the message. ‘Dear Store Manager’ cards were given out for people to encourage their local shops to stock Fairtrade products.

After the event, reflecting on all the people we spoke to we feel encouraged that we can make a change, together, “just one little swap at a time”.

SWWG-Brook Wood Event-Saturday 2nd July

What a glorious day! The sun was shining and the wood was looking lovely...

There were some minibeasts found...

Whilst a new home was built for more...

And there was time for some quiet contemplation too...

Thanks to everyone who supported the event, if you want to know more have a look at our blog by following the link http://swwgblog1.blogspot.com/

Brook Wood-Free Family Event Saturday 2nd July 10-12

Sandbach Woodland and Wildlife Group are holding a free family nature event this Saturday exploring Brook Wood.

You can enter the wood via the grass below Townfields.

Free activites on offer include-
Guided wildlife walk
Build a bug hotel
Litter picking

The group have been working hard in this area, with other groups from the local community, and it is a beautiful space to explore. The weather forecast is good so come and have a look around and see what flora and fauna Sandbach has to offer...

SWWG-ECO Day

We had a great event! The stall was really busy with families especially interested in finding out about Brook Wood. A few seeds were sown and some woodland plants potted up but the big hit!! was building bird boxes.

Some families chose to take them home but we have 10 to hang up in Brook Wood a little later in the year. Thanks to everyone for a lovely day.

Eco Fun and more

The Eco Fun Day yesterday was wonderful and well supported. Thanks to everyone. Organised by Sandbach Fairtrade and the Waste and Recycling Awareness Group (WRAG). We are supported by Sandbach Town Council. Anyone wanting to get involved contact me Deborah on 01270 764681. We would like to encourage more businesses to come on board. Does your workplace use Fairtrade ie drink Fairtrade coffee or if you run a cafe or restaurant do you serve Fairtrade coffee, wine etc.or would like to. Get in touch we want to hear from you. Also is your business keen to cut down on the use of plastic one trip bags? Make Sandbach a plastic bag free zone.

Fairtrade at the Eco Family Fun Day

Thanks to everyone who stopped in for fairtrade refreshments today.

Sustainable Sandbach

Hi, Ursula Griffiths here. I enjoyed my brief visit to the Town Hall today, so much to do, plant a sunflower in your own specially decorated flower pot, build a bird box and enjoy good food.

Sadly I was running short of time and didn't get to decorate my flower pot. I'll post some pictures of the progress soon.

Cheers for now

Ursula

Hello!

Hi all,

we are here at Eco Family fun day from Elworth Hall Primary school making bird feeders out of milk cartons with anybody who wants to come!

Love Food, Hate Waste

just to give people a 'heads up' on the competition for 'the best leftovers salad' being judged at our Eco-Family Fun Day this Saturday (11th June) at 1.00 (event runs from 10-2). It's a great opportunity to look at the "love food, hate waste" website:

http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

and to see what amazing meals can be made simply from the leftovers from a previous meal.

‘the best leftovers salad’ competition

- make a scrumptious salad using leftovers from a previous meal.

- please bring a card with your name on and the ingredients you have used.

A salad can be made extra scrumptious by using leftover cold sausage thinly sliced, slightly stale bread can make croutons, fruit and nuts can be used. Having a good stock cupboard (or jars in the fridge) can add to your leftovers salad, gerkins, olives etc. A great tip when using bags of salad is to, once opened, store in an airtight container in the fridge with a sheet of kitchen roll above and below, it keeps for much longer!

So please have a go at our competition and bring your salad on the day,

enjoy creating!

Emma Burgess

07884 196700

£500,000 for Community Renewable Energy Projects

Do you know of a community group that could benefit from funding to go green?

Check out the link for more information.

http://energysharenews.com/interface/external_view_email.php?P8958138916418868421536443511

Eco-Family Fun Day

ECO-FAMILY FUN DAY

Saturday 11th June

10am till 2pm

Sandbach Town Hall

ACTIVITIES FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Fairtrade chocolate & coffee tasting

decorating plant pots and planting seeds

love food hate waste games

making bird boxes and bird feeders

join in on a litter pick

entertainment - local schools & musicians

Fairtrade refreshments & activities

The Cat local radio

COMPETITIONS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

‘the best rubbish toy’ competition

- make a toy out of rubbish, it could be a space rocket, a castle, a Toy Story character, there are lots of ideas on the ‘Art Attack’ website!

- get together with the other children in your nursery or school and have a theme.

- please bring a card with your name on and what items of rubbish your toy used to be!

‘the best leftovers salad’ competition

- make a scrumptious salad using leftovers from a previous meal.

- please bring a card with your name on and the ingredients you have used.

COMPETITIONS WILL BE JUDGED AT 1.00pm

BRING ALL THE FAMILY!

for further information please contact:

burgessemma2011@hotmail.co.uk 07884 196700

gemmajaner@gmail.com 07816 204762

Sustainable Sandbach on Facebook

visit - like - comment - get involved

Litter Pick 12th March 2011

Invite to Sandbach Clean Team Members to the next litter pick


The next monthly litter pick will take place in Sandbach on Saturday 12th March from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. We will meet on the lower Waitrose car park in the usual place opposite the roundabout.

Three areas for picking this time, so a good turnout would be great..

The town centre, there is always a need there.

A Rocha will be having a litter pick on the Sandbach Environmental Trail. We will offer them some help.

The field by the by-pass garage next to the service station by Junction 17 is horrendous. Although it is private land, there is a public footpath through the field. Volunteers for this will be MOST welcome. Strong boots and thick gloves are particularly recommended for this area. (I probably have put everyone off now!).

If there are any particular areas that members are aware are in need of attention please let me know. It has been suggested by members that we pick in other areas, all we need are the details of where our attention is required. Also if members wish to pick near their home please feel free to do so.


For further information on Sandbach Clean Team contact Dick Macaulay on d.macaulay@talk21.com

SANDBACH WOODLAND AND WILDLIFE GROUP

SANDBACH WOODLAND AND WILDLIFE GROUP (SWWG)

UPDATE - MARCH 2011


We are in the process of getting some funds, and soon (hopefully) we will be able to have public liability insurance and can get down to some real work!

Meanwhile there are a number of events to let you know about.

You have already had information on George’s forthcoming walks and details of these are on the blog. The dates are 2.30pm this Sunday 6th March, and similar Sunday 27th March. (The blog link: http://swwgblog1.blogspot.com/)

On Monday 7th March there is a public exhibition about the Yerwood Farm diversification scheme at Sandbach Cricket Club in Hind Heath Road in Ettiley Heath in Sandbach. It is a “drop in” event and open from 1.00 pm to 8.00 pm. SWWG will have a stand there, not staffed all the time (any volunteers? let me know) with details of what we do and how to get more information about us. It is planned that Sandbach Allotment Society’s first allotments will be at Yerwood Farm. All are welcome to see the plans for this innovative scheme.

On Wednesday 30th March, the SWWG has been chosen to be the recipient of the money from the raffle held at the March concert of Sandbach Concert Series. These events are excellent, and are held between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm at St Mary’s Church Hall in Sandbach. The first half hour of the concert is performances by local young people, and from 8.00 to 9.00 pm top class artists give a recital. The standard of performance is very high.

The artists on 30th March are Richard Marshall and Harvey Davies (Cornet and Piano). Details and tickets from www.sandbach-concert-series.co.uk, Demeter Wholefoods or Bramwell Opticians in Sandbach. Here is your opportunity to get some culture and support SWWG at the same time! Sandbach is lucky to have music recitals of this standard.

On Saturday 9th April from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon, TATRA (Third Avenue Tenants and Residents Association) and Sandbach Clean Team are joining together to do a major rubbish clearance in Brook Wood. Plus Dane Group are providing a skip for the rubbish. We want as much help as possible and SWWG members are invited to come along on that day. (Anyone helping will be “one day members” of Sandbach Clean Team if SWWG have not their insurance sorted by then). Meet at Town Fields by the grassy entrance to Brook Wood on the Avenues estate.

Even 70 year olds can blog

I ureg everyone to have a go at using this blog. We have a gigantic task ahead if we are to make Sandbach the Sustainable Community that we would like. It will require all of us to make our contribution, however small.

If I can blog, anyone can!

Bypassing the things that matter

All right, here's a test blog in the form of a question. How can we get drivers on the bypass to notice more of the green world that they race through? Occasionally I stand by the lower Waitrose roundabout gazing into the wood, hoping that some drivers will wonder what I can see. Oh, by the way, have you noticed how wonderful cycling weather it is at the moment? Try the bypass cycle lanes if you can - surprisingly nice when the traffic drops. If not, please at least wave as you overtake my bike. Then drive to the bike shop! Cheers! George Hill

Let's Get Ready for Launch

It is important that when this site goes live, it quickly has a range of interesting inputs in order to generate some momentum.  If you think that this site will be of interest to you, please try to create an account and post a test blog or comment.

Let us know if you have any problems so that we can iron out these issues before we launch the site.

Thanks and happy blogging.

Under Construction

This blog is under construction.  Once live, it will be a space where people with an interest in creating a greener, better future for Sandbach can keep in touch and learn more about what is happening in their community.