THE shape of trees to come will be under the spotlight this Saturday as two leading experts talk about vast green sites in Northumberland.
Duncan Hutt, Director of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust, will talk about the Trust’s planned purchase of the Rothbury Estate and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase nature recovery and demonstrate how farming, economy, nature and community can be integrated.
Lovely Rothbury-estate, (Pic Duncan Hutt)
He will be followed by Wilder Northumberland officer, Graham Holyoak, who will discuss a project to develop a 40-mile wildlife corridor from the coast to the Scottish border.
Graham Holyoak will be putting nature front and centre at his talk this weekend. (Pic by Lyle McCalmont)
The two will be speaking at the latest Northumberland Green Hub community event due to be held this Saturday, June 7th at St James Church Centre in Pottergate, Alnwick.
The event has been timed to coincide with Great Big Green Week – the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Last year, 600,000 peole took part and this year organisers anticipate a million might come together to be part of a wave of actions for friends and family, climate and nature under the theme ‘Let’s swap together for good’ – swapping all sorts of items with others so that they are recycled rather than ending up in landfill.
Liz Clark, of Swarland and Newton Action on Climate, who has helped organise the event, said: “We are delighted to have Duncan and Graham coming along to talk to us in the morning about two very special projects which will be of interest to so many people in Northumberland.
“The flora and fauna of our countryside is so important to us and it’s good to know that attention is being paid to ways in which it can survive and thrive.
“We’re looking forward to hearing their insights and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions about both subjects.”
As well as having the speakers, the Northumberland Green Hub is marking the first day of the Great Big Green Week by running a Great Big Green Book Swap.
Liz said: “The Book Swap will be popular so guests should bring along their unwanted climate, environmental and similar books to swap.
“Swaps are very simple ways to reduce waste by effectively recycling products that might otherwise end up being binned and they’ll be taking place up and down the country in the week ahead as communities get into the spirit of Great Big Green Week.”
“These events are always popular and we enjoy holding them,” said Liz. “It’s a fantastic way to meet other members and, of course, there will be time for networking, catching up with old and new faces, plus news about what’s next for the Northumberland Green Hub.
Doors open for Saturday’s event at 9.30 am and it will run through to 1 pm.
Duncan Hutt will talk on the subject of ‘Nature Recovery – the Rothbury Estate’ at 10.15 am, while Graham Holyoak will discuss wildlife corridors in Northumberland at 11.45 am.
Other Great Big Green Week events taking place in Northumberland included a Great Big Green Week session Repair Cafe in Coquetdale on Saturday, June 21st, 10 am-2 pm at Jubilee Hall, Rothbury. Book at https://www.coquetrepair.co.uk/.
There’s also Great Big Green Week Wallington being held at the National Trust site at Cambo, Morpeth, (NE61 4AR) from 10 am-3 pm on Sunday, June 15th.
The event is billed as a gathering of conservation organisations, sharing plans, collaborations and news about nature restoration around Northumberland. There will be fun and interactive engagement for all ages, accompanied by live music in the courtyard.
Climate Action Wansbeck aims to be at Wallington along as attending several other events throughout the week. More details at: climateactionwansbeck.org.
