A GREEN PURBECK CHRISTMAS!
Why not make it Green this year! We've gathered lots of info on how to have a more planet-friendly Christmas, including local events, sustainable or hand-made gift ideas and recipes just for you!
Planet Purbeck's vision is a cleaner, greener future for everyone in our community! Our mission to create change can be achieved by supporting and amplifying all the local events which promote sustainable ideas. That's why we put together this newsletter; we wanted to provide you with a range of local activities and ideas to help you have a greener Christmas whilst making a positive impact on the environment!
There are so many events happening in and around Purbeck organised by local organisations - what takes your fancy?
Thursday 2nd December 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at Carey's Secret Garden
Be inspired by nature, in nature! During this workshop, under expert tuition, you will create your very own tealight holder and during the workshop, you will also glaze them. Your creations will then be taken away to be fired in a kiln oven and returned ready for collection from Carey’s Secret Garden two weeks later.
Ticket price - £30 per person, includes access to Careys Secret Garden on both the date of the workshop and the day you collect your finished piece. Tickets and more info are available here: https://bookings.careyssecretgarden.co.uk/event/kiln-fired-clay-workshop-festive-lights-thurs-2nd-dec-2021
Date: Thursday 2nd December 5.45 pm
Seahorses are instantly recognisable and have been a part of our culture for millennia, yet we still know very little about these enigmatic creatures. Steve Trewhella and Julie Hatcher have spent hundreds of hours in British waters observing native seahorses, witnessing at first hand how they behave in the wild, and how they interact with the other plants and animals in their underwater realm. With stunning photography, In the Company of Seahorses paints a rich picture of a mysterious world amongst swaying seagrass and colourful seaweeds.
Tickets: (Dorset Diving Services club members free, non-members £5): https://www.dorsetdiving.co.uk/.../book-now-trips-events
Saturday 4th December, 10.00 am - 3 pm at The Borough Gardens, Cornwall Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RG.
Still, in a safe outdoor environment and still FREE ENTRY everyone can come and enjoy this superb outdoor event with 35+ stalls of 100% vegan products. There will be many stalls from local businesses offering a variety of delicious hot and cold food, tea, coffee and yummy cakes, and other fine cuisines. Along with health and beauty care, ethical clothing, eco-friendly products, jewellery, information & advice and so much more!
For more information please e-mail: wdveganevents@gmail.com
Thursday 9th December, 7:30 - 8:30 pm - Online
| We're excited to invite you to join us for a festive 'wild night in' on Thursday 9 December. Chief Executive Brian Bleese will be joined by a panel of special guests including our President, Dr George McGavin. You'll hear all about Dorset's wildlife species in winter, from insects to beavers, and what you can do to help your local wildlife in cold weather. |
To find out more or to book your FREE spot, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dorset-wildlife-trusts-wild-night-in-tickets-210993115087
We hope you'll come and join us in the Corn Exchange, with stalls run by several of Wareham’s local community groups selling items from Cakes and Craft to Jewellery and Woodcraft and lots more besides. There will also be a tombola and a chance to win some great eco-friendly raffle prizes.
To find out more, please see the Community Christmas Fair details.
Saturday 18th December, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Durlston is hosting two fantastic events in the ‘run-up to Christmas’, with a unique showing of ‘The Snowman’ with a live score and encouraging audience participation.
Following at 8 pm – 9.30 pm will be ‘Candlelit Tales for the Longest Night’ - an evening of tales of enchantment and hauntings with a live musical accompaniment.
To book tickets or find more info, please visit https://thecabinetoflivingcinema.org.uk/
Here are some ideas for more sustainable Christmas gift ideas ...
Additionally, here is a list of a few ways that you can support the ongoing care of primates at Monkey World:
All funds from adoptions, the GoFundMe campaign, and the donation option on our gift shop go into the Ape Rescue Trust, a 100% fund used solely for the rescue and care of the monkeys and apes at Monkey World, with no administrative costs removed.
Looking for a great way to benefit wildlife with your Christmas gift shopping? Adopting a red squirrel, barn owl or seahorse will help safeguard their habitat for the future, while a gift membership will help fund vital conservation and advocacy work for all of Dorset's species. Online and postal options are available (please note, the post-cut-off date is 15 December).
You can also find a selection of festive gifts at the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, perfect for combining a winter walk with some Christmas shopping.
Why not give the gift of learning a new experience from The Veterans Forge - A hidden gem in Corfe Castle! Here, Will Spicer recycles everything from copper boilers, tank tracks, bolts and gun barrels, and turns them into attractive flowers, benches, and memorial plaques.
Learn how to make copper roses, nails, hooks and pokers either on your own or with a loved one. Experience days are £80 10:00am - 4:00pm. For further info please contact Will at theveterans@theveteransforgecic.com or call 07565405103.
How about trying to make Christmas Gifts, or experimenting with new planet-friendly festive recipes? Here's what some of our Planet Purbeck members have been creating and also, some of their favourite recipes!
You can experiment with decorative additions, here we've made one decorated using freshly picked daisies from the garden!
Enjoy the tangy flavours in this easy-to-make pumpkin chutney, which also works well with courgettes or marrows.
Here's the marrow jam recipe that Helen S and Rebecca H used, it's a great way to use up marrows, or courgettes, that has grown too big for their boots!
Try this easy recipe for a new twist on vodka to celebrate this holiday season, or to give as a gift!
Try this meat-free recipe for a festive main meal - you can even try the vegan version by using vegan Wensleydale cheese and filo party!
For a vegan alternative to a classic roast, this spiced, roasted cauliflower is highly recommended by Rebecca H!
We have also been looking into 'Swap Shops'; Rebecca S, a member of the campaigns team found a couple of fun ones. She feels that "a circular system is not only good for us but also the environment."
Volunteers Needed!
We've gathered lots of info on local volunteering opportunities and we wanted to share them with you!
Planet Purbeck's vision is a cleaner, greener future for everyone in our community! Our mission to create change can be achieved by supporting local environmental projects and amplifying all the efforts of our community. With that said, we cannot do it alone, we are stronger together!
That's why we put together this email; to provide you with a range of opportunities that will help you get stuck in whilst making a positive impact on the environment!
'Tis the season to be jolly and what better way to get us in the mood than giving back. With so many fantastic local groups around, there are plenty of ways for you to get involved, here are a selection...
Saturday 4th December 10:00am - 3.30pm (Last entry to site at 2:30pm)
Come and enjoy the festive fun and help save our Heathland this December. Spend the day pulling saplings and finding your perfect eco Xmas tree (or as many as you can fit in your car!). RSPB Arne Pull a Pine Tickets (adult members £12.50, non-members £15.50, children under 16 free): https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/909
RSPB Arne also presents - A Christmas Fair
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December
Spend the day walking around our beautiful reserve spotting the thousands of wetland birds on display. And whilst you’re here you can purchase your perfect eco Christmas tree (prices dependant on size). Enjoy live music, mulled cider and winter warming food, crafting for children and grownups and you can get all your Christmas shopping done at our Festive Fair.
No tickets are required, free entry for Members, normal car park charge for non-members.
The National Trust would like to build dams out of willow on two of the streams on East Common in Corfe. These dams will help to hold back and slow down the flow of water, in order to reduce the risk of flooding downstream. The dams have the added advantage of improving the habitat for rare species such as the Southern Damselfly.
Saturday 11th December, but keep your eyes peeled on the Planet Purbeck Events page and the National Trust's website for further details.
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th January 2022
The Blue Pool and surrounding Furzebrook Estate are designated an SSSI for its Lowland Heath habitat. Maintaining this important landscape comes with its challenges, none more so than keeping in check the highly invasive Rhododendron ponticum. Each year the Estates team tackle the vast amounts of well established Rhodie plants across the estate but with the resources available, it's a tall order! This is where you come in.....
Can you spare a day, half-day or even a few hours to help? Please get in touch for a rewarding day of cutting, burning and team building. For more information, please contact David@TheBluePool.co.uk
They need local people to join our keen group of volunteers at the Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre, Kimmeridge.
With increasing concerns about the climate and ecological emergency and marine litter, alongside a newly created network of protected areas in the sea, our work has never been more important. No expertise is needed, we provide training. Our aim is to enable Wild Seas Centre visitors to leave feeling empowered to make simple changes in their everyday lives that benefit the planet and help tackle the environmental issues of our day.
Emailkimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk for more information.
If you'd love a job outdoors gaining 18- or 26- months paid experience and achieving the new Level 2 Apprentice qualification alongside other vocational qualifications, then this apprenticeship is for you.
Level 2 recruitment will be taking place in February / March 2022. Please register on our Jobsite. We manage the scheme in partnership with Kingston Maurward College and you will also be enrolled at the college.
Apprentice Rangers receive formal training in the use of brush cutters and first aid. Training will be given on various topics including rights of way law, interpretation and wildlife identification.
To find out more, please visit the Dorset Council website
Young People Sunday Volunteering at Studland Bay!
Sunday 2nd January 2022, 10: am to 3:00 pm
The Young People Volunteering Group will be launching on the 2nd January 2022. Meeting every Sunday from then, 10 am to 3 pm at Studland Bay.
Activities include removing invasive species and vegetation, habitat creation for rare species, litter picking, monitoring, and conservation work with tools. Meeting at the Discovery Centre. Dress appropriately, bring lunch, water and lots of energy!
For other details, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteer
Purbeck's nature needs champions to showcase its amazing diversity, stories and scarcity to a wide range of audiences: Programming & education - create educational materials, learning packs, activities & experiences. Engagement delivery - build awareness by delivering education, engagement & advocacy events for visitors, schools and communities. Creative communications - produce media content including articles & images.
We need help in ensuring that key habitats and species are monitored to evidence the impact of beavers. Botany - Track habitat changes and monitor indicator species. Amphibian surveys (from March 2022) - Using search and sampling methods to establish the presence of newts, frogs and toads. Odonata surveys (from May 2022) - Survey dragonflies and damselflies across the Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve.
Where beavers can impact existing infrastructure, it is crucial to monitor, swiftly report and manage any conflicts as they arise. Regularly monitor allocated infrastructure, using walked routes and scheduled site visits. Work with designated private landowners on monitoring schedules. Learn about and support project staff with practical beaver management activities (e.g. dam removal). This role will form a crucial part of trialling and developing long-term beaver management capacity for Purbeck. It will not launch until beavers have arrived and settled in (est. 2022), but you can express your interest now.
If you have any questions about these volunteer roles or you would like to get involved, please email Gen Crisford, Engagement Officer for the Purbeck Beaver Project at gen.crisford@nationaltrust.org.uk.
For more information about the project: Re-introduction of beavers to Purbeck | National Trust
Looking for a job? Aged 16-24? Claiming Universal Credit? The Kickstart scheme is a Government funding project to help young people get a paid, short term contract job with prospects.
Durlston
Earlier in the year, Dorset Council employed Kickstart Assistant Countryside Rangers across the county. We can now offer some more eligible candidates a place within our Ranger Teams for a 6-month post. If you're interested and fit the above criteria, get a referral through your Job Centre and get in touch. Here's a video from the Durlston Kickstarters.
If you'd like to find out more, please visit https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/government-services/kickstart-scheme/
The Veterans Forge C.I.C
Are looking to recruit 3 people aged between 18 and 24 for placement on the Kickstart scheme for 3 days a week. Skills you would gain during your time on the forge include Blacksmithing, First aid, Mounted abrasive discs, Fire Marshalling and much more.
If you are interested in participating or would like more info, please contact Will on 07565405103 or read more about the scheme at https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/7614792.
Land Use Team Monthly Meetings - last Tuesday of every month
Next one: Tuesday 25 Jan 7:00 - 8:30 pm Join Zoom Meeting
Keep an eye on our Mighty Network page where events will be advertised and information shared; if you're not already a member you can join here.
If you'd like to read about upcoming local events and volunteering opportunities, you can view them on the Planet Purbeck Events page. Additionally, if are offering any of the above and would like us to share them with our members, please get in touch.
Thanks for reading!
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The Planet Purbeck Team
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