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Fullers Vale Wildlife Pond Association were invited to support the launch of Headley CAN’s (Climate Action Network) launch of the 12-month “Greening Headley” campaign on 18^th February. We are delighted to be involved because one of the five Pillars of the campaign is closely aligned to our own mission, Space for Nature.

The Greening Headley campaign is supported and resourced by the Lottery-funded Greening Campaign, which is led by Terena Plowright, a long-time climate campaigner. The purpose of the launch meeting was to introduce these five Pillars and invite members of our local community to register their interests in any combination of these.

We were delighted to see so many people coming along on a cold February evening – so many that we had to rush about finding more chairs and I don’t think we could have fitted any more in the hall! Luckily our Headley CAN hosts had been extremely generous with their preparation of home-made nibbles and warming drinks, so everyone had a great evening.

Terena spoke passionately about the need for everyone to be more aware of the impact of our daily activities on the climate and environment, and make whatever changes, however small, that reduce our collective impact on the planet. This may sound like a repeat of all the Green Campaigns we have heard over the years but this approach is refreshingly different. Instead of protests against the activities of big organisations, Terena encouraged us to make small, practical changes and help others to do the same. Many small changes add up to a lot, and we can be motivated by the changes we make instead of being frustrated by protests that are ineffective.

Recognising that some areas are of more relevance and interest to some than others, the campaign has been divided into five Pillars. Each of these will have their own resources, local leaders and activities.

1. Space for Nature – both protecting the existing environment and making small changes in our own gardens to help nature move around and survive.
2. Energy Efficient Warmer Homes – we can reduce energy consumption (and save money) by identifying and stopping wasteful heat loss from our homes and public buildings.
3. Health Impacts of Climate Change – recognising that the climate is changing anyway, there are actions we can take to reduce the health risks of excessive heat or cold for more vulnerable people
4. Cycle of the Seed – promoting the importance of food security, understanding soil health and if we are able to, support for growing our own food
5. Waste Prevention – we probably all know that recycling waste has many challenges, so this pillar focusses on reducing and stopping waste in the first place so there is less need for recycling and waste disposal.

Over the next 12 months, Headley CAN will be organising talks, training, practical group sessions, visits and other activities so if you would like to be involved in any of these free events please register using this link: Sign Up

Headley CAN also has a Facebook Page where news about Greening Headley and other Headley CAN events will be published.

Neville Merritt

On Tuesday 18th February, the Headley Greening Campaign will be launched! Headley CAN (Climate Action Network) is a local group with similar environmental objectives to ours. They have won a one-year support programme from the Lottery-funded Greening Campaign. This means for the next year Headley residents can make use of their support.

On Tuesday 18^th February at 8pm in the Church Centre, High Street, Headley CAN will be launching the Headley Greening Campaign and introducing their projects for the next 12 months. This will include information about our health in a changing climate, food production and biodiversity, waste prevention and reduced energy use. One service already being rolled out is a free thermal imaging survey of your home to pinpoint areas of heat loss. 

The Greening Campaign is supported by Headley Parish Council and FVWPA because this campaign will bring real benefits to our community, as well as making a valuable contribution to addressing the climate emergency.

I hope you can come along to the meeting to hear more about these projects, ask questions and discuss how you could make use of them.

We have teamed up with Headley Climate Action Network (HeadleyCAN) to run a fundraising quiz night at Headley Village Hall on 1st February.

You can organise a team of six to eight people, and tickets are £15 per person to include a two-course meal. There will also be a cash bar and raffle to add to the entertainment!

To book tickets please contact Liz Pennick by calling her on 01428 717397; WhatApp or call 07549 181915 or email pennicks@btinternet.com

All money raised will be used to support local environmental projects in Headley and Headley Down. We hope to see you there!

Book Review

“Still Water: The Deep Life of the Pond” by John Lewis-Stempel

This highly informative little book on ponds is a delight to read. You will discover you are learning and storing all manner of interesting facts as you read this eloquent and sometimes poetic prose. John takes us on a journey through both time and geography, visiting different ponds through the four seasons of the year.

You will find out about the history of ponds, how they were created, what they were used for and what happened to most of them. You will also learn in intricate detail what goes on above, beside, on and under the surface of our ponds.

Having read this book, you will see our own pond in a new light, and with a better understanding of how it fits into our natural environment. You will also learn useful facts like what a baby newt is called, and why moorhens like our pond and coots prefer Frensham!

You can buy a copy of this book using this link: https://amzn.to/4gEJFvZ

Have you seen something at the pond but you aren’t sure what it is? We have a number of guides on our Resources Page which are links to our favourite websites and apps for butterflies, moths, birds, plants and dragonflies.

The picture above is (we think) a Light Crimson Underwing moth which is very similar to its Dark Crimson cousin. Their caterpillars feed only on oak tree leaves, which are around the pond in abundance. This specimen probably keeps turning left because something has taken a chunk out of its wing. That doesn’t seem to have affected its appetite though.