Plastic bags no thanks – First meeting

A variety of groups and individuals turned up for this week’s first coordinating meeting for making Malvern a plastic bag-free town. See a short report in Malvern Gazette. Do let us have more details, updates etc.

Meanwhile, Marks and Spencers are joining the list of retailers charging for plastic bags – 5p for food customers, implemented by 6th May. See Planet Ark news story.  And Scotland’s government has urged the end of the country’s ‘plastic bag culture’, with the relevant minister saying “I will be writing to Scottish retailers to ask precisely what action they are taking to deliver the target of a 25 per cent reduction in the impact of carrier bags by the end of this year.”

Government encourages more trees in town

Malvern town and district councillors and council staff might like to take a read of the following item (via 24dash news agency based in Hereford):

“The largest ever survey of urban trees in England, published today, will reveal that although national tree health has improved markedly since the last survey in 1992, with trees being maintained much more regularly by councils, there has been a decline in the number of older trees in towns and cities and overall planting rates of new trees has fallen. “

And here’s the link the publication Trees in Towns II, plus DCLG’s wider info on Tree Preservation Orders etc.

Climatetalk evening

The Fold at Bransford is running a Climate Change game evening on 6th March. From their website/email:

Come and share a stimulating evening with friends, eating good food and playing ‘climatetalk’, a great new resource to help us all think through some of the challenges of climate change.

Leave with actions to get behind individually or collectively, and access to a helpful resource for your organisation, family or community group.

The evening will be lead by Rupert Brakspear, Education for Sustainable Development Officer for Worcestershire County Council.

6.30pm for 7.00pm start. Tickets £8.50 including meal. Please book in advance on 01886 833633 or e mail info@thefold.co.uk

Green fair for May

The Malvern Fringe May Day event on 3rd May will again have a ‘green’ section (the overall theme is Green Man). Any local groups who would like to take part in this should contact Ginny (via this site if you haven’t got her details). Taking place in Priory Park as usual.