Page 30 - Frittenden Parish Mag - November 2021
P. 30

Frittenden Great Big Green Day                                                                                        Frittenden Great Big Green Day


      Climate and                                                                         artwork was much admired and her ‘upcycled’ dress
                                                                                          would cause a stir on any catwalk!
                                                                                          Unfortunately, as well as the inherent discomfort of
      Wellbeing                                                                           engaging with the reality of climate change, there
                                                                                          are various misconceptions that can get in our way.
                                                                                          Tony Wainwright of Exeter University suggests the
      Margaret Searle                                                                     following are common misunderstandings and
                                                                                          contrasts them with the evidence-based facts:-
                         We depend on climate                                             •   The world of human beings is separate from
                         stability for our                                                    the world of nature…In fact it’s not and Covid
                         continued well-being.                                                is a good example
                         Climate change is   Old Dragon and Chris West provided local honey.                                     Our sense of compassion about global catastrophes
                         causing fire, famine,   Rosalind Riley valiantly manned the car park   •   That the climate has been changing gradually… and the possible plight of future generations can
                         flooding, starvation   ready to discuss and demonstrate the advantages   In fact it’s mostly in the last 30 years  all too easily become overloaded and cause us
                         and homelessness.    and importance of electric transport, both two-  •   That climate change is in the future In fact   to want to switch off.  We need to be aware of
      Competition for scarce resources drives civil   wheeled and four-wheeled.  Lester Gosbee, who is   weather records are consistently being   mechanisms by which our human psyche tries to
      unrest.  People are forced to flee their homes   well known for his monthly weather predictions,   broken                  handle the uncomfortable or the unthinkable and
      to save themselves and their children. It’s not a   reported the facts about changes in local climate                      do not forget that helping one individual is very
      pretty or a comfortable story to read but it is real.    conditions in recent decades.  Younger residents   •   That climate change is reversible in the near   important even in the context of immense need.
      It is challenging information and it is unpalatable   from Frittenden Primary School sent us their   term…In fact it’s not like “it’s raining today,
      and difficult to digest.                                                                but tomorrow it will be sunny”, it is a one-  For more on this see
                                             artistic interpretations of ways that we can look   way street and a lot is already baked in…  www.arithmeticofcompassion.org
      Nevertheless, on Saturday 25th September2021,   after the environment and Larchmere House
      Barbara Dunn gave us the opportunity to get   residents sent through photographic evidence of   •   That it is all going to happen in a linear   www.kent.gov.uk/_data/assets/pdf_
      together for the Frittenden Great Big Green Day in   their edible and floral horticultural achievements.    fashion…In fact we are close to many non-  file/0008/97676/Kent-Year-of-Green-100-
      the Memorial Hall.  A variety of stalls represented   The Frittenden WI refreshed us all with homemade   linear tipping points  actions.pdf
      local initiatives concerned with promoting  human   cake and tea.                   We shall reach a point when the situation is   https://greatbiggreenweek.com/
      wellbeing “Wellbeing in the Weald”, animal   I had recently attended a Climate Change   irretrievable.
      wellbeing “Kent Wildlife Trust” and Barbara   conference and put together a display to share some
      had collected examples of local and national   things I found interesting.  Thanks to all those who
      initiatives aimed at recycling and reduction of   came along to share some lively discussion.  Local
      plastics in packaging.  The message loud and clear   farmers Paul Hope and
      is that we can all help this important agenda in   Dick Munton were kind
      various ways.  Growing your own is another valid   enough to contribute
      contribution and Heather Collins Cullingworth   information about the
      provided admirable evidence of just how much   ways in which they are
      veg can be produced in a small allotment space,   using sustainable and
      but even a tomato plant on the windowsill will   environmentally friendly
      make a difference!  Shopping locally by supporting   methods in their work.
      the Stables Stores and the future Frittenden   Paul Hindmarsh also
      Community Shop and producing and buying   provided an outline about
      locally are actions which promote a more “green”   his tree planting initiative
      way of life and can help maintain a stable climate   at Pound Hill Farm.
      for future generations.  Jenny Croucher displayed   Pearl Cullingworth’s
      preserves and jams created in the kitchen of the
                                             thought-provoking

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