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Local action for a low carbon future
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Newsletter: November 2016
All the latest from Sustainable Merton!
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What's new?
◾ We team up with Verco Global for a productive action day at Phipps Bridge Community Garden
◾ Ruth is invited to help judge a variety of fruit and veg contests at the popular Colliers Wood Autumn Fair
◾ Have your say on the Boundary Commission's initial proposals for new constituency boundaries
◾ Michelle celebrates 'Food Growing Schools' with London's budding young gardeners!
◾ Find out more about the new and exciting High Path Self Build Play project
◾ Green Jobs: Living Wandle now recruiting!
What's On? NOVEMBER
Hedgelaying Taster Activity (13th) // Mitcham Restart Party (19th) // Soil & Compost Workshop (19th) // Roots to Work (25th) // Wandle Park Litter Pick (27th)
👉 Don't forget to check our Volunteer Bulletin for opportunities to make a difference in your community
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Banana palm always looks at its best in the autumn. Amazingly it survives snow, frost and rain all winter, unprotected, and comes back again each year |
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News & Info
Find out what we've been up to and keep up to date with sustainability issues in Merton...
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Everyone at Sustainable Merton is shocked and grieved to learn of Andrew Wakefield's passing.
His long-standing support for Sustainable Merton and commitment to green initiatives around the borough will be sadly missed.
"I have been lucky enough to know Andrew for many years and this news is not just sad but a shock. He was in my estimation one of Merton's most faithful servants and tireless in his many roles in the borough.
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We had occasion to work together often and I was always impressed by his vast knowledge of all things Merton. He had a great love of the natural world and supported Sustainable Merton in our work on Fieldgate Lane as well as other projects. His support for us was constant and he will be sadly missed." - Tom Walsh
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GREEN COFFEE ** Change of date **
Please note that the next Green Coffee meet-up will take place on
Tuesday 8th November (i.e. the second Tuesday of the month)
9.30 - 11am, Wibbas Down Inn, Wimbledon. Catch up on last month's news
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 Volunteer Day with Verco Global
'They all worked extremely hard. By the end of the day they had prepared a big bed for onions, planted out 150 onion sets, cleared another bed and sown lots of winter salad crops, and dug over the bed where the last of the sweetcorn was waiting to be harvested. Several barrow loads of weeds were dispatched and a good time was had by all. We are extremely grateful to them for giving such a boost to the garden!' - Ruth, Sustainable Merton
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"The infamous ‘spelling-out-the-word-Verco-with-our-bodies’ photo. Well done to Ruth for her strong performance on the letter C!" - Daniel Jones,Senior Consultant, Verco
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Colliers Wood Autumn Fair
Sustainable Merton had a small presence at this exciting event put on by Colliers Wood Residents Association on 8th October.
The big hall buzzed with activity all afternoon. Pumpkin carving was particularly popular - and the carved out pumpkin pieces were added to the Phipps Bridge Community Garden compost heap at the end of the day. There was a produce show, cakes, face painting, cress planting and lots more stalls from local organisations. We hope this is the first of many such events.
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Winners of 'Best Carved Pumpkin' and 'Best Jams & Chutneys' (Photo: Andy Smart)
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Street Dance class with Funky Moves dance company (Photo: Andy Smart)
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Changes to Constituency Boundaries
The Boundary Commission have released their initial proposals for the new constituency boundaries. Their goal is to reduce the number of MPs by 50, and make the number of people living in each constituency more equal.
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Their proposals for Wimbledon and Merton would bring big changes, and in some respects, the Boundary Commission’s own guidelines on community interest and cohesion seem not to have been followed. Find out more about the proposals, concerns raised, and how to take part in the consultation >>>
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 Food Growing Schools: London
On 13th October, Michelle (Sustainable Merton) attended a celebration of this ambitious Lottery
funded project, supported by the GLA, which aims to get every London school growing their own food.
The event highlighted the achievements of the project and the transformational effects of food growing, heard first hand from teachers and pupils that have been involved.
Six schools who took part in the project brought some of their school produce and products, such as jams and juices, to showcase their growing efforts and sell in the Marketplace at reasonable prices! Michelle tells us more about this inspiring event >>>
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Proud pupils selling their school-grown produce in the Marketplace
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Michelle with Chris Collins - broadcaster and Garden Organic's Head of Horticulture
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High Path - Self Build Play
Self Build Play is an exciting new project from PRP Architects and Circle Housing and will be at the heart of the High Path Regeneration proposals.
The aim is to actively involve local children and residents in designing and building a unique play and community space for everyone to play, relax and socialise! Design workshops are taking place in Nov - Dec 2016, with local schools, residents and interest groups coming together to bring forward ideas and ambitions and create a place designed by you and for you. Find out more about how to get involved >>>
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Green Job Opportunities: Join the Living Wandle team!
Two Project Officers with a passion for rivers, heritage and communities are needed to help coordinate the Living Wandle Partnership Scheme... More >>>
Deadline: Tuesday 8th November 2016
Two part time freelance teachers to support the Wandle Trust’s Project Kingfisher (river education programme)... More >>>
Deadline: 12pm, Monday 24th October 2016
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Advertising an apprenticeship or job vacancy within the Green Sector? Please email amy.sustainablemerton@gmail.com to let us know and we will share these great opportunities!
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Green Academies Project 'Plot-to-Plate' Traineeship
GAP traineeships help young people to develop vital skills needed for paid apprenticeships or employment in conservation or horticulture.
Applications for next spring's 18 week 'Plot-to-Plate' course are now open. Learn more about planning a vegetable plot, composting, sowing seeds, integrated pest management, harvesting, selling produce and more! Find out more about the course and many benefits of taking part
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FREE Hedgelaying Taster Activity Sunday 13th November, 10am - 1pm
GAP also offer monthly taster days for young people to try out a range of horticultural and conservation activities to develop and broaden their skills ( More)
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 Nelson Gardens: Last action day of the year!
When: Saturday 5th November Where: High Path SW19 2JY
Join local residents and volunteers to help maintain this historic site and celebrate the great effort of all involved throughout 2016! Contact 👉 highpath@live.co.uk
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Trustees Wanted Sustainable Merton are looking for several new recruits...
You will join our core group and take on the shared responsibility of managing the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. A great way to share your skills and perspective, meet new people and make a difference in your community!
Find out more about the role >>> Contact 👉 amy.sustainablemerton@gmail.com
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Our lovely Trustee/Secretary, Ruth (right), with one of our volunteers at the Big Dig 2016
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Dates For Your Diary
Get involved at local events organised by ourselves & other organisations
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 Friday 4th November, 10am - 4.30pm (last entry 3.30)
RHS Wisley Free Day Friday
Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
Enjoy the delights of Wisley with friends & family for free.
Enquiries: wisley@rhs.org.uk // 0845 260 9000
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 Saturday 19th November, 12pm - 3pm
Mitcham Restart Party
New Horizon Centre, South Lodge Avenue, Mitcham CR4 1LT
Learn how to fix your broken electricals to save them from waste and change our relationship with electronics (more...) Enquiries: Send a message >>>
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Saturday 19th November, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Gardening Workshop: Soil & Compost
Community Garden, Windmill Drive, Clapham Common SW4 9DE
Join Bandstand Beds for a FREE workshop to examine what the components of good soil are, keeping it healthy for producing food and flowers, and how to improve it using different composting methods (more...) Enquiries: ccbandstandbeds@gmail.com
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Friday 25th November, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Roots to Work
Walnut Tree Walk , Kensington SE11 6DN
'Learn to grow food, income and enterprise' with workshops, speakers and networking run by Capital Growth (more...) Enquiries: maddie@sustainweb.org
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Sunday 27th November, 11am - 1pm
Wandle Park Litter Pick
meet at Colliers Wood tube station (or in the park after that)
Merton Green Party is organising another litter pick in Wandle Park, with the focus on collecting recyclable material. Enquiries: killicktom@hotmail.com // 07821 882380
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Click HERE for events calendars & newsletters from local groups
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If you have any news or events you would like us to share with our supporters, please contact Lizzie - our Publicity & Communications intern via lizzie.sustainablemerton@gmail.com
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Regular Events
Local events taking place each week/month...
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Green Coffee
1st Tuesday of the month (usually), 9.30 - 11am, Wibbas Down Inn,
6 Gladstone Road, Wimbledon SW19 1QT
Get together to discuss local environmental and community news. Everyone is welcome. Please check the date and venue of the next meeting and download the latest Green Coffee newsletter HERE. Enquiries: joycepountain@virginmedia.com
Phipps Bridge Community Garden
Every Wednesday morning (weather dependent), 10am - 2pm (well deserved tea & cake break at 12.30pm)
Are you keen to get involved in community food growing in Merton? Join the Dig Merton team to enjoy the benefits of working on local land. Enquiries: Gillian - 07956170141.
Nelson Gardens
Every first Saturday of the month, 10am - 12pm, High Path SW19 2JY
Join the High Path Community Association team to help maintain the garden and historic land. Enquiries: Cypren - highpath@live.co.uk / 07772 999870
Mitcham Community Orchard & Gardens
Every last Saturday of the month, Fieldgate Lane, Mitcham CR4 3AL
Help local residents and volunteers maintain and develop this beautiful and educational community resource for all to enjoy. Enquiries: mitchamorchard@gmail.com
Lavender Avenue Community Gardens
Sundays, 11am - 1pm, Lavender Avenue/Mortimer Road, Mitcham CR4 3HH
Join your local community gardening group to help grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. Enquiries: Michelle - kolattek@hotmail.com / 07733 266073
Christchurch Community Garden
Fridays, 10am - 12pm, 58 Christchurch Road, Colliers Wood SW19 2NY
Join local volunteers at the weekly workday to help with general maintenance and upkeep of the garden. Please contact Lesley via lesleygelbart@aol.com
/ 020 8544 9511 beforehand to let her know you will be coming along.
Merton Green Parents
Every Wednesday, 10.30am, Coffee in the Wood, 99 High Street, Colliers Wood SW19 2JF
Merton Green Parents is the perfect group for people who want to make their parenting journey a more sustainable one. For more information about meet up times and to join the group, follow Merton Green Parents on Facebook or Twitter (@MGreenParents).
Merton Green Drinks
** Please Note ** Merton Green Drinks is on hold until further notice as a new location is being found for this event.
Wimbledon Beekeepers' Association
1st Monday of the month, 7.30pm, The Snuff Mill, Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD
Sign up for a beginners’ course and enjoy educational and social events for members. For more information about beekeeping or joining the Association please contact: The Chairman - chairman@wimbledonbeekeepers.co.uk / 020 3286 2896 or
The Secretary - secretary@wimbledonbeekeepers.co.uk / 0774 785 0940.
Website: wimbledonbeekeepers.co.uk
Wimbledon Farmers Market
Every Saturday, 9am-1pm, Wimbledon Park Primary School, Havana Road, SW19 8EJ
A chance to get your groceries direct from local farmers.
Visit the Facebook page or telephone 020 7833 0338 for more details.
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Visit sustainablemerton.org for more information about each event
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Share our newsletter with friends...
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Comments & Suggestions
We always love to know what our supporters think of the work that we are doing and we would really appreciate your feedback on our monthly newsletters... What did you like about it? What else would you have liked it to contain? Please email your thoughts/suggestions to sustainablemerton@googlemail.com. Thank you! |
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All the best from the Sustainable Merton team!
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