At the end of March the Shapwick Sustainability Group met to discuss and agree some actions to mitigate climate change and reduce our resource footprint. We are taking forward a number of initiatives including what we can do to 'manage' wild areas to encourage wildlife, a session on foraging, and continuing with the litter picks (see p.2 for the report on February’s Litterpick!) in spring and autumn - although please don't wait until the organised pick: we can all help by picking up as we go along. It is noticeable that on waste collection days there is an increase in litter, either from animals getting into the bags left outside or it being dropped as the bags or boxes are transferred to the bin lorry. RICH TWEEDY Every blessing, Rich Tweedy vicar@poldenwheel.co.uk I’ve just been doing a Lent course with a group from the local churches, following a book on ‘Failure’. It sounds a grim subject: until you realise that failure is something that we all have experience of – and most of us grow far more from failure than from success. When Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday, it would have looked like the greatest of failures. But the resurrection on the first Easter Sunday was the ultimate triumph over failure: victory over death itself. Spending time away from the busyness of life itself can give us the opportunity to consider life’s ultimate questions – and also whether the story of Jesus is a key part of the answers. Fights, dances, failure and success 3 S PR I NG I S SUE | APR I L 2 0 2 4 Although I’ve been doing much less wildlife photography than usual recently, I had a wonderful couple of hours at Ham Wall in mid-February. Two male grebes were battling it out over a female, having several spectacular fights. The winning couple then indulged in two weed dances – that intensely romantic ritual that grebes have. Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to unwind and relax, taking one’s mind off the busyness of life. We live in a world obsessed with targets and achievements – so we underestimate the value and importance of enjoying the simplicity of life around us. In this area we’re very lucky to have so many opportunities to enjoy the natural world. Shapwick Sustainability Group STEVE POLDEN Don't know what a voltage inverter is for? As part of the new Shapwick website development, we are looking to provide contacts for villagers who are considering alternative energy sources or making the move to an electric or hybrid car. A number of villagers have installed solar panels, heat pumps and charging points and are willing to provide help and information on some of the considerations before you make a decision on what is best for you. Finally: we can all do something by doing less: No Mow May is back this year, bringing another boost of much-needed nectar to pollinators across gardens, parklands and verges as gardeners throughout the UK pledge not to mow their lawns for the month. The movement was started in 2019 by conservation charity Plantlife, which is once again urging people to keep the mower locked up for another month to allow spring plants a chance to set seed before the first cutting, making for healthier, more diverse lawns. Additionally, this gives wild plants the chance to get a foothold in May, to feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators through summer. Even if you leave a small amount of the garden un-mown, it all helps. Visit the Plantlife website for more details: plantlife.org.uk See p.2 for the report on February’s Litterpick!
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