Thame & surrounds Environmental Newsletter

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Contribute to the conservation of the Cuttle Brook

As part of our Water Quality Monitoring Network project, River Thame Conservation Trust is hosting a series of workshops for local community members who want to contribute to river conservation in their local area. We will be gathering the trained monitors in the Water Quality Monitoring Network, along with local landowners, environmental group volunteers and other stakeholders in small groups by river subcatchment.

The workshop focusing on the Cuttle Brook and its two tributaries, the Chinnor and Sydenham Brooks, will be held on Wednesday 23rd October at 6:30 pm in the Thame Barns Centre, Church Rd, Thame OX9 3AJ. This area covers Thame, Moreton, Sydenham, Emmington, Oakley, Crowell, Kingston Blount, Aston Rowant and Postcombe.

In this workshops we will...

Review what water quality data we have access to and have collected ourselves
Discuss what other data types, information sources, and local knowledge we have collectively
Explore how we can collectively get more impact out of our data
Complete a group exercise to develop desired outcomes and actions to achieve our aims

View our citizen science data: River Thame Conservation Trust | FreshWater Watch

Register Here: https://bttr.im/1i85b

OCC encourages exploring alternative ways to travel

Let's face it, there are times when we need to use a car. But have you ever thought about trying a different way to travel?

Whether it's for work, leisurely shopping trips or fun days out, there’s lots of ways to travel in and around Oxford.

Our roads are getting more and more congested and parking is limited and expensive too. It all makes the bus, train or park and ride a great alternative. By making small changes, we can all contribute to more sustainable and less congested roads.

Find out more

Have your say in SODCs Local Plan

A Local Plan looks ahead fifteen years and plans how much development is needed in an area, like new homes, jobs, roads and schools, and where they should go. It also sets standards for environmental protection, sustainability, water quality and much more.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils we are working together to produce a new Joint Local Plan for both districts. Prior to submitting the plan, they are publishing it for representations for a six-week period under Regulation 19 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Review and comment here

Could you help to run Cosy Thame?

In the heat we are having at the moment, it is hard to think about staying warm, but the Cosy Thame project is all about encouraging and enabling everyone to look at their home or business premises and work out how to insulate it from the cold. Keep the heat in and keep the fuel bills low.

The project has a thermal imaging camera provided by Thame Green Living and bought with a grant from Low Carbon Hub Oxford. Each year members of the community are invited to train as a 'Thermal Champion', so that they are then able to use the camera to survey their own home, and homes and business premises of other Thame residents to identify where the property is losing heat, so that the owners can choose to take targeted action to reduce this loss, and therefore reduce their bills.

Cosy Thame is supported by Thame Town Council, and Cllr David Dawson is able to deliver the training to new Thermal Champions, but the project needs someone to support the administration of the work - organising the training, helping recruit new volunteers, and administrating the booking system for new surveys. If you would be interested in finding out more about this, please contact the team using the form on the Cosy Thame webpage.

The Oxforshire online cycling map

The Oxfordshire Online Cycling Map map helps people to find quieter and safer cycling routes. It has been developed by about 60 volunteer cyclists from across the county, who have checked and recorded the routes. Thanks to support from some local residents, Thame has now been added to the map.

Check it out here.

Design a 'rubbish' superhero

Rescue recycling from the rubbish and send your entry by 20 October for a chance to win one of 50 reusable water bottles. Take part.

Get involved in green action in your community

If you want to take action locally, here are current opportunities:

Attend our regular meetings

Thame & Surrounds Environmental Forum

28/11/2024, 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start

Location: Thame Town Hall

A regular meeting with the purpose of working together to embed environmental issues in the community muscle – ensuring they become an integral part of community and citizen life (and ultimately a part of political life), recognising that much of this work will have to happen through empowering, connecting and nurturing community groups, rather than creating a plethora of ‘new’ initiatives through the Environmental Forum.

[email protected]

Add your Green Group to the Mycelium Map!

The Mycelium Map is a digital ecosystem for eco-groups to showcase their work and events. It’s open to everyone in and around the Chilterns working on climate and nature sustainability.

You can read about the map here: https://hedgerleywood.org/mymap/

Or check it out at: https://mymap.eco

Email [email protected] for information and the link you need to put your group on the Map.

Become a Green Champion

Join a local network to influence change on a local level.

Click here to find out more

Events coming up

19/10/2024 - Repair Café: 2pm-4pm Racquets Fitness Centre

19/10/2024 - Green Crendon Clothes Swap: 2pm - 5pm: Long Crendon Baptist Church

23/10/2024 - Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: 6:30 pm: Thame Barns Centre

28/11/2024 - Thame Environmental Forum: 6.30pm/6.45pm -9pm

Google Calendar for local sustainable events

21st Century Thame have set up a google calendar that is up to date with any environmental / sustainable events - https://21stcenturythame.co.uk/21st-century-thame-environmental-calendar-of-events/

- let them know if we’re missing any - and click on the ‘add’ cross at the bottom of the calendar to subscribe to the calendar so that the events appear on your personal device.

If you want to unsubscribe, click here.