thame-surrounds-environmental-newsletter

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Environmental Groups in Thame		Volunteer		List your Events

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Petition: Do you want a greenway between Haddenham and Thame?

Our local and national political representatives support a project to create a Greenway between Haddenham and Thame. We want to provide evidence for them of how much local support there is for this safe route to be created.

Please sign and share as widely as possible: https://chng.it/rpFnQMCSTP

A Lidl bit of action you can take to ask for a greener build

A resident has been in contact to flag up some information she recently discovered on a new Lidl store currently under construction in Ireland Lidl Ireland announces Ireland’s First Net Zero Energy Supermarket 19.05.2025

Lidl are building a ‘first of a kind’ superstore which will ‘target an Outstanding rating on the BREEAM-accredited Net Zero Energy’ standard, producing all its operational energy on from on-site renewable resources, incorporating concrete from 50% renewable materials and using a 575 kWp solar panel system, among its credentials which are an exciting development.

Lidl say that the Irish store is

‘more than just a supermarket, this store will serve as a test bed for sustainable innovations – helping us identify scalable improvements that can be rolled out across our entire network to deliver greater energy and carbon savings.’

In their press release, Lidl say they are committed to

Reducing ‘greenhouse emissions as close to zero as possible by 2050’
‘achieving net-zero by 2050 across their entire supply chain’
‘reducing carbon emissions by 46% on operational emissions by 2030’.

It would appear that if Lidl is to achieve these aims it would be logical to build a new supermarket in Thame to the same BREEAM standards, and the other initiatives mentioned, using their experience in the Irish example to do so.

In Thame, Lidl are proposing the demolition of a modern office building in current use; they will need to demonstrate their application positively compensates for this retrograde move. If the application can show that the BREEAM standard expected is ‘Outstanding’ in this store, this would advance their argument.

We are asking that as many people as possible respond on the Lidl website to suggest they implement these high environmental standard if they get planning permission in Thame. This can be done through a response to their consultation here: https://forms.office.com/pages...

or even better, by writing to their head office:

Lidl Great Britain Ltd

Lidl House

14 Kingston Road

Surbiton

KT5 9NU

The CEO of Lidl GB is Ryan McDonnell.

There's a new car club in Thame. Have you heard about it?

With very little promotion, a new Car Club has quietly driven onto the scene in Thame.

This project has been delivered with support from SODC. Co Wheels describes itself as 'the hassle-free, pay-as-you-go car club with vehicles ready and waiting at convenient spots all across the UK. No ownership, no stress—just drive when you need to!'

So if you occasionally need access to a vehicle, or are considering getting rid of a second car, but worried about those occasions when it is needed, then have a look.

Find out more here

Would you like to find out more about how to rend out your own car from home?

While we are on the subject of car shares... do you have a car that you often do not use? Would you be interested in making some money from it? Would you consider being part of a community car share scheme that comes will full insurance, roadside assistance and customer support.

We are interested in hearing from 5 - 8 people who are interested in exploring the creation of a hiyacar scheme in Thame. If you would like to attend a meeting to talk directly to hiyacar and find out more (no commitment expected), then please get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Tell Keir Starmer to make the fracking ban permanent

There’s a temporary pause on fracking in England, but it’s not even written into law. So it would be all too easy for any future government to allow fracking to start again.

This would put England at risk of environmental degradation and earthquakes caused by drilling. And set back the fight against climate breakdown.

If you want to sign a petition against this, Friends of the Earth have one live: Tell Keir Starmer to make the fracking ban permanent | Friends of the Earth

Build a Hedgehog House

21st Century Thame are hosting a Hedgehog House Building workshop on Saturday 13th September from 2-4pm at The White House, Aston Hill, OX49 5SG (first on right at bottom of A40).

This workshop includes:

All of the materials needed to build a hedgehog house
Printed, easy to follow guidelines, taking you through each step in the building process
Our enthusiastic helpers on hand, available to answer any questions you have

The workshop is free to attend, however donations are welcome to cover the cost of materials. If you’d like to take home the hedgehog house that you build it’ll be £40.

Book Now ! Reserve your spot by booking here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/september-wildlife-habitat-build-workshop-tickets-1648110084629

Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre

Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre is hosting their autumn conference on 20^th September at Pangbourne Village Hall. The TVERC is an important organisation and resource for all who are interested in nature conservation and biodiversity.

Follow this link for more details: Recorders' conferences | Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre

Wild Summit

11^th September – organised by Wildlife and Countryside

In 2022, the UK Government madea commitment to protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030 and bringing UK speciesback from the brink of extinction. However, with just five years left until thedeadline, nature is still facing rapid decline.

TheWild Summit is about coming together to make real change happen. It’s a day forsharing knowledge, forging partnerships, and inspiring action. It’s aboutcelebrating what’s already working, while also asking: how can we do more? Howcan we ensure that nature is built into the decision-making of business andgovernment?

Together, we can restore the nation’s natural infrastructure and safeguardtreasured British wildlife, waters and landscapes for generations to come.

https://www.wcl.org.uk/wildsum...

Pic shows Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker on the roof of Thame Leisure Centre with the newly installed solar panels.

A sunny outlook for Thame Leisure Centre

South Oxfordshire District Council-run Thame Leisure centre has a cleaner greener future thanks to the 150 new solar panels now installed on its roof. The work was completed in just under two months and the switch on has taken place, so the centre is generating its own electricity every day.

The project has been made possible thanks to a successful bid by South Oxfordshire District Council for just over £160,000 from Sport England – via its Swimming Pool Support Fund – which invests National Lottery and government money each year.

Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for finance and property assets and ward member for Thame, went up to the leisure centre roof as the work was being completed. He said: “It’s great to see these solar panels already installed and the reality of cleaner renewable electricity already working at this site.”

Bus route maps

Oxfordshire County Council are pleased to introduce a series of comprehensive bus maps designed to help you navigate Oxfordshire and its towns with ease. Whether you're a daily commuter or planning a day out, explore the full range of journey possibilities by bus.

Discover Oxfordshire’s Bus Routes with Our New Maps

COP30 this autumn in Brazil

The United Nations Climate Summit will be held in Amazonia, Brazil in November, but important meetings are already taking place in preparation. Many are sceptical about the process – Conference of the Parties is the full title – but it does provide another opportunity to try and bring about change that will reverse environmental degradation. It’s an opportunity to express to our elected leaders and other people in influential positions how critical the situation is.

UN Climate Change Conference - Belém, November 2025 | UNFCCC

Get involved in green action in your community

Did you know Thame has a Green Living Plan - a 10 year plan for a greener, cleaner Thame. The plan includes over 190 actions that we want to take by 2030 to help achieve this.

You find out more about these actions and see what has already been completed, what is in motion and what still needs to take place at the Thame Green Living Website - https://thamegreenliving.org.u...

There is so much to achieve so get in contact through the website to play a part.

Events coming up

All information below is correct at time of sending but is subject to change. Events are delivered by different groups and each button below links to more details. Please make sure you click through to book your space/read more information prior to attending.

Tuesdays 9.30 - 11.30am, Sundays 10am - 12pm. Her Land Work Party (women & girls) Click to sign up and then join the WhatsApp group to keep updated. YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE ATTENDING IN CASE OF CHANGES

Thursday 11 Sept: Climate Cafe. 10.30am - 11.30am Chinnor Village Centre cafe.

Thursday 11 Sept: Chinnor FoE Film, talk and discussion - PLASTIC POLLUTION - PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS 7pm at Chinnor Village Hall,

Saturday 13 Sept: Wildlife habitat build workshop. 2pm - 4pm. The White House

Saturday 20th Sept: Repair Café: 2pm-4pm Scout Hut, Southern Road. Click for more info and next date

Saturday 20 Sept: TVERC autumn conference: 10am - 4.30pm. Pangbourne Village Hall

Sunday 21st Sept: Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve Work Party - meet at 10am at Southern Road.

Wednesday 24th Sept: Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve Work Party - meet at 10am at Southern Road.

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.

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.

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