Planet Shaftesbury celebrates Great Big Green Week, from June 10-17

This week brings national celebrations of all individual and community actions that tackle climate change and protect nature.

Activities in Shaftesbury will be formally opened by Simon Hoare MP at the town hall at 2pm on Saturday, June 10.

Among the town’s Great Big Green Week events there’s a presentation by Dr Gary Mantle, OBE, who is retiring this summer after 33 years as head of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT).

Gary will be talking about his experiences and the changes he’s seen during this time at the event Climate, nature, community at the town hall on June 15 at 7.30pm. The session is hosted by local environmental network Planet Shaftesbury, which was launched after Gary Mantle spoke about the impact of climate change on local nature and wildlife back in January 2019. Gary hasn’t just seen a lot of changes – he’s had a role in making some of them happen!

Gary’s talk will be followed by Lucy Young, science and policy adviser to WWF-UK, who will describe the recently published ‘People’s Plan for Nature’, leading into a brief discussion of ‘what next for Shaftesbury?’.

The wide spread of local events during Great Big Green Week reflects the range of activities that Planet Shaftesbury has subsequently become known for.

There are guided nature walks, creative workshops, exhibitions, talks and opportunities for reflection throughout the week. There’s something for everyone. For families and children of all ages, storyteller Taprisha will be offering two separate performances of her magical green stories at Gold Hill Museum on Sunday, June 11, at 1pm and 3pm (pass the hat).

June 12 sees a ‘Mmmm’ evening (Monday meal, movie and mingling) at the Grosvenor Arms. Tickets cost £15 and advance booking is required (call Jenny on 07801240103).

The Abbey hosts both a green medicine workshop with herbalist Julie Wood on Tuesday, June 13, (6.30pm-8.30pm, £12 per person – book at wildhealinggarden.co.uk), and an evening of nature themed songs and folk music while you picnic in the gardens on Wednesday, June 14, from 6pm with free entry, donations to the Abbey (bring chairs and picnic blankets).

Find details of all these and more on the Planet Shaftesbury notice board in Swans Yard and on the special Great Big Green Week website www.greatbiggreenweekshaftesbury.org.