The first Community Event of the year took place on Saturday March 22nd and the audience was treated to four talks from NH members covering a wide range of subjects.

Local farmer Judy Fortescue talked about her plans to increase the biodiversity on her family’s organic farm, including the vital role that hedgerows, field margins and hay meadows play in providing habitat and food for wildlife throughout the year. Whilst there is some uncertainty about future government funding for sustainable farming, Judy told the audience that the overwhelming majority of farmers believe that hedgerow restoration and improvement is important to them.

Tony Claydon, from Felton CAN, reminded us of the vital importance of engaging younger people – and the need to stay positive in the light of often negative environmental news. The group has recently been awarded a grant to buy a number of environmental games which they will be testing with families over the coming months, with the aim of creating a Northumberland Environmental Games Library,

After the break, Jane Davis and Julia Chambers shared the journey they’ve been on with the Coquet River Action Group – an umbrella group coordinating volunteers carrying out water quality testing along the length of the River Coquet. There are now 40 testing sites measuring a range of parameters on a monthly basis, working with the Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency. Jane and Julia talked about some of the factors that have made progress possible and the lessons they’ve learnt along the way.

The Bullfield Community Orchard was set up in 2011 by members of Alnwick Friends of the Earth, with the aim of making Alnwick more sustainable and wildlife friendly by planting fruit and nut trees in publicly accessible green spaces. Sue and Lisa brought us up to date with the how the orchard has developed, with fruit bushes, a herb border and wildlflower area having been added over the years. Events are held each year, including an apple pressing day.

As well as listening to the talks, the morning provided a great opportunity for people to catch up, share ideas and find out some of the developments that have been going on in NGH.

Slides from the event are available here.

The next Community Event is on June 7th and will include talks by speakers from Northumberland Wildlife Trust.