Our September/October newsletter

Read on for details about our CRKC Autumn Open Day on 12th October and other news and events.

Hi there,

Welcome to our September/October SENS newsletter.

As summer draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the past few months. In this edition, you’ll find updates on the introduction of a Hotbin at Staveley primary school, a case study from the from one of our CRKC FreshWater Watch volunteers and the positive progress of the Staveley E-bike share scheme.

Read on for details about our CRKC Autumn Open Day on 12th October and other news and events.

If you’ve got something interesting to tell us, or you’d like to get more involved with our work, contact us at senstaveley@gmail.com.

The SENS team


Upcoming events

Staveley & Ings Youth Drop-in

The Staveley & Ings Youth Project launched on September 20th as part of the Westmorland and Furness Partnership grant, in collaboration with Staveley with Ings Parish Council, SENS, and U4X.

Are you in school years 6 to 11? Join us at the Staveley Youth Drop-in every Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Staveley Pavilion, located next to the playground.

Come grab a snack and hang out! This is a safe and fun space for young people aged 11 to 16.

For more information on each upcoming Staving & Ings Youth drop-in event – Click here 

Clean River Kent Campaign Autumn Open Day

Join us on the 12th October 12pm-2.30pm – Abbot Hall Social Centre Kendal, for an open meeting celebrating the achievements of CRKC volunteers and supporters!

We hope you can join us and be part of our discussions. Please RSVP to istoddart@gmail.com

For more information – Click here

Cumbria Wildlife Trust Conservation Day Staveley Woodlands

Join Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT) for one of their conservation days in Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve.

Activities are often dependent on group size and weather so it could be path maintenance, coppicing, walling, installing new features or tree planting.

Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve, Craggy Wood, Staveley LA8 9QT.

For more information – Click here

Staveley Pop-up Repair and Skills Cafe

In addition to our 16th October Repair and Skills Cafe, we will be hosting a Halloween Costume Swap. Bring along a pre-loved costume and trade it for another! Please ensure costumes are in good condition and clean, for another family to take home.

If you’ve got some minor fabric in need of a fix, a small electrical appliance or wooden projects in need of a tinkering then our marvelous menders can breathe life back into your defunct items.

Our fixers can give you the skills on how to repair your own items.

Doors open from 5pm and enjoy the option of a meat free hot meal.

Have you got a super fixing power? Volunteer your time and skills with us as a mender. All are welcome!

Email -senstaveley@gmail.com

For more information – Click here

Staveley Pop-up Repair and Skills Cafe

The March for Clean Water going ahead in London, have released a change of date to 3rd November 2024. For more information, visit their website – Click here

Staveley Warm Spaces

Come along every Tuesday and Thursday at Staveley Institute 10am -12pm


News

Photo: Citizen Science water quality testing

Clean River Kent Campaign (CRKC) FreshWater Watch update

The 12-month study, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024, within the Freshwater Watch framework is now complete!  It was measuring levels of Nitrogen-nitrate ([NO3—N]) (referred to as “nitrates”) and Phosphorus-phosphate [PO43—P] (referred to as “phosphates”), at 18 locations on the river Kent and its main tributaries – the Gowan, the Mint, the Sprint, Lambrigg Beck plus Underbarrow Pool. Volunteers also measured turbidity and made systematic observations at each location. In total 240 samples were collected, plus additional samples collected by National Trust volunteers at Sizergh.

The results (August 23 to August 24) are currently being compiled into a report which will be presented at the Open Day on 12th October (see above), and the citizen science workshop will discuss whether/how to take forward FWW testing into 2025

Photo: Dr Isabel Douterelo in the lab with members of CRKC

University of Sheffield research study update

Following a successful bid to Patagonia last month for additional funds to broaden the analysis of this project (including the first ever UK water quality project with some new ‘torpedo’ technology) the University of Sheffield study continues for one more month. We hope to have the results of the programme by December 2024 and an academic paper to follow.

Community Drop-In Highlights Sewer Improvement Plans in Burneside 

CRKC attended the sewer improvements community drop in session at  Burneside, on the 17th of September. Our over view of the main points we took away from the session are published on CRKC Facebook page- Click here 

Ilkley National Conference & Discussion 

Photo: Sheila & our new banner at the National Conference 

Ilkley Clean River Group hosted a great rivers conference on Sunday 22nd September.

Thank you to Sheila for her presentation on CRKC citizen science, and to the others who attended and networked! Our new CRKC banner made it’s first outing, along with some citizen science leaflets, and a general CRKC one – thanks again to all who helped put these together.

To view our CRKC Citizen Science Leaflet – Click Here

Staveley  Primary School Hotbin steaming on

As part of the SENS and Staveley with Ings Parish Council, Westmoreland & Furness partnership grant a hotbin has been purchased for Staveley Primary School.

The HOTBIN is a compost bin which allows you to compost all of your food and garden waste in just 30-90 days. Reaching a high internal temperature of between 40-60°c, the HOTBIN provides the necessary environment, unlike traditional cold composting heaps, to break down a wider variety of waste more rapidly.

Thank you to Wendi, Master composter and Staveley Primary School for installing and managing this innovative project.

Staveley with Ings Youth Project Launches at Staveley Pavilion

As part of the SENS and Staveley with Ings Parish Council Westmoreland and Furness partnership grant, Staveley with Ings Youth Project officially launched on September 22nd at Staveley Pavilion, creating an exciting new space for local young people. So far, discussions have been held with school children, and earlier this spring, 38 young people participated in two pizza pop-ups, highlighting the community’s desire for a chill-out space to meet and connect.

This autumn, the initiative will offer 10 weekly sessions focused on environmental projects, with Danni showcasing her work from the Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The project seeks further funding through a bid to Cumbria Youth Alliance to ensure its sustainability.

U4X will deliver the program, which includes funding for environmental projects based on participants’ interests. The launch featured a relaxed atmosphere with fruit kebab-making and various activities. Young people aged 10 to 16 are encouraged to drop in and contribute to making this initiative special. Thanks to the young leaders who helped out, and congratulations to the winners of the tallest free-standing tower competition!

Anne Blackburn – FreshWater Watch Case study

A sad farewell and best of luck to Sheila

Another sad farewell and best of luck to Mike


Special Thanks!

Following the meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee on 16th September, Kendal Town Council has agreed to offer a grant of £500  to the Clean River Kent Campaign to support our 2024/25 programme. Many thanks! It will be put to good use.


Staveley Ebikes

Photo: Reston & Craggy 

FANTASTIC NEWS – The Staveley Ebikes are back in action from Friday 25th October.

Thanks to amazing, generous donors we have secured the finance required to insure Staveley’s Ebikes – Craggy and Reston for another year. The scheme will relaunch the scheme on Friday 25th October. Visit Facebook page for updates on when they are back in action.
If you aren’t already a member, do consider signing up to the scheme and giving the Ebikes a go – the more use the get the more sustainable the scheme is, and the more fun/value for everyone. And spread the word to anyone you think might be interested.
We are also exploring new models for the scheme going forward to make it higher profile, wider user base, more financially sustainable etc. – watch this space!

To join Staveley Ebike Share Scheme visit our website – Click here


Support SENS

We’re a volunteer-led organisation that relies on grants and contributions. Here’s how to support our work.

Know someone who’d like to receive the SENS newsletter? Contact us at senstaveley@gmail.com

Thanks for reading!