Greener Gloucestershire – April May
Source GCC
Free low waste cookery classes
Our adult education team are running low waste cookery courses. These food waste cookery courses look at how you can reduce food waste and save money. It has been designed to provide inspiration on how to re-purpose ingredients to produce tasty food and reduce the amount of food waste. There are still a few spaces available at the following venues! đ
Tewkesbury
đWheatpieces community centre, Columbine road, Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury, GL2O 7SP
đ Wednesdays 7 May â 11 June (6 weeks) from 10:30am â 1:00pm
Cirencester
đCircnester baptist church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, GL7 1YE
đ Mondays 2 June â 7July (6 weeks) from 10:30am â 1:00pm
If you’re interested in attending, please email
Karen.stiles@gloucestershire.gov.uk or call 01452 583452 / 07748 93384910 đ§đ
Sneak peek at our Biodiversity Week – events đ
We’re gearing up for the launch of biodiversity week (22-31 May) and we thought we’d let you have a sneak peek at the events we’ve got planned so you can get pencil them in your diaries.
Weâve teamed up with partners across the county to put on a variety of events focussed on composting and soil health. From plant swaps and talks with master composers, to gardening events and food festivals, thereâs loads going on.
đTake a look at whatâs on and get involved đˇ
Bike Month
| Bike Month 2025 is a fun, free and friendly challenge thatâs open to riders of all levels. Whether youâre just getting back on a bike or youâre an avid commuter, everyone is invited. You can compete as an individual, or as a workplace. Every time you ride or encourage others to join, you earn the chance to win prizes! Â Find out more đ Current Challenge: Love to Ride UK |
National walking month đ
| Weâre supporting Living Streets National Walking Month this May!  Throughout May, they’re encouraging you to #Try20 and walk for 20 minutes every day during the month. Following the success of last year, we’re once again inviting you to discover the ⨠magic of walking ⨠and celebrate the many health, wellbeing and economic benefits of walking and wheeling đł  The month of May also sees the return of Walk to School Week (19-23 May) where children across the UK are encouraged to discover the joys of walking and/or wheeling to school. |
Bike Month 2025 is a fun, free and friendly challenge thatâs open to riders of all levels. Whether youâre just getting back on a bike or youâre an avid commuter, everyone is invited. You can compete as an individual, or as a workplace. Every time you ride or encourage others to join, you earn the chance to win prizes!
Ever wanted to try an e-bike?
The Pedal Eazy Rent Scheme is an exciting opportunity for you to discover the advantages of e-bikes for commuting, school runs, leisure, or everyday travel. Whether youâre tackling hills, facing headwinds, or simply looking for a smoother ride, e-bikes make cycling easier and more enjoyable.
Currently, you can get 50% off rental prices from Gloucestershire bike project!
- Gloucestershire Bike Project (50% off):
- Regular rate:
ÂŁ70ÂŁ35 per month - Jobseekers rate:
ÂŁ30ÂŁ15 per month
- Regular rate:
Coming soon…Biodiversity week 2025!
This year Gloucestershire Biodiversity week will be held from the 22 May to 31 May (we know that’s longer than a week!). This coincides with international day for biodioversity and May half term đ
This years theme is all about composting and soil health. Recycling your kitchen scraps and garden waste can help biodiversity thrive in your garden! We’re here to help inspire and support you to get started.
We are asking everyone in Gloucestershire to:
- Start composting if you don’t already
- Attend an event to find out all about soils
- Share our campaign with friends and family
Green Party Members Event May 4th
News from the Wild
Our Tewkesbury Green Party councillors are turning their minds to the forthcoming local election & are thinking about fund-raising to support the candidates. Part of this includes Garden Open Days. Caroline & Steve had a very enjoyable & successful day last year & be opening our Re-Wilded garden to members again this year on Sunday 4th May, 1.30-4.30. This is a few weeks earlier this year to avoid having all the long meadow grass being blown down by wind & heavy rain last June 2024.
Snowdrops
As we are in the first few days of March, I thought Iâd let you know whatâs happening in our âwildedâ garden. Our snowdropâs flowers have been open for several weeks & are fading away; but the crocuses are now fully open in the morning sunshine. We have a few Tete a Tetes opening but the wild daffodils I planted last year have got leaves but as yet no buds showing.
Crocuses
The local song birds have started their mating calls although its still not a full morning chorus. The local Great Tits & single Robin are calling most of the day & our local Thrush is back at his song-post perched high up on top of the large Willows in Tewkesbury Nature Reserve next door. Other birds have been seen investigating the nest boxes I made last year especially the Blue Tits. Myself & a younger friend were careful to put the boxes as high as possible on ivy clad trees & in most cases the ivy has grown & made them less conspicuous. Smaller birds like Wrens are present & I imagine they are nesting nearby in some of the ivy & small holes in our older trees. Weâve had a lot more Longtail Tits on the bird feeder this winter & are hoping they will find somewhere to nest in the Wilded part of garden.
Teasles
Last year we allowed a lot of self-seeded Teasel & Evening Primrose to grow up around the house & in the âpaddockâ & left a large stand of Teasel in the meadow grass area. Throughout the winter the Goldfinches have visited periodically to eat from the seed heads. Yesterday we counted between 8 –10 of them flitting between our front garden & the adjacent hedgerow which was cleared of bramble & re-replanted with native wild shrubs about 5 years ago.
Well thatâs all my news for now. I hope you have a happy March.
Steve Spacie
March 2025 Events
Daytime Dance with Cate and George;The Watson Hall is closed during February as work is being carried out, so the next Daytime Dance will be on Wed 26th March.
John Moore Museum
World Book Day is officially Thurs 6th March 2025. Normally, we would advocate curling up with a good book and doing some reading, but not this year. Join us on a walk, as we use quotes from authors to inspire us about the natural world around us.
Do you have a favourite author you would like to recommend?
The walk is approximately 40 minutes. Wear sensible shoes. Refreshments available afterwards in the Old Baptist Chapel and the official first day of Spring is Thurs 20th March 2025.
Join us as we go exploring around our natural areas to listen to the birds sing, spot new blossoms and maybe even an odd butterfly or two. The walk is approximately 30 minutes. Wear sensible shoes. For both events, meet at the John Moore Museum, 2.30pm.
Book by calling 01684 297174 or email education@johnmooremuseum.org
Website
https://www.johnmooremuseum.org
Tewkesbury Nature Reserve
Community Forum
Become a member of the Community Forum so you can have a say in the decision-making and projects on the reserve.
Email Eve on access@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk for more information.
Volunteer dates in March; Sat 8th 10am-12.30pm and Wed 19th 10am-3pm Email Giles on volunteers@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk to become a volunteer.
Calming Nature Craft Group: Mon 24th, 6-8pm Email Sarah on 3w@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk for more information and to book your place.
Website
Tewkesbury Friends of the Earth
Next meeting Tues 11th March in the Cross House, back room, 7.30pm.
Website
https://groups.friendsoftheearth.uk/groups/tewkesbury-and-district-friends-of-the-earth
Tewkesbury Repair CafĂŠ
Held monthly in Tewkesbury Baptist Church, 2-5 pm, next session Sat 15th March. Please double-check before travelling. Bring electrical, toys, clothes, costume jewellery, anything that needs fixing. Tools can also be sharpened. Tea and coffee available while you wait.
Details of all Local repair cafĂŠs
Daytime Dance with Cate and George
The next Daytime Dance will be on Wed 26th March, at The Watson Hall, Barton Street, 1-4pm.
Stonehills Community Group
If you live on the estate, please get in touch with catecody99@gmail.com