Pictured is a recent sunset over Haslemere

Green drinks

It is our AGM this month. We will get the business aspects over quickly so we can get on to our discussion. Our main topic will be to question where we - a group focused on the climate and biodiversity crises - should be putting most of our efforts. Given the infinitismal impact on global warming of actions by individuals like ourselves, should we be putting more of energy on wildlfe restoration where we can have a real affect? Come and share your views. Thursday 6 February from 7.30pm in the Snug at The Mill, Shottermill Road. 

Call to action on climate

South East Climate Alliance (SECA), an informal alliance of climate-conscious groups across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent, is holding its annual gathering under the banner of '2030: A Call To Action', focusing on how far local groups, councils and the national government have got in reaching targets for reducing carbon emissions and reversing biodiversity loss, and what individuals and groups can do to move things forward. From 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday 1 February at the Zero Carbon Climate Hub in Guildford. You can find more information here.

Take Part in Earth Day

A community day to share local action on the climate and biodiversity crisis. Talks, crafts, information, puppets and refreshments. 26 April 2025, 10.30am-3.30pm at Haslemere Museum. If you are part of a group or organisation who would like to participate and have a free stall, contact Kay Topping at education@haslemeremuseum.co.uk. 

Farmers' Market and Repair Cafe

We will have our stall at the market on Saturday 1 February from 10am to 2pm. The Repair Cafe will be at the Swan Inn on the same day from 10am to 1pm. 

Green Coffee

An informal chat at the Courtyard Cafe off the High Street from 10am to 12 noon on the third Wednesday of the month. By arrangement only via our WhatsApp group. If you are not yet signed up, email us at info@transitionhaslemere.org.

Book of the month: Not the End of the World, by Hannah Richie

 

Holly Day recommends this book which is subtitled 'How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet'. It's an optimist’s guide to the climate crisis which tries to balance the steady stream of dire news with a more positive perspective informed by current data. 

  

Tree of the month: Young oak grove

     

Since the early 20th Century, English or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) has struggled to regenerate naturally in our woodlands. The late woodland expert Oliver Rackham noted that around the same time, oak became a pioneer tree – an early coloniser of disturbed land. Several factors have contributed to what is now called 'oak decline' or 'oak dieback', including oak mildew fungus (Erysiphe alphitoides), the caterpillars of oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) and browsing of deer and rabbits. So the groves of young oak in the SANG on Sturt Farm (as in the photo) are unusual and encouraging.

  

Editor: Clive Davidson

Transition Haslemere

info@transitionhaslemere.org

Transition Haslemere

Transition Haslemere is a local voluntary group taking action on climate change and the long-term sustainability of our environment for ourselves, our children and the generations to come.

We are part of the international Transition Town movement that encourages communities to come together to develop local practical solutions to the challenges of climate change and sustainability. The key characteristic of a transition town initiative is that it comes from the community.

Examples of current projects include a community vegetable garden in the local allotments, a secondhand bookstall supporting the farmers' market and raising funds, and monthly 'green drinks' with talks and films.