In this month’s Transition Haslemere newsletter

• green drinks

• apple pressing

• farmers market

• repair cafe

• The Serviceberry

• Cockspur thorn

Green drinks
We will hear about recent developments at RHS Wisley and how they coped with the summer drought from Mark Tuson, team leader at the gardens and Haslemere resident. We will also look at how we follow on from the successful screening of the National Emergency Briefing film and discuss further events we might hold in the coming months. From 7.30pm Thursday 1 October in the Snug at The Mill, Critchmere Lane. All welcome.

Apple pressing
The Green HATs volunteer conservation group invites you to join an apple pressing session at Grover’s Gardens, Beacon Hill, on Thursday 27 October. Arrangements for the day, such as time and meeting place, are still to be confirmed. To find out more, email Gareth at gareth@gpmecology.co.uk or look out for details on the Transition WhatsApp group. To join the WhatsApp group email info@transitionhaslemere.org.

Farmers market and repair cafe
We will have our secondhand bookstall at the farmers market in the High Street from 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday 3 October. The Repair Cafe will be at the Swan Inn on the same day from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Book of the month: The Serviceberry, by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In this short book, indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer uses the abundant fruit of the serviceberry tree to explore how gifting and reciprocity offers a richer, more sustainable, alternative to our modern economy based on consumption, competition and hoarding of resources. Gentle and inspiring.

Tree of the month: Broadleaf cockspur thorn

Broad-leaved cockspur thorn (Crataegus persimilis) is a species of hawthorn, also known as plumleaf hawthorn. It is native to the north east of North America and thought to be a fairly new hybrid. It can grow up to 6 metres with a domed crown. It has dark green leaves with serrated edges that turn orange to scarlet in autumn and blossoms with creamy white flowers in May (like our native hawthorn). Its berries (actually pomes) are also bright scarlet. It is often used as a street tree or ornamental planting in parks and gardens. The one in the photo is in a private garden near the Haslemere Health Centre.

Transition Haslemere website.