The launch of the Parish Grasslands Project’s climate change initiative was reported here last month, and now we have settled on a name for the new operation: Parish Grasslands Climate Action. It now has a presence on the PGP website, as well as its own section in the Village News.
In the meantime, the PGP has been making plans for the year ahead. Unfortunately, the coronavirus restrictions have made all our timings uncertain, to say the least. The first casualty was our annual general meeting, which we have had to postpone. We had arranged for three speakers to talk about different aspects of climate change; we hope they will return when we are able to carry on with the AGM. Gemma Bode was due to give an overview of the science of climate change, Matt Dunwell was going to address the role of agriculture in global warming and examine how changes in land management can help to cool the planet, and David Rees planned to discuss aspects of the human element in the crisis, including how catastrophe can be averted or reversed through action by individuals as well as public policy.
Here are our plans for later in the year – watch the Village News or the PGP website nearer the time for the latest situation. At some point in July, near midsummer, in Jean Green’s flowery field, we hope to hold the annual Flower Hunt for the Early Years and reception class from St Briavels School. This is a very popular event for the children, and a great hands-on introduction to the world of wild flowers, butterflies and bugs. This year, there is also a plan for children from the Forest of Dean Children’s Opportunity Centre in Coleford to visit for the first time.
At our autumn meeting last October one of the speakers was Bruce Langridge, who told us about the extensive meadows that have been restored at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, near Carmarthen. His talk was truly inspirational, so much so that we are planning a day trip on Sunday July 5. Bruce has agreed to show us round the meadows, known for their spectacular flower displays in high summer. There would also be an opportunity to visit the National Botanic Garden itself. It is a centre of botanical research and conservation as well as a visitor centre, and boasts the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, 60 metres wide and 100 long. If there is sufficient interest we would hire a coach. We will know later whether this outing will be possible, but writing this in the middle of a wet and windy March while facing the threat of self-isolation, the thought of spending a summer’s day in a glorious meadow in the company of a group of like-minded souls is immensely cheering