16th October 2024

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October 2024 Events

Wednesday 30th October - Launch Event: The Charlton Kings Clean Air Action Group

Join Charlton Kings Clean Air Action Group: A Community Movement for Healthier Air

Air quality isn't just a global issue—it's a local one that directly affects our health, wellbeing, and environment here in Charlton Kings. Building on the insights shared in our April event, Clean Air Cheltenham is launching a new initiative, "Charlton Kings Clean Air Action Group," with our full support—and we need your involvement to make a real difference!

Register Now

Why It Matters:

Poor air quality can have serious impacts on our community's health, from respiratory conditions to cardiovascular issues. During our last event, we explored Cheltenham's air quality standards, the latest research, and local monitoring data, including insights from the air quality monitor on London Road. Now, it's time to turn that knowledge into action.

What You Can Expect:

To kick things off, we are running a free community event on 30th October in the Stanton Hall, led by Hannah Leatherland from Cheltenham Borough Council, Trish and Mark Barber from Clean Air Cheltenham, and Peter Frings, which will revisit key data on air quality in Charlton Kings and outline actionable steps we can take together to improve it.

Get Involved:

This is more than just a discussion—it's a call to action. With the launch of the "Charlton Kings Clean Air Action Group," with the support of our community we want to make tangible improvements in air quality. Whether it's through individual lifestyle changes or collective community efforts, there are many ways you can help. We're also excited to announce that local schools are already discussing how they can contribute, making this a true community effort.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a community-led effort for cleaner air and a healthier future for Charlton Kings!


November 2024 Events

Tuesday 12th November - Film Screening: Six Inches of Soil

Six Inches of Soil is a British independent full feature documentary shining a spotlight on soil health and regenerative farming. It tells the inspiring story of young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities.

Register now

The aims of the film are to sound the alarm on a broken system, but to also give hope that there is a way to fix it; to inspire farmers to adopt agroecological and regenerative farming practices; and to encourage consumers, food corporations and policymakers to support their efforts.

Half the food we eat in the UK is produced by about 180,000 farmers, who manage 70% of our land. Current "industrial" mainstream farming practices significantly contribute to soil degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change. Regenerative farming practices, (within an agroecological system) promote healthier soils, provide healthier, affordable food, restore biodiversity and sequester carbon.

Six Inches of Soil is a story of three new farmers on the first year of their regenerative journey to heal the soil and help transform the food system - Anna Jackson, a Lincolnshire 11th generation arable and sheep farmer; Adrienne Gordon, a Cambridgeshire small-scale vegetable farmer; and Ben Thomas, who rears pasture fed beef cattle in Cornwall.

As the trio of young farmers strive to adopt regenerative practices and create viable businesses, they meet seasoned mentors - John Pawsey in Suffolk, Nic Renison in Cumbria and Marina O'Connell in Devon - who help them on their journey.

They are joined by other experts - Henry Dimbleby, Ian Wilkinson, Mike Berners-Lee, Vicki Hird, Dee Woods, Tim Lang, Hannah Jones, Satish Kumar, Nicole Masters, Tom Pearson - providing wisdom and solutions from a growing movement of people who are dedicated to changing the trajectory for food, farming and the planet.

September 2024 Events

Sunday 29th September: Litter Pick - QEII Playing Field

A huge thank you to the 20+ people who joined us yesterday morning for the litter pick at QE2 Playing Field!

Together, we collected our biggest litter haul yet:

🗑 26kg of rubbish

🗑 10kg of glass bottles

🗑 1kg of plastic bottles

🗑 1kg of cans

Stay tuned for details on our next community litter pick, which will take place in a different area of Charlton Kings soon. We'd love to see even more of you there!

August 2024 Events

Tuesday 20 August - How well do you know your rivers?

Discover the challenges our waterways face and what needs to change to ensure clean rivers.

Did you know the UK ranks among the worst in Europe for water quality? Over 75% of our rivers fail to meet health standards, facing numerous threats:

  • 604,833 sewage discharges occurred in the UK in 2023.
  • 3.6 million hours of untreated sewage flowed into England's rivers, lakes, and seas.
  • Hospital admissions due to waterborne diseases like dysentery and Weil's disease have risen 60% since 2010.
  • The largest-ever investigation into water company misconduct involves six major English companies.

Watch the recorded talk delivered by Dr. Geoff Sallis, Co-ordinator of the Warwickshire Avon Pollution Monitoring Project, in which he reveals the alarming state of our rivers. With extensive research and collaboration with Friends of the Earth, Dr. Sallis has identified high pollution levels in the River Avon, raising awareness of the dangers to our communities.

The Problem

Untreated sewage, agricultural waste, and plastics create a toxic mix in our rivers. Water companies frequently dump untreated or partially treated sewage, leading to harmful algal blooms and severely polluting our waterways. The House of Commons Environment Audit Committee reported in 2022 that no river in England is entirely clean.

The Impact

Poorly maintained sewage systems and lack of investment result in frequent sewage dumps. This contamination affects drinking water, causing health issues like diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid. Wildlife, including kingfishers, otters, and brown trout, suffer from polluted habitats, with 10% of freshwater and wetland species at risk of extinction. Rising pollution levels lead to 38% of fish health checks failing due to disease.

The Call to Action

Our way of life depends on clean water for wildlife habitats, recreation, and industries such as farming and tourism. Dirty, smelly rivers harm local economies and the environment.

Join us in the fight for clean rivers. Get involved and help raising awareness. Together, we can make a difference! Learn more and take action today!


July 2024 Events

Sunday 7th July - Litter Pick: Sixways and Surrounding Areas

Join us for a community litter pick in the Sixways area of Charlton Kings. Everyone is welcome, including children and dogs!

Details:
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 12:00 PM
Meeting Location: Planted Community Hub, London Road
Areas Covered: Sixways and surrounding areas

What to Bring:
- Gloves
- Any litter-picking equipment you have (we will also supply equipment)

Come along and help us keep our neighborhood clean. We look forward to seeing you there!


May 2024 Events

Wednesday 22nd May - Discover British Bats

Join us for an enlightening evening delving into the fascinating world of British bats with bat expert Maurice Febry. This free community event is perfect for nature enthusiasts, conservationists, and anyone curious about these captivating creatures!

Event Highlights:

Species, Habitats, Roosts and Feeding Habits: Discover the diverse bat species found in the UK and learn about their habitats, summer and winter roosts, feeding habits, and more.

Yearly Lifecycle & Conservation Measures: Gain valuable knowledge about the typical yearly lifecycle of bats and the essential conservation efforts aimed at protecting them. Explore the legal framework and the vital role played by County Bat Groups in conservation initiatives.

Getting Involved: Learn how you can actively participate in bat protection and conservation through the Natural England licensing process. Discover opportunities for volunteering and contributing to bat conservation efforts in your community.

Local Bat Walk: For those interested, Maurice will offer the exciting possibility of joining a local bat walk, providing a unique hands-on experience to observe these nocturnal wonders in their natural habitat.


Thursday 16th May - Regenerative Rain Gardening and Driveway Design

Nature based solutions to flooding in Charlton Kings, a presentation by Heather Moore from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Join us for a presentation on nature-based solutions to flooding, and hear about what Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's Waterscapes team are doing in your area to re-design driveways to combat flash flooding. You'll have the chance to build a model rain garden with us, to learn exactly how to construct your own at home, at work, or in your community.


Saturday 11th May - Let's Get Growing

To coincide with the Charlton Kings in Bloom Annual Plant Sale, we are hosting a 'Let's Get Growing' event in King's Hall. There will be a range of free activities, including:

A garden tool sharpening service

A seed swap

Borage seed planting in pots for children (of any age!)

A No-Dig demo

Free wildflower seeds to take home

Children's growing activities in the Library

Meet your councillors drop-in

There will also be information about the gardening equipment you can borrow for free from the Library of Things at Charlton Kings Library, the Charlton Kings Community Allotment, and the Grange Field community garden project which is about to begin.

See you there!


April 2024 Events

Sunday 21st April - Community Litter Pick

Join us for a Community Litter Pick. All welcome!

We will be meeting on Sunday 21st April at 10am outside the Co-op.

See you there!


Saturday 13th April - Finding Your Purposeful Climate Path

People react to the eco crisis in different ways. Many of us don't talk about how it is impacting us. Often it is because we prefer to avoid the emotional side because it gets uncomfortable. Yet all feelings from anxiety to grief, from anger to rage, are normal and understandable reactions to a huge and complex set of issues to grapple with.

We have found that the real art in making a difference is not just setting direction and taking action - it's being able to talk about what's happening. When we can acknowledge our own and others' feelings – whatever they are - we can use them to feel more connected, to build strong connections, a deeper sense of purpose and greater resilience. To lead ourselves and others.

CK Parish Council and CK Futures invites you to a workshop in March or April for you to explore what climate and ecological change really means to you and how emotions are essential fuel for positive action. Facilitated by Linda Aspey, an experienced climate leadership coach, these sessions are built on the "Work that Reconnects" a series of experiences used all over the world that facilitate the building of individuals, communities and organisations into potent and resilient forces for positive change. Come along, make new connections and hopefully, find a purposeful path forward.

There are just 14 places on each workshop - choose from Tues 26th March (6-9pm) or Friday Sat 13th April (1-4pm) - register for your free place here. Minimum age 18, 16 if accompanied by an adult.


March 2024 Events

Wednesday 13th March - How Healthy is Our Air?

In this free talk, Mark Barber and Hannah Leatherland (from Cheltenham Borough Council) discuss Cheltenham's air quality, the impact it has on our health, and what we can do about it in Charlton Kings.

They will talk through UK and WHO air quality standards and the latest research into the impacts of air quality on health and well being.

They will also explain how national, regional and local air quality is monitored, and share those findings (including from the air quality monitor on London Road).

Finally, the event will give everyone a chance to discuss the actions we can take, as a community and individuals, in Charlton Kings to help improve air quality in our area.

This event will be held in Planted, the new community hub on Sixways.


Tuesday 26th March - Finding Your Purposeful Climate Path

People react to the eco crisis in different ways. Many of us don't talk about how it is impacting us. Often it is because we prefer to avoid the emotional side because it gets uncomfortable. Yet all feelings from anxiety to grief, from anger to rage, are normal and understandable reactions to a huge and complex set of issues to grapple with.

We have found that the real art in making a difference is not just setting direction and taking action - it's being able to talk about what's happening. When we can acknowledge our own and others' feelings – whatever they are - we can use them to feel more connected, to build strong connections, a deeper sense of purpose and greater resilience. To lead ourselves and others.

CK Parish Council and CK Futures invites you to a workshop in March or April for you to explore what climate and ecological change really means to you and how emotions are essential fuel for positive action. Facilitated by Linda Aspey, an experienced climate leadership coach, these sessions are built on the "Work that Reconnects" a series of experiences used all over the world that facilitate the building of individuals, communities and organisations into potent and resilient forces for positive change. Come along, make new connections and hopefully, find a purposeful path forward.

There are just 14 places on each workshop - choose from Tues 26th March (6-9pm) or Friday Sat 13th April (1-4pm) - register for your free place here. Minimum age 18, 16 if accompanied by an adult.


February 2024 Events

Friday 2nd February - Finding Your Purposeful Climate Path

An opportunity to explore what climate means to you and how you can use your feelings as fuel for positive action.

Have you wondered what difference you can make to climate change and ecological breakdown, whether at small scale in your own life or larger within your community or work role?

We have found that the real art in making a difference is not just setting direction and taking action - it's being able to talk about what's happening. Yet many of us prefer to avoid it, particularly when it comes to emotions, because it can get uncomfortable. Yet when we can acknowledge our own and others' feelings – whatever they are - we can use them to feel more connected, to build strong connections, a deeper sense of purpose and greater resilience. To lead ourselves and others. Intrigued?

If you are, CK Parish Council and CK Futures invites you to a workshop in January or February for you to explore what climate and ecological change really means to you and how emotions are essential fuel for positive action. Facilitated by Linda Aspey, an experienced climate leadership coach, these sessions are built on the "Work that Reconnects" a series of experiences used all over the world that facilitate the building of individuals, communities and organisations into potent and resilient forces for positive change. Come along, make new connections and hopefully, find a purposeful path forward.

There are just 14 places on each workshop - choose from Thursday 18th January (4-7pm) or Friday 2nd February (5-8pm) - register for your free place here. Minimum age 18, 16 if accompanied by an adult


January 2024 Events

Saturday 13th January - Share & Repair Fayre

Join us in the New Year at our Share & Repair Fayre

Get your electricals and textiles fixed, and your knives sharpened at the pop-up repair shop
Discover the household items and tools you can borrow for free from the Library of Things
Drop off your pre-loved Christmas jumpers
Recycle unwanted cables
Build an upcycled bird box

Plus, find out about the exciting new community hub and cafe coming to Charlton Kings in February - Planted. Poco Culina will be bringing along some tasters from the cafe, and the Vision 21 team will be on-hand to tell you what they hope to offer the community in their new space.


Thurs 18th January - Finding Your Purposeful Climate Path

An opportunity to explore what climate means to you and how you can use your feelings as fuel for positive action.

Have you wondered what difference you can make to climate change and ecological breakdown, whether at small scale in your own life or larger within your community or work role?

We have found that the real art in making a difference is not just setting direction and taking action - it's being able to talk about what's happening. Yet many of us prefer to avoid it, particularly when it comes to emotions, because it can get uncomfortable. Yet when we can acknowledge our own and others' feelings – whatever they are - we can use them to feel more connected, to build strong connections, a deeper sense of purpose and greater resilience. To lead ourselves and others. Intrigued?

If you are, CK Parish Council and CK Futures invites you to a workshop in January or February for you to explore what climate and ecological change really means to you and how emotions are essential fuel for positive action. Facilitated by Linda Aspey, an experienced climate leadership coach, these sessions are built on the "Work that Reconnects" a series of experiences used all over the world that facilitate the building of individuals, communities and organisations into potent and resilient forces for positive change. Come along, make new connections and hopefully, find a purposeful path forward.

There are just 14 places on each workshop - choose from Thursday 18th January (4-7pm) or Friday 2nd February (5-8pm) - register for your free place here. Minimum age 18, 16 if accompanied by an adult.


October 2023 Events

Thurs 26th October - Film Screening: The Need to Grow

Film Screening: The Need to Grow

Save the soil - save the world? Could the fight against climate change be won by working with nature and regenerating our depleted soils?

With only 60 years of farmable soil left on Earth, The Need to Grow offers an intimate look into the hearts of activists and innovators in the food movement who are fighting to create localised & sustainable food systems and regenerate our soil.

We follow an 8-year-old girl as she challenges the ethics of a beloved organisation - a renegade farmer who struggles to keep his land as he revolutionises resource efficient agriculture - and an accomplished visionary investor as he faces catastrophe in the midst of developing a game-changing technology.

Narrated by Rosario Dawson (Marvel's The Defenders, The Lego Batman Movie), discover alarming evidence on the importance of healthy soil - revealing not only the potential of localised food production working with nature but our opportunity as individuals to help regenerate our planet's dying soils and participate in the restoration of the earth.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

WINNER - Best Documentary, Sonoma International Festival

WINNER - Best Environmental Documentary, Sedona International Festival

WINNER - Audience Award Best Documentary Feature, Edmonton International Film Festival

WINNER - Audience Favorite, Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival

WINNER - Best Documentary, Beaufort International Film Festival


September Events

Thurs 21st September - The Importance of Insects Art Workshop

A unique talk and art session with Cath Hodsman, AMRSB, in appreciation of insects.

Cath Hodsman is one of the U.K's foremost entomological (insect) artists, illustrators, conservationists and teachers. She has exhibited, showcased, or taught at many relevant esteemed venues throughout her career, including the Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, R.H.S Wisley and the Natural History Museum, London.

The event in Charlton Kings is a unique chance to spend an evening with Cath. She'll talk about why the smallest things in life are the most important things in Iife, and how her appreciation of insects influences her artwork.

Participants will also have the chance to study and sketch a bee in a way that they have never been able to before - by using Cath's microscopes or macro photographic material to produce a detailed and unique homage to these iconic and well-loved insects.

No prior experience is necessary, and all materials will be supplied.

Please be aware that insect specimens will be used in the workshop. The insects have either died naturally, or have been ethically sourced.

This workshop is suitable for ages 12 and up.


July Events

Thurs 13th July - Talk: Ponds and Other Water Features for Wildlife

Find out why water is so important in our gardens and how to create the ideal water source for wildlife.

All life on earth needs water to survive.

Providing a water source in a garden doesn't just support the obvious creatures like frogs and toads, it can be a lifeline for a wide range of wildlife. Even the smallest water feature can make a huge difference.

Find out how to make the most of this important resource in your garden in this fascinating talk by Jo Worthy Jones from Haven 4 Wildlife.


Weds 19th July - Talk: Planting Fruit Trees & Orchards

Talk: Planting Fruit Trees and Orchards

Find out how to plant fruit trees to suit your garden, field or green space with Martin Hayes, an experienced and skilled practitioner.

Martin Hayes gives an informal talk on the planting of fruit trees and orchards as a positive response to climate change and the need for food security. He will give lots of information and tips on how to plant fruit trees to suit your environment, and how to make the most of them for food production.

Martin is well placed to advise on all things orchards, having worked in both commercial and traditional orchards for 45+ years, learning his trade through experience. A skilled practitioner, he works as a consultant and orchard creator for estates such as Tortworth and Althorp Park.

He is also on the steering group for the new government Environmental Land Management scheme, Elms.


June Events

Weds 28th June - Tibico Fermentary: A Talk and Tasting Session

In this interactive event, William Shotton, owner and creator of Tibico Fermentary, will talk about his passion for fermentation, how he came to start Tibico, and the health benefits associated with fermented food and drink.

A life-changing health crisis motivated him to change his career and assess his lifestyle, leading him to an exploration of the impact that gut health has on our bodies, health and wellbeing.

He went on to study Functional Nutrition at Cornell University in the USA and changed to a 95% plant based diet. Through experimentation in fermentation and the power of gut bacteria, William recovered his health in 9 months.

There will be lots of tasters to sample, and he will answer any questions you have about them, and about how the microbiome affects our health.

You can book this event for free through Eventbrite.

Community Voice

CK Futures in collaboration with FRONT Community Café welcomes the opportunity to host community talks, activities and workshops for and by local residents. These will be informal gatherings held at FRONT at Sixways. Community Voice topics will focus on sustainability and health and wellbeing. Knowledgeable local volunteers will be on-hand to inform and guide.


Thurs 29th June - Ecolinguistics: Communicating Climate Change

How do we communicate climate change, and get people involved in meeting the challenges and spotting the opportunities?

"Stories are the secret reservoir of values: change the stories that individuals or nations live by and you change the individuals and nations themselves." Ben Okri

The language we use, especially how we refer to the natural environment (plants, animals, nature, weather) can influence our behaviour and how we see ourselves in relation to nature and the climate.

Arran is a Professor of Ecological Linguistics at Gloucestershire University and author of 'Ecolinguistics: Language, ecology and the stories we live by'. In this session he will explore some of the stories that underpin our unequal and unsustainable industrial civilisation. This includes stories of unlimited economic growth, nature as a resource and meat as a symbol of masculine identity. He will then explore inspirational new stories to live by from nature writing and Japanese haiku and animation.

ABOUT ARRAN STIBBE

His research and teaching examines how language encodes the stories we live by, and shapes how we see ourselves and our relationship with other animals and the earth. This involves linguistic analysis of a wide range of discourses, from advertising which encourages people to buy unnecessary and ecologically damaging products, to the inspirational language of nature writing.

He is founder of the International Ecolinguistics Association, which has more than 650 members, and has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for excellence in teaching.

You can book this event for free through Eventbrite.


May Events

Thurs 18th May - Nature Gardeners' Question Time

Would you like to make your garden a haven for wildlife? Come along to our free event and put your questions to a panel of experts.

Together, the UK's gardens are larger than all of our National Nature Reserves combined, making them incredibly important for wildlife, and giving us gardeners an incredible opportunity to make a real difference in the fight against the loss of our native wildlife species.

And wildlife gardening isn't just something we do to help nature. There are benefits to us too. The happiness we feel when we get our first tadpoles in our wildlife pond, the excitement when birds build a nest in our nest box, or our child's pride when they spot a bee landing on one of the flowers they planted. Nature gardening can bring real joy to our lives.

But what can we do in our gardens to make them welcoming to nature? What plants should we plant? What does our local wildlife need?

A group of local experts will join us for this interactive event, coming armed with a wealth of nature gardening knowledge to help them answer as many of your questions as possible.

The panel will be answering a mixture of pre-submitted and live questions. To help us prepare for the event, it would be great if you could email your questions in advance to ckfutures@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk. Thank you!

You can book this event for free through Eventbrite.


Weds 10th May - Sustainable Food Workshop & Meal

In this relaxed workshop, we will eat together and discuss the impact of our choice of food, both on the planet and on our health.

In the first of our new Community Voice events, Su Billington will provide a nutritious meal at FRONT Community Café on Wednesday 10 May 2023 from 7pm until 9pm. We will eat and discuss the impact of our choice of food, both on the planet and on our health.

We will look at what we eat, how our food is grown and what impact food production (and waste) has on the environment.

How much difference does vegetarianism/veganism make? Is organic and free-range better? Is it always best to buy local produce?

Come and enjoy some delicious food and share your experiences, favourite dishes, and thoughts about how we can eat well and sustainably.

A donation of £10 per person is suggested for this event to cover the cost of the meal provided. The meal will be plant-based and attendees should inform the hosts on arrival of any allergies.


March CK Futures Talk

Want to help tackle climate change but don't have the time to become a climate scientist?

In just 3 hours, the collaborative Climate Fresk workshop will teach you the fundamental science behind climate change and empower you to take action.

Work together as a group to understand the science and impacts of climate change over this 3 hour interactive workshop.

More info about the Fresk model is available here: https://climatefresk.org/

This event is hosted by Planet Cheltenham and CK Futures.

Reserve your free place now on Eventbrite


February CK Futures Talk

CK Futures Talk - Responding to the Energy Crisis

CEO of Severn Wye Energy Agency, Sandy Hore-Ruthven (awarded an MBE in the recent honours list), is joining us for our February talk to discuss all things energy.

He will give an overview of the UK's current energy situation, and his thoughts on the strategic and policy changes that will be needed to tackle the problems we are facing.

He will also discuss some of the options for householders and companies - giving top energy tips and information about retrofit and business energy.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

ABOUT SANDY

Sandy is the CEO of Severn Wye Energy Agency – one of the UK's largest charities tackling fuel poverty and Climate Change across Wales and Western England. It works to support those struggling with fuel poverty through advice and retrofitting their homes. Each year Severn Wye supports 7000 households, saving over £1.5m in energy bills. Severn Wye also invests in cutting edge technology to capture carbon and generate renewable energy saving over 20,000 tonnes of Carbon each year. Sandy has been a charity CEO since 2006 managing large charities supporting young people and disadvantaged communities across the UK.

Sandy was the Green Party Mayoral candidate in the elections in 2021 and received 44% of the vote – the largest green vote outside Brighton.

He is currently chair of Children in Need in the South West and has held a number of board positions including the Chair of Youth Action Networks and VOSCUR and has been a board member of the Quartet Community Foundation. He was founder member of the Bristol Mayor's 'One City' board where he initiated the plans to reach Net Zero by 2030 and worked with business, charities, communities, and local authorities to tackle a range of other environmental issues.

Sandy has cycled in many places across the globe including the Andes, the Tibetan Plateau, Himalayas, and central Africa. He has two adopted children who are grown up and making their way in the world.

The talk will start at 7.30pm on Wednesday 22nd February in the Stanton Hall (next to the Charlton Kings Library), Charlton Kings.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this free event via Eventbrite


January CK Futures Talk

CK Futures Talk - An Introduction to Doughnut Economics

Join us in th Stanton Hall on Church Piece, next to Charlton Kings Library, for an introductory talk on economics featuring The Liminality's, Raechel Kelly.

Kate Raworth, the author and economist behind the award winning Doughnut Economics book of 2017, came up with the theory after becoming increasingly disillusioned with the state of economics and the core theories we have based our economic system upon.

Come along to this interactive event to learn more about the doughnut concept, explore the seven key ideas behind it and maybe question some of our long held assumptions about the current economic system.

What is GDP? Why the obsession with growth? Is there another way? How can we get into the sweet spot where both people and planet can thrive?

There might even be some actual doughnuts involved!

The talk will start at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25th January in the Stanton Hall (next to the Charlton Kings Library), Charlton Kings.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this event Free via Eventbrite.

ABOUT RAECHEL KELLY

Raechel Kelly is a local mother of three who works in the sustainability sector, helping organisations of all sizes tackle complex environmental and social issues. She is also working with local charity Vision 21 on an exciting new project 'Planet Cheltenham', which aims to empower Cheltenham's citizens to take meaningful action on climate change. Before setting up her sustainability consultancy The Liminality, Raechel spent 13 years working in sustainable finance.


November CK Futures Talk

CK Futures Talk - The Science of Trees and Climate

Join us in the Community Hub at FRONT on London Road as Patricia Thornley, Director of Supergen Bioenergy Hub joins us to discuss the question, do trees really help fight climate change?

In this fascinating talk, Patricia evaluates the science of planting trees to save carbon, discusses other forest and deforestation related controversies and shares some of the ways trees benefit all of us.

The talk will start at 7.30pm on Wednesday 30th November in Community Hub at FRONT, 197 London Road, Sixways, Charlton Kings, GL52 6HU.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this event Free via Eventbrite.


October CK Futures Talk

CK Futures Talk - How to Make the Invisible, Visible – a Blueprint for Tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergencies

Join us at a talk hosted by CK Futures, featuring Birmingham City Council's Green City Manager, Nick Grayson. He will discuss how we can fix the climate and ecological emergencies and will talk about the extensive work he has done in Birmingham.

Nick is passionate about transforming cities to create places that deliver wellbeing for the planet and for their citizens.

Towards this aim, during his time as Green City Manager in Birmingham, Nick has implemented a plan to tackle issues in four main areas: Climate, Nature, People and Justice (or health and wellbeing). In this fascinating talk, he will talk us through this plan, the benefits of it, and how it can be made a reality, and to see what might transfer to Cheltenham or Charlton Kings.

The talk will start at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26th October in the Stanton Hall (next to the Charlton Kings Library), Charlton Kings.

ABOUT NICK GRAYSON

Nick is Birmingham's Green City Manager and he established Birmingham as a founding member of the Biophilic Cities Network and in 2022 saw the city commit to a City of Nature, a 25-year vision to put nature at the heart of decision-making. Nick is also a Senior Research Fellow at University of Birmingham working on air quality.

You can book this event Free via Eventbrite.

September CK Futures Film

Join us in the Stanton Hall in Charlton Kings to see the powerful and inspiring environmental film 2040, being screened by CK Futures as part of The Great Big Green Week.

This free showing is bought to you in collaboration with Cheltenham Borough Council.

While many environmental films focus on the damage being done to the planet that threatens human existence, this documentary-style film 2040 focuses instead on solutions.

Award-winning director Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film) embarks on a journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream.

Structured as a visual letter to his 4-year-old daughter, Damon blends traditional documentary with dramatised sequences and high-end visual effects to create a vision board of how these solutions could regenerate the world for future generations.

Watch the trailer https://youtu.be/sR51ZDNSRFQ

Motivated by concerns about the planet his 4-year-old daughter would inherit, Damon embarked on a global journey to meet innovators and changemakers in the areas of economics, technology, civil society, agriculture, education and sustainability. Drawing on their expertise, he sought to identify the best solutions, available to us now, that would help improve the health of our planet and the societies that operate within it. From marine permaculture to decentralised renewable energy projects, he discovered that people all over the world are taking matters into their own hands.

This journey is the central premise for the documentary '2040', a story of hope that looks at the very real possibility that humanity could reverse global warming and improve the lives of every living thing in the process. It is a positive vision of what 'could be', instead of the dystopian future we are so often presented.

The film is being screened on Friday 30th September at the Stanton Hall on Church Piece, Church Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8AR. Doors open at 7.00pm (refreshments available) and the film will begin at 7.30pm. There will be a discussion about the film afterwards.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this event free via Eventbrite.

Summer Break for July and August

June CK Futures Talk

Join us at Community Hub at FRONT on London Road, Sixways as Tom Whipple, Science Editor of the Times, and Patricia Thornley, Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering explore the science, some of the solutions available to us, and discuss how Government, business, communities and individuals can play their part in tackling climate change.

The talk is on Weds 8th June at the Community Hub at FRONT, Sixways, Charlton Kings. Doors will open at 7.30pm (refreshments available) and the talk will start at 8pm.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this event free via Eventbrite.

May CK Futures Talk

Join us in the Stanton Hall next to the Charlton Kings Library as Rob Gould, the Cotswold Forager and Jenn Haigh, owner of Little Hoots Forest School in Charlton Kings, talk to us about family activities to engage children in nature.

Love the great outdoors but want to engage your children beyond going for walks?

Rob and Jenn are ready to answer your questions in an informal setting where you will have lots of opportunities to ask questions.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this event free via Eventbrite.

April CK Futures Talk

Join us in the Stanton Hall next to the Charlton Kings Library as Mike Bush, Gloucestershire Master Composter, teaches us about composting, worm poo and comfrey tea!

Know nothing about composting or your composting attempts fail?

Are you successfully composting but would like to find out about other composting methods such as leaf mould, vermicomposting and active aerated compost teas.

Mike is ready to answer all your questions and set you on the path to composting success!

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this free event via Eventbrite

March CK Futures Talk

Join us in the Stanton Hall next to the Charlton Kings Library as Karen Watson, Environmental Partnerships Manager at Cheltenham Borough Council, joins us to dispel the myths and explain the destinations of your kerb side recycling.

Cheltenham Borough Council is keen to engage with the local community to look at new ways of doing things to improve the recycling service in the future. Share your thoughts on how they might collect different plastics at kerbside and how they can make it easy for residents to increase levels of recycling in Cheltenham.

A great opportunity to ask questions and help to shape the future of recycling in Cheltenham.

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this free event via Eventbrite.

February CK Futures Talk

Join us in the Stanton Hall next to the Charlton Kings Library as Councillor Max Wilkinson, cabinet member for climate emergency, talks us through the Borough Council's Climate Emergency Action Plan.

The Plan sets the pathway to a Net Zero Borough, while highlighting the shared responsibilities across different levels of authority, including the Borough Council, County Council and government, as well as communities and businesses

This is a free event hosted by CK Futures, a Charlton Kings Parish Council Initiative.

You can book this free event via Eventbrite.

Last updated: Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:47