Planet Shaftesbury Monthly Meeting

This is a good place to start for people new to Planet Shaftesbury.  It's an opportunity to join in as we move on from COP26. What can we offer to address the concerns and needs of Shaftesbury households? How will our future meetings and public events address the situation we face?

In October and November we considered where we could have a presence in the town, how we can respond to increased awareness of the climate emergency, and what we can offer to people who want to make life-style changes. The November meeting generated the following topics - (extract from the newsletter reproduced here)

What Next?

After hearing from Sarah, ffinlo & Karen we reviewed what we could do in response to COP26 and local needs. Ideas were floated, explored and amplified in discussion, and it was agreed to publicise them through this newsletter. These are topics that can inspire activity for 2022 - get involved by emailing us or join the December meeting (16th):

• farming futures, share farming, helping young people into work on the land, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, connection to Kingston Maurward, possible follow-up to our panel discussion from 2 years ago (described here), film series 'Carbon Cowboys' was recommended
• water, water companies & river health, learning from Wimborne Community Theatre's activities 'exploring the rivers', possibility of a pilgrimage linking communities along the Stour, Adrian Newton as a contact with relevant expert knowledge
• reducing waste, understanding recycling, possibility of another public update from Dorset Council, resisting incineration (see campaign to stop Portland waste incinerator), sustainability & a 'circular economy'
• making better choices, understanding the climate/nature implications of what we buy / where we shop / etc, language matters: we are 'citizens' not 'consumers', awareness of social justice & the different areas where individuals have choices, create opportunities to talk, climate cafe & coffee mornings
• engage with younger people, refresh our schools links, school-based citizen's assembly on nature, use of a school hall for public meeting, 'future classroom'
• climate hope, appealing public events - performance or film shows, fundraising, opportunity to share information on eg. Insulate Britain
• public talk on COP26, January?, link to 'new year resolutions'
• climate change resilience plan, find out what Dorset Council has, build one!

We may need a 2022 year planner as we work our way through these possibilities! We will be operating cautiously in this environment where Covid is circulating and have set out the detail of this below. Register on Eventbrite (link below). Meeting will start at 7.30. The hall will be open from 7pm - come early to help set up!

Covid precautions:

Of course, if you have any Covid-like symptoms you should stay at home but, if you're well and want to come along, what do you need to do? What steps are being taken to increase safety for participants?

To join a meeting safely please:

• Register through Eventbrite. You won’t need a ticket but this enables us to set a limit on numbers and set out furniture to maintain safe distances.
• Expect it to be similar to going to a café under Covid guidelines in June 2021: we’re encouraging you to come along a few minutes early to sign in, wear a mask on entry until seated and use the sanitiser which will be available.
• There will not be a refreshment break at this meeting - feel free to bring water/flask for yourself.
• Feedback and suggestions will be appreciated by email to Rachel, rachel.bodle@gmail.com

Planet Shaftesbury’s ‘Covid-cautious’ preparations:

• Meetings will have a clear theme and focus and for this meeting we've set a limit of 24 people.
• Chairs and tables will be arranged to enable social distancing.
• The room will be well ventilated.
• Any discussion during the meeting will be managed in a way that enables us to maintain safe distances.
• We'll continue to work within the framework of a comprehensive risk assessment responding to national rules, advisory guidance, local statistics, common sense and feedback received.