Environment, Climate and Hope
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest.
The annual All Saints Environment Day will be held on Saturday, September 12, the same day as the Beds and Herts Historic Churches Bike 'n Hike which we will also be supporting.
This year the Environment Day will incorporate a Film Festival, showing two films - 'Six Inches of Soil' and 'Wilding'. In addition to the films, there will also be a variety of stalls which visitors can investigate to find out more about what is happening locally in terms of our environment and what we can all do to mitigate the dangers we face and also where we can find hope in our precious environment.
Timetable
Downloadable programme
Full details are given below - you can navigate to specific sections directly using links in the side bar or here.
- Films
- Panel Discussion
- Stalls
- Refreshments including lunch.
Directions/Parking
Full directions are on our location webpage. Directly adjacent to the church is the Gascoyne Way multi-storey Car Park SG14 1YY with 340 spaces.Films
The film, Six Inches of Soil, tells the story of remarkable farmers, communities, small businesses, chefs and entrepreneurs who are leading the way to transform how our food is produced and consumed.
Agroecology is an approach to farming that includes ‘regenerative’ farming techniques that work in harmony with, rather than against nature. It focuses on local food systems and shorter supply chains. The advantages are numerous: we get to know who is growing our food and how, farmers get paid a fair price and have the satisfaction of producing healthy food in a healthy environment. Agroecology may also be our best chance in the face of climate change: it keeps carbon in the ground and creates resilient systems in the face of climate uncertainty.
Six Inches of Soil 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.
This will be followed by a panel discussion
The day will close with a showing of the film 'Wilding'. This is the story of Isabella Tree and her husband, Charlie Burrell who strive to breathe new life into the ailing Knepp estate.
They reintroduce native ponies, deer, pigs and other wildlife, allowing nature to thrive.
They battle entrenched tradition and dare to place the fate of their farm in the hands of nature.
Ripping down the fences, they set the land back to the wild and entrust its recovery to a motley mix of animals both tame and wild.
It is the beginning of a grand experiment that will become one of the most significant rewilding experiments in Europe.
Panel Discusion
A discussion on the issues raised in "Six inches of Soil" and more with regenerative farmers, John Cherry and David White and restauranter Andrei Lussmann. They are happu to takequestions too.
John and his family have been farming at Weston Park for over 35 years.
Rightly regarded as pioneers within the world of regenerative farming, the Cherry family has done as much as anyone to advance and promote its benefits to people, animals and planet.
We've always been conscious that our soil is our most important asset.
David farms in partnership with his wife Eve on 380 acres of light land between Cambridge and Newmarket.
After 40 years farming conventionally on a larger scale also offering contracting services.
David is entering his 11th year practicing Regenerative Agriculture no-till direct drilling into catch and cover crops farming “forever green”.
Although most of the grain produced goes into the Camgrain central storage cooperative.
David has a keen interest in specialist supply chains supplying niche crops direct to consumers such as Wildfarmed and is trial growing Chickpeas for Hodmedods.
David is a co-founder of RTKFnet which provides a precision subscription correction signal to agriculture and other industries across the UK mainland and a long-time member and committee member of Base UK a farmer-to-farmer Conservation Farming knowledge exchange group.
Andrei has worked in hospitality for more than 30 years.
After invaluable experience in some of the best-known brands like Forte, Bass and Pizza Express, he set up the eponymous restaurant group in 2002.
The four Hertfordshire restaurants in St Albans, Harpenden, Hertford and Hitchin have recently been joined by one over the border in Bedfordshire.
They all have a simple, compelling and thus far, winning ethos: to serve ethically sourced food, in attractive surroundings for affordable prices.
Stalls and Displays
Stalls and displays will explore many aspects of environment, climate and hope, covering Environmental Charities, Information Hubs and Volunteering opportunities.
The group offers a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people while learning more about birds and wildlife. Their stall will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the RSPB and the local group and the wildlife available to watch in the local area.
Calendars and greetings cards will also be available.
Herts Community Resilience group which advises on how households can stay resilient during crises like cyber attacks, flooding or wildfire incidents for example. There has been a lot of focus on food and energy insecurity in recent months and we address these issues.
Our society is hooked on stuff and it’s destroying our planet. Often without even making our lives better.
Another way is possible! Our goal is a world of less stuff and more joy, where humanity is in balance with nature - through helping achieve a two-thirds reduction in the impact of consumption in rich countries by the early 2030’s. Our plan is a vibrant movement of normal people experimenting with living fully while in balance with nature.
Coming together to make practical changes, support and inspire each other, celebrate success and drive a shift in society’s mindsets and cultures.
Showing politicians and business that positive change is both possible and wanted, now.
For anyone looking for constructive, positive and impactful steps we can take in our own lives.
Information about where you can go and how to get around without using a car, with particular emphasis on the public rights of way, network and cycle routes. What about making use of bus services?
The countryside on the edge of our towns and cities is part of everyday life.
It’s where children explore, where people walk and cycle. Where food is grown and wildlife survives alongside busy communities. It is also being overlooked at a time when we need it most.
More than half of people believe the countryside will be less well protected in ten years’ time than it is today. These landscapes could play a vital role in restoring nature, reducing flood risk, supporting food systems and improving mental health. Yet as pressures on land increase, they are too often treated as spare space, rather than essential infrastructure.
On the Edge is a call to recognise their value and secure their future.
We believe every town and city should be surrounded by countryside that is protected, properly planned and able to thrive for nature, climate and wellbeing
Our Swifts are in decline and they need our help, they have decreased by 53% between 1995 and 2016.
They are amber listed in the UK and the loss of nest sites is thought to be one of the main reasons they are in decline.
They nest in small crevices in tall buildings and are very clean so make good house guests.
A lot of new development in recent years has involved insulating our roofs and therefore there are not the spaces that swifts used to use.
It is easy to help. If you have swifts near you, you can put up swift boxes on your house. We can help you order swift boxes and advise on where to put them up!
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a local charity supported by people who care about protecting wildlife, including over 24,000 members. We are the leading voice for wildlife conservation in Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
We believe that wildlife should have space to thrive alongside our everyday lives and that everyone benefits from having access to nature. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a local conservation charity working to protect wildlife and help people to connect with nature. With a team of volunteers, we care for wild places so that nature can thrive. We help people experience the wildlife on their doorsteps and to take action to protect it.
Our vision is for a world where wildlife has space to thrive and our precious habitats and species populations are recovering. People feel more connected to wildlife and are empowered to take action to give nature a positive future.
In our strategy for a wilder Hertfordshire and Middlesex by 2030, we have identified 3 key goals
- More land in Hertfordshire and Middlesex is managed and protected for nature
- More people are standing up for wildlife and taking action for nature’s recovery
- Nature plays a central and valued role in helping to address climate issues and people’s health and wellbeing
Love Bengeo Community Group
The group brings together local volunteers who established the Bengeo Neighbourhood Area Plan adopted as part of the local Development Plan in July 2021.
The group responds to planning applications and public consultations, as well as initiating and overseeing local community projects which protect precious green spaces, important views, natural habitats and biodiversity, improve footpath connectivity, and enhance facilities.
Thanks to incredible support from the local community, we have initiated projects like: Bengeo Community Garden. BengeoTrails, Bengeo Mosaic and Bengeo Front Gardens and Wildlife Corridors.
River Beane Restoration Association
The focus of the River Beane Restoration Association is to protect and improve the valuable but fragile habitat of the river for every ones benefit.
Citizen scientist volunteers regularly monitor the river, chart the progress of the water voles and address issues caused by non-native invasive species.
Electric Vehicle Centre
Chat with local EV owners happy to show you around their vehicles and answer any questions you have about their experience of buying, driving and maintaining an electric vehicle.
Refreshments
Refreshments Served All Day.
Delicious Lunches between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm.
Cakes & Produce for Sale
How to find us
Information for Hirers
Our Hall may have just the slot you need. For further information and/or to make a booking visit the dedicated website at https://www.stjohnshallhertford.org/.
To book the church contact the Parish Adminstrator: office@allsaintshertford.org
Can't find something?
Please email us office@allsaintshertford.org (office hours are 14-16 Thurs and Sat) or contact our Vicar vicar@allsaintshertford.org.
