Sustainable Brailes

Biodiversity

In September the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) launched its ‘Value of Gardens’ report, which, for the first time, quantifies the economic, environmental, and social contributions of the UK’s 22 million private gardens.  This report outlines key research findings in relation to climate change, including the fact that in urban areas, trees can cool concrete surfaces by 12°C, thereby mitigating the urban heat island effect. Lawns are incredibly effective at slowing water runoff, absorbing 99% of rainfall and reducing flood risk. Furthermore, green spaces actively remove air pollution; a one-metre dense hedge is capable of absorbing the pollution of a car travelling 500 miles in just seven days. They are also crucial habitats for biodiversity, with diverse features that support a wide range of fauna and flora.

The report also reaffirms the profound impact gardens have on health. Eight in ten UK adults agree that gardens benefit their physical health, and 85% report benefits to their mental state. Gardening is a socially inclusive pastime enjoyed by 30 million people, helping to burn calories and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Moreover, it offers significant cognitive benefits, with daily gardening linked to a 36% lower risk of dementia in older adults. See more on the HTA website. 

If you’re looking for jobs to do this month in your garden they could include planting trees, clearing nesting boxes and planting native snowdrops.  

Thermal Camera

A reminder that if you would like to borrow one of the cameras then that’s easy to do – just pop us an email and we can arrange for one of our volunteers to drop it off and show you how it works. 

Repair Cafe

Thanks to everyone who’s supported us through 2025 on this venture.  Special thanks go to Brailes Show for their donation towards our PAT Tester.  We’ve got dates ready for 2026 so keep an eye out for them. 

Thank you!

Jo, Louise and Sue

The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

You can find us social media.

Harvest

There’s still lots of apples and plums everywhere, which should ensure we all get a crumble this winter. Use the freezer to save fruit or make a little bit of jam or compote every week. 

Thermal Camera

As the nights start drawing in and temperature starts to drop, it’s almost time to borrow the thermal camera and check for those pesky leaks. Even something as simple as a curtain over a door can make a difference.  Or if you can’t get your dog to lie in front of the door you can always make a sausage dog out of an old pair of tights (but please ask the owner of the tights first).

Thanks again to the Parish Council, who made this simple to use camera available to use with either an android or iPhone.

If you haven’t yet seen the camera then we’ll have it at our next Repair Café – see below. 

Repair Cafe 6th September, 10-12 The Pavilion ‘Harvest’

It’s the last one of the year, so let’s make it a big one! We’re now offering simple electrical repairs.  Have you got any fairy lights, a lamp, or kettle that needs a fix?  Have you got a Christmas Jumper or some woolly socks that could do with a darn?  If so, bring them along and we’ll see if we can work our magic.

We’ll be offering electrical repairs, sewing and darning and repairs to other household items.

We’ll also have our Thermal Camera on display and some hints and tips for reducing energy around the home. 

Donations of jam and chutney are welcome as it helps boost our funds for the next cafe. 

Thank you!

Jo, Louise and Sue

The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

You can find us social media.

Brailes Show

It was great to see a lot of people coming to see us in the Pavilion. We enjoyed finding new homes for your donations. Leftovers went to local charity shops. Thanks for being sustainable! 
We also had some lovely jam to sell which leads to…

Repair Cafe 6th September, 10-12 The Pavilion ‘Harvest’

Good news – from this session we’ll be able to look at repairing electrical items.  Thanks to our budding young volunteer who has undertaken training and for the donations towards the PAT Tester.  All our usual repair volunteers will be in the Pavilion between 10 and 12.  If you’ve leftover produce feel free to bring and share. We have seeds to share too.

World Car Free Day

Did you know that 22nd September is World Car Free Day?  All around the world, towns and cities allow people to experience streets free of motor traffic as well as making travel easier for those who rely on private vehicles for health and mobility reasons.
It’s a great chance to re-imagine our streets around people. So, what can we do to make a difference?  For more information see https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/world-car-free-day/ 

Thank you!

Jo, Louise and Sue

The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

You can find us social media.