It’s the month of our award winning community-led Sustainability Festival, SustFest22! As our annual programme of training, talks, events and activities permeate into the community, check out our resources and online programme to keep you motivated on your sustainability journey! Welcome to this month’s newsletter.
Our regular programme of events can be found here and the full SustFest programme can be found here.
What's Coming Up?
Get Inspired!
Get Involved!
If the links above don't work, just scroll down to the items you want to read. We're aware this problem occurs on some devices.
Welcome to new readers this month: enjoy this month’s news, and please also take a look at our website for updates and previous newsletters. If you’d like to get in touch, we always love to hear from you. And stay up-to date on our social media (links below).
Newsletter Editor: Philip Nalpanis
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SustFest22: Sunday 15 - Tuesday 31 May
The programme is now launched for our annual award-winning Sustainability Festival. More than 100 events are planned in St ALbans District between 15th and 31st May this year.
With day and evening, online and in-real-world, free and fee, whether you're a photographer or a foodie, a walker or a talker you're sure to find a way to join, learn and love your local community this year. |
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 A day in a carbon neutral world
Monday 9 May, 7.30 - 9.30 pm
The Pullman Rooms, Harpenden Arms, 188 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2TR
An opportunity to see into a carbon neutral future: what does our world look like on 9 May 2050? Join us for this lively and uplifting discussion.
Free event: for booking information see here.
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Harpenden Sustainability Market
SustFest22 Launch event
Sunday 15 May 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
A range of stalls showcasing the local and sustainable. From eco essentials to gifts to food to eco care products, everyone can be inspired to live more sustainably. This event will feature a live programme of music and performance, and will take place on Harpenden Common. More information and future dates can be found on our website.
Eco businesses, community groups and charities: not booked a stall yet? Application details are here.
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 Get involved with Sustainable St Albans: online info sessions
During SustFest, come to a 45-minute, no-commitment, online info session about Sustainable St Albans. You will hear about our year-round work for climate and nature, and our current volunteering opportunities.
Choice of 4 dates and times. All sessions are on Zoom. Register in advance using the links below:
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Find out how to apply to close your road for play and community building up to 8 times per year in St Albans District. Come to a free information session on Wednesday 15 June,8.00 pm or Monday 20 June, 10.30 am. Book here or find out more information about the scheme here.
Prefer to chat in person? Come and meet the Playing Out team at the Harpenden Sustainability Market (see above) on Sunday 15 May or in the Trestle Arts Base cafe on Thursday 26 May, 10 - 11 am.
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Building and living in a Passive House
One Harpenden resident's real-life experience
Thursday 23 June, 8.00 - 9.00 pm
Harpenden resident Linda built an incredible new home to Passive House standards. Join her online to hear what she learned and perhaps be inspired to consider your own home improvements too. One hour including Q&A. Register in advance here.
In the meantime, as one of the first Passive House builders in Harpenden, Linda has shared her experience in a blogpost, describing her life with no boiler and no radiators, remaining warm and low-carbon all year round. As fossil fuel costs rise, could a new kind of retro-fitting or rebuild be the way to live in the homes of the future?
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Take Action with Count Us In: Talk about it!
Did you know that you can reduce your community’s carbon footprint by expelling just a bit more air - your own voice! Speaking Up at Work, Talking to Friends and Telling your Politician are three of Count Us In’s 16 steps that have the most impact to reduce your carbon footprint.
Whether it’s telling your boss or colleagues that sustainability is important to you, normalising your green efforts with your friends and family, or letting your politicians know what they need to do to get your vote, you have more power and influence than you realise. Let May be the month you use it!
Our resources can help you navigate potential hurdles including nerves, embarrassment or helplessness, and equip you with confidence and tools to broach the subject. If you need more support to get started, get in touch or explore our website for more information. Let us know how you get on!
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This month's blogs
Disconnect the gas!
With energy prices rising and a new £5k government grant announced, more of us than ever before are starting to think about shifting to renewables or getting a heat pump. Read how self-described “little old lady” and local resident Ro Rodgers “eco-ed” up her house, with solar panels and a heat pump, and finally disconnected the gas!
 Companion planting: easier than you’d think!
Naomi Distill, experienced gardener and the inspiration between Incredible Edible St Albans, shares her expertise on companion planting. Growing different plant species close together for expected benefits in productivity is easier than you think.
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Last Chance to join our Crowdfunder
As always, SustFest is organised by volunteers and donations. This year, Herts County Council is matching our donations, so your contribution will have double the impact! Help us reach our target by our deadline of Wednesday 11 May.
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Volunteers wanted
Did you know Sustainable St Albans is run entirely by volunteers? Our work is more important than ever, and we need your skills and time to help us continue to create real change in our community. Whether it's our award-winning SustFest, behind the scenes tech, social media sharing, marquee erecting or fundraising, we are looking for volunteers across all roles and all time commitments for all of our projects.
Spotlight (1) on Trustees
We are aiming to find two or three new Trustees between now and the summer, to help keep Sustainable St Albans running. We are looking for:
- Enthusiastic and interested individuals who want to contribute to the governance, strategy and planning of the organisation;
- Particular experience with fundraising, schools (teachers, school management staff or similar) or HR would be valuable to broaden our expertise but is not a requirement.
No previous trustee experience is required.
Spotlight (2) on Projects
Project volunteers are needed for our Repair Fairs, Our Planet Our Future talks and films and for our fundraising campaigns. Our vacancies have a range of commitment options ranging from two hours a week, two hours a month to four hours a year!
- Creating flyers and social media adverts;
- Online and social media promotion of events;
- Ongoing team members to help with event planning.
Have a look at all our opportunities here or get in touch for a discussion on what you’d like to achieve with us!
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