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Category: Shropshire

Green Open Homes invites all

Guest article from Jess Walton of Marches Energy Agency: With autumn on its way, and energy bills set to rise again, you may be looking to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, to save both money and carbon.But where should you start? How do you know what steps to take? Green Open Homes […]

Views sought on Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

Local Nature Recovery Strategy seeks views from farmers, landowners and the public. Latest update from Telford and Wrekin Council Newsroom: Farmers, landowners, and local communities in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are invited to offer their perspectives and share their views on the region’s natural environment to assist in shaping and preserving its features for […]

Community tree scheme returns – council offering 15,000 free trees

Residents and community groups in Shropshire are being encouraged to do their bit to help the natural environment by applying to Shropshire Council’s free tree scheme. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: This year the council is offering 15,000 free tree saplings to residents, schools, landowners, farmers and community groups, as well as charities and […]

Restoring Shropshire’s Verges Project (RSVP)

Guest article from Janet Cobb of RSVP: Supporting the recovery of Shropshire’s wildlife Over the last 60 years 97% of our wildflower meadows have been lost.  This loss has had a huge impact on wildlife.  There are more threatened species associated with meadows than with any other habitat in the UK.  Road verges offer a real […]

‘It’s taken three years to get permission to apply for permission’ 

inews.co.uk recently published an article titled ‘Onshore wind farms blocked by planning rules favouring fossil fuels. The article featured the local Bishop’s Castle Heat Initiative. Quoted from from the i newspaper Newsroom: Almost three years ago, a group of residents of Bishop’s Castle in Shropshire hatched a plan to transform the town’s energy supply. Research […]

Bishop’s Castle Heat and Wind Project gets some wind in it’s sail

Latest update from Light Foot Enterprises: The Bishop’s Castle Wind Turbine-powered Community Heat project has been awarded a substantial grant to carry out further studies. The work will include Ecology and Technical studies, and obtaining ‘expressions of interest’ from the Town’s householders, organisations and businesses – including the Community College and SpArC, who wish to […]

Unwanted trees free for rehoming

Unwanted trees will be finding forever homes thanks to an initiative run by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: People with ‘unwanted’ trees have been donating them to the Shrewsbury Town Council nursery at Weeping Cross, where they have been tended and cared for under the partnership Trees Outside […]

Big Town Plan Partnership launches Shrewsbury Moves: A 10-year vision for movement and public space in Shrewsbury

An “ambitious and exciting” plan for transforming how people travel in and around Shrewsbury over the next 10 years and beyond has been launched. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Developed by the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, the ‘Shrewsbury Moves’ strategy includes a raft of proposals to reduce through-traffic, improve public space and encourage people to […]

Stunning images on display as Wildlife Photographer of the Year arrives in Shrewsbury

The world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 6 January 2024. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global platform that […]

Shropshire Council joins Hydrogen Valley Consortium

Shropshire Council has signed up to be part of the Hydrogen Valley Consortium to improve the nation’s energy security and reduce carbon. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The Hydrogen Valley is being delivered in collaboration by Cadent and National Gas Transmission who are working together to create a clear roadmap and vision to kickstart […]

Marches LEP awards nearly £340,000 of energy grants in green boost for business

Nearly £340,000 in grants has been awarded across the Marches under a new scheme to improve energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Thirty companies and community groups across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin have been awarded the funding from the Marches Energy Grant – the first wave […]

Communities offered free trees to grow their own orchards

Community groups across Shropshire are being offered the chance to grow their own King’s Orchards for free after Shropshire Council was granted more than £12,000 from the Coronation Living Heritage Fund. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council has 200 fruit trees, including apple, pear, plum and damson trees, to be given away in […]

Investment supports Shropshire Council carbon savings projects

Grant funding has allowed more than £300,000 to be invested in projects reducing Shropshire Council’s carbon footprint and increasing energy efficiency. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The Sustainable Energy in Public Buildings (SEPuBu) programme, led by Herefordshire Council in partnership with Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council,  and supported by the Marches Local […]

Shropshire teachers to get chance to deliver cycle training

Shropshire teachers will soon be able to help their pupils learn to ride a bike, after Shropshire Council was chosen to take part in the third phase of the Bikeability Trust’s In-School Cycle Training Pilot. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The pilot will launch in September [2023] and will give teachers and teaching assistants […]

Residents to be asked for views on Shropshire Council’s highways and transport services

Shropshire residents are to be asked for their views on Shropshire Council’s highways and transport services – from the condition of roads and footpaths to the quality of cycling facilities – in this year’s annual National Highways and Transport (NHT) Public Satisfaction survey. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: A questionnaire will be sent to […]

Large rooftop solar installation in Tenbury Wells

Is this the UK’s most sustainable and ethical large-scale rooftop solar installation? Latest update from Big Solar Co-op on the Shropshire Council online Newsroom: Pioneering UK-wide community energy business the Big Solar Co-op is kicking off its first large rooftop solar installation using sustainable and more ethical high-tech solar panels made by Swiss company Meyer […]

Go-ahead for £1.7m schemes aiming to reduce River Severn flooding

Two projects that aim to provide nature-based solutions to reducing flooding on the River Severn are to go ahead after gaining the approval of Shropshire Council’s Cabinet today, 7 June 2023. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The two projects are part of a wider programme of testing and learning planned for the upper part […]

Small businesses identify carbon outputs with help of Cool Shropshire & Telford

Small businesses across Shropshire have identified 15 tonnes of carbon output in a year, after signing up to a partnership project funded by Shropshire Council. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Cool Shropshire & Telford is a £20,000 initiative to aid small businesses in making the move towards improving sustainability. The council’s climate team partnered […]

Opportunity to have a say in what happens in Shropshire’s Great Outdoors

People are being asked to get involved and have a say on what matters to them in Shropshire’s Great Outdoors annual survey. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The Annual Outdoor Recreation User Survey, led by Shropshire Council’s outdoor partnership service, includes questions about the outdoor facilities and activities residents and visitors make use of, […]

Shropshire Council reports drop in carbon emissions

Shropshire Council has seen a further decrease in its gross carbon emissions in the last year, according to a performance report due before Cabinet next week (Wednesday 7 June 2023). Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The Corporate Carbon Performance Monitoring Report 2022 cautions the past three years of carbon monitoring have been influenced significantly by the pandemic, […]

Worm farm owner turns to council-funded project for sustainability advice

A Shropshire worm farmer has sought expert advice from a council-run project on how to make his eco-friendly business more sustainable. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Luke Boxall, who runs the vermiculture business Soil Nurture in Neenton has taken advice from Cool Shropshire & Telford, a £20,000 project which sees Shropshire Council and Telford […]

Shropshire Council awarded over £600,000 of active travel funding

Shropshire Council has been awarded more than £600,000 from the Government’s active travel fund following a successful application for funding. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council has been awarded more than £600,000 from the Government’s active travel fund following a successful application for funding. Active Travel England has awarded the council a total […]

Solar farm powers community grants of nearly £100,000

Shropshire community projects have benefitted from nearly £100,000 of funding thanks to grants generated by a county solar farm. Latest update from Shropshire and Telford Community Energy through the Shropshire Council Newsroom: The Twemlows Solar Farm on the edge of Whitchurch – which has a 10MW capacity and can power up to 3,300 homes – […]

Training demonstrates commitment to Shropshire Council’s climate pledge

Shropshire Council is demonstrating its commitment to the climate strategy by continuing to target carbon literacy training at key staff and senior managers. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The ongoing commitment supports the council’s existing, active programme of carbon literacy training, delivered by Save Our Shropshire, and which resulted in Shropshire Council being formally […]

Cycling and walking plan roadshow to visit seven Shropshire towns this week

A series of roadshow events will take place across Shropshire this week, to enable people to find out more about proposals for new and improved cycling and walking routes in seven of the county’s market towns. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council’s draft cycling and walking plan is out to consultation until 16 […]

Get up with the larks to enjoy a guided dawn chorus walk

Guides are ready to tune in to nature and lead a dawn chorus walk at Severn Valley Country Park (SVCP) near Alveley. To celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day, Shropshire Council’s park ranger Guy Border will share his expertise and identify different bird calls on the walk, which starts at the visitor centre at SVCP on […]

Helpful new guidance on solar farms development for town councils and parish councils

A new guidance document to help Shropshire’s town councils and parish councils begin early engagement with potential solar farm developers has been issued.  Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council and Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC), which represents town councils and parish councils, have jointly prepared new guidance to encourage interested parties to […]

700 more streetlights to be converted to LED lighting this month

More than 700 Shropshire Council streetlights are set to be converted to LED lighting in April [2023] Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Since 2013, over 7,900 of the more than 20,000 lights owned by the council have been converted from conventional ‘sodium discharge’ or mercury lighting to LED lighting. By the end of the […]

Shropshire business people certified as Carbon Literate

The Marches Growth Hub Shropshire is pleased to share 19 Shropshire businesses are now certified as Carbon Literate. This announcement follows a training event held on 9 November 2022 where attendees learnt about carbon literacy, and have since been assessed and certified as Carbon Literate. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The programme, led by […]

People urged to have their say about proposed new walking and cycling routes

People will soon be able to share their thoughts about an ambitious proposed network of new and upgraded walking and cycling routes across Shropshire – including new cycle lanes, footpaths, crossings and bridges. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: A six-week consultation into Shropshire’s draft first Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) will start […]

Shrewsbury Movement Strategy programme making good progress

News from Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: A study looking into how people could travel in and around Shrewsbury in the future is due to go out to public consultation later this year. The Shrewsbury movement and public realm strategy has involved extensive consultation over the past year with […]

New recycling wheelie bins delivered to over 100,000 homes across Shropshire

More than 103,000 wheelie bins for recycling cans, glass and plastic have been delivered to homes across the Shropshire Council area in less than a year. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The purple-lidded bins are available on request, with orders opening in January 2022 and deliveries beginning in May 2022. As of 17 March […]

Fully-funded retrofit plans for a warmer home, that’s kinder to the planet

News from Shropshire County Council’s partners Marches Energy Agency Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: People across Shropshire are recognising the importance of making their homes as energy efficient as possible, but knowing where to start can be a challenge. That’s where a retrofit plan comes in. Retrofitting means adding or changing things in your […]

Councillors to consider creating new nature reserve

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet is being asked to support a plan to make Much Wenlock’s Windmill Hill a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Much Wenlock Town Council has asked for the land to be designated a LNR so that it can attract funds and open up the countryside even more to the public. Latest update from Shropshire […]

Plan to improve Shropshire for walkers and cyclists

New walking and cycling routes are being proposed in Shropshire under a 10-year plan aimed at getting more people active. Latest update from BBC Newsroom: The proposals focus on seven key market towns including Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth and Ludlow, says Shropshire Council. Ten priority schemes have been identified, with most for Oswestry. The council’s cabinet decides […]

Focus on energy solutions at business breakfast

Many businesses are currently facing significant increases in their energy bills. Shropshire business leaders can get free advice on how to improve energy resilience and reduce energy costs at a collaborative breakfast event on Monday 6 March 2023. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council and Marches LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) are hosting a […]

Nineteen community groups receive grants for environmental projects

Shropshire community groups and environmental projects have been awarded a share of £15,000 from Veolia and Shropshire Council’s Envirogrant scheme. Nineteen projects from across the county were chosen from more than 100 applications to receive funding. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The awards were handed out at a ceremony at Shirehall in Shrewsbury on […]

New electric vehicle for country park rangers fleet

Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Rangers at Severn Valley Country Park (SVCP) near Alveley are cutting Shropshire Council’s carbon footprint by using a new electric buggy to get about the site. The new utility task vehicle (UTV) has just gone into service at the 126-acre country park and, as well as reducing reliance on […]

Leaner and greener businesses in Shropshire

Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Over 70 delegates attended an informative event held at AICO in Oswestry on 30 November. The Sustainability in Your Business event, hosted by AICO, and organised by the Business Environment Network (TBEN), was supported by the Federation for Small Business, Oswestry BID and the Marches Growth Hub (Shropshire). The event aimed […]

Have a Merry Sustainable Christmas from Zero Carbon Shropshire!

This is one of the hardest times of year to stick with sustainable living intentions, as it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of consumerism that Christmas can sometimes seem to be. We’ve probably all bought unsuitable presents in desperation on Christmas Eve before! Latest blog post from Zero Carbon Shropshire: by Julie […]

Community heat network to harness waste energy

Shropshire could become the first location in the West Midlands to have a district heating system supplying energy to businesses and public buildings, in Shrewsbury. Latest update from Shropshire Newsroom: As part of its drive to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2030, Shropshire Council is now exploring whether it can set up a […]

Air quality programme shortlisted for national award

A project by Shropshire Council to monitor and reduce ammonia in the air caused by intensive farming practices has been shortlisted for a national award. Latest update from Shropshire Newsroom: The Digital Leaders Net Zero 50 List is a list of the top 50 individuals, organisations, products and initiatives that are helping us to reach […]

New recycling wheelie bins delivered to nearly 80,000 homes

Almost 80,000 wheelie bins for recycling cans, glass and plastic have been delivered to homes across the Shropshire Council area in the last six months – with a further 19,000 set to be delivered before Christmas. Latest update from Shropshire Newsroom: The purple-lidded bins were available on request, with orders opening in mid-January [2022]. Just […]

Swamp mysteries competition to inspire wetland restoration project

People of all ages are being encouraged to let their imaginations run wild and help inspire a project to restore a wetland area at Stanmore Country Park in Bridgnorth. Latest update from Shropshire Newsroom: After winning grant funding from Severn Trent Community Fund, there are plans to restore a ‘misty swamp’ and the land around […]

Energy projects win £3.5million funding from Marches LEP

Three ambitious projects have won nearly £3.5million funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to boost the region’s energy security and meet Net Zero targets. Latest update from Telford and Wrekin Council Newsroom: The three schemes were selected from 29 different projects which applied for cash from the LEP’s innovative Marches Energy Fund. Marches LEP […]

Free air source boot camp offered to upskill Midlands based engineers

Teach A Trade have partnered with Telford College to offer West Midlands and Shropshire based engineers a chance to become qualified air source heat pump engineer. Through the delivery of a 5 day training programme engineers will learn the principles of air source heat pumps, and how to safely install, test, commission, service and repair […]

Call for climate conscious households to support open house event

Climate conscious households are being asked to share their knowledge and experience of green tech and retrofitting their homes at an open house event in October. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council, Zero Carbon Shropshire and Marches Energy Advice are encouraging people to sign up for Green Doors Day on Saturday 8 October […]

£15,000 of funding now available to community groups across Shropshire

Veolia UK and Shropshire Council have teamed up to offer £15,000 in funding to the county’s local community groups and clubs. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The first ever EnviroGrant scheme in Shropshire enables clubs or groups to apply for up to £1,000 in funding for projects that benefit the local community or environment. […]

Great Ness and Little Ness volunteer litter pickers praised for efforts

A voluntary litter picking group in the Great Ness and Little Ness areas of Shropshire has been praised for their efforts to clear rubbish and keep the area clean and tidy. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Members from the Great Mess to Little Mess community group pick litter weekly, and sometimes daily. The group […]

Free Community Tree Scheme opens for coming planting season

Landowners are being encouraged to sign up for Shropshire Council’s free Community Tree Scheme which is launching today, ahead of the 2022/23 planting season. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Shropshire Council secured funding worth £500,000 as part of a joint project led by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the […]

Landscape changes as conservation project advances 

People living in and visiting the Knighton area will notice a change on the horizon later this year – and it’s part of a much bigger plan under the Offa’s Dyke Conservation Project (ODCP).   Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The conifers above Knighton on Black Hall Farm are being carefully removed this autumn to […]

Increase seen in energy related scams

Scammers are using the increase in the energy price cap to try and take advantage of consumers, Shropshire Council’s trading standards team has warned. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Scammers are using the increase in the energy price cap to try and take advantage of consumers, Shropshire Council’s trading standards team has warned. The […]

Shropshire’s first sustainability festival sees influx of exhibitors

More than 30 companies have signed up to take part in Shropshire Goes Green, Shropshire Council’s first sustainability festival being held in September 2022 – and the list is still growing. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: Building on the success of November 2021’s Shropshire Goes Electric event, which put the spotlight on sustainable transport […]

Award winning Park securing funding to enhance biodiversity

The Green Flag award-winning Stanmore Country Park has been granted more than £72,000 from Severn Trent’s Community Fund and Shropshire Council to enhance bio-diversity and encourage children to be involved in its care. Latest update from Shropshire Council Newsroom: The Shining Light on Stanmore Park Project has received £65,582 from the Severn Trent Community Fund, […]

Try your hand at Citizen Science

Citizen science is when research is conducted, wholly or partly, by members of the public, who don’t need to have a science background. Citizen science is sometimes described as “public participation in scientific research”, and can have benefits both ways: advancing scientific knowledge by increasing capacity to undertake research, as well as increasing our own understanding of science. Latest blog post from Zero […]

How to help Shropshire’s youngest citizens avoid climate anxiety

Guest blog by Deborah Murphy – Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire: Rising climate anxiety amongst the young Eco- or Climate Anxiety is a growing phenomenon. According to an article by Jonathan Webb and Denis Campbell (The Guardian: 20.11.21) ‘more than half of child and adolescent psychiatrists in England are seeing patients distressed about the state of […]

If you care about bees should you eat honey?

Guest article on honey and bees by Michelle D’Arcy Jewell from The Vegan Hub: I’ve had a few people suggest that if they stopped eating honey then it would cause a decline in the number of bees and that would be catastrophic for the environment. I can totally understand why people might think this, after […]

Shropshire Council take measures to monitor and reduce Shrewsbury air pollution

Guest blog by Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire: In response to 2021 air pollution levels in Shrewsbury approaching or exceeding the national UK average, several initiatives and projects are in place to monitor and reduce air pollution in the town centre. Earthsense real-time pollution map To aid public information and education regarding air pollution, air quality […]

Severn Trent vows to get River Positive to help drive health of Britains’s rivers

Severn Trent has announced a Get River Positive Plan: five pledges to transform river water quality across their region.     “The commitments are a clear and actionable response to calls for a revival of rivers in England.  Central to the pledges is a commitment that work carried out by the company will ensure storm overflows […]

For peat’s sake…

Latest blog post from Zero Carbon Shropshire: What is peat and why WAS it important to humans? Peat is a wonderful thing.  But it is in many ways a victim of its own success.  Let me explain. Peat is a soil-like substance made of accumulated dead plant material, mainly Sphagnum moss, that has grown in […]

Soya, veganism and the environment

Guest article looking at Soya and alternatives. By Michelle D’Arcy Jewell from The Vegan Hub, Shrewsbury: Vegans are often told that the are a big contributor to environmental problems because of the amount of soya that they eat. Firstly there is no denying that growing soya is harming the environment. Masses of rainforests have been […]

Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire

At Mossy.Life we like to introduce you to individuals and organisations who are doing their bit for the planet. This week our focus is on Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire: Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire aims to empower the next generation of Shropshire’s decision makers to create and support the necessary measures outlined in the Zero Carbon […]

Shrewsbury weekend traffic reduction trial to continue until October

“The trial low-traffic scheme which has seen parts of Shrewsbury town centre closed to vehicles on weekends is to continue until at least October 2022 after proving popular with businesses and residents.” “Since 20 November 2021, Wyle Cop (uphill), High Street and Shoplatch have been closed to through-traffic from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and […]

Recycle More Plastic

Guest blog by Sally Lancaster from Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire We are all used to taking our own reusable bags to the supermarket these days. However, there is something else we should all remember to bring with us when we do the weekly food-shop….. our plastic packaging! An easy way to recycle more plastic. Perplexing […]

Tree planting promise in exchange for council tax ebilling sign-ups

“People in Shropshire can now support tree planting efforts by opting to receive their council tax bills electronically. Shropshire Council is promising to extend its existing Community Tree Scheme to plant at least one additional tree for every household that opts out of council tax paper billing and switches to council tax ebilling. Ebilling is […]

Volunteers help Ellesmere’s toads to cross the roads

“Two roads in Ellesmere will be partially closed overnight until the end of April [2022] to help toads in the  area to head back to their breeding ponds after hibernation. From 26 February to 30 April short sections of Swan Hill and Caegoody Lane will be closed between 7pm and 5am. Meanwhile, a local group […]

Tree planted to mark success of carbon-neutral highways maintenance programme

“A field maple tree has been planted on the Column roundabout in Shrewsbury to mark the completion of Shropshire Council’s £1m carbon-neutral highways maintenance programme – the first such programme in the UK. It’s in addition to hundreds of other trees that have been – or will be – planted in rural parts of Shropshire […]

Can a vegan diet really be planet friendly?

Interesting guest article by the knowledgeable Michelle D’Arcy Jewell from The Vegan Hub: Being vegan might not necessarily seem to be better for the environment. If you are used to buying your meat from the butcher without plastic packaging, and milk in glass bottles from the milkman you might think you are doing the best […]

FREE Carbon Literacy course available for Shropshire householders

Save Our Shropshire CIO (SOS) is offering a free Carbon Literacy course to individuals and Parish or Town Councils throughout Shropshire. The aim is to help increase understanding of Climate Change and empower communities to make a difference. Save Our Shropshire CIO SOS was founded in July 2021 – a charity dedicated to increasing people’s […]

Shropshire Good Food Partnership launches its Good Food Charter

We are at a critical moment in time. A lack of meaningful leadership is failing huge segments of the population and the planet. We must create the change we know is needed ourselves. Addressing the challenges within the food system is a great way to start. Food touches all our lives and has impacts on […]

Shropshire business shows the way in tackling climate change

Guest post by Kevin Oubridge, Accelerated Success and Zero Carbon Shropshire Businesses from across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin met up in late September to discuss a hot topic leading up to COP26 in Glasgow, climate change. Scientists agree climate change has been caused by greenhouse gases that humans have been pumping into the atmosphere […]

September in the Homegrown Garden

Tips and ideas for your homegrown vegetable garden by the knowledgeable Theresa from Homegrown Market Garden… Well there’s definitely a nip in the air now and with the need to close greenhouse doors comes a reminder that autumn is well and truly in the offing. Not to be dismayed though as the growing season is […]

August in the Homegrown Garden

Tips and ideas for August for your homegrown vegetable garden by the knowledgeable Theresa from Homegrown Market Garden… With lots of harvesting underway this month it might be easy to forget that there are still jobs to do and new crops to plant! As we remove plants that have finished for the season it’s a […]

July in the homegrown garden

July is a lovely month in the garden as we get to enjoy some of our early harvests alongside having some generally great weather, much loved by plants and home growers alike. It’s a time when our vegetables really start to mature, kales are large and leafy, colourful lettuces ready for the table and fresh […]

Shropshire estate becomes official release site for Cuan Wildlife

Bradford Estates covers around 12,000 acres of Shropshire countryside and has partnered with wildlife rescue charity Cuan Wildlife to allow more animals to be released back into their natural habitats. Fran Hill and Deb Bolger from Cuan Wildlife visited Bradford Estates, which is based on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border. The partnership will allow rehabilitated wildlife to […]

£15.9 million grant scheme available to create new woodlands

A new grant scheme for landowners has been launched create woodlands that boost biodiversity, support rivers, and provide public access. £15.9 million funding from The Forestry Commission will support the creation of new woodlands. This includes planting new trees, alongside allowing trees to self seed and grow. This natural woodland regeneration improves habitats for wildlife […]

June Vegan Vibes

Guest Article by Michelle D’Arcy Jewell Not Just Food Going vegan isn’t just about changing your diet. There are lots of other aspects you need to think about too. A lot of toiletries contain animal products and some are produced by companies that still test on animals. It might be a good time to consider […]

June in the Homegrown Garden

Well the weather is finally here. With the disappointing stops and starts of such a wet May behind us its now great being able to finally get stuck into our vegetable growing. Squashes and courgettes are already racing ahead and it’s wonderful to see how everything is thriving in the sunshine. Of course that does […]

Couple swap London commute to raise worms in Shropshire

Luke and Steph Boxall have swapped the hectic London city life for country idyll in an attempt to bring the benefits of worm poo to South Shropshire. “Worm Soil” is produced by hundreds of thousands of worms on their smallholding near Bridgnorth, and sold as an eco-friendly fertiliser. The product is sold in reusable and […]

This weeks Mossy news

A quick round-up of this weeks key green news from around Shropshire. Wellington blossoming again with launch of gardening competition Wellington is set to prove that it is blossoming again after lockdown, with the second annual gardening competition being launched. Green fingered residents of the town are being encouraged to enter the contest, organised by […]

Farm Shop harnesses summer sunshine to go off grid

Apley Farm Shop near Bridgnorth made a huge step towards its net zero carbon goal this week, by installing a new solar array next to the car park. The state of the art panels installed by Noble Green Energy, took just over a week to install, and will produce just over 90% of the complexes […]

Lottery funding supports new environmental youth group

Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) in partnership with South Shropshire Youth Forum have recently secured National Lottery Heritage funding for their Young Rangers project. Encouraging 12-16 year olds to take part in a range of conservation, outdoor discovery and heritage activities around the Shropshire Hills AONB. In addition to the school aged project […]

Endangered species found at British Ironwork Centre

The British Ironwork Centre has opened a new Extinction Trail designed to inform and educate visitors about a select number of species that are in danger or are under threat of extinction. The number of animal species threatened with extinction continues to skyrocket every year as a result of human interference and general neglect. The […]

May Vegan Vibes

Guest Article by Michelle D’Arcy Jewell Grow it Yourself Now that the weather is getting much warmer, many people like to spend more time in the garden. Although growing flowering plants makes your garden look beautiful, you should always consider finding some space to grow some vegetables too. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t […]

Bridgnorth electrical business turns to solar energy

152 photovoltaic panels have been added to the roof of TG Electrical Services building at Chartwell Park. TG Group is committed to operating in a sustainable and responsible manner at all its locations and have worked with Caplor Energy for this latest step towards a sustainable business model. TG Electrical Services manager, Chris Lloyd, said: […]

May in the Homegrown Garden

We can see start to see a lot happening in the vegetable garden this month. Whilst we previously welcomed new growth and spring blossom, we’ll now likely be noticing the weeds making an appearance! They’ll need our attention if we’re hoping to given new seedlings the space they need to grow. Remove with a hoe […]

Ancient trees vs relief road

Guest article by Campaigner Jo Blackman… Today is Earth Day, a day when people all over the world collectively call for the transformational change our world so desperately needs. Earth Day challenges us to hold governments, local councils and corporations to account for their role in the climate and environmental crises, while also helping to […]

Competitions to celebrate young people coming together to protect the planet

Generation Zero Carbon Shropshire is a collective of young Shropshire-based people. Their hope is to encourage everyone in the County to help achieve the necessary conditions to reduce emissions to net zero by 2030.  The group was founded by a small team of young adults aged 18-26 and has been growing in membership even before […]

World Earth Day goes live 20th-22nd April

Starting back in 1970, World Earth day was a day to celebrate and encourage environmental protection. Occurring every year on the 22nd April it is an opportunity to focus on our planet and highlight the damage that humans do to Earth as well as the positive opportunities for change. Starting from the 20th April there […]

Current state of UK’s native woods showcased in first of it’s kind report

National Charity the Woodland Trust has released the State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2021, a first of it’s kind report laying out the facts and trends on the current state of the UK’s native woods and trees. By understanding their current state effective plans can be made to protect and recover natural areas, […]

Cloth nappy support at Little Green House Childcare

An established childcare setting in Bridgnorth is actively encouraging parents to try cloth nappies in their bid to reduce the masses of waste produced by using disposable nappies. Little Green House Childcare and Family Hub have a range of staff experienced in using and changing a wide range of cloth nappies brands and styles. From […]

1,700 solar panels to save Shropshire hospital £217,000

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) have installed 1,760 solar panels in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint and save vital funds. Along with installation of new energy efficient lighting RJAH estimate they will save £217,00 annually (a third of their electricity bills), as well as reducing their […]

Shropshire recycling rates plateau

Englands county recycling rates confirm that Shropshire is in the top fifty counties. In 2019/2020 54.6 percent of Shropshire’s waste was recycled. Landfill of domestic waste has reduced from 13 percent of waste to 2 percent since 2014/2015, but the overall recycling rate for the county has not improved over the last five years. Other […]

Go vegan for the environment

Vegan Vibes by Michelle D’Arcy Jewell There are lots of reasons why someone might choose to have a vegan lifestyle but it seems that there are an increasing number of people choosing to omit animal products from their life to help the environment. Research has shown that there are many environmental issues associated with animal […]