News
It is so good to see how important our environment and nature is to people in our community. Awareness has been raised by the children striking from school, protests by Extinction Rebellion, several television programmes (particularly David Attenborough) and the increase in news reporting of environmental and climate issues. We see lots of people taking part in our projects or events or buying eco products or recycling packaging in our shop and are aware that many people are ‘doing their bit ‘ for the environment. Hopefully this will all encourage our government to act now before it’s too late.
This is a great time of year to be out and about and learning more about nature locally. This week we are organising two Bat Walks, one on Thursday 16th May (free for over 55s as part of the Royal Voluntary Service “First Time for Everything” programme) and one on Friday 17th May. You will encounter Stroud’s many incredible types of bats with a local expert. We will listen for bats using bat detectors and hope to spot some flying.Bring warm clothes and a torch. Both walks are in Stratford Park 8.30pm to 10.30pm and you can book a place through Stroud Valleys Project. On Friday night The Museum in the Park will be open late for Museums at Night, 7pm- 11pm - a chance to explore the Museum and ‘secret garden’ after hours.
Our popular Seedling Swap and Plant Sale is this Saturday 18 May from 10.30am - 1pm outside SVP eco shop
If you have any spare or unwanted seedlings you can give them a good home through our seedling swap/sale. Bring along any seedlings that you have spare and exchange them for others.Both vegetable and flower varieties welcome.
Even if you don’t have any seedlings to swap, you can still take some for a donation. It’s a great way to meet other gardeners and to share advice and knowledge.
- Created: 05 June 2019
As part of Stroud Valleys Project’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, the local charity has been awarded funds from Awards for All to plant a variety of trees in the local area. The charity’s CEO planted the first of the trees at the Giffords Circus headquarters in Lypiatt near Stroud with Nell Gifford, the owner/producer of Giffords Circus.
The trees came from Day’s Cottage which specialises in old and unusual varieties of Gloucestershire apple and pear trees. Nell and the team at Giffords chose the Jenny Lind variety of apple tree. This variety of dessert apple is a Gloucestershire listed species, named by Gloucestershire Orchard Trust as a critical species, found in fewer than 10 Orchards across Gloucestershire.
- Created: 13 March 2019
It’s a New Year and time for our annual Diary and Calendar Swap. If you have any unwanted 2019 diaries or calendars you can drop them off at our eco shop and if you need one you can collect one (and make a donation to our charity if you can).
If you’re looking for something new to start the New Year, we are actively seeking new outdoor volunteers for several new projects over the next two months. Some of our projects are about wildlife and conservation and others are about gardening and food growing. Our volunteers come from all walks of life with different interests, skills and abilities, if you are interested in joining one of our groups, please contact me to discuss your interests.
- Created: 23 January 2019
It is really good that the leaders of Stroud District Council's cooperative alliance have issued a joint statement declaring a clima
te emergency. This follows the recent IPCC report which warned that we only have 12 years to take emergency action in order to prevent global warming greater than 1.5°C. Council leader Doina Cornell said: "A zero carbon district by 2030 is ambitious, and will need everyone not just politicians to be involved, but we owe it to the future to do this.
"Time is running out and we need to be bold and brave."
The sense of urgency has also been expressed by Extinction Rebellion, a growing group of environmental activists who are helping to raise awareness of this issue.
- Created: 23 January 2019
In the November 2018 edition of the Cotswold Life online magazine, you can read our chief executive Clare Mahdiyone's interview with their editor :
Cotswold Life interview with Clare Mahdiyone, CEO, Stroud Valleys Project
- Created: 01 November 2018
The news was already worrying enough, but a new report from the world’s leading climate scientists has warned of catastrophic climate change unless global warming is limited to 1.5°C average global temperature above pre-industrial levels. The report finds that unless fundamental changes are made urgently across society, this level could be exceeded in as little as 12 years.
- Created: 31 October 2018
We had our second Stroud Swift Group meeting last night and I am so pleased there are lots of people like me who love the swifts! People have contacted us to let us know about nesting sites in Stroud, Nailsworth and Minchinhampton, and others who are doing building work and want some advice.
- Created: 31 October 2018
I was very sad in May and June as the swifts did not arrive in my valley. I saw them around Stroud, but not in my garden where I love to see them swooping and screaming! To me the swifts signify the start of summer and it was a real relief when they arrived; this made me want to find out more about them.
- Created: 31 October 2018
Will you be one of our 30 at 30?
Stroud Valleys Project is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion we are seeking to grow a group of supporters to give regularly and help us offer even more to people and places in the community.
- Created: 31 October 2018
The cowslips and the bluebells are out - and by the time you read this the cows will be on the commons – a real sign of summer in this area. There are lots of events coming up that will give you a chance to see and enjoy some of the nature and wildlife in our area. The Festival of Nature starts at the end of May; the brochure, giving details of lots of nature based activities, will be available in the Farmers Market on Saturday.
- Created: 31 October 2018
