This weekend... and beyond

Two things with a focus this weekend:

1. Our Food group has scheduled a regular series of events, working at the library garden. So, if you’re interested in helping out and getting acquainted with what the garden has to offer, and what it could in future, why not make a note now? Sessions are being organised on:

• the first Saturday of each month (starting this weekend, Saturday 1st September), 11.00-1.00p.m., and;
• the third Thursday of each month, starting 20th September, 7-8.00p.m. and recommencing when light evenings resume.

The focus will be on general maintenance and development of the site, to make it attractive and productive for all. If you’re interested, just turn up! If you’ve some questions, ask Jo Hanney at jo@dchanney.plus.com or on 01663 749795. Or go along to the next Food Group meeting (very informal, in the back room at The Royal) at 7.00p.m., Thursday September 13th.

And if you, or someone you know well, have a particular skill with food products (making, cooking, growing), and would be prepared to share this with keen Food Group members, please contact Jo (details above). The group is planning to hold some skills sharing workshops (preserving/bread making/cider making) and Jo would be delighted to hear from potential ‘sharers’!

2. Continuing the food theme, don't forget the Hayfield Allotment Society/Parish Council Summer Show being held at the Village Hall, Saturday 1st September. It's been a very strange, almost extreme, growing season, so it will be interesting to see what entrants have managed to achieve. There's a huge array of classes for fruit and veg, flowers, home produce and cakes, and a good range of children's classes too. And there's a vibrant craft section too (not dependent on the weather!). Schedules are available at major outlets in the village (so there's still a chance!) Entries need to be brought to the Village Hall no later than 11.00a.m., and entry forms can be completed on the day. Judging takes place 11-2.00p.m., and all exhibits are open to view from 2-4.00p.m., so there's opportunity to pop along to the library garden in between and contribute to the 'growing group' there!

What's Your Car Choice?

When a year or so ago the first major car manufacturer announced it would no longer produce any pure petrol or diesel cars from 2019, it sent shock waves through the motor industry. Now almost all car makers have their own plans – soon – to phase out production of such vehicles, which cause of so much greenhouse gas emissions and life-shortening pollution. And sales of electric and electric/hybrid vehicles are growing steadily: latest industry data suggests almost 6% of all cars sold in the current year are purely electric or are hybrid models, and that’s up a good deal on 2017.

The times they-are-a-changing. Electric cars are starting to appear in Hayfield. But many of us know little about such vehicles. Recognising this, Sustainable Hayfield is hosting a presentation by Graham Hirst, entitled ‘Electric Cars – All You Need to Know’ at Hayfield Cricket Club on Thursday September 6th at 7.30p.m. Graham has no vested interest in the sector but has researched the core information and, with testimonials from one or two local electric car owners, will aim to address the most commonly asked questions about ‘going electric’ – with help too from some government-sponsored video material.

All of us who own a car need increasingly to think what we’ll do when it’s time to consider any new vehicle we might buy. But what’s the fuller story, and where’s the information about this new – and rapidly growing – range of vehicles? Most of us feel pretty uninformed about the costs, benefits and practical implications of ’going electric’. This is a chance to find out some of the basic facts....and ask your questions. The event should be of wide interest and we invite you to join us. It's all free, and there's a bar available (but you have to pay for your drinks!)

Posters are going up around the village. We hope we might see you there. Do make a note in your diary.

AGM Minutes

Minutes for the 2018 Sustainable Hayfield AGM can be downloaded here.