Two key dates for your diary - 17th and 25th July   As we come to the end of another record breaking heatwave, it seems timely to be announcing two very important Sustainable Hayfield events coming up in July, both in memory of Laurie James, whom we lost as a long standing Trustee last year, in what is his birthday month. We hope that as many of you as possible are able to join us for both events, as we celebrate Laurie's life and legacy to the village and wider environment, and seek to carry on his work particularly with regard to the climate and nature crises.   First up, we are holding our Inaugural Laurie James Lecture - Climate Change: Global Crisis to Local Action by Kevin Anderson, International Climate Scientist and local Hayfield Resident on Friday 17th July, 7.30pm at Hayfield Primary School. Click here for poster   This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's leading experts on Climate Change and recent participant in the National Emergency Briefing, and to be part of a serious conversation as to how, as individuals and a community, we can respond and be a constructive part of the solution to the Climate Crisis.   Looking forward to the lecture, Kevin says " The greatest barrier to tackling climate change is no longer a lack of scientific understanding, but a lack of honesty about what that science demands. For too long, politicians, business leaders, much of the media and even parts of academia have offered comforting narratives of future technologies and painless transitions, while the gap between promises and reality has continued to grow. Professor Kevin Anderson argues that the era of easy answers is over. The choices ahead are difficult, but pretending otherwise only makes them harder. Real leadership will not come from governments alone. It will come when informed citizens create the political will for meaningful action. This event is an opportunity to hear the evidence, ask difficult questions, and explore how our community can help drive the change that is urgently needed."   Later in the month, we will be taking an active role with other community groups and Laurie's family in Laurie James Memorial Day, on 25th July, 10.30 to 4.30pm with a range of events during the day as we remember Laurie and celebrate his life and legacy to the village and wider environment. Schedule for the day: 11.00am – Bluebell wood walk, departing from St Matthews church, to include an informative talk on the restorative work being undertaken in the wood and the "blessing" of a memorial plaque. (note the walk to the wood is circa 10 minutes each way and easy flat walking). 12.30pm - Memorial service, at St Matthews Church, in celebration of Laurie’s life. Followed by Bring and Share community picnic in Hayfield Village Hall and Garden, an opportunity to chat and share memories together. Bring something to "eat, drink, share" and leave in the Village Hall Kitchen - anytime from 10.30am - and a rug to sit on! And be dressed for the weather of the day! We hope to see you there, Best wishes, The Sustainable Hayfield team

 

Dear Sustainable Hayfield Supporter, Thanks to all who attended our screening of the People's Emergency Briefing to a packed hall at Hayfield Primary School last Friday 5th June. Whilst many of us are already familiar with many aspects of the Climate Change and Nature Crisis, the film brought home the sheer scale and urgency of these cascading crises. It also made clear that many of the solutions are already available to us. It is in our collective hands to adopt them.  It is time for us to take action, as laid out below.   1) Engage your MP. Ask your MP to join the Parliamentary Call for a televised emergency briefing via this link https://www.nebriefing.org/parliamentary-call and tell them why it is so important to you. 2) Tell your friends and family and encourage them to go and see a screening of the People's Emergency Briefing. Click https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map to find your nearest venue. You can also watch the full briefings here https://www.nebriefing.org/expert-briefings 3) Sign the petition asking the Government to hold a UK wide briefing on the climate and nature crisis found here https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/767687#main-content 4) Did you know that one of the panel experts, Kevin Anderson, is part of our Hayfield community! So why not join us for his talk on the climate emergency on 17th July (venue TBC), where he will be sharing his expert knowledge at our inaugural Laurie James Lecture. 5) Take local action, either individually or as part of Sustainable Hayfield or the many other local environmental campaign and action groups in the area. We can achieve so much more if we work collaboratively together, and it is important for as many of us to take positive action as possible to create the political and social environment to enable the change we need. To join Sustainable Hayfield, please email sustainablehayfielduk@gmail.com to find out more, get involved in one or more of our action groups below or for support in launching your own sustainable initiative.  Sustainable Hayfield Action Groups:     Biodiversity Energy Food Transport (Buses, Boots & Bikes) Advocacy Reduce, Reuse, Recycle We look forward to working together moving forward! Regards The Sustainable Hayfield team

Nest scheduled talk - "Mini Switzerland, a rural integrated transport project" on Tuesday 26th May

 

“Mini Switzerland, a rural integrated transport project” by Hope Valley Climate Action Group.  Tuesday 26th May 7.30pm Venue: Hayfield Village Hall POSTER.pdf Every Swiss village, no matter how remote, has a bus or train connection at least once an hour. Local buses meet local trains, longer distance buses and intercity trains. Timetables align seamlessly, ticketing is integrated, and trust in public transport runs deep. In the UK, rural connectivity tells a different story. Thousands of communities have lost bus links over the past decade, leaving many reliant on cars or isolated altogether. Mini Switzerland sets out how the UK could adopt the principles behind Switzerland’s rural transport success and create a connected countryside once again. Detailed plans have been published for ‘Mini Switzerland’, a national transport demonstrator for the Hope Valley at the heart of the Peak District National Park. The full Mini Switzerland report is available to download here, and the project brochure here.  And for more details on the project visit https://hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk/switzerland-in-the-peak-district/ This looks to be an inspiring project paving the way to improved rural transport. We hope to see you soon at the talk. Team Sustainable Hayfield

Spring 2026 seed swap

 

Dear Sustainable Hayfield Member/Supporter Hayfield Plant Swap Station Is Open for 2026. Located at the library garden beside the front entrance to the library, where you will see this sign...  The purpose of the plant swap is the same as it has been in previous years, to enable new and established gardeners to share or acquire plants, by donating some of their own surpluses in turn, to fill out gardens and allotments and windowsills! The basics are; please label your plants so folk know what's on offer (there is a tin with some spare labels if you don't have them)  water donated plants before/as you bring them to stop them wilting; if you don't have anything to donate, still turn up and see what you could make use of; once done, please don't leave any paraphernalia around as it gets blown about and messes up the site.  Thrift Hayfield on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/290417179485951 is a good place to exchange other things.  Happy plant swapping! Team Sustainable Hayfield

Navigating the Energy tariff maze - the first of our 2026 schedule of talks....

 

                    All welcome to this very informative talk by Richard Noakes, Energy Group                          lead...... fundamental knowledge not only to save money, but to be part of the                        solution towards a low carbon sustainable energy future in the UK

 

 

Buses, Bikes and Boots Update

It has been a busy few months for the Buses, Bikes and Boots group, and specifically our campaign to improve local bus services.

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who completed the bus survey recently? Click here for bus survey results. The information has been sent to the East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, and Jon Pearce MP who are both very impressed with the work we have done. A hard copy of the survey results is also available in Hayfield Library for anyone who wants to take a look. 

Following on from this, we were also delighted to be joined by both East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, local MP Jon Pearce and some of our local councilors on the 61 bus, intended to highlight the social and economic importance of the route and to put the case for extending the service to evenings and / or Sundays. The day was a great success, with all parties expressing their support for the work we are doing and the proposals in principle to extend the service.

Click here for video clip of 61 ride with East Midlands Mayor

Thank you to all involved!

Watch this space for further news. 

In the meantime, you can support our work by #takingthebus when ever you can!

Sustainable Hayfield Team

 LET THE BUS AND THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN THIS CHRISTMAS!!                                 

The Christmas Markets in Stockport and Manchester are now in full swing. 

For some there'll also be work Christmas parties, or even a shopping trip!

We think your best bet for travelling in and getting back to Hayfield is public transport. 

Take a look at all these travel options on the 358 bus and trains.

#takethebus 

#letthetraintakethestrain 

#activetravel

                                                        

APPLE DAY 2025                                                              

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Sustainable Hayfield AGM last Thursday 18^th September at Hayfield Primary School.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, we were delighted to welcome Alan Simpson, Sustainable and Active Travel Ambassador to The East Midlands Mayor to speak, and what a treat we had.

His message was loud and clear………….GO LOCAL TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE 💚

As summarised by Gill Scott, our Transport Group lead

“Alan was very positive about the work of all the groups in Sustainable Hayfield, and gave us invaluable advice on how to work with the Mayor on initiatives that will connect people and are inclusive, and will support efforts to decarbonise.

He was passionate about the future of young people, and stressed that any projects we do should be intergenerational to combat isolation and alienation of young and old people.

We came away buzzing with ideas, and with a toolkit on how to approach our leaders and decision-makers.

It was an honour to spend an evening with such a giant of politics for the people”

Our next step as a group will be to form a brainstorming working party to generate a shopping list of ideas, chunk by chunk as Alan suggested, to feed through to the mayoral team, focusing initially on both Transport and Energy projects. This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference so if you have any ideas, or would like to get involved then please contact Gill Scott via gillscott7@hotmail.com or Cath Moss via camo0202@outlook.com

Dear Sustainable Hayfield Member/Supporter

This is to advise you formally of the upcoming Sustainable Hayfield AGM on Thursday September 18th at Hayfield Primary School, starting at 7.30p.m. 

Please click on the links for an agenda for the meeting, minutes from last AGM, the Chair’s report, the Treasurer’s reports and a financial report from the Biodiversity subgroup. 
 
Agenda Sustainable Hayfield AGM 2025
 
Minutes of 2024 AGM
 
Chair's Report
 
Treasurers Report 2024-25
 
Biodiversity Group Finance report

The AGM is an opportunity to catch up with all we are doing, how our money is being spent, and to consider whether you might wish to join our existing band of Trustees. 
 
Whilst everyone is welcome, only those who have registered as members are able to vote on any matter at the AGM. If you know you are not yet a member, but wish to be so, simply email our Secretary, Pennie Roberts, at iampennieroberts@gmail.com and your membership will be confirmed. Membership is entirely free and without obligation.

Following the brief AGM, we are hosting a talk by Alan Simpson, who is the Sustainable Travel Ambassador for East Midlands Mayoral Authority 
 
"Putting inclusive transport at the heart of our response to a climate challenged future."
 
Alan will be talking about his role and vision sustainable travel for the East Midlands, and there will opportunity for questions and discussion.
 
We very much hope we might see you at the AGM. It should be enjoyable!
 
Sustainable Hayfield

Plastic Free Challenge - July to September!!

We are Going Plastic-free !!

If you are reading this in July, or it has suddenly become August then it’s time to consider taking part in Sustainable Hayfield’s plastic-free challenge. Why July? Well that’s the national Plastic Free July initiative when we are all encouraged to pledge to ditch at least one source of plastic in our lives. Sustainable Hayfield supports this by running a plastic-free challenge at this time of year to motivate you to have a go.

There are prizes! We have some vouchers from Millers Refillers in New Mills for you to win. If you aren’t lucky enough to get a voucher then pop along to Millers Refillers anyway as shopping there for your groceries is a great way to start or continue your plastic-free journey. Just take along your own containers and take a look at just how much you can buy without adding to the plastic crisis. 

For ideas on what and how to pledge go to www.plasticfreejuly.org. It’s full of ideas, quizzes and other resources to help you. Send a screenshot of your pledge or an email outlining what you are doing to sustainablehayfielduk@gmail.com.

If you are not on-line or are unsure how to use the website here are some ideas they provide

• Avoid buying items packaged in single-use plastic.

• Take a reusable plastic box along to the butcher and ask them to use that for your meat.

• Carry a reusable cup with you if you buy takeaway tea or coffee.

• Buy fruit and veg loose and avoid the plastic bags supplied by supermarkets - take your own or weigh them loose.

You can make a pledge for just one day of plastic-free living, a week, a month or a forever pledge. Start small and see how you get on. Every piece of single-use plastic you avoid picking up is one less piece that will end up being discarded into the environment.

You can always write out your pledge and pop it into the postbox at 15b Church Street, Hayfield if that’s easier.

The Sustainable Hayfield plastic-free challenge runs until our AGM on 18th September so get thinking and let us know what you are doing.

Good Luck on your plastic-free journey!

Not taken part in the Hayfield Big Bird Watch?

There is still time!

Just Click here and record the birds you see and hear in a private or public space for an hour today. You may be amazed at how many birds there are.

We are so looking forward to welcoming Jo Gregory from The Hummingbird Project to Hayfield for the fourth and final talk as part of the climate and nature crisis series....

On the evening, as well as hearing about the wonderful work they are doing for those in need, Jo will be doing a practical demonstration of the gift economy on the night for all to get involved. 

She will be bringing a number of items for people to take away, and everyone is invited to bring along something of their own that they no longer need - clothes, books, kitchen appliances, garden ware etc. to gift / swap in. 

So come and join us, hear about the wonderful Hummingbird project and get swapping!  

 

Looking back on our schedule of talks..... all of which have been well attended and very informative... hopefully see you at the next one at the end of June... 

Walks from the Bus!

We are delighted to share with you our two #walks from the bus leaflets, covering both the 61 (Buxton to Glossop via Hayfield) and 358 (Hayfield to Stockport) services. 

Why not click on the links below and enjoy the various walks and destinations accessible from the 358 bus. A great way to keep active, enjoy the local countryside and other attractions whilst support our invaluable local bus services at the same time, helping to maintain and build our local resilience and sustainability. 

And taking the bus rather than driving also helps ease congestion and reduce CO2 emissions. 

Click here for the Walks from the 61 Bus

Click here for the Walks from the 358 Bus 

Enjoy! 

 

 
Come and join us for an informative talk on Peak Cluster, a local project hoping to find the solution for dealing with CO2 emissions from cement and lime production.

With cement production being the single largest cause of CO2 emissions in Derbyshire that keeps us at the bottom of CO2 reduction league tables, this is a difficult topic with many differing views.
 
This talk is to help us all be better informed and an opportunity for all to share their views.

Be part of the conversation as collectively we seek to rise to the ever growing climate and nature challenge..

Sustainable Hayfield Team

 

                  

    Dear Sustainable Hayfield  Member/Supporter

    Welcome to your New Year/winter Sustainable Hayfield newsletter, bringing you up to date     with what we're doing. It's here.

    Here's a few things you may wish to be aware of, and respond to:

• tree planting session Sunday 12th January (see pages 3-4)
• donate spare saplings to our tree nursery (p.4) 
• bread making workshop Saturday 1st February (booking needed)  (p5)
• use your repair-making skills at our twice yearly Repair Cafe (p.3)
• if you've experience/qualifications in electrical work, do please contact us (p.3)
• become a member, if you haven't already (p.7)

    And......early notice.......our 2025 Apple Day is on Saturday 18th October, at the primary            school, as usual
 
    Regards

    The Sustainable Hayfield team

 

We are delighted to share that Sustainable Hayfield were recently the proud runners up in the Crompton and Woodcock Award 2024, in recognition of "Your Outstanding Contribution to the Community". Awarded by High Peak CVS