Peterborough’s Millennium Green Wheel turns 25 today. To celebrate this anniversary, PECT is giving its signage a much-needed spruce up.

The Green Wheel – a cycling network with inner and outer routes and ‘spokes’ linking them to the city centre – was one of the first large-scale projects delivered by PECT. Created in sections, it was officially opened at a ceremony in Cathedral Square on Sunday 3 September 2000.

Now, PECT is planning to refresh interpretation boards and directional signage, and it is inviting local people to share their fond memories of enjoying the Green Wheel.

The Green Wheel was an £11 million project which saw the construction of the award-winning Shanks Millennium Bridge over the River Nene at Stanground Washes, completing a fully off-road route between Peterborough and Whittlesey for cyclists, horse riders, and pedestrians. Fifty per cent of the funding came from the National Lottery’s Millennium Commission, with matched contributions from project partners.

Today, the network comprises just over 60 miles of off-road cycle paths, bridleways and low-traffic roads, linking country parks at Ferry Meadows and Crown Lakes with picturesque villages, such as Marholm and Peakirk, and the Flag Fen Archaeology Park.

Announcing PECT’s plans to improve the Green Wheel, CEO Stuart Dawks said: “Many Peterborians will have happy memories of cycling and walking the Green Wheel over the years. It’s one of the great things about Peterborough. And it’s more than just a network of routes connecting the city’s cherished green spaces.”

More than 60 interpretation boards, celebrating the social, natural, and cultural history of Peterborough and its rural surrounds, were installed as part of the Green Wheel. But after 25 years in the open, many are now looking worse for wear.

“Over the coming months, we’ll be repairing and replacing some of them, and cutting back overgrown vegetation,” explained Stuart.

Parts of the Green Wheel have changed over the years, and we want to make sure people can still find their way around it easily.”

To commemorate 25 years of the Green Wheel, PECT is also asking people to send digital ‘postcards’ in the form of photos, videos, and short messages recalling memorable days on the Green Wheel, favourite views, and beloved pit stops. These postcards will be shared on an online pinboard, with postcard senders being entered into a draw to win a £100 cycling gift voucher.

Postcards from the Green Wheel can be emailed to info@pect.org.uk. More info about the Green Wheel, including a route map and updates on improvement works, can be found here.

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1. It’s a great form of exercise

Do you fancy getting your 60 minutes of movement each day but just can’t seem to find the time? Why don’t you swap your mode of transport from wheels to walks! Not only does this boost vitamin D levels and increase your step count, but you have the choice of a restorative stroll or an uphill sweaty workout.

2. It’s wonderful for your creativity…

John Clare was an English poet, born in Helpston in 1793 and he became known for his celebrations of the English countryside. His love for poetry came from his admiration of nature and rural life. Other famous poets such as William Wordsworth also spent much of their life on foot, inspiring their work. So why not walk in the footsteps of these poets to spark creativity?

3. An excuse to get a coffee or an ice cream.

Who doesn’t love a coffee to-go or an ice-cream date with a friend? This sociable activity is a great way to catch up whilst getting some fresh air. It’s a cheap and cheerful way to stimulate conversation or listen to music in the spring and summer months.

4. It’s rejuvenating…

The beauty of the countryside can be taken for granted a lot of the time. Our busy lives can be hectic and noisy with all the traffic and telephone calls. It can be hard to even hear ourselves think sometimes. Find the treasured tranquillity between the trees and use this time to meditate in a form that suits you.

5. Let’s help the planet!

Not only does it save money on petrol (an important factor these days!) but it also reduces air and noise pollution and no doubt you’ll feel happier knowing you’re chipping in to save the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.

Please keep an eye out for our well-being walks that the JCC team are hosting each month on the PECT website here. Any questions or queries regarding these walks, please don’t hesitate to contact us at johnclarecountryside@pect.org.uk for more information.

This blog post was submitted by Olivia Horne who works on the John Clare Countryside Project. Visit https://johnclarecountryside.co.uk/ to find out more.

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Transport makes up over 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, over 90% of which is generated by road transport, and 61% of that relates to emissions from cars and taxis. Plus, an astonishing 70-80% of employees travel to work by car (and don’t car share). From my professional experience, I also know that commuter mileage is a huge area of impact – but one that people find really hard to tackle in our busy lives.

How I got into cycling to work

Back when the PECT offices were based in the city centre, lift-sharing was the only option to travel to work with a lower carbon footprint for me. Then just before lockdown, we moved offices to a location where I would finally have a safe cycle route to work. I now had one less excuse to avoid riding my bike to work. My other excuses were as good as they were common. I worried about making the nursery pick up, children getting sick in the middle of the day and needing immediate collection and afterschool clubs. I also worried about the length of time to get in – over an hour vs 20 minutes driving.

But I also know that to tackle any kind of big change, sometimes we just need to test the waters and see if our worries are actually without solutions. I could also see around me that people were doing it and making it work – colleagues and neighbours who had the same challenges but still managed to figure it out.

The first step was really doing a trial run. So, I organised to meet a colleague and have lunch at Ferry Meadows (it was lockdown, not much else to do!). I packed a big rucksack with extra clothes, lots of high calorie snacks, a tyre pump, emergency flares… basically the biggest, heaviest mental security blanket I could think of so I knew that  if I got stranded on the longest 13-mile journey ever, I would be safe.

I mainly needed to know how long it would it take, and would it be too challenging to be a regular habit?  Would I arrive exhausted and drenched in sweat? Would those three long hills past Elton do me in? Would I be able to navigate Orton’s end of the Green Wheel cycleway and not get lost? Could cycling work for me? The answer to all of these questions was strongly, YES.

I did arrive sweaty, a bit shaky, and totally got lost in town. But I also felt really good, and the journey was lovely. And because I did all of my exercise at the beginning and end of the workday, I could completely skip my other exercise routines, which meant time spent cycling was gained back by not spending an hour at the gym. I knew I could figure the rest out if I could remove  the other issues that made it hard. I settled on converting my bike to an eBike.

Despite all my really good excuses, I found a way to make cycling to work easier, by managing my schedule, getting the right kit, and getting handy with a few tools.

Why I chose an eBike conversion kit

eBikes are generally made with the motor and kit fully integrated. Bought new, these bikes cost upwards of £1,500-2,000 for the features I was looking for. eBike kits will enable you to take your existing bike and simply add a motor and battery, at half the cost or more. Once I knew what I wanted to spend, I took advantage of a pre-payment deal that got me a 50% discount. Given that my bike was bought second-hand cheaply, the whole package was a really good deal for me, amounting to about a third of what I was expecting to pay. As I trialled a friend’s eBike and enjoyed it, I went with the brand Swytch. At the time of writing, I have travelled about 300 miles or so, and I have liked the product so far.

How to install the eBike kit

• Swap the front wheel for the kit’s motorised wheel with connectors.
• Then install the battery mount on the handle-bars.
• Install the pedal sensor.
• Connect it all up, and you’re ready to fly!

From start to finish, it took me and a friend 2+ hours to install. Like someone cooking a complex recipe for the first time – or putting together flatpack furniture – we were very thorough. We installed the wheel the wrong way round at first go. If you’re more handy, it would maybe take you 30 minutes.

Useful cycling tips

These are my personal tips that took away almost all of my excuses. If your commute isn’t as long as mine, you can probably cut this list in half.

Myth-bust and test your expectations.

• Try an eBike out if you can. I visited a couple of cycle shops and tried a friend’s converted eBike before making my choice
• Know exactly how long you’ll need so you know when you need to leave to be on time.

Get the right kit.

• • A mini-hand pump and tyre patch kit are essential. If you don’t know how to change a tyre, YouTube will show you in less than 3 minutes!
  • Get a lightweight, packable set of waterproofs – bottoms and top, plus good eyewear to keep the bugs and drizzle out of your eyes
  • Install panniers. You’ll need a frame plus the bag. This is essential so that I don’t have to wear a heavy rucksack. I keep my laptop, spare clothes, and lunch in mine.
  • Consider a weatherproof phone holder that allows you to see your phone easily and safely. I need this for when I’m taking new routes so I can map it out

Make it easy.

• Set everything up the night before so you don’t talk yourself out of it in the morning.
• Start at an easy time of year when the weather isn’t horrible, and see how you get on. Starting a habit like this in mid-winter might be setting yourself up for failure.
• Flexible working. If we didn’t have a flexible working policy, travel in this way would be harder. Ask your employer to support you to travel in actively by adopting an inclusive travel plan.
• Have a person on call as a backup if it takes away the worry.

Cycling to work – A future habit

It’s still the beginning of forming what I hope to be a long-term habit. But overall, reducing the mental and physical effort it was taking me to cycle to work, coordinating my diary with set days not needing to travel to meetings, and cutting the cycling time were the right steps for me. And even if I’m not able to cycle in as often as I would like to, each journey prevents air pollution and saves kilos of carbon that would linger in the atmosphere for decades.

Want to get out and about around Peterborough?

Our On Ya Bike campaign aims to highlight all the bike related activities and offers on this summer to get you out cycling. Find out more here: https://www.pect.org.uk/projects/on-ya-bike/

Want to implement more cycling to work at your company? Our Investors in the Environment scheme can help!

• Watch this great webinar iiE ran with Sustrans and Investors in the Environment to learn about how to encourage your local authority to make cycle routes that are safe and inclusive From encouragement to advocacy – what can workplaces do to get more people travelling sustainably? – YouTube
• Check out this article and get our guidance on creating a workplace travel plan
• Learn about what the UK government are planning How we travel for a low carbon future | Investors In The Environment (iie.uk.com) and
• Get your organisation signed up to the Cycle to Work scheme – a salary sacrifice scheme to enable people to affordable buy a new bike
• I got a Swytch kit and have found it easy to install and it makes me go as fast as I like Make The Swytch – Swytch Bike

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What Is The ENERGY Price Cap?

The energy price cap is the amount set by Ofgem (the energy regulator for Great Britain) to limit how much a consumer can be charged per unit of gas and electricity. Your energy bill can be calculated from these units (measured in kWh). One of the benefits of the energy cap is how it limits overcharging due to energy suppliers being unable to increase their prices over a certain limit. This limit protects those in lower-income households so that energy cannot become unaffordable. However, energy supply shortages, the current political climate, and inflation have caused a drastic spike in prices. Therefore, the price cap needs to be raised to reflect those changes. Due to the excessive rate of this rise, the price cap has increased to a current amount that, to many people, is viewed as concerning.

Who will it affect?

The energy price cap mainly applies to standard variable tariffs (SVT). These are usually the most expensive tariffs provided by a supplier. Those affected will be people on default tariffs who have yet to switch to a fixed-rate deal, or if their fixed-rate deal has come to an end, alongside those that stick by their new supplier after their previous one went bankrupt (as many have done within the last year).

How Much Is The Price Cap Rising By?

On April 1st, the energy price cap will be increased for over 20 million households. The last time the price cap was raised was in August 2021, meaning it no longer represents the increase in energy prices due to fuel shortages and the current political climate. As a result of this, Ofgem has increased the price cap by 54% – raising it to £1,971 per year on average. Those that use prepayment meters will see a £708 rise from £1,309 to £2,017 per year on average. However, this is the generalised price based on the average household. Those that use more electricity and gas will be charged a higher price.

Click here for our Top tips for saving on your energy bills

When Will The Price Cap Change?

The price cap changes twice each year – with the first amount being announced in February and the second in August. This year these will take effect on April 1st and October 1^st. The price cap was first implemented for SVT in 2019, alongside a pre-existing cap for re-payment meters.  Although, due to the ever-changing rates of gas prices, Ofgem does have the ability to alter the price cap more frequently than every six months under extreme circumstances.

Is The Government Doing Anything To Help?

The government has announced their own relief measures to aid with the financial pressures caused by the new price cap. One such measure includes raising the Warm Homes Discount from £140 to £150 alongside measures to widen the criteria to include more households. One of the other measures includes a £200 energy rebate which will be paid back over a period of five years.

The energy price cap changing is a normal part of the year. However, it’s by far the steepest increase since its introduction in 2019, and with a suspected increase again in September 2022, many will be left in need of help. Therefore, it is important that we have the knowledge to cut our energy usage, which can help us save money and the planet.

How can PECT help me?

PECT may be able to support you during the current energy crisis with our energy advice services. To find out more, refer yourself or someone else, head to www.pect.org.uk/projects/warmhomes.

Follow our energy-saving tips: Click here for our Top tips for saving on your energy bills.

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Despite this, globally, women are more likely to be affected by environmental issues such as climate change, than men¹. This is mainly due to the social, cultural, and economic differences that different genders face, i.e., globally, women are more likely to live in poverty. It’s a challenge we are still facing today, however bringing different voices to light and exchanging experiences, is just one way we can open the floor to environmental inclusivity.

As part of International Women’s Day #BreakTheBias, we asked the PECT team about their experiences with inclusivity within the sustainability sector. Hear from:

Stuart (Director of Operations), Karen (Health & Wellbeing Lead), Maria (Project Coordinator), Carly (CEO), David (Senior Environmental Consultant) and Libby (Natural Environment Trainee)

Find out what they had to say below:

How did you get into the sustainability sector?

Stuart – I got into the sustainability sector accidentally. I have always worked in the environment field, mostly with data, designing processes and displaying information. My move to sustainability was driven by my desire to work collaboratively with teams to solve problems and see real solutions delivered on the ground. Throughout my career, I have worked with and for some exceptional female leaders who have helped to shape my career direction, passion for sustainably and influenced me as a leader.  Alongside Carly, there is also a wider range of female influences within PECT, which have also helped enthuse me to be a better team member, manager, and champion sustainability including both team members and the through the governance of the charity.

Karen – I quit my job as a chef when I was 40 and went to university to do a degree with a view to going into the sustainability sector. I was interested in behaviour and the environment, so my dissertation looked at the Risk Society and its attitudes to climate change. During the summer of my third year, I undertook work experience with Peterborough City Council’s Environment Team, I was overseen by a female manager who made sure I got a varied view of the environmental work going on in the city, as part of this placement I spent a week researching at PECT for the then CEO, Rachel Huxley. When I was nearing the end of my degree, I applied for a job at PECT, took the role, and 13 years later I’m still here!

Maria – From a young age, geography engaged me above all other subjects at school. My geography teachers made learning enjoyable and explained the subject incredibly. As well as this, my mother and both my grandmothers taught me to respect the natural environment as it is so deeply rooted in our own wellbeing.

Carly – I was always interested in the subject and took a career change in my late twenties to get into the sector. I worked alongside an incredible colleague called Gemma in my first sustainability role. I learnt so much from her and loved working together. We had a lot of fun on the project and once had to dress as superheroes in public!

Why did you get into sustainability?

Karen – I’ve been interested in environmental issues since the 1990s and was regional coordinator for Greenpeace for a while back then. Back then the hole in the ozone and pollution were the main concerns, the term climate change hadn’t been invented and people ‘like me’ were seen as weirdos and agitators. Over the years the discourse has changed but the one thing that has stayed the same for me is a hope that my kids and grandkids will recognise that I’ve tried really hard to live my life sustainably and do all I can to protect our home, planet earth, from environmental decline and the devastating effects of climate change.

Libby – I wanted to get into sustainability because I value the uniqueness of ecosystems and living organisms. I want to protect and conserve the environment. If we want to improve inclusion and support women, I feel that it’s important to understand ecofeminist theory. I believe that both issues should be tackled simultaneously if we want to make real progress.

David – At the time as a new parent, I wanted to do something that would protect the future for my daughter, both in terms of her future prospects and tackling the environmental issues that were still not being discussed in the mainstream, whilst developing a career that would support us as a family.

How do you feel equality could be improved in the environment/ sustainability sector?

Carly – I recently took part in a Careers Day for a secondary school. I think it’s important that careers in sustainability are talked about with all students from an early age. So many of the students I met were passionate about environmental and social issues, so it was great to talk about the benefits of working in the sector and what some of the real jobs look like.

Libby – I think the best way to improve inclusion is to spend time listening to the perspectives of environmentalists and support their creativity. We should encourage our peers and community members, valuing each person’s unique skills and traits.

David – Most in the sustainability/ environmental sector subscribe to the tenements of the Sustainable Development Goals, which champions equality, so it is a great sector to work in, in this regard. However, there still feels that engineering and technical roles are mostly held by men. It would be great to see this shift to a more diverse demographic.

Stuart – As the only male member on a range of project teams, I don’t think it’s about gender but about the personalities, experience and expertise that makes up any team.

Karen – Most of my work is with, and has been with, women, so I haven’t faced a lot of the sexism that other sectors may have. I do think that the pay gap for traditional corporate roles and the third sector could be improved. ‘But let’s face it if we’re working in the third sector, we’re not in it for the money’ is a mantra I’ve heard a lot over the years and I’d love to this change, after all the work we do is every bit as important as other corporate work.

Maria – I believe that making environmental knowledge more accessible and allowing for every voice to be heard is vital. Ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to learn about sustainability and to reach their own environmental goals, will help us create a better world as we can learn a lot from each other.

What’s one piece of advice for a female-identifying individual wanting to get into the sustainability/ environment sector?

Stuart – Just do it – there are so many green skill sets needed to move us towards a just transition.

Maria – You can do more than you think you can. Remember that your voice is important, and confidence is key!

Carly – When we are recruiting, the main things I am looking for are enthusiasm and the ability to grasp a concept quickly and run with it. If this sounds like you then our sector definitely needs you!

Libby – Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Get as much practical experience as possible and take up learning opportunities.

Want to work or volunteer for PECT? Get in touch at info@pect.org.uk.

^{1 https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/womenin-shadow-climate-change}

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Recycling can often seem like a myth. It’s something we are told exists, but possibly don’t know much about. What happens to it once it’s been taken away? Where does it really go?

With the help of Peterborough City Council (PCC) we hope to bust some of these myths and share what you really need to know about recycling.

Our team of BLUEPRINT Champions gathered the most frequently asked questions about recycling and we posed them to Amy Nebel, Senior Waste and Recycling Officer at Peterborough City Council. You can find answers to some of the key questions discussed below or watch back our webinar.

1. Why should I recycle? [3:34]

There are many reasons. All are important and reduce the impact of waste on the environment. For example:

• Recycling reduces the need to extract and use raw virgin materials from the ground.
• It protects our environment from waste pollution and resource extraction.
• Recycling saves energy. Products made from recycled aluminium use 95% less energy than new aluminium.
• Recycling has value. It is cheaper to process because recycled material can be sold again. This means PCC currently pays around £4 per tonne to recycle items in the green bin, compared to nearly £100 per tonne to dispose of black bin waste.

2. What happens to my recycling? [6:55]

Your recycling has a very specific journey in Peterborough:

1. Kerbside collectors pick up your recycling
2. Recycling is checked, and unwanted items are removed, at the Fengate waste transfer site
3. The sorted waste then goes to the Materials Recovery Facility at Waterbeach. All items are sorted by material here.
4. The different items are taken to their respective recyclers to be made into new products.
5. New (recycled!) products end up back on our shelves!

3. WHAT IS contaminated RECYCLING? [10:08]

Contaminated recycling can mean two things.

Dirty recycling

When a dirty item ends up in your recycling bin – like dirty food packaging, a bottle with liquid still in it, or even a dirty nappy – it can contaminate other items (i.e. make other items dirty too). This can reduce the quality of the recyclable materials and makes it harder to transform them into new products. Food and liquid residues easily damage paper and cardboard so make sure your recycling is clean, dry, and empty before placing it in your recycling bin.

Recycling the wrong things

Council recycling machines are made for small household waste (like paper and plastic packaging), so clothes or small electrical items shouldn’t be put into your kerbside recycling bin. Larger ‘bulky’ waste items, such as hard plastics, clothes, toys and books, should go to your local household recycling centre, clothes banks, or charity shops. You can find places to recycle near you on BLUEPRINT’s RE-Directory. Even better yet, can you repair and reuse them?

Collectors have to check your recycling. Help them out by not putting your recycling into bin bags and keeping it loose.

4. What can I do to improve my recycling? [28:08]

Top tips for improving your recycling:

• Make sure your recycling items are clean, dry, empty, and loose (no bin bags) before they go in your recycling bin.
• Make use of other recycling services like the household recycling centre. Or you can arrange a bulky waste collection by visiting Small items and bulky waste – Peterborough City Council
• Reuse and repair wherever possible, and most importantly aim to reduce your waste!

To find out more about what happens at the household recycling centre, compostable and biodegradable materials, or the value of recycling, watch our webinar here. Don’t forget to visit the RE-Directory to help you find places to recycle, repair and reuse near you.

PECT are working on the BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy Project, implementing pilot schemes and events across the city. If you’d like to get involved, we’d encourage you to sign up as a BLUEPRINT Champion here.

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We hope you are enjoying the festive season and are staying safe and well. After another challenging year, we thought we would reflect on some of the positive PECT highlights from 2021.

Want to find out more or get involved in any of our PECT highlights? 

Plant trees with us

Encourage your business to join iiE

Ask your school if they are an Eco-Charter school and sign up!

Visit our community fridge in March

Does your catering provider want to increase their sustainability? Join Cool Food Pro as a test site!

Become a BLUEPRINT Champion

Check if your business is eligible for an ENE grant

Access free advice to keep your home warm and healthy, whilst cutting costs and carbon this winter

Become a Cut Your Carbon volunteer

The post PECT Highlights 2021 appeared first on PECT.

It is estimated that waste and recycling increase by 30% over the Christmas period.  Here are a few ideas to maximise festive fun whilst keeping others and the environment in mind.

1. Make lists. A list helps to reduce panicked present buying and makes it more likely you’ll give people what they really want – no matter how small or practical. List making also helps to avoid over-catering. Sites like com suggest brilliant ways to transform leftovers into post-Christmas treats.
2. Shop local. Buying from smaller, independent businesses keeps your pounds in the local economy, reduces packaging use and car journeys as well as making returns or exchanges easier (many items returned through online retailers never make it back onto the ‘shop shelves’ – what a waste!). If you can, ‘put your money where your home is’ is always good advice to follow.
3. Make cards count. If you like to send cards, buying them from charities provides them with much needed cash. Alternatively, send a festive email and donate what you would have spent on cards to your favourite good cause instead.
4. Give twice with each gift. Buy presents that benefit a charity, are made with the environment in mind or which create memories (like cinema vouchers, an annual membership or similar). Alternatively giving your time to help someone do something they can’t do on their own is a good waste-free gift!
5. Reuse, make, re-gift or repair. Many shops sell as-good-as-new pre-loved items – jewellers, antiques shops, dress agencies are good examples, as well as charity shops and, of course, many on-line retailers. Alternatively make presents or get a broken treasure repaired for your loved ones, or re-gift something given to you.
6. Bye to fast: buy to last. The environmental and social impact of fast fashion is terrifying, but it is still hard to not be drawn in by the tempting deal of something which might make you look a million dollars but costs less than ten pounds. It’s time to get with the trend! Global sustainability fashionistas are advocating buying fewer but better quality items and adoption of the #30wears rule…only buying an item if you would use it more than 30 times (wedding dresses being the exception!). For big ticket items, consider using set ups like My Wardrobe HQ which rent stunning designer items at affordable prices.
7. Rethink your decorations. If living or reusable plastic trees aren’t for you, get your chopped tree chipped! Often, local tree surgeons or Councils offer a chipping service in return for a small fee, or your local recycling site will accept them in their green waste bays. Natural, compostable decorations such as ivy, pine cones, holly, mistletoe etc are stunning. If you prefer bought decorations, make sure to buy those which you’ll use year after year and only buy repairable electric decorations – one blown fairy light bulb can ruin your display, but it’ll be back in a flash if the bulb is replaceable.
8. Cut the Cracker Cr*p. If you don’t fancy making your own crackers (look it up on line or ask at your local zero waste shop if they sell kits), only buy crackers which contain useful gifts (and good jokes – or is that asking too much?!).
9. Reduce the wrapping. Ahh yes – ’brown paper packages tied up with string’. Both the paper and the string can be reused. Alternatively, wrap presents in newspaper, old road maps or leftover wallpaper and cut up a card from last year as the label. If you buy wrapping paper – avoid plasticky or shiny paper as it cannot be recycled – if it scrumples up into a ball, it can be recycled; if it springs open again, it cannot.
10. Ditch the glitter. Sparkly wrapping paper and twinkly cards cannot be recycled. Glitter litter (even the biodegradable type) is found in our soils, on riverbeds, in seas and even inside the fish we eat, so is best avoided.

11. Recycle right! We can put lots of recyclable items into our green lidded bins but don’t be an overenthusiastic recycler and put in items which shouldn’t be in there! Your council or waste & recycling management company can provide a clear list of what goes into each bin.
12. Enjoy simplicity, eschew excess. These have been a hard couple of years for everyone.  Enjoy spending time with others, walking in open spaces, breathing in fresh air and taking a break from the norm. Keep it simple and have a very happy Christmas.

The post Have A Great, Green Christmas appeared first on PECT.

The John Clare Countryside Vision seeks to put nature at the heart of our lives once again, as John Clare, the 19th Century poet, experienced growing up in Helpston. It aims to create safe and tranquil environments where both nature and wildlife can thrive, as well as be cherished and enjoyed by the communities that surround them. The Vision aims to double nature in the John Clare Countryside area over the 10-year project, paired with improving and expanding access to the countryside for the urban communities of Peterborough. It also aims to use a variety of arts to engage residents and communities to connect with the work John Clare produced, attempting to bring back the enthusiasm John Clare had for nature, and the inspiration to be gained from it.

The project team hosted by PECT are working closely with 18 Parish Councils in the John Clare Countryside area, bringing communities together to enhance the work of nature. The project is being delivered by a partnership with the Langdyke Countryside Trust, The Wildlife Trust, Peterborough City Council, Nene Park Trust, Sacrewell, John Clare cottage, Natural England and more. Projects include, creating wildflower meadows in desolate patches of grass; planting trees and hedges across landscape fields; adding ponds to wetland areas; restoring rivers that were once imbedded within society and everyday life, and so much more. The Vision encourages everyone, familiar with the countryside or not, to take part and do their bit for nature by volunteering with the John Clare Countryside, helping to create the wonderful landscapes and scenes whilst improving habitats for wildlife and nature. These work parties will be available to attend every week, with a variety of tasks and locations.

The John Clare Countryside team are also cultivating a series of seasonal walks to not only show off the breath-taking areas but to offer a form of self-care, helping to calm our stressful minds and ‘Walk the Winter Blues Away’ to help maintain and improve the wellbeing of ourselves and peers. The first walk will be held at Ferry Meadows on the Saturday 11th December as an introduction to the countryside, edging up to Castor and Ailsworth. The second walk is on Saturday the 16th of January 2022 in Helpston, showcasing the brilliant work of the John Clare Countryside Vision, Helpston Parish Council and the work of our wonderful volunteers on the village’s fauna and flora. The seasonal walks series will not only be held during the winter months in which our wellbeing requires a little more care, but also carry on into the spring and summer seasons to showcase and educate on the visible and miraculous changes nature goes through from season to season.

Please contact Mike Horne at mike.horne@pect.org.uk to get involved and find out more about the great things the John Clare Countryside Vision is doing!

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