Dear Principal Ainsworth,
.
I write to you today to draw your attention to improvements I
think would make Callington Community College a more environmentally friendly
school and staff and pupils more environmentally aware and responsible.
.
I was pleased to read in issue 34 of ‘The Voice’ Callington
Community College is now part of the green charter for schools initiative and
are committed to promoting environmental awareness. I have also been encouraged
by initiatives like Oceans Day, but I am concerned these measures do not go far
enough.
.
As I’m sure you are aware, our planet is facing a climate
emergency. 67,000 acres of rainforest is destroyed every day ¹. Over 8 million
metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually ². Of those, more
than 236,000 tons are microplastics ³. It is thought 10,000 species go extinct
each year ⁴ with thousands more listed by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature ⁵ as
threatened with extinction or critically endangered. I feel the school
currently contributes enormously to the ever growing environmental problems and
have identified key areas I feel we should be taking more direct action.
.
1. Excessive Plastic Consumption. Almost all the plastic used in
the school is single use with little effort being made to reduce the use of
items such as plastic cutlery in the canteen, drinks bottles in vending
machines and pens. Did you know Plastics kills approximately 100,000 sea
creatures and 1 million sea birds each year? ⁶
.
2. Recycling. There were not enough recycling bins around the
property up until recently. I’ve noticed that now the awareness of plastic and
recycling has been raised you have now added a few bins, but there is no signs.
Did you know many items such as crisp packets, sweet and biscuit wrappers can
be recycled through Terracycle allowing charities such as Kicks Count ⁷ who
operate local collections to financially benefit from packaging which is not
currently recycled through kerbside collections? I think it would be great if
our school rubbish could raise funds for charity.
.
3. Excessive energy consumption. I have noticed lights, computer
monitors and whiteboards being left on in empty class rooms. The school could
also save money of utility bills as well as reducing carbon footprint just by
turning electrical goods off when not in use.
.
4. General recycling. I am worried the school is not doing enough
to recycle common materials such as paper and card. Some classrooms have no
provisions to recycle these products and I am concerned they are being
unnecessarily disposed of in general waste.
.
We are taught if we try, we can achieve anything. We can all do
something to help our planet and our school could be leading the way in
encouraging staff and pupils to make “refuse, reduce, re-use, recycle,
repair, re-gift, recover and re-cycle” commonplace.
.
I would like to suggest the school forms a student environment
committee (which I would like to be part of) to share and implement ideas to
make our school more environmentally friendly. We could even start by designing
posters and leaflets to make sure everyone uses the recycling bins!
.
I hope you will consider my points and then we can all start to
make a difference.
[1] Rainforest alliance (2019) https://bit.ly/2klcmH9
[2] Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into the Ocean (2015) https://bit.ly/33BqXjN
[3] A global inventory of small floating plastic debris (2015) https://bit.ly/2kEIE0c
[4] World Wildlife Fund (2019) https://bit.ly/2IXm8ty
[5] IUCN https://bit.ly/2TRpCkn
[6] Ocean Crusaders (2019) https://bit.ly/1LSU9CX
[7] Kicks Count https://www.kickscount.org.uk/
Category Archives: General Interest
Recycling For Charity
SHARE is saving valuable resources being wasted. These plastic items are sent to TERRACYCLE to be made into new products and credit KICKS COUNT charity, who aim to reduce the UK’s still-birth rate.
We have set up a number of collection points to drop your items and are delighted that both Callington schools, Duchy Stoke Climsland & Saltash colleges are now recycling.
The items we can accept UPDATED:
- New. lipsticks, balm, gloss, mascara, eye shadow compacts, facial wipes packs
- Soft tubes creams, gels, lotions, ointments, plastics in hair dye kits
- all biscuits and crackers wrappers, inc multipacks and individual cakes, mini rolls
- all crisp and snacks packets inc popcorn, pretzels, peanuts and pringles
- all sweets and confectionery wrappers (no trays, paper, foil)
- baby food pouches and lids and snacks
- bread loaf bags (no other bread products)
- triggers and pumps off bottles, disposable gloves (not rubber gloves)
- plastic air fresheners and packaging, inc. plug ins
- dishwasher salt & tablet flexible packets, tops off washing up liquid bottles
- toothbrushes, electric heads and plastic packaging and used tooth paste tubes
- pet food pouches, clean dry and bagged + plastic biscuit & treats bags ALL PETS.
- WE CANNOT TAKE anything not on this list, the manufacturers that sponsor the programs are very specific about what can be accepted.
- We no longer accept Contact Lenses, take to your optician
- NO pill blister packs, fruit & veg bags, any yoghurt packaging, cheese packets,coffee & tea packets,cling film, plastic from flowers & cards, any cereal packets.
- Please bag like items together to help with sorting and join us at Green Meadows on Fridays at 10am to sort and box up. It’ll be an eye openerI’m sure
- email SHARE@south-hill.co.uk, our FB group and web page on line here
I’m also collecting for Hill Pony Resources :- used stamps, old mobile phones, gadgets, cameras, sat navs, unwanted jewellery, any banknotes even if obsolete.
SHARE October news update
SHARE AGM was held on September 18th.Members will receive a full report and details will be posted on the web page. This year has proved another VERY busy and profitable year and has attracted a number of new members, in and around the parish.
If you haven’t signed up yet, email us or phone Astrid 01579 383620 and we’ll drop a membership form to you and answer any questions you may have.
We have enjoyed and been shocked on the recent visits to the:
Materials Recycling Facility at Bodmin: 30 took a coach on this fascinating visit, to see where our kerb side recycling goes and what happens to it. SUEZ monitor the contracts and processing and can confidently say that all materials stay in the UK.
Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre at St. Dennis: as numbers where limited to 10 per visit, we organised 2 visits here to watch our kerb site waste being incinerated and generating enough electricity to power 21,000 homes. There are no operating landfill sites in Cornwall, all our ”black bag” waste is incinerated here. The tons of ash produced is processed on site and are used as aggregate for roads and building.
Langage Farm Anaerobic Digestion Facility operating since 2010, takes food waste from local restaurants and schools and generates power to produce their ice-cream products with surplus electricity powering around 500 homes. After 6 months being digested the resulting “waste” is a rich material used by local farmers to improve their farmland.
We visited a water wheel to see if hydro power generation is viable. We’re still not sure. More visits are being planned, if you have suggestions or contacts let us know.
SHARE Trees: If you have land to plant trees please get in touch, it’s more important now than ever. Planting and managing trees & woodland so they are fit for the future is a big responsibly, SHARE can help. Plant native trees and know where they have been sourced. Insect pests & organisms such as certain bacteria & fungi are a real threat. Take a note of any Ash Die Back, take a photo, record and watch for any changes. The Forestry Commission has information as will our local arborists. SHARE is concerned.
SHARE Firewood for Sale: Many of our regulars have already stocked up, but if you need top ups a full load is £120 and dumpy bag is £60 ALL local seasoned wood, sized for you. Email SHARE@south-hill.co.uk All profits go towards planting more trees.
Annual Trees Sale. These won’t last long : TEXT Ali 07305 044049 this week From Endsleigh Milton Abbot: Pears £25, all others a tenner: Apples , Crab Apples . Ornamental Weeping Cotoneaster, Weeping Cherry, Robenia x Slavince “Hillier”
Recycling Project. We have sent Terracycle around 375kg, equating to over £600for Kicks Count charity. Every Friday at 10am we sort the items at Green Meadows, join us, just to see what we do! see the amount of “rubbish” saved from being wasted.
News Updates Sept. 2019
No newsletter this month, but lots of news.
Events:
Starting today, SHARE Tree sale. Fruit and ornamental trees from Endsleigh Nursery Milton Abbott at great prices Contact Ali iamalihumphreys@yahoo.com Text 07305 044049 for stock or pop into GREEN MEADOWS
This weekend the BIG Get-Together at the Parish hall Golberdon has been postponed because a new kitchen is being installed adding to the other hall improvements. so well worth waiting for. Sept 7th – 8th It’s Wild Weekend at the Tamar Valley centre, Drakewalls, with lots for all the family to be involved in. 2 – 5pm on Saturday and 10 -2pm on Sunday call 01822 835030 for details or FB or Twitter @TVAONB
Many groups are now back after the summer holiday. Monday 16th 9:30 – 11:30am JAMM Play group start again and are looking for some extra help in the “new” kitchen at the Parish hall Golberdon, and to make the occasional cake. This is a great group and well worth supporting so please email judithayers@yahoo.co.uk or amywheelerfamlead@icloud.com
Wednesday 18th September SHARE AGM 7:15pm at the Parish hall Golberdon. If you still haven’t got round to joining, please come along and find out what another busy year it’s been and future plans.
Wednesday 28th September The Monthly Charity Quiz is back 7:30 – 10pm
It’s RECYCLING WEEK September 23 – 29th With the amazing success of the RECYCLING FOR CHARITY project we are in need of some help to collect items from around the parish, Callington and beyond and to also help sort. PLEASE contact Ali before she drowns in crisp packets. Text 07305 044049, phone 01579 384544 email iamalihumphreys@yahoo.com Thank you
Thursday 26th September 7pm “What Happens to our Waste & Recycling after Collection” meeting with Cornwall Council organised by St. Ive parish Climate action Group, Millennium House Pensilva
Friday 27th September at CO-OP Newport Ind. Est Launceston from 2 -6pm SHARE will be promoting RECYCLING FOR CHARITY, so if you’re still not sure what can be collected, please pop along with any items or questions.
October 2nd Callington Honey Fair a full day of activities for everyone. www.callingtonlions.org.uk/honeyfair.html
October 3rd Beech Auctions South Hill Rd starts at 9am
October 6th Callington Monthly Sunday Market 10 – 3pm in the Pannier Market Marquees. Since this started 3 months ago it’s been a total success, with lots of different stalls and plenty of people enjoying the atmosphere created.
Launch of TAMAR VALLEY PARCEL CLUB. Some of you will already know Fiona Casey who has been delivering parcels around the parish, she has now gone independent and looking for your continued support. You can use her address for deliveries, so you don’t have to stay in and risk missed deliveries, and she will deliver. Great for surprise presents also ! Join on FB email tamarvalleyparcelclub@gmail.com or phone 07974 674915
New Facebook group for those with horses that ride in the parish https://www.facebook.com/groups/646773255733445/
South Hill Horticultural Show 2019. On Saturday 17th August 2019 the 60th South Hill Horticultural Show took place at Golberdon with 600 exhibits of cookery, vegetables, handicrafts, photographs, flowers and children’s entries from 70 exhibitors. It was great to see so many old and new faces enter and support the show on the day. With torrential rain all day Friday the weather was luckily on our side for show day which aided in a successful day. Anthea Ley a local artist presented the trophies to the many winners and Ruby Doidge of Tutwell presented the gift of a wooden crafted pen to Anthea at the start of the prize giving. The prize winners were as follows :
Committee Cup (Most points in show)- Judith Ayres K. J. Uglow Cup (Runner up)- Pete Tunnicliffe Cup third place most points- Brian Arthur Barbara Ede (New entrant, most points)- Lyla Hunt E.C. Pomroy (most points floral arrangements)- Helen Squires Maureen Hindle (Best floral art exhibit)- Helen Squires Best Cut Flowers in Show- Brian Arthur F. Eggins Memorial Trophy (Most points cut flowers)- Brian Arthur Jenny Jane (best rose in the Show)- Alison Jackson Best exhibit in Pot plants- Ray Moss Gilbert Rickard trophy (most points in Veg classes)- Pete Tunnicliffe H. Trewartha (best exhibit in Veg classes)- John Scarrott Best collection of vegetables- Alison Jackson Buckingham Trophy (most points in handicrafts)- Andrea Hill Best Exhibit in Handicrafts- Sallie Waring Mrs S Rickard (most points in cookery)- Sue Palmer Best exhibit in cookery classes- Sue Palmer Sheila Cup (most points in photography- Marc Haxby Best entry in Photo Classes- Wendy Miller Parish Council (Miss Alvery Cup Local Child most points)- Emily Robbins Child 5 & Under most points- William Coombe Child 6-10 most points- Ruby Doidge Child 11-15 most points- Alfie Snell R.H.G Gimblett (best photo by a child)- Izzy Knight Many Local organisations joined us for the afternoon too with stalls from the Parish Council, SHARE, Recycling For Charity, St Sampson’s Church, Callington Fresh Produce and even a Tarot Reader. The ladies from South Hill WI tested everyone’s ability to tack up a model horse. St Sampson’s Church CRUX team held a BBQ. Kit Hill Bees had their bees on show for all to see and answer any questions on bee keeping. A game of skittles was enjoyed by many on the field with a chance to win some pork in the game named “Bowl for your pork”! TT Taekwondo which meet each week in the hall did a fantastic demonstration for everyone. Johnny Mac, our local postie gave a great live music performance to kick the show off followed by the Golberdon Girls made up of all local ladies who sang beautifully to an audience on the field. The Liskeard Spinners set up in the sun and demonstrated the art of spinning textiles and the Caradon Orchard Group brought along their apple pressing equipment and information to demonstrate making apple juice. Cream Teas and refreshments were served by the ladies of the show committee and even sold out come the end of the day. A Dog Show kindly sponsored by Dirty Dog Grooming of Saltash and judged by Tracey Harrison was enjoyed by an array of canine friends and their owners with lots of rosettes won. Many thanks to Sarah Bunkum for organising. A successful day all round and enjoyed by all. Many thanks also goes to sponsors Helluva Pasties, Josh Gosling Carpentry, Keadeen B & B and Campsite, Callington Fresh Produce, Meaders Cabinet Works and Keltic for their sponsorship of the show and our Cornwall Cllr Sharon Daw for providing funding to cover the cost of insurance. Thank you to all who exhibited and attended the show for your support. Next year’s show will be Saturday 15th August…. Please put it in your diaries and keep it free, it will be great to see you there and fill the hall with exhibits again! If you would like more information or would like to become part of the team, please contact Lucy or Cat on 01579 382182.
That’s it for now. If you have any suggestions, events, news etc, THE Connection AGM is Wednesday 11th so let us know.
SHARE Visits in August
30 people took a coach to tour the Suez MRF Materials Recycling Centre at Bodmin and in 2 visits 20 people toured the SUEZ CERC Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre at St Dennis both were fascinating trips and we all learnt so much about our “waste” and the importance of recycling everything we can.
and some of us joined DS SMITH Launceston in celebrating 50 years and took a tour and ate some cake ! A tour for SHARE Members has been offered and will be organised later this year.
South Hill PARISH MEETING
South Hill Annual Parish Meeting the Parish Hall, Golberdon. Wednesday 15th May 2019
40 people attended, using the main hall for displays by local groups and inspected the work on the hall improvements to date. The floor still needed to be finished so the group moved into the meeting room, cosy but proved 30 people can be seated there no problem.
Cllr David Skelton welcomed everyone, thanked the W.I members for providing and serving the refreshments and gave his report.
Continue readingKit Hill Bee Keepers
Kit Hill Beekeepers get a training apiary – with help from Tamar AONB The Kit Hill Beekeepers are a group within the Cornwall Bee Keepers Association (CBKA), currently celebrating its centenary. Most of you will know us from the Callington Honey Fair, but might not realise that we do more than just collect and show honey. One of the charters of the CBKA is to provide education and training for prospective beekeepers and people interested in the welfare of pollinators. The Kit Hill group had been on the lookout for a suitable site for some years, and having obtained a good south facing site courtesy of a Group member, and accepting that we could not fund it all ourselves, we approached the CBKA for some start-up money. Which funded the group with its initial outlay of buying a mix of new and second hand hives, together with some temporary storage to enable us to get the bees up and running. Longer term, we needed additional funds for a more permanent shed/workshop that can be used for training, meetings and secure storage.
Continue readingHill Pony Resources
Could you help us care for our ponies please? We currently have 12 ponies with us and foster ponies due to come back. When we set up Hill Pony Resources in 2014 our aim was to find homes for a few foals in order to prevent them being pts. At the time we didn’t have land or facilities to keep ponies long term and we worked with the small fields we were renting ourselves. Over the past few years we have also found homes for older mares, arranged for colts to be castrated and returned to the moor, taken in ponies needing rehabilitation and long term care, and more foals! In order to meet the welfare standards required for the ponies and continue running we have had to rent more land, increase our feed and hay bills, veterinary bills etc. We only can do this through donations from our supporters, fundraising, voluntary help and sometimes a wing and a prayer! So thank you to everyone that does their best to help us through all of this. Our resources are currently very stretched and still we have outstanding vet bills to meet, hay/feed to pay for and rent bills to cover.
Continue readingConnection report for Parish meeting
THE South Hill Connection has had another steady year THANK YOU to the committee.
We rely on articles from all of you for the newsletter and Thank our regular contributors.
We have attracted a number of new advertisers recently and Thank those that have recommended our newsletter as a way to promote their business, services, events, charities etc We have 37 advertisers, 13 from the parish. Recently added are Caroline Tregaver Fibre, Andrew AB Pest Control and Ash Lamb builder, we also thank those that have advertised with us since day one in 2007. Please support all our advertisers by using them or telling your friends.
I must also Thank Sue Skelton for continuing as web master and for recently adding all the content back onto the calendar of events The web hosting continues to be a free service thanks to Peter Taylor which allows us to keep our overall costs down and for business owners that live in the parish, we charge just an initial 15 pounds set up fee, all others pay 15 per year.
Welcome packs continue to be well received by our new residents and this year we added a Calendar, along with literature from local groups.
The South Hill Parish FaceBook page was created in 2014 and continues to attract new followers 1758 to be exact. T.You to Mandy Haxby for her page posts the most recent .. missing Tabby cat from Egypt.. If you have any information please contact Steve Silks 07898204637
And finally our old printer, which was donated, has seen it’s last days I think as it prints black pages, it’s not the toner, if you have any ideas to fix it or where we can find a replacement printer please let me know.
And finally finally if you don’t receive the newsletter and updates via your email inbox and would like to…. let me know. Thank you Ali Humphreys