Recycling your Christmas tree

I am very sorry but in the article in the October issue from Alan Buckley concerning the gardens by the shops in the village I missed out the last paragraph thanking a very kind group of people in addition to those mentioned. So I have included it below. “Sadly, the North Weald Bassett Preservation Society ceased to exist during the last 12 months, but former lady members have continued to maintain the box garden on the village green at Wheelers Farm Gardens for which we are most grateful. Thank you ladies. Cllr Alan Buckley

Recycle your Christmas

This January 2023, you can recycle your Christmas tree with local charity St Clare Hospice, who will come and collect your tree from your home in return for a donation to their vital hospice cause. According to figures, approximately 6 million Christmas trees will end up in landfill this year, amounting to around 250 tonnes of waste that could be used for compost. Local schemes, such as St Clare Hospice’s annual recycling project, help to reduce the negative environmental effects of waste post-Christmas – instead taking trees and turning them into wood chippings and compost, in partnership with a number of local organisations and waste management services, such as HTS Group and Dunmow Waste Management.

Earlier this year, in January 2022, St Clare’s Christmas tree recycling programme collected more than 1,200 trees, raising over £18,000 in vital funds for their local care and support services. That is enough to fund more than 200 visits by the Hospice at Home team who give vital personal care to people in the comfort of their own home.

Volunteers working with St Clare Hospice will visit homes on Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th and Monday 9th of January 2023 to collect real spruce, fir and pine Christmas trees. This year, the charity will be collecting trees from the following postcode areas: CB10, CB11, CM5, CM6 1, CM6 2, CM6 3, CM6 4, CM16, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21, CM22, CM23, CM24, EN9. Please register your tree through justhelping.org.uk/register-treeor contact the fundraising team on fund@stclarehospice.org.uk or 01279 773750. The Hospice simply asks for a suggested minimum donation of £12, to collect your tree from home and recycle it locally. Registration is now open, and closes on 3rd January at 10am. For more information and FAQs on St Clare’s ‘Recycle Your Christmas Tree’ programme, please visit their website at: stclarehospice.org.uk/recycle-christmas-tree

Staff and councillors ramp up their fight against climate change

Essex County Council colleagues boost climate change knowledge by completing Carbon Literacy training. To combat the effects of climate change in the county, Essex County Council (ECC) is upskilling its workforce to be more aware of how climate change affects Essex and what can be done to combat it, both individually and collectively. Delivered through independent and group learning, Carbon Literacy training gives ECC members and officers a strong understanding of the causes and effects of climate change. The training specifically focuses on climate change in Essex and how the county is currently being affected. ECC’s senior leadership is fronting the charge with Leader Cllr Kevin Bentley, Executive Director Climate, Environment and Customer Mark Ash and ECC Climate Czar Cllr Peter Schwier all having completed the training. On successful completion of the training individuals receive Carbon Literacy accreditation from the Carbon Literacy Project. Across Essex County Council more than seventy individuals have already received this accreditation, with plans to increase this to 1,000 in coming months. Part of the training course includes pledging to undertake an individual action and activity within a wider group to reduce carbon emissions.

The NHS in Hertfordshire and west Essex is urging everyone to get vaccinated during the World Cup. The football tournament will provide plenty of opportunities for people to get together. Getting vaccinated means that we can meet up to celebrate without worrying about spreading Covid or flu. Dr Jane Halpin, CEO of Hertfordshire and west Essex integrated Care Board, said: “Many of us may be coming together in the next few weeks to cheer on England, Wales or other teams at World Cup.” “But we also know that crowds are what viruses like best, whether that is the common cold, flu or even Covid. So, the best possible defence will be vital – not just on the pitch, but at home too.”

If you are eligible for a Covid or flu vaccination this autumn, make sure you are going into the tournament match fit by topping up your protection. It is easier than ever for people to book Covid and flu jabs at dozens of sites and pop-up clinics across the Hertfordshire and west Essex through the NHS website or by calling 119. They can save your life and keep you out of hospital. So don’t score an own goal this World Cup, take a shot now so you can enjoy the football – along with Christmas and the New Year. Find out more about local vaccinations at https:// hertsandwestessexics.org.uk/covid-19-and-flu