1:  Concerns re single use plastics in sanitary products provided at Breadalbane Academy.
2: Concerns re vaping at the school in general, and the plastic waste it can generate

Julie C raised this. She has a child who attends Breadalbane school. Sanitary products are now made available in all schools in Scotland. Obviously for hygiene reasons there needs to be individual wrapping, but nearly all involve single use plastic wrapping. We discussed alternatives. Compostable wrapping is probably an improvement but is still far from perfect, depending on which type is used. In the long run re-usable options such as moon-cups and washable pads are good but may be more difficult for girls to manage in the school setting. We were also not sure how many girls know about such options, and whether they are covered when girls are taught about menstruation and its management in schools.


We also discussed vaping, which is apparently widespread at the school, despite the fact it is not allowed there. Concerns were expressed about the harm it can do, as well as the waste it creates.
Julie will contact the school’s Parent Council to discuss sanitary products provided and to ask about education in their use and will also discuss vaping. She may also contact the Aberfeldy Climate Café which is now fully up and running again.


Carol will contact members of the PKC Climate Action Team, in particular Viv Milford, from the Waste Management Team, to see what they know about sanitary products provided free in this area-or if they have any recommendations.
The reply from Ana De Miguel PKC waste team –
Single Use Sanitary products: Definitely the best option will be to change to reusables, however more education will be needed to explain the options, period pans, cups and reusable cloth pads.  There is some information at the Zero Waste Scotland Website Trial Period | Zero Waste Scotland
But the best option for information and more sustainable products is ‘Hey girls website’. They work specially with the Public Sector and Schools, providing education and products, see more in the link hey girls | Award Winning Period Product Social Enterprise


Vaping: Vaping is a growing problem from the health and the environmental point of view. Earlier this week, Perth & Kinross Council voiced their support for a ban on single-use, disposable vapes. For now, they are asking people to dispose of the whole vaping kit with your electrical recycling at recycling centres.

1. Regional Hubs SCCAN=Scottish Communities Climate Action Network.

After the Earth Day event on the 22nd April, there followed a meeting with Louisa Harvey, the leader of the Scottish Governments Community Action Team about the setting up of regional climate action hubs as part of the Scottish Government’s work on climate change communities engagement. SCCAN provided regional coordinators to contact individuals, community groups and businesses regarding their opinions on these hubs. Hubs will work to build awareness of the climate emergency and actions local groups can take, develop local plans, help groups take up funding opportunities, facilitate networking, ensure a more joined-up approach to tackling climate change at a regional level.


There are already two regional hubs in existence, the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, (covering the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland) and the NESCAN Hub (covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire) Both were set up in 2021.


At the moment Perth and Kinross already has a network through the efforts of our PKC Climate Change & Sustainable Development team and Climate Cafes, but it is not formally aligned to SCCAN. During a number of discussions regarding either having a Tayside wide hub, or a Perth & Kinross Hub, Louise Harvey has mentioned Perth & Kinross can be a Hub too alongside all the others around Scotland. Discussions are still ongoing.

1. Burnside Toilets

Valued at £35,000. Bids for it’s sale closed 20th April and along side our Community Asset Transfer there are two commercial bids. We are now in the process of applying for funding to conduct a feasibility survey on the property to judge the extent of deterioration of the building and contamination on the site before moving forward.

1. Repair Cafe

Julia Harriman has received more funding for the Repair Café so it is covered for the next 12 months.
Dates for the rest of 2023: The recent Repair Cafe on Sunday 4th June is the last one before the summer break of 2 months to return again in September. Then they resume on 3rd September, 1st October, 5th November and 3rd December.

1. Thursday 11th May Birdie – Jenni and Isla Moncrieff

Jenni and Isla came along to chat to us about their new sustainable business in Pitlochry – Birdie. They chatted about their experiences setting up the business, sourcing sustainable products and how challenging it was, the process they went through to make decisions on where and what products they have in the shop. It was very interesting and enlightening to hear about their experiences and we thank them for coming along and wish them well in their new venture. The shop is definitely worth a visit. Lots of lovely products.   

1. Highland Mainline Community Rail Partnership.

From Sally Spaven Two good news items for the community. We have a second member of staff, Alex at the Station, being trained by Colin.
Pitlochry Station was shortlisted in the World Cup of Stations by Tim Dunn, Railway Historian. 1,200 stations in the UK have Community Groups, 100 were nominated and 48 made the shortlist, key to this is the Bookshop which has just raised £400,000 for its charities selling donated books.

1. Let’s Talk Transport! Its not too late to add your thoughts to this survey as it closes on the 11th June

 
Our Transportation and Development Team would like you to share your thoughts and experiences on the transport network to help identify further problems and opportunities as presented in our Let’s Talk Transport, main issues report. This will allow us to develop a robust evidence base to inform the draft Mobility Strategy.
It would be greatly appreciated if the link is shared with colleagues, friends, and family to get as many participants as possible. This will allow for a robust evidence base to inform the draft Mobility Strategy.
The Big Place Conversation – Let’s Talk Transport - Perth & Kinross Council Citizen Space - Citizen Space (pkc.gov.uk)

1. Clothes Swap:

Would anyone be interested in helping Michelle Mcandie organise a Clothes Swap/alteration workshop in the next few months?

1. Next Climate Cafes are: Tuesday 11th July, 1pm and Thursday 13th July 7pm in the Library. There will be no Climate Cafes in August.

Questions for members of the PKC Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team.
Viv Milford (Climate Change and Sustainable Development Officer) attended the Climate Café. Questions and answers:


-Planning permission difficulties, including for green initiatives such as solar panels etc. - Can you check with the planning dept re - installation of double or triple glazed windows, pv solar panels etc in conservation areas. Treatment of people wanting to do eco builds? It was raised at the last council climate change and sustainability committee meeting and the outcome of that motion was that Councillor Watters would write to the relevant Scottish Government minister to ask for a review in to permitted development rights within conservation areas. And then the council would complete a review of their own conservation areas and boundaries.   


- Pedestrian/bike access. Residents are complaining that people on foot or on bikes are not allowed to enter the recycling site. (Not only does this encourage car use, but it also prevents people without access to a car from recycling. Viv mentioned this was all due to having had pedestrian access at all sites and then there was a fatality of a pedestrian (local man) at Friarton, and along with there being less staff at recycling sites now, so PKC stopped people coming onto the site unless they were in a car or van.
 
- Paint and chemicals can't be tipped here but can in other places, as has been the case for a few years. Paint in its liquid form is a chemical waste and they don’t have a licence to take them. There used to be places that took old paint, one being near Castle in Cupar in Fife but they found that so much of the paint was frost damaged so they could not recycle/reuse it and ended up with more paint going to land fill than being reused. It was too costly.
We need to stop storing paint in garages and huts etc as its too cold for them. The recycling centre will only accept tins of paint that is either allowed to dry completely so it’s a solid lump or to pour sawdust, sand or ash and allow to dry out completely. Not a great solution. The best solution is to use up all your paint even if that means mixing it or sharing it with someone else. Maybe something for the Mens Shed?       


- Freegle store or charity items eg. PUSH at Friarton. Viv asked that we contact Ana De Miguel at PKC Waste team worked with Remake to get them reuse/storage containers in Crieff. They had a service agreement with PKC for taking the reuse items from the container. We could approach Ana and ask for her help in Pitlochry to find a site for a storage container etc and a space for stopping to drop off. Maybe at the PKC Waste Depot. She could give us some advice on what they did in Crieff to set this up. A recent source of funding for community projects of this type is SUEZ a dry mixed recycling and waste management service.  (In the past they paid for things like the reuse containers, signage etc). What helps with the reuse of bigger items is locating reuse containers somewhere where people can stop to offload these items and most charity shops don’t have the space outside to offload and don’t have the storage space indoors. Remake works because it does and they are happy to diversify what they take in etc.   


- Is there any new information on possible sites for allotments and lack of an allotment officer/greenspace ranger? She wasn’t sure what was happening with the position as the full extent of the cuts has not been fully published yet. She did mention that PKC were looking for volunteers to help with keeping cemeteries clean and tidy. However, in terms of food growing, Rachel Robson RRobson@pkc.gov.uk (Good Food Project Officer); Kim MacDonald KimMacDonald@pkc.gov.uk (Good Food Coordinator -Communities) would be good people to get in touch with.
- Is the vacant land at the entrance to Lettoch Terrace PKC land and if so could we get permission to plant some fruit trees or bushes there? Susie Norris PKC is going to check to see who owns this piece of land and let us know if its ok to use.


- Can we get permission to plant trees at Mount Zion to replace felled one. Viv is going to check this out as she knows there are two officers looking into this about replacing the trees etc.


Update on CAP Steering Group - Just to keep you updated, the Community Action Plan steering group were informed on Monday 13th March that we are now a Development Trust - Pitlochry Community Action Trust. This will consist of members of the existing steering group becoming trustees until an EGM can be organised. However we are also looking to recruit new trustees of the Trust to join or even replace the current team. Becoming a trustee will be a very fulfilling and varied role.


Insulate Pitlochry another event? As the event in January between PCAT Theme 5 group,  the Climate Cafe and the Heat Project was so successful Martin (Heat Project) has suggested it would be good to have another event soon. There were 14 home surveys completed from that event. So the next event in the Co-op has been organised for Saturday 15th April 10am to 2pm. The event will focus on energy and insulation, and potentially be called ‘Insulate Pitlochry: A project of PCAT’ and again be supported by PCAT Theme 5, the Heat Project and Climate Café. On arrival volunteers parking at the Co-op should let staff know their licence plate number to avoid parking tickets. This event could also be used to launch a smart meter survey for a possible local community energy project and we are also investigating a Highland Perthshire Community Energy project which could include any or all communities in the Tay and A9 area. A few people are happy to help would anyone else like to help for an hour?


Energy Fair PCAT Theme 5 group are also planning an Energy Fair on Saturday 2nd September again with Climate Café and the Heat Project. If you would like to help, please get in touch soon.


Recyclosaurus and Escape Rooms Workshops – Drew Scott is offering a workshops. There is a children’s upcycling event, Recyclosaurus on Saturday 15th April just for some Easter fun.  And a number of Escape room sessions as a part of Earth Day, Saturday 22nd April. Please check attached posters.


Earth Day – PKC ha also organised an event in Perth and there will be a Climate Café Network stall there to help promote ourselves in Perth.


The Big Place Conversation has begun! This is a conversation happening in Perth & Kinross communities throughout 2023 to find out what you love about your place, and what could be improved. We'll be talking about things like :

• Are you able to get where you want without using a car?
• Do the houses in your area meet people's needs?
• Can you get to good quality parks and nature?
• Are there the shops and services that you need in your place?

Be part of the conversation! People that work or live in a place know it best so are the best judge of what is good and what could be better.
https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/22957/The-Big-Place-Conversation


Waste Reduction – I had contacted Etape, Pitlochry Highland Games and NYSP about waste reduction last year but didn’t get very far. Thought it might be an idea to ask them again this year as there is more time to do so. Would anyone like to help?


Burnside Toilets Update. Thank you to everyone who has become a member of Sprout, our new community environmental organisation. The deadline has changed to 20th April due to Easter holidays so there is still time to support the project. We have 68 members and at least 8 letters of support now.
Biodiversity Town? Catherine Lloyd – Tayside Biodiversity Partnership has been in touch with me regarding this as they have now received some funding to roll out the Biodiversity Villages, Towns & Neighbourhoods Initiative. The basic concepts behind the project are:

• the proposal is that each local community holds a mapping session to enable everyone to say what they would like to see wildlife-wise in the area (and add to the knowledge of what is already present).
• PKC Greenspace staff will hopefully be present so they can say what they will or will not allow where greenspace changes are suggested.
• Wildlife corridors and pollinator stepping stones can be mapped or planned, and details shared as to potentially interested farmers and landowners nearby where we can extend the habitats beyond the town itself.
• Biodiversity projects (and citizen science surveys) can be listed, including existing initiatives, those that people have heard about from elsewhere, plus ideas listed in the Toolkit.

 Catherine would be happy to answer any questions on this and we can organise a community mapping session in May or June. Some people from the Pitlochry Community Action Trust, Theme 5 E & S group are interested so what do you think?


Presentations and workshops - I am going to sort a monthly talk or workshop for the Climate Cafe as I still have funding for this so any ideas would be appreciated.


Climate Week and or Tattie Bogle Trail October – Drew Scott is interested in helping with this event this year so looking to see if anyone else would like to be involved.


Guided tour Martin Mathers is doing a guided walk in Black Spout Woods on Sunday 7th May at 11am, through the Tayside Woodlands Partnership. Meet up in the bottom car park and dogs are welcome.


Next Climate Cafes are Tuesday 11th April 1pm and Thursday 13th April 7pm in the Pitlochry Library. Everyone is welcome.

Climate Café Tuesday 7th February 2023 1pm

1. Insulate Pitlochry event at The Co-op on 21st January went very well.

An information sheet has been prepared ( see below) giving detailed advice on sources of help and funding, depending on an individual’s circumstances. An abbreviated form of this sheet will be in next month’s “Pitlochry Life” magazine.
The Energy Saving Trust (0808 808 2282. Weekdays 8-8, Saturday 9-5) is also a good source of advice.

1. There is currently no PKC allotment officer, despite the fact that the PKC is supposed to be obliged to provide allotments if requested. Allotments were first requested many years ago, and now there are still delays despite potential land being available. Bit of a stalemate at present.

1. Recycling centre issues were discussed. Pedestrians or folk on bikes cannot visit the recycling centre, and several people have found this very inconvenient. This is apparently because of Health and Safety reasons- there was apparently a pedestrian death at one site. ? Could a  time be put aside for those on bikes/on foot to attend? Some people have had difficulties disposing of toxic liquids, paint etc. 

1. It was agreed that the Climate Café will try to ask members of the PKC       Climate Change and Sustainable Development Team to come to meet with us to discuss some of our above concerns , specifically: 

-Planning permission difficulties, including for green initiatives such as solar panels etc. 
-Recycling Centre issues 
-Long term lack of progress on allotments and lack of an allotment officer. 

1. Andrew Dixon organic farmer from Orkney attended. He has family in the area and often visits. General discussion re organic farming especially of livestock, and importance of caring for the soil.

1. Caroline Bavey, newly appointed manager of the “Explorer’s Garden” next to the Festival Theatre attended. She is an experienced gardener and won an award in the past for an Eco-garden at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. She talked about the plans for the garden. Some Health and Safety work will be needed initially (mainly involving tree management) but she is hopeful the garden will open again in May. Volunteers are now welcome and she asked if we would spread the word. “O” will be doing a tree survey and advising where appropriate, and a tree surgeon has been appointed. Caroline can be contacted on caroline.bavey@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com

1. Pitlochry Garden Share Anna Stokes was in touch after the meeting. She has written asking me to add an update about the Garden Share, below.

Pitlochry Garden Share Update
In December we became an unincorporated association with a Bank Account, a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. We received our seed order (majority are non hybrid and heirlooms so we can start saving our own seed for future planting) and we will grow between 35 and 40 varieties of vegetables this season! 


We were awarded funding from PKC Community Investment Fund so we will be able to purchase a polytunnel and various other bits of equipment to help grow more veg to share with the community. The funding application is also to cover costs of the Open Kitchen events that started in September. The Open Kitchen is a branch of the Garden Share, we organise monthly informal cooking sessions where we use as much of the locally grown produce. We share recipes, cook and eat together and have a blether, and it is inter- generational! We recently organised a free Community Burn's Night in partnership with the Moulin Hall Committee and it was a great success thus becoming an annual event!


The Garden Share has a project with the Food Bank to supply them with a veg box from our own produce, when we have enough surplus - we are planting with that in mind, to make sure we have plenty surplus but obviously can't guarantee until we harvest.


We are still looking for a few more volunteer gardeners to join this season (need to be able to commit to 6 hours per month minimum), and also volunteer supporters (to help whenever you can).
Get in touch via our Facebook page or email pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com
We don't have a website yet, but it is on the agenda for this year.




Next Climate Cafes are Tuesday 7th March 1pm amd Thursday 9th March 7pm in the Pitlochry Library. Everyone is welcome. ​

CAP ( Community Action Plan) Theme 5
Carol updated us re what has been going on with the CAP Theme 5 (Environment and Sustainability). A Community Renewable Energy Scheme is being discussed.

1. The first step will be to insulate homes and improve energy efficiency.

There was an “Insulate Pitlochry” stall at the entrance to the Co-Op on Saturday 21st January from 9am till 2 pm. Martin Mathers and Nathan Jamieson from the Heat Project was there to give advice and hand out leaflets, and several others from both Climate Café and CAP Theme 5 Environment and Sustainability group volunteered on the day. There was advice on insulation, draught exclusion and how in general to reduce energy use in the home.
​

Update - Insulate Pitlochry Event went really well with many people stopping to chat to us about all things sustainable regarding our homes. 
Some information for you. If you're struggling to heat your home and want to reduce your carbon footprint, free help is available.
The Heat Project provides a free professional energy advice service to all households and small and medium businesses. Tel: 0783 4962 361 or martin@theheatproject.org. 
Home owners can apply for grants of up to £9,000 from Home Energy Scotland.  Tel: 0808 808 2282. 
For private sector tenants, check your landlord complies with legal requirements (EPC of E or better for tenancies beginning from Oct 2020, D from 31/3/22) then apply to Home Energy Scotland. 
For Local authority tenants should call 07342 924 787, Paul Stewart. Or  http://www.pridejoyhomeservices.co.uk/ 
For landlords, a 0% (plus admin. fee) loan may be available. Business owners can get up to 50% of the cost of EV chargers. Energy Saving Trust. Email:electricvehiclesscotland@est.org.uk

1. The second step is to develop a renewable energy scheme.

A Template is being developed setting out how to go about this.
In the mean-time advice will be taken from other organisations such as Local Energy Scotland. Also from other areas/organisations who have tried similar things, to try to learn from any mistakes. Eg Linlith-Go-Solar.
It was mentioned that some individuals in Victorian houses in the Conservation Area are having problems getting planning permission etc for renewables such as solar panels on their homes. 
Land for community garden/orchard/allotments
Things are still at an early stage, but this is looking more and more likely. The landowner is very keen for the community to use some land of her land and has already been deer-fenced. Planning permission may be needed for access/parking etc.
There may also be tree planting opportunities in Black Spout wood, according to “O” Omungandr Melchizedik. Some of the small beech trees that have self planted will also be removed.


Community Garden Share
Doing very well. There are now 3 gardens in the share, and volunteers who help generally with the scheme, have come on board. The “open Kitchen” has also developed linked to this. Anna is going to give us an update soon. 


Sprout – The Community Eco-Hub and the Burnside Toilets Update
Kaja and I started to investigate the toilets as a permanent venue for Climate Café and a new community eco hub early in 2021. 
After the Men's shed began in August 2021 we were approached by Andrew, and being a member of the Men's Shed, he mentioned they were also looking for a premises and about us sharing the toilets. Kaja, Pete (as Chair of Men’s Shed) and I spoke about this and it seemed like a good solution for both the Climate Café and Men’s Shed to share. That was before the Men’s Shed were offered in November last year, the old Handam shop as a permanent space for them to use and hopefully set up a tool library too. As they now have that space, and as we are still looking at the permanent space so the main group to take on the building would be Sprout to provide an advice and information hub on energy, transport, food etc, including Climate Cafes, workshops and monthly Repair Cafes, workshops, meeting space, swap shop, a remakery (Crieff Remake) etc. We would be using most of the space in the building with the Men’s Shed some workshop space for the Men’s Shed. And we would be able to include some publicly accessible toilets too.  Outside the building would be an outdoor workspace and social space.  


Sprout will be formed by the end of February, and it will be Company Limited By Guarantee (CLG) and we are still hoping to interest more members to take the project forward. 


However, there are now 2 commercial businesses who are interested in the building, so it is now on sale on the open market. So we are also in the process of writing the application for a Community Asset Transfer to be submitted asap.

​Carol Aitken

O has donated some woodland trees for planting at Dun Coillich and will have more in the future. Through a few discussions in the Climate Café, Alison R. along with The Delta Park group have planted 5 new fruit trees in the park this year for community use. 


Community Garden share: Anna S and the Garden share volunteers now have 3 gardens participating. Volunteers attend these gardens with a view to growing fruit and vegetables to share with each other and with the community in the Food Larder. Since last year, Catherine Holmes brought together a team of volunteer fruit pickers, who with garden owners’ permission, gathered fruit (mainly apples) for free distribution in the community. Anna and volunteers also helped with the fruit picking this year and gathered 4 tons of apples that were taken to Wasted Degrees to be turned into cider.


Repair Café: Has proved very popular as both a repair café and social space for our community to meet up. There is funding until March with more funding been applied for through Community Investment Fund to cover the following 12 months. 


Enchanted Forest: A meeting with Enchanted Forest is being organised to continue to develop ways to be more carbon neutral. 


Town centre recycling bins: A proposal that was discussed in the Climate Café and almost implemented in early 2020 is to be resurrected with PKC but the aim is to get some local sponsorship e.g. from Enchanted Forest.


Men’s Shed Venue: They now have a premises which was previously occupied by Handam and there will have some space for a Tool Library. 


Old Toilet Block: Building in very bad condition. PKC’s valuation of the building should be completed soon awaited. Potential uses include some workshop space for Men’s Shed. A shower, toilet and chemical disposal toilet for camper vans who park in the local vicinity. Space for our Climate Café and Sprout, the community eco hub, which having a permanent location would allow us to create an information and meeting space, A Remakery, and where workshops and regular events could be staged.


Sprout, The Community Eco Hub: has 45 members signed up as at date of meeting. Preference is for the organisation to become a CLG or charity so we can become an umbrella community organisation for other environmental groups and events such as the Remakery and the Repair Café etc. 


Pitlochry Eco Badge – Alison would like some help to contact Accommodation Providers to discuss this. 
Himalayan Balsam – Alison is interested in this along with a few other people and will be chatting to some people from Dunkeld about the issues etc.  
Updates on any actions from E & S Group ( CAP Theme 5) on 2nd November which was focused on Community Renewable Energy with *Martin Mathers and *John Ferguson.   


The main points are: 

1. This project will help PKC to work towards their future Perth and Kinross area wide renewable energy plan and targets. 
2. Our meeting with both John and Martin looked at together on a Renewable Energy scheme between Dunkeld and Pitlochry. My idea. That way we combine the benefits from the skills, knowledge and resources in these communities to create either site specific renewable schemes – PV panels and Air Source HPs or a multiple communities scheme with all the communities in between but could also include those as far north as Trinafour. 

Martin mentioned it could also be an A9 Wind turbine corridor project on Forest Park land to supply any community that would like to participate in this project. Make this area self-sufficient not just one community. Each community would have to create their own community group or chum with a larger group to undertake the work needed. It would be a community led project. 

1. Martin mentioned that along with this we need to insulate everyone’s home, refurbish or install secondary glazing, replace with new windows and draughtproof windows and doors , as that will reduce our energy demands, reduce electricity and gas usage
2. Had a meeting with Thomas Glen and the Theme Groups on the 29th November and they liked the idea of the Communities Renewable energy Scheme.    

Process 
First Stage (about 12 months) - It's about getting a group of people together from many fields of expertise and any interested residents for conversations. 


Second Stage (about 18 months)- We would have an idea of what renewables scheme we would want, so funding and funding and hire energy consultants etc and to consider things like planning applications, would be next. 


Next Climate Cafés - The new venue for future Climate Cafes will be the Pitlochry Library Tuesday in the second week of the month so our first two are on 10th January 1pm & Thursday 12th January 7pm. 
Support for Climate Cafes and key for Library - O and Alison have offered to support all of us by taking some future Climate Cafes and being the responsible person for keys for library. 
*John Ferguson is the head of Strategy at the Binn Eco Innovation Park in Perthshire which its primary business themes are waste and resource management, renewable energy and food production. 
*Martin Mathers is the project manager for The Heat Project who provide free, professional energy advice service to households and (businesses) throughout Perth and Kinross to help them become more energy efficient and reduce their energy bills.

​Carol Aitken

Over the two weeks of COP26, it was a busy time in Pitlochry with a number of events organised in response to it.  The Pitlochry Community Tattie Bogle and Tumshie Festival, and two craft workshops on stone painting and bunting making with Pitlochry Community Support Group. Our Zero-waste Festival on Sunday 7th November, all of which have been great successes and were focussed on reusing resources. And there are more events to be organised over the coming months. 

We want to finish our response to COP26 with the screening of the Australian Climate Solutions film, 2040. We realise some of you will have seen this documentary already but it is such a positive film that we wanted to re-screen it for everyone to enjoy again. There are 3 screenings, two in person screenings  (Dates and Times are Saturday 27th Nov, 6.45pm and Sunday 28th Nov, 2.30pm) or a virtual screening (you can watch anytime between Saturday 27th Dec from 6.30pm to Sunday 28th Dec 6.30pm) so you can choose which version you are most comfortable with and the in person screenings will take place in the Atholl Centre as they have a screen and projector. Link to the Eventbrite pages are below to book your places and we have made it a free event for everyone. Any problems please come back to me. Please share with your family and friends as we have 100 tickets all together to use .
 


I would like to add a reflection or two from some Climate Cafe experiences of the Global Day of Action March during COP26.


 “Glasgow on Saturday, 6th November was cold, wet and windy - a day to coorie in with a good book. But one hundred thousand people, fired up to call for real action on the climate crisis, chose otherwise and gathered in Kelvingrove Park to march through the city to Glasgow Green. The march was strongly multi-cultural, local people walking alongside others who had travelled thousands of miles to advocate for their countries, many of which were very seriously and immediately threatened. Multiple disparate groups were represented, all unified by a common passion and purpose. The grass roots climate movement is growing fast, dispelling the myth that individuals can make minimal impact in the face of political inertia and corporate power. On Saturday the turnout of people embracing the old adage “far better to light a candle than curse the darkness” testified to this. “


"It was obvious from the huge variety of groups attending how much climate change issues are bound up with Justice, politics and human rights”
 


Our final Climate cafe meetings of 2021 were to be held on Thursday 2nd Dec, 7pm to 9pm and Tuesday 14th Dec, 1pm to 3pm both in the Moulin Hall. The CC on Tuesday 14th Dec was originally organised for Tuesday 7th Dec but will now take place the following week. 




To come along and watch 2040 in person on Saturday 27th November 6.45pm, please use this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cop26-pitlochry-district-climate-cafe-event-the-film-2040-tickets-207373578957



To come along and watch 2040 in person on Sunday 28th November 2.30pm, please use this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cop26-pitlochry-district-climate-cafe-event-the-film-2040-tickets-207400379117



To watch 2040 virtually. The 24 hour virtual Screening from Saturday 27th November 6.30pm to Sunday 28th November 6,30pm, please use this link: https://2040pdcc.eventbrite.co.uk 

Joyce Veheary - Lend and Tend Joyce came along to tell us about her project and talk us through the process. With Lend and Tend, garden owners can offer parts of their gardens to people who would like to garden and can help with tasks like weeding or digging, cutting grass, composting and growing veg, fruit and flowers which they can share. There is also the social aspect which is important too. If you are interested there is a link to her Garden Share applications for lenders and Tenders on the lendandtend website. If you would like to contact Joyce directly with any questions or any other information her email is Lendandtend@gmail.com You can also get a paper copy of the allocation forms from Kaja if someone doesn’t have access to the internet. They can be filled in and returned to Handam Shop to be photocopied and sent onto Joyce. But we also have a local mobile number to call 07504 488873. Joyce is seeing a growing number of people wanting to be
lenders or tenders. She offers this service on a voluntary basis and operates a "Pay-What-You-Can" basis. The suggested donation is £12.99.

PKC Community Food Growing Strategy. Update from Alison Robb– She spoke to PKC for growing fruit trees and bushes, and they have provided her with a few suggestions. Part of the recreation grounds might be ok. A community orchard and allotments could be created at the end of Ballinlochan Terrace.
SSE owns the area of land near the Dam but have suggested it wouldn’t work there but that may change.

There was a recent Forestry Commission consultation that Alison sent me regarding Fonab and Grandtully forest land management survey and I missed sending it out to everyone before the deadline, which I apologise for. However, I have been in contact with Nick Gough and asked if we could still add our opinions and he said yes as they would appreciate everyone thoughts. Here is the website https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/planning/consultations/fonab-and-
grandtully-land-management-plan-consultation and if you have any comments, please send them directly to him. Nick.Gough@forestryandland.gov.scot Our concern is the use of those non biodegradeable tree guards as there are so many of them being used. I have wondered if someone goes around and collects them when they are no longer needed. Or are they just left?

Jess Pepper - Water Saving Project in Dunkeld and Birnam, 2019 Their Climate Café was approached by Scottish Water and Home Energy Scotland to help them conduct a trial in the town to take simple steps to reduce their daily water consumption and improve water efficiency. Our drinking water takes a lot of processing and energy to reach the level of quality we are used to, then heating it brings its own costs. In a year they saved 1 million gallons of water.  Click here for more info.
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Energy Saving Trust can offer devices such as eco-showerheads, shower timers and toilet cistern displacement devices and possibly water butts. They can also give literature and advice showing people how to change their day to day behaviour to save water. Water saving packs can be requested from Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or email WaterSavingPack@est.org.uk
For more information on water saving, click here.

So, a project this year for Pitlochry? - We are looking at contacting Scottish Water to undertake a small water saving project in Pitlochry using toilet Cistern Displacement devices and water butts (if possible) to see how much water we can save over a given period of time. The idea would be to ask everyone to commit to saving some water when flushing our toilets. Between water butts and cistern water saving devices we could save quite a bit. Alison worked out that the average
household size in Scotland last year was about 2. And if you were to place a 1 litre displacement device in the cistern and flush only four times per day that would be a saving of 8 litres/day. Over a year that would be 2920 litres of water saved per year!

Mary McDougall– Update on Verges - Is anything happening with changes to local practices on the use of pesticides and cutting verges – nothing to report at the moment.

Community Eco Hub: As part of the development of a local Community Eco Hub we are continuing to focus on the information space situated in the Handam shop where we will have leaflets, books, presentations on issues with waste, energy efficiency in homes, food, transport and nature. Kaja has been in touch with Zero Waste Scotland who have a lot of resources we can use, leaflets and webinars which we could make available to all the climate cafes too. We have completed a short community engagement survey for everyone to fill in and return to us asap or by Saturday July 31st 2021. Here is the link but you can also fill it through the IRIS magazine, or you can pop into Handam Shop (behind Davidson's Pharmacy and Coffee Break) to pick up a paper copy of the survey.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated,  and if you could pass these
links to others as we would like as many people as possible to participate in the survey, Thanks.

Jess Pepper – Update on COP26 – is a global United Nations Summit about Climate Change and how countries plan to tackle it, which is a huge event and is coming to Glasgow the first 2 weeks in November and will be in person covid permitting. For more information check here. 

Another group the COP26 Coalition is a civil society coalition made of groups and individuals from a range of constituencies in the UK will be running another few days of live events for people to participate in from a different perspective to
COP26. In the run up to the main event we have pre - events such as the G7 in Cornwall and a climate change conference in Bonn in June and the Pre – COP26 summit in September/October in Milan so lots happening. If you would like to know more, you can sign up for the COP26 newsletter, or check out some of the other groups like Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.

In regard to Climate Cafes, Jess and I have been chatting to other UK Climate Reality Leaders about them and they are eager to learn and support the opening of more Climate Cafes throughout the UK.

Climate Reality team have applied for a space at COP26 and we plan to create a number of then around Glasgow using our Climate Café ethos to get as many folks talking. People who are already involved in our Climate Cafes or who would like to be, can help support and participate in these conversations.

Climate Café Craft project - As well as the Big Tree project. There is another - Stitches For Survival is a group of crafters creating a heart-felt message for COP26 climate talks. They are knitting, crocheting, stitching and crafting 1.5 miles of climate messages for the negotiators to urge them to take bold and binding action together to put the Earth centre-stage at COP26!
 Could this be a project not just for COP26 but for a local event too?

Len Seal – Update on open meeting to form a Communities Woodlands group. There is a lot of interest to create a local woodlands network around Perth and Kinross. And if you are interested in being involved with this group, please contact Len at  lenseal210@gmail.com. And there is more information on Blairgowrie and Rattray Climate Café here.

As an example there is a Woodlands Project that is near Stanley, You may have heard of it. I have included it for your information. 

Alan McDonnell from Trees for life came along to tour meeting as he is interested in creating a Climate Café or something similar close to where he lives and works. So for reference here is Alan's email alanm@treesforlife.org.uk and CWA a organisation that supports community woodland groups.
 
Last months Climate Conversation Forest Gardening was  from Alan Carter: His talk was very interesting. He also has a book called Food Forest in your Garden. Click here for his website.

Next Climate Conversation is the Australian film, 2040 is on Monday 24th May, (all day) Damon Gameau explores what the future in 2040 could look like by the time his daughter is 24 years old. He focuses on promoting some of the best climate change solutions available to us now and shifting them rapidly into normal practices that we could use to help improve our planet.
For those of you who can,t make the evening event, but would still like to see the film, we have also been given the opportunity to watch it at our convenience throughout the day on Monday 24th May as well.
All you need to do is sign up for the event on Eventbrite and you will be sent an email with the link(s) to the film and zoom that morning. The evening event will take the form of - We individually watch the film then come onto zoom at 8.30pm for an after the film chat.
   
Seed Exchange Box: There is a seed exchange box at Handam Shop for any unwanted/spare garden seeds you have? Come see what they have. Drop some off and/or pick some up. 

Ecosia: Some of you may already be using this site, Ecosia, "the search engine that plants trees".
They donate at least 80% of their profits to non-profit organisations.

​Carol Aitken