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Sustainable Sawbridgeworth at River Day

Advice on saving water and keeping our rivers free of litter were key themes for Sustainable Sawbridgeworth at this year’s River Day. Saving water at home directly benefits rivers by reducing strain on water sources, ensuring more water remains in the environment for wildlife and ecosystems. This is especially important in regions like Hertfordshire, where water usage is high, placing stress on chalk streams and rivers.

Residents and visitors attending the fourth year of this annual celebration of the River Stort, organised by Sawbridgeworth Town Council in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, were given a range of tips for saving water, from turning off the shower when applying soap to watering plants at dusk or early in the morning preventing evaporation.

They could also examine various water saving devices available free of charge from water companies – in Sawbridgeworth’s case this is Affinity Water – including volumising shower heads to strips that test leaky loos. Check out your water footprint and order your free devices at www.affinitywater.co.uk/saveourstreams/devices.

With a drought already declared in parts of the UK, it is more important than ever that we save water. By using water more efficiently at home, less water needs to be extracted from rivers and groundwater, preserving these valuable resources.

TUS (Tidy up Sawbridgeworth), part of the group, also looked at the impact of litter on the river. We are very fortunate that Whoosh Explore Canoe Club and other paddlers work extremely hard on a regular basis to keep the river clear of plastic and other litter, which is so vital for the good of wildlife in particular.

A Busy Start to Spring

Flyer Article - May 2025

Sustainable Sawbridgeworth had a busy start to Spring, running both Energy Hub and Tidy Up Sawbridgeworth (TUS) events in Bell Street car park on Saturday 29 March. It also launched its new website covering the group’s mission, initiatives and events.

Residents learnt how to save money on energy bills, create a more comfortable home, reduce their carbon footprint and find grants for DIY at the town’s dedicated Energy Hub, funded by East Herts Council and Sawbridgeworth Town Council. Sustainable Sawbridgeworth volunteers and town councillors talked through suggestions, while a life size replica air source heat pump proved to be a focal point for discussions.

A brilliant bunch of volunteers attended Tidy up Sawbridgeworth for the Great British Spring Clean. Nearly 30 residents aged 4 to 74 were determined to keep the town’s green spaces free of litter, collecting 38 bags of litter in total. One young volunteer Nicholas said: “I want to do it all over again tomorrow”. There are also Litter Heroes who litter pick at least once week: contact tidyupsawbridgeworth@gmail.com if you are interested in joining them.

Sustainable Sawbridgeworth’s new website shows how the group is turning ideas into action, from its thermal imaging camera loan scheme, Repair Café, clean air and cycle ways campaigning, to waste and recycling, litter picking and home energy efficiency. The website is www.sustainablesawbridgeworth.org

Our Stall at The May Fayre 2025 - How Bad Are Bananas?

Sustainable Sawbridgeworth enjoyed a busy day at the May Fayre, giving visitors the chance to have a go at the Banana Game. Based on the book “How Bad Are Bananas?”, this encourages people of all ages to think about the carbon footprint generated in the production of relatable everyday objects and activities, often with surprising and thought-provoking results. Spoiler alert: the bananas actually don’t do too badly! Participants could then take away a banana-related treat. The game aligns with the group’s mission to get people to think about their actions, without being “preachy”. A new banner flag (made from recycled materials) and purchased thanks to a Central Co-op community fund grant was also debuted, which will allow people to spot us easily at future community events. The next opportunity to interact will be on the morning of Saturday June 21st when there will be a stall in Bell Street car park to talk about matters related to Clean Air Day.

We have been busy!

Flyer Article - October 2024

Sustainable Sawbridgeworth volunteers had a busy August supporting key town events in addition to holding the latest Tidy Up Sawbridgeworth session.

The Town Council’s second Energy Hub took place at Fun on the Field with help from the group, providing ideas on how we can all save energy at home and signposting residents to advice on solar panels and air source heat pumps. Using funding from East Herts Council, the Hub displayed a range of demo equipment and gave residents the opportunity to discuss ways they are saving money and cutting their carbon footprint through reduced energy use.

On the same day Sustainable Sawbridgeworth brought 'No Dig' gardening to the Gardens and Allotments Show. Visitors were keen to learn about the popular and growing trend for 'No Dig', promoting weed suppression by placing cardboard directly onto growing sites and putting compost on top. These interventions replace digging soil, which encourages weed growth and releases carbon into the atmosphere in turn contributing to climate change. Adding compost accelerates microbial activity which feeds crop roots while leaving soil undisturbed resulting in increased crop health and yield. Anyone can follow this gardening practice on the smallest or largest of areas.

For further details see Charles Dowding’s ‘No Dig’ videos on YouTube and the East Herts website for more energy saving actions.

Photo: Mayor Cllr Reece Smith and the town's sustainable mascot Sunny the Sawbosaurus with group volunteers and town councillors at the Energy Hub.

Flyer Article - April 2024 by David Royle

Flyer Article April 2024 by David Royle

AN INDEPENDENT VIEW APRIL 2024

AIR POLLUTION:

· Affects every organ in the body; the young, the old, and people with existing health conditions are most at risk.
· KILLS: long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution in England in 2019 was estimated to be equivalent to 26,000 to 38,000 deaths a year.
· The largest single source of PM2.5 fine particulates is from burning wood for home heating (29% of emissions in 2022), then road transport (18%) and industrial processes and product use (16%). (House of Commons Library briefing paper 190224 ).

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

· Even small reductions in air pollution could help: walk, cycle and scoot more, use side streets away from polluting traffic
· Avoid unnecessary burning at home unless it is your only source of heat.
· Use ‘ready to burn’ materials (e.g. dry wood or approved solid fuels) and use an appliance that is eco-design accredited.
· ‘Idling’ . TURN-OFF your engine. Sitting in a car with the engine running when stationary increases pollution outside the car and is worse for those inside the car, especially in winter, as the heater can pull fumes into the vehicle.

IDLING MYTHS vs FACTS

· It’s NOT TRUE that by idling, you save money and fuel
· It’s NOT TRUE that you will ruin your car battery by switching the engine on and off.
· turning your engine off WILL REDUCE POLLUTION inside and outside the car
· BE KIND TO OUR COMMUNITY: avoid idling outside schools, homes, at railway crossings and hospitals.
· Idling is a finable offence under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

SUSTAINABLE SAWBRIDGEWORTH: climate change and air pollution are both associated with the burning of fossil fuels i.e. many sources of air pollution are the same sources that contribute to climate change. Sustainable Sawbridgeworth is working with both East Herts and Herts County Councils on their Clear the Air and Breathe Cleancampaigns; as well as working with schools on reducing idling by cars and buses (especially at Leventhorpe).East Herts Council (EHC) has installed a real-time air monitor on London Road so that residents will soon have the opportunity to plan their journeys more effectively and more sustainably.

THANK YOU FOR PLAYING YOUR PART IN CLEANING UP OUR AIR

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