Coal mine hearing postponed

A hearing on the proposed coal mine at Whitehaven, which was due to have happened on Friday 22 February, was postponed. The new date appears to be Tuesday 19 March. South Lakes Action on Climate Change is among the organisations that have objected to the proposal. Read more

Chance to bring sustainability to the fore as part of Cumbria's economic growth

Take part in the final round of consultations on the development of Cumbria's Local Industrial Strategy, which is the county's key strategy for growing the economy, improving productivity and making sure that everyone in Cumbria can benefit from economic growth. There are four sessions in March, organised by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership. Read more

Sustainable homes focus at Cumbria Life Home & Garden Show 

This year’s Cumbria Life Home & Garden Show in Penrith offers opportunities to learn about making your home energy efficient and flood resilient, including a workshop and stall by CAfS. The show is on 15-17 March. Read more

CAfS courses for trades, construction professionals & householders

We are offering evening courses especially for professionals and householders involved in retrofitting existing buildings. You’ll learn about the techniques and materials to make buildings more energy efficient and weather resilient. The courses are priced at just £30, thanks to support from South Lakeland District Council and Kendal College. Read more

Churches host Caring for our Common Home conference on sustainability

Churches from across Cumbria came together last month for a conference on the Christian response to the mounting environmental challenges. CAfS was among the environmental organisations taking part in the Caring for Our Common Home event, at Keswick School on 2 February 2019. Read more

AECB sustainable building group starting in Cumbria

This group will offer a combination of presentations and site visits throughout 2019, to gain knowledge on sustainable building. The AECB (Association for Environment Conscious Building) events are free and you don’t need to be a member of the AECB to come along. The first evening event on 25 April will look at refurbishment of existing buildings, including life cycle analysis and embodied energy in retrofits, how the new refurbishment standard PAS2035 will work in practice, and a site visit to the sympathetic deep retrofit of the former Victorian battery house at Halton Mill. For information and booking: [email protected].

Free environmental advice for businesses and discount on green certification

There’s a free advice session for businesses wanting to run their operations in a more environmentally-friendly way. You’ll also learn about the benefits of having an environmental management system in place, and certification that recognises your green credentials. The event is at the Mintworks in Kendal on March 15. Read more

Sustainability events in Cumbria

Sustainable Brampton AGM | Wed 10 Apr | Time & venue TBC | Talk on reducing plastic by Penrith Action for Community Transition

Earth Day at South Tynedale Railway | Mon 22 Apr | Rechargeable battery electric locos and Green Dragon, which runs on waste wood briquettes, will be running. Craft sessions for families using recycled materials.

South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC tt) AGM | Thu 25 Apr | Talk by Mike Berners-Lee on his latest book and particularly on the theme of food and how what we eat can influence climate

Passivhaus contractor course | 13-14 May | Carlisle

New AECB Passivhaus Contractor course, focusing on core Passivhaus building techniques

Freegle Give & Takes

Seedy Saturday and Gardening Freegle | Sat 9 Mar | 10am-12pm | Salvation Army Hall, Penrith

Give & Take with seed swap | Sat 23 Mar | 10am-1pm | M:HUB Milnthorpe
Contact Katharine Smith or 07831 205382

Give and Take | Sun 28 Apr | 9:30am-12.30pm | Shap Memorial Hall

Farmers' markets

Carlisle - First Sat
Brampton - Last Sat
Brough - Third Sat
Kendal - Last Fri
Kirkoswald - Third Sat
Orton - Second Sat
Penrith - Third Tue

Sustainability networking

Carlisle: Conversation Café | Third Sat | 12-2pm | Cakes & Ale Café
Penrith: Green Drinks | First Thu | 7.30pm | Dockray Hall

Repair cafes

Bring along items that need fixed and volunteers will do their best to help. You might even learn a few skills along the way.

Simply Repair South Lakes, Pop-Up Repair Workshop | Tue 5 Mar | 4.30-7pm | Castle St Community Centre, Kendal

Penrith | Sat 9 Mar | 10am-1pm | Old Fire Station

Alston Moor | Sun 28 Apr | 10am-1pm | Nenthead Big Breakfast

Beach/river cleans:

Beach cleans by Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Solway area Contact John Gorrill for details

Know of a sustainability event?

Tell us about it and we'll include it next time.