MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Welcome to the latest edition of the Better Wetherby (BW) Newsletter.
Since our last newsletter, we have held our long planned Strategy Workshop – delayed due to Covid – to look to the future direction and work of BW. It was a productive meeting and a pleasure to meet on a face-to-face basis with other Steering Group members again. We have much still to do, but you will find a brief update of the meeting below.
In relation to the massive housing development that will be built on Racecourse Approach over the coming years, there is little to report since our previous newsletter. The Design Workshop process has basically been on hold for a few weeks, but it is pleasing that the previous Workshop discussions with the house builders, Taylor Wimpey and Leeds City Council planners, have been positive. BW look forward to a resumption of the consultation process as we continue our efforts to get the best possible outcome for the residents of Wetherby and surrounding villages. I hope to be able to provide an update in the next newsletter.
You will find details below about the forthcoming Wetherby Festival in September and an Eco Fair in October. BW will be mounting displays at both events, so I encourage you to come along and learn more about our work.
Those of us actively involved in BW are all volunteers, but we would welcome further support. We particularly need someone to take over the role of Treasurer, so please think about getting involved and helping our efforts.
Enjoy the rest of the summer. Thanks for reading.
Roger Owen
Chair: Better Wetherby Partnership
BETTER WETHERBY STRATEGY MEETING
An initial Strategy Workshop to consider the future direction of BW took place on 21st July. The range of discussions covered a wide area and we were fortunate to have the benefit of an excellent facilitator in Neil Ripley who kept the discussions focused. It was agreed that BW has an important role in influencing future housing policy and in helping to protect the environment, whilst aiming to ensure that local development is responsible, sustainable and appropriate to the needs of the area. However, the Workshop also identified a number of challenges and areas for action. The next stage in the process is to develop an action plan and this work will take place over the coming months.
WETHERBY ARTS FESTIVAL – 3rd to 5th September
After the disappointment of having to cancel the 2020 Festival due to Covid, it is welcome news that the 2021 Festival will be held between 3rd and 5th September. It is an outdoor event and will take place on Church Field, behind St. James Church Centre, off Church Street, Wetherby, LS22 6LP. BW will have a display stand near the entrance to the Festival, along with Boston Spa, Wetherby and Villages Community Green Group, so please look us up to learn more about efforts to protect the local environment. More information can be found at the following link: https://www.wetherbyfestival.co.uk
GOING GREEN WEEKEND AND ECO FAIR – 2nd & 3rd October
The consequences of climate change have been vividly highlighted in recent weeks with extreme weather conditions affecting many parts of the world. The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also generally referred to as COP 26 (Conference of the Parties), hosted by the UK, will take place in Glasgow between 1st and 12th November. It aims at accelerating action in working towards the goals and targets agreed at the previous conference held in Paris in 2015.
Local action is also being taken in our area. Leeds City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and Wetherby Town Council has established a climate emergency group. In the run-up to COP 26, various local activities are being planned to raise awareness of climate change in a ‘Going Green Weekend’ over 2nd & 3rd October. The initiative is being jointly organised by the Boston Spa, Wetherby and Villages Community Green Group, Churches Together and Wetherby Town Council.
The main event will be an Eco Fair which will take place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, 2nd October 2021 at Wetherby Methodist Church. Entry is free and there will be displays, presentations, activities for children, competitions, cake stalls and refreshments. Better Wetherby will have a display, so please come along and see us.
GREENING THE HEART OF WETHERBY– St James Church project 8TH September
St James Church, Wetherby, has won a grant from the Central Government’s Rural Communities Energy Fund to help encourage rural communities to improve their energy use. A feasibility study will be carried out, including an assessment of the church and ancillary buildings. It is hoped to include other buildings in the heart of Wetherby, particularly those close by. The aim is to find out how to best achieve a carbon neutral situation in line with the Church of England’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030. That will mean less reliance on oil and gas and more on ‘green’ energy such as wind and solar power. The biggest energy use at St James’ is heating, but lighting and kitchen appliances will be looked at as well.
A Community Open Meeting is to be held at St. James Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th September 2021 where more details of the project will be outlined. For further information please contact Emma Wheeler-Osman by email on [email protected]
Welcome to the latest edition of the Better Wetherby (BW) Newsletter.
Since our last newsletter, we have held our long planned Strategy Workshop – delayed due to Covid – to look to the future direction and work of BW. It was a productive meeting and a pleasure to meet on a face-to-face basis with other Steering Group members again. We have much still to do, but you will find a brief update of the meeting below.
In relation to the massive housing development that will be built on Racecourse Approach over the coming years, there is little to report since our previous newsletter. The Design Workshop process has basically been on hold for a few weeks, but it is pleasing that the previous Workshop discussions with the house builders, Taylor Wimpey and Leeds City Council planners, have been positive. BW look forward to a resumption of the consultation process as we continue our efforts to get the best possible outcome for the residents of Wetherby and surrounding villages. I hope to be able to provide an update in the next newsletter.
You will find details below about the forthcoming Wetherby Festival in September and an Eco Fair in October. BW will be mounting displays at both events, so I encourage you to come along and learn more about our work.
Those of us actively involved in BW are all volunteers, but we would welcome further support. We particularly need someone to take over the role of Treasurer, so please think about getting involved and helping our efforts.
Enjoy the rest of the summer. Thanks for reading.
Roger Owen
Chair: Better Wetherby Partnership
BETTER WETHERBY STRATEGY MEETING
An initial Strategy Workshop to consider the future direction of BW took place on 21st July. The range of discussions covered a wide area and we were fortunate to have the benefit of an excellent facilitator in Neil Ripley who kept the discussions focused. It was agreed that BW has an important role in influencing future housing policy and in helping to protect the environment, whilst aiming to ensure that local development is responsible, sustainable and appropriate to the needs of the area. However, the Workshop also identified a number of challenges and areas for action. The next stage in the process is to develop an action plan and this work will take place over the coming months.
WETHERBY ARTS FESTIVAL – 3rd to 5th September
After the disappointment of having to cancel the 2020 Festival due to Covid, it is welcome news that the 2021 Festival will be held between 3rd and 5th September. It is an outdoor event and will take place on Church Field, behind St. James Church Centre, off Church Street, Wetherby, LS22 6LP. BW will have a display stand near the entrance to the Festival, along with Boston Spa, Wetherby and Villages Community Green Group, so please look us up to learn more about efforts to protect the local environment. More information can be found at the following link: https://www.wetherbyfestival.co.uk
GOING GREEN WEEKEND AND ECO FAIR – 2nd & 3rd October
The consequences of climate change have been vividly highlighted in recent weeks with extreme weather conditions affecting many parts of the world. The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also generally referred to as COP 26 (Conference of the Parties), hosted by the UK, will take place in Glasgow between 1st and 12th November. It aims at accelerating action in working towards the goals and targets agreed at the previous conference held in Paris in 2015.
Local action is also being taken in our area. Leeds City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and Wetherby Town Council has established a climate emergency group. In the run-up to COP 26, various local activities are being planned to raise awareness of climate change in a ‘Going Green Weekend’ over 2nd & 3rd October. The initiative is being jointly organised by the Boston Spa, Wetherby and Villages Community Green Group, Churches Together and Wetherby Town Council.
The main event will be an Eco Fair which will take place between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, 2nd October 2021 at Wetherby Methodist Church. Entry is free and there will be displays, presentations, activities for children, competitions, cake stalls and refreshments. Better Wetherby will have a display, so please come along and see us.
GREENING THE HEART OF WETHERBY– St James Church project 8TH September
St James Church, Wetherby, has won a grant from the Central Government’s Rural Communities Energy Fund to help encourage rural communities to improve their energy use. A feasibility study will be carried out, including an assessment of the church and ancillary buildings. It is hoped to include other buildings in the heart of Wetherby, particularly those close by. The aim is to find out how to best achieve a carbon neutral situation in line with the Church of England’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030. That will mean less reliance on oil and gas and more on ‘green’ energy such as wind and solar power. The biggest energy use at St James’ is heating, but lighting and kitchen appliances will be looked at as well.
A Community Open Meeting is to be held at St. James Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th September 2021 where more details of the project will be outlined. For further information please contact Emma Wheeler-Osman by email on [email protected]