Category: Clubs and Societies

Saturday 25th October 2025

From the Co-Chairs, Sustainable Warminster:

Dear members,

We hope Autumn has treated you well. As we transition into Winter and the darker, longer nights, we send our best wishes.

Please see below some Dates for your Diary in October, November, and December 2025. Following these events, we’ve also included some recent news items you may find of interest:

Thursday, 30 October, 9:30am, Wildflower plug planting session at Fore Street, Warminster.
Help add colour, biodiversity, and pollinator-friendly plants to Fore Street, Warminster. Duration: approx. 3 hours. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing for the weather, gardening gloves, and sturdy footwear for uneven ground. Let us know if you can make it by emailing Amy directly: press@sustainablewarminster.co.uk

Thursday, 30 October, 10:00am – 5:00pm,  Practical Ways of Dealing with a Changing Climate: Sustainability & Resilience Event in Westbury.

Westbury Town Council is hosting a free event at The Laverton in Westbury to help Wiltshire residents understand the small steps they can take to improve the climate for themselves and future generations. 

To take part, please register to ensure a place and get a free lunch: Sustainable, Resilient Westbury – Westbury Town Council

Friday, 31 October, Halloween Food Night at The Wellbeing Hub in Warminster, 6:00-10:00pm, 36 High Street, Warminster, BA12 0AF
Fancy dress optional. More details are in the attached flyer.

Friday, 7 November, 7:30pm, Green Drinks at The Wellbeing Hub, 36 High Street, Warminster, BA12 0AF
Join us for an informal gathering to chat about our work or simply connect. New attendees welcome!

Saturday, 8 November, 1:00-4:00pm, An Afternoon of Sustainability Projects; The Wellbeing Hub, 36 High Street, Warminster, BA12 0AF

This free event will showcase work by Dr Charity Chenga, Iain Perkins, Amy Darbyshire, and Matt Wisdom, who will discuss sustainability projects from Warminster to Africa. More details can be found here: From Warminster to Africa: A showcase of sustainability and conservation projects – Warminster Town Council

Saturday, 15 November, 10:00am – 12:30pm, Bradford on Avon’s Repair Cafe, Wallington Hall, Church Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LN

This event aims to keep household items out of landfill. Bring no more than two items for repair. For general enquiries email: boa@shareandrepair.org.uk For specific questions about what can be repaired, please phone: 07963 878319. Find out more here: (6) BoA Share and Repair | Facebook or in the attached flyer.

Monday, 8 December, 7:30pm, Festive Green Drinks at The Fox & Hounds, 6 Deverill Road, Warminster BA12 9QP
Join us for a festive, informal gathering to chat or connect. Everyone is welcome.

Keep up-to-date with our regular column in the Warminster Journal. Here are some of our latest articles:

Sustainable Warminster: A year in the orchard bears fruit as apple pressing begins – Warminster Journal

Sustainable Warminster: The scary truth about Halloween – Warminster Journal

Did you spot Warminster toad patrol in The Guardian this week? ‘The cars just turn them into mush’: can Britain’s toads be saved from traffic and terrible decline? | Conservation | The Guardian

Wiltshire Council is inviting residents to share their views on plans for a new School Streets trial to create safer, cleaner environments for children.
School Streets temporarily restrict motor vehicle access during school drop-off and pick-up times during the school term. The council will consult from Monday, 3 November to Sunday, 15 December. People’s feedback will help shape the trial. The council expects the project to begin after the Easter holidays in 2026. More information can be found here: Council to launch School Streets trial in five areas of the county – with a consultation to start next month – Wiltshire Council

New air quality planning guidance for developments in Wiltshire adopted by Wiltshire Council.
Wiltshire Council approved new Supplementary Planning Guidance to deliver air quality improvements on 21 October 2025. Developers must show their projects will not worsen air quality. If there is a risk of more pollution, developers must act or provide funding to help reduce pollution. Find out more here: New air quality planning guidance for developments in Wiltshire adopted by Wiltshire Council – Wiltshire Council

Take care,
Rebecca and Amy.
Co-Chairs, Sustainable Warminster.

Sustainable Warminster
Minutes of Annual General Meeting
7pm, 10 September 2025 at Warminster Civic Centre.

Present: Amy Darbyshire (chair), Rebecca Krzyzosiak (note-taker), Helen Martin (treasurer), Jennie Gilling (Committee member), Clare Hancock, Dennis Brett, Marion Barton, Maggie Richens, Max Richens, Chris Walford (membership), Barb Dodd.

1. Welcome
   The meeting unanimously agreed on the minutes of the previous meeting.
   
2. Chairs’ Report: a review of the year
   Column and comms

• We now have a bi-weekly column in the revived Warminster Journal.
• We’ve introduced improved communications for our members through regular email updates.
  
  Campaigns
  Toad Patrol
• The meeting discussed the ongoing efforts to protect toads crossing roads, including creating leaflets and conducting door-to-door campaigns. The key to helping the community better understand the campaign is through education.
• Where toads were able to mate successfully in the Spring, the babies are now
  migrating back over the road due to the wet/warm weather. More people have joined the Toad Patrol group, as there has been a lot of profiling of toad activity on social media.
• There continue to be challenges with dangerous drivers.
• Amy has arranged an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire about the baby toads
  crossing roads.
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca ask the town council if there is a possibility of installing yellow slower lines, speed watch or rumble strips across the carriageway to deter reckless driving and reduce the speed of vehicles using this route.
• Amy to explore whether we can purchase body cameras for Toad Patrollers.
• Amy to provide Clare some leaflets to dispense at the nature reserve car park.

Plan Bee
Pollination Street has been a huge success.
A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower planting to identify new areas. There are ongoing challenges in maintaining wildflower meadows, as well as the role of volunteers in this effort.

• Where dogs foul in wildflower meadows, this means the wildflower cuttings are
  compromised, as livestock that consume the cuttings (which farmers want in return for their services) can abort their calves, so farmers are not interested in providing cutting services. Local businesses are charging a substantial amount per cut, making it difficult to maintain these areas.
  
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca explore any abandoned flowerbeds in the town to see if any
  can be utilised to grow wildflowers; there are some shaded species which might
  be suitable for such locations.
• Amy and the wildflower sub-group will update the meeting when there is news
  about a meeting with a local housing association where land may be suitable for
  wildflower planting.
  
  Smallbrook Nature Reserve Mural
  Clare provided the update:
• The mural is all finished. It’s been covered with anti-graffiti paint.
• Tanya is working on a board with a key of all the animals which live in the nature reserve, saying what they are.
• A big thanks to all the people who have donated.
• The mural has become a tourist destination for walking groups to visit.
  Actions:
• Clare to write a column for the paper about the finished mural and the animals
  living in the nature reserve.
  
  Rivers and waterways
• Sustainable Warminster is establishing a Rivers and waterways subgroup to monitor and campaign for the health of our local rivers and water systems in and around the town.
• Four people have joined the group now. There are plans for the weekend of 19th-21st September to test local rivers and waterways to coincide with a national water health campaign. Much work is being done quietly behind the scenes for this work.

Actions:
Amy, update the next meeting on the work we are doing with the Wessex Rivers
Trust and water testing.
Amy and Iain consider writing a column update for the local paper about the
health of local rivers.

Collaborations
We continue to work with Warminster Town Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the MOD, the Community Orchard, and others, e.g., the Wessex Rivers Trust.

We greatly appreciate the support and funding we have received from various sources.

The meeting discussed the World Clean Up day being led by town councillor Jack Jones on 20th September, starting at 10am.

Events
October 2024 – March 2025: Energy Advice Tea Parties and Warm and Well Energy Advice events, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
April 2025: Warminster’s Great British Spring Clean, town-wide community litter-pick; a collaboration with Warminster Town Council.
An illustrated wildflower talk by Paul Jupp of Meadow in my Garden, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
June 2025: Sustainable Style clothes swap & shop, at The Wellbeing Hub, Warminster.
July 2025: Pollination street celebration.
August 2025: A thank you Cream Tea in the Community Orchard for our Energy Advice Event volunteers.
Imber ‘Buzz Day’ with Plan Bee.

Thank yous
A big thanks to Clare Hancok, who organises the Green Drinks throughout the year.
Amy and Rebecca extended their thanks and gratitude to the Committee. Jennie and Helen have been very supportive and wonderful mentors – so thank you again.

1. Membership Report
   Chris reported a rise in new members: 12 new members since the last AGM.
   
2. Treasurer’s Report
   Maggie Richens agreed to audit the accounts.

The report shows a decrease in the general fund from the last AGM, with donations helping to offset expenses.

Balances as of 31st August 2025:
Current Account £384.54
Savings Account £6924.73
Petty Cash £79.60
Total £7388.87*
*Retrofit £4108.38
*Plan Bee £1546.96
The General Fund is £1733.53, with an overall total of £7388.87
Actions:

• Chris to follow up with Harriet on the reporting requirements for the retrofit
  grant/funding.
  
• The Committee to consider how best to use the remaining funds for the retrofit
  grant/funding.

1. Continuing Roles and Election of Officers
   Everyone in the committee is happy to continue in their roles as they currently are.
   Amy and Rebecca have dual roles. Amy, the press officer and Co-Chair, and Rebecca, the Secretary and Co-Chair. Rebecca also supports Amy with the comms and the Warminster Journal Column.
   We are looking for someone to take over the secretary role. A request to the entire membership has been sent out, but so far, no one has come forward.
   Action:
   Rebecca to advertise the role on dedicated volunteer platforms, e.g., Wiltshire Together and others across Wiltshire.
   
2. AOB

• A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower meadows.
• Maggie and Max updated the meeting about the idea of setting up a community
  energy project, similar to NADA in Tisbury, to distribute locally generated renewable
  energy.
  Actions:
• Chris to reach out to the NADA Community Energy group to see if they would be
  interested in giving a talk.
• Jennie to schedule a talk by Steve Tonkin on dark skies, potentially in November.

Wednesday 10th September 2025

Sustainable Warminster
Minutes of Annual General Meeting
7pm, 10 September 2025 at Warminster Civic Centre.

Present: Amy Darbyshire (chair), Rebecca Krzyzosiak (note-taker), Helen Martin (treasurer), Jennie Gilling (Committee member), Clare Hancock, Dennis Brett, Marion Barton, Maggie Richens, Max Richens, Chris Walford (membership), Barb Dodd.

1. Welcome
   The meeting unanimously agreed on the minutes of the previous meeting.
   
2. Chairs’ Report: a review of the year
   Column and comms

• We now have a bi-weekly column in the revived Warminster Journal.
• We’ve introduced improved communications for our members through regular email updates.
  Campaigns
  Toad Patrol
• The meeting discussed the ongoing efforts to protect toads crossing roads, including creating leaflets and conducting door-to-door campaigns. The key to helping the community better understand the campaign is through education.
• Where toads were able to mate successfully in the Spring, the babies are now
  migrating back over the road due to the wet/warm weather. More people have joined the Toad Patrol group, as there has been a lot of profiling of toad activity on social media.
• There continue to be challenges with dangerous drivers.
• Amy has arranged an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire about the baby toads
  crossing roads.
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca ask the town council if there is a possibility of installing yellow slower lines, speed watch or rumble strips across the carriageway to deter reckless driving and reduce the speed of vehicles using this route.
• Amy to explore whether we can purchase body cameras for Toad Patrollers.
• Amy to provide Clare some leaflets to dispense at the nature reserve car park.

Plan Bee

• Pollination Street has been a huge success.
• A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower planting to identify new areas. There are ongoing challenges in maintaining wildflower meadows, as well as the role of volunteers in this effort.
• Where dogs foul in wildflower meadows, this means the wildflower cuttings are
  compromised, as livestock that consume the cuttings (which farmers want in return for their services) can abort their calves, so farmers are not interested in providing cutting services. Local businesses are charging a substantial amount per cut, making it difficult to maintain these areas.
  Actions:
• Amy and Rebecca explore any abandoned flowerbeds in the town to see if any
  can be utilised to grow wildflowers; there are some shaded species which might
  be suitable for such locations.
• Amy and the wildflower sub-group will update the meeting when there is news
  about a meeting with a local housing association where land may be suitable for
  wildflower planting.
  Smallbrook Nature Reserve Mural
  Clare provided the update:
• The mural is all finished. It’s been covered with anti-graffiti paint.
• Tanya is working on a board with a key of all the animals which live in the nature reserve, saying what they are.
• A big thanks to all the people who have donated.
• The mural has become a tourist destination for walking groups to visit.
  Actions:
• Clare to write a column for the paper about the finished mural and the animals
  living in the nature reserve.
  Rivers and waterways
• Sustainable Warminster is establishing a Rivers and waterways subgroup to monitor and campaign for the health of our local rivers and water systems in and around the town.
• Four people have joined the group now. There are plans for the weekend of 19th-21st September to test local rivers and waterways to coincide with a national water health campaign. Much work is being done quietly behind the scenes for this work.

Actions:

• Amy, update the next meeting on the work we are doing with the Wessex Rivers
  Trust and water testing.
• Amy and Iain consider writing a column update for the local paper about the
  health of local rivers.
  Collaborations
  We continue to work with Warminster Town Council, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the MOD, the Community Orchard, and others, e.g., the Wessex Rivers Trust.
  We greatly appreciate the support and funding we have received from various sources.
  The meeting discussed the World Clean Up day being led by town councillor Jack Jones on 20th September, starting at 10am.
  Events
  October 2024 – March 2025: Energy Advice Tea Parties and Warm and Well Energy Advice events, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
  April 2025: Warminster’s Great British Spring Clean, town-wide community litter-pick; a collaboration with Warminster Town Council.
  An illustrated wildflower talk by Paul Jupp of Meadow in my Garden, at the Warminster Civic Centre.
  June 2025: Sustainable Style clothes swap & shop, at The Wellbeing Hub, Warminster.
  July 2025: Pollination street celebration.
  August 2025: A thank you Cream Tea in the Community Orchard for our Energy Advice Event volunteers.
  Imber ‘Buzz Day’ with Plan Bee.
  Thank yous
  A big thanks to Clare Hancok, who organises the Green Drinks throughout the year.
  Amy and Rebecca extended their thanks and gratitude to the Committee. Jennie and Helen have been very supportive and wonderful mentors – so thank you again.

1. Membership Report
   Chris reported a rise in new members: 12 new members since the last AGM.
2. Treasurer’s Report
   Maggie Richens agreed to audit the accounts.

The report shows a decrease in the general fund from the last AGM, with donations helping to offset expenses.
Balances as of 31st August 2025:
Current Account £384.54
Savings Account £6924.73
Petty Cash £79.60
Total £7388.87*
*Retrofit £4108.38
*Plan Bee £1546.96
The General Fund is £1733.53, with an overall total of £7388.87
Actions:

• Chris to follow up with Harriet on the reporting requirements for the retrofit
  grant/funding.
• The Committee to consider how best to use the remaining funds for the retrofit
  grant/funding.

1. Continuing Roles and Election of Officers
   Everyone in the committee is happy to continue in their roles as they currently are.
   Amy and Rebecca have dual roles. Amy, the press officer and Co-Chair, and Rebecca, the Secretary and Co-Chair. Rebecca also supports Amy with the comms and the Warminster Journal Column.
   We are looking for someone to take over the secretary role. A request to the entire membership has been sent out, but so far, no one has come forward.
   Action:
   Rebecca to advertise the role on dedicated volunteer platforms, e.g., Wiltshire Together and others across Wiltshire.
2. AOB

• A sub-group is working on a project to expand wildflower meadows.
• Maggie and Max updated the meeting about the idea of setting up a community
  energy project, similar to NADA in Tisbury, to distribute locally generated renewable energy.
  Actions:
• Chris to reach out to the NADA Community Energy group to see if they would be
  interested in giving a talk.
• Jennie to schedule a talk by Steve Tonkin on dark skies, potentially in November.