Great Big Green Week is the UK's celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. You can contact us about any aspect of Great Big Green Week in Shaftesbury and surrounding areas at chris@GreatBigGreenWeekShaftesbury.org. 
Shaftesbury events are organised in association with Planet Shaftesbury. You can see their web site here.
Each person that goes to an event and who enjoys themselves is helping fight climate change and the nature crisis - doubly so if you tell someone else about it.
See the Photography Competition images here
See the Poetry here
Supported by:
Opening ceremony 2pm, Simon Hoare MP,
Shaftesbury Town Hall: Details
St Peter's, Shaftesbury, Breakfast Church;
"St Peter's Goes Green": Details
Shaftesbury Library supports Great Big Green Week: Details
The Healing Green Breath of Nature (herb event): Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
10 - 4 Allotment Society open day
10.30-11.30 Children's workshop: Scarecrow building
1 - 5 Eco Trail with refreshments
2.30 - 3.30 Children's workshop: Wonderful weeds
6 - 9 Opening of photography competition and Letters To Tomorrow exhibition at the New Vic
Shaftesbury Tree Walk 11am: Details
Visit the Shaftesbury Community Farm: Details
Storytelling: Details
Donhead St Andrew's Churchyard Walk & Talk: Details
Make a Bat Box: Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
2 - 6 Children's Film: Ferngully the Last Rainforest at the New Vic
Drawing Trees, 5.30pm Shaftesbury Town Hall: Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
Mmmm (Monday meal movie mingling): Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
7 - 10 "Greening Wallmead" at the NewVic - A talk by Peter Shallcross about developments at Wallmead Farm over since the 1950's
Green Medicine (Herb event): Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
3 - 6 A time for young families to enjoy free food and fun at the Nadder Centre. Join us and partners, including Tisbury Young Naturalists, Cranborne Chase AONB and others for bird and bat box making and other nature recovery themed crafts.
7pm Tisbury Parsh Council Environmental Committee meeting at the Reading Room. All welcome.
7.30pm Great Big Green Week quiz at The Boot.
Visit the Shaftesbury Community Farm: Details
Upcycling and embellishing garments, T-shirts provided: Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
The Great Big Green Sing: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
7.30 "Action for the Avon" at the New Vic - A talk about the River Nadder's pivotal environmental role as a chalk stream feeding into the River Avon.
Green Market 10am-1pm, Shaftesbury High Street: Details
Nature Walk and Refreshments: Details
Litter pick - with Hilltop Litter Pickers: Details
Meet the Town Clerk, discuss Sustainable Shaftesbury: Details
JUMP (nature music): Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
Climate, Nature, Community - talks: Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
6pm to late Eco Music in the skate park
7.30 Environmental Comedy with Jacob Hulland at the New Vic
Abbey School Open Garden: Details
Visit the Shaftesbury Community Farm: Details
Orangutans and deforestation: Details
Candlelight walk 7pm: Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Poetry and Prose Writing Challenge: Details
Candlelight walk 7pm: Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
10 - 1 The Great Big Green Car Boot sale and Jumble trail
10.30 - 11.30 Children's Community Garden workshop: Potty about planting
2.30 - 3.30 Childrens Community Garden workshop: Plant swap
Visit the Shaftesbury Community Farm: Details
Tai Chi for Health: Details
Make a Hedgehog Box: Details
Hawkers Farm Visit: Details
Candlelight walk 6pm: Details
Astronomy Event: Earth, the Goldilocks Planet: Details
Throughout the week events: Details
Events in Tisbury
For information: tisburypc@gmail.com
10 - 4 The Great Big Green Eco Market at the Nadder Centre
Details
OPENING CEREMONY
There will be an opening ceremony at the Town Hall (SP7 8JE) at 2pm. Simon Hoare MP will light the vigil candle to celebrate the week.
THE HEALING GREEN BREATH OF NATURE
Julie Wood shows The Natural World and Medicinal Plants - The Art and Science of Herbal Medicine - Good for the Planet, Good for Us! Sat 10th June 3 – 4pm in Shaftesbury Abbey Gardens. A free event for all. Web: https://www.wildhealinggarden.co.uk/
ABBEY SCHOOL OPEN GARDEN
Abbey School (SP7 8HQ) welcome you from 1:00 to 3:00. Come and see the mosaic in the garden, children's seed planting bed, the peace garden, the snake of trees, den making, the friendship fence and pond dipping (you can see the newts). Marvel at the underwater camera. The Dorset Garden Trust will have a stall there and the forest school will be in session. See the revolutionary rotary composting bin and take a composting quiz! Abbey School has a Shaftesbury In Bloom "Outstanding Work" award. Drinks for visitors will be provided by the PTFA. Please do not park in the staff car park, but in the churchyard opposite.
SHAFTESBURY TREE WALK
Robin Walter is leading an easy walk around the top of the town. Following A Walk among our Trees - the map and detail produced by Shaftesbury Tree Group - Robin, who is a forester and writer of “Living with Trees” [Little Toller Books 2020], will help us to understand more about the lives of the many of the trees around town. We meet at 11.00 outside the Town Hall - the walk will take around an hour or so and is free.
GREEN MEDICINE
Julie Wood's Herbs for Healing. n Introduction to the plants, and how herbs can help us to heal ourselves. Includes harvesting herbs, making remedies , and how to safely use them for everyday medicine. Tue 13th June 6.30 – 8.30pm Tickets £12 from here
CLIMATE, NATURE, COMMUNITY - TALKS
Two illustrated talks followed by discussion. Dr Gary Mantle MBE, CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, will reflect on changes to local wildlife, habitat, and community involvement over 33 years; and Lucy Young, Science & Policy Adviser at WWF-UK, will present information about the People's Plan for Nature and the collaboration between WWF, RSPB, The National Trust and the wider community that made it happen. Afterwards we'll consider 'What next for Shaftesbury?'.
GREEN MARKET
Woodland Trust, Shaftesbury Tree Group, Climate Change Activists, JNCC, Extinction Rebellion, BOSF, and Little Green Happy Place.
LITTER PICK
The Hilltop Litter Pickers - meet at 2.30pm in the recycling lay-by opposite Tesco Filling Station. The session will be approximately one hour and the regular pickers will team up with new people. All equipment will be supplied.
DRAWING TREES
A drawing event in the Guildhall with local artist Lynda Appleby. 5.30pm.
MAKE A BAT BOX
6-9pm Shaftesbury Town Hall. We will be providing cut wood and screws to make bat boxes, which those making will take home. Please bring a crosspoint screwdriver - an electric screwdriver would be helpful. We could also use a couple more Workmates if you have one. Free event. Enquiries 07467 129349
NATURE WALK AND REFRESHMENTS - CHASE & CHALKE
Join the Nurturing Nature project for a walk on the Fontmell and Melbury Downs, collecting biological records along the way using iNaturalist. Followed by Coffee and Cake refreshments at The Rising Sun Coffee Tavern in Donhead St Mary. The Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme are providing free minibus transportation departing from a location in Shaftesbury. This is due to limited parking capacity at the sites. Details will be confirmed shortly.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK
1 Nature photography competition: Details
2 People's Exhibition - Shaftesbury Town Hall: Details
3 Poetry competition: Details
4 When I was a child: Details
5 Nurturing Nature Exhibition - Donhead St Andrew: Details
6 Green Vigil & Candlelight Walk: Details
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
This is a nature photography competition that runs for the entire week. There will be three categories:
* Category A, under 13 years old
* Category B, 13-17 years old
* Category C, 18 years plus
The images will be displayed on the screens in the Tourist Information Hub in Morrisons. The winner in each category will be voted for online. You should only enter one photo. The deadline for entries is 23:59 on Sunday 18 June.
The title is "Nurturing Nature". Pets are allowed. Images should be sent to chris@GreatBigGreenWeekShaftesbury.org along with photographer's name and category.
PEOPLE'S EXHIBITION
This is a reflective exhibition in the Town Hall. There are a number of exhibits designed to show the beauty of nature. The exhibition will be upstairs in the Council Chamber and the Mayor's Parlour. There is plenty of space for more, so if you have something you would like to display, please email chris@GreatBigGreenWeekShaftesbury.org
POETRY COMPETITION
This is a poetry competition that runs for the entire week. There will be three categories:
* Category A, under 13 years old
* Category B, 13-17 years old
* Category C, 18 years plus
The poems will be displayed on this website. The winner in each category will be voted for online. You may enter as many poems as you like. The deadline for entries is 23:59 on Sunday 18 June.
The idea is to write a poem showing the enormity of climate change and the nature crisis. Poems should be sent to chris@GreatBigGreenWeekShaftesbury.org along with poet's name and category.
WHEN I WAS A CHILD
Reflections by older people on how nature and/or the climate has changed in their lifetimes. Anything from “When we went for a long drive, the windscreen would be covered in dead insects” to an essay. Will be published on our website. Audio recordings can be attached to email - chris@GreatBigGreenWeekShaftesbury.org There is a Writing Suggestions document on the Links page.
NURTURING NATURE EXHIBITION
There will be a Nurturing Nature Exhibition in the Community Space of Donhead St Andrew's Church, SP7 9EB, in association with “Wild About the Donheads”. This will be available throughout the week. The church will be open:
10am - 5pm on Sat 10th, Tue 13th, Wed 14th, Thu 15th, and Sat 17th and
1pm - 5pm on Sun 11th, Mon 12th, Fri 16th and Sun 18th.
ST PETER'S GOES GREEN - BREAKFAST CHURCH 10am - 11am
PLANS: 1. Puppets talking about the "Problem with Plastic" adapted from a children's book of the same name
2. Various activities involving green hearts, flags etc.
3. A table with 'Protecting Nature Ideas'. Please can you supply as much material as you can including tree planting, planting of wild flowers etc
4. Info on "Saving on waste" - promoting Shaftesbury Larder, Open fridge etc.
5. Possibly info on The Monthly Vintage Market in the Town Hall (The market promotes the circular economy and includes the repair & redesign approach to prolonging the life of clothing, mending, upcycling and remodelling clothes, jewellery and more)
SHAFTESBURY LIBRARY SUPPORTS GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK
Book display & information about local activities (all week), children's activities & Drop in to talk to people from Planet Shaftesbury (Sat 10th 10-12)
VISIT THE SHAFTESBURY COMMUNITY FARM
The farm is in Breach Lane, Enmore Green. Interested visitors would be welcome during any of the working sessions on Sun 11th, Wed 14th, Fri 15th, and Sun 18th - arrive 11-12am. Limited parking at the farm, please arrive on foot/cycle. (Enquiries to Helen English 07789 845 498)
ASTRONOMY EVENT: EARTH, THE GOLDILOCKS PLANET
An exhibition at the Rising Sun Coffee Tavern, Donhead St Mary, SP7 9LT: explaining that life on Earth is delicately balanced due only to the Earth’s “just right” position in relation to the Sun in what is called “The Goldilocks Zone”. Open Sat 10 11am-8pm, Sun 11 11am-8pm, Mon 12 11am-3pm, Thu 15 11am-3pm, Fri 16 11am-8pm, Sat 17 11am-8pm, Sun 18 11am-8pm. Info: info@cranbornechaseastro.club (07949 467 117) This is a free event.
UPCYCLING AND EMBELLISHING GARMENTS, T-SHIRTS PROVIDED
Free event: Use one of our children’s T-shirts or bring your own item of clothing. Learn basic stitches and appliqué. Time 3-5pm in Shaftesbury Town Hall. Parents are encouraged to bring their children after school.
STORYTELLING
Taprisha - Two sessions - 1pm & 3pm, Sunday 11th - in the Garden Room of the Shaftesbury Museum. Dorset storyteller of magical green stories for children of all ages. This is a free event, but a hat will be passed around for donations.
TAI CHI FOR HEALTH
This is a beginners taster, suitable for all - Tai Chi as learnt from a Master, modified by Health considerations in conjunction with NHS. Sue Marks is a teacher of many years standing. We start at the Town Hall SP7 8LY, 10am-12pm. The event is free, but those who can afford to do so are requested to make a donation (there will be a donations bowl.) Donations will be given to the Trussell Trust food bank.
MEET THE TOWN CLERK, DISCUSS SUSTAINABLE SHAFTESBURY
3pm - 5pm in the Guildhall (ground floor of the Town Hall). The Town Clerk will be discussing "Sustainable Shaftesbury". She is reviewing all the town's policies and declares that "sustainability is at the heart of all we do". This refreshing approach uplifts and encourages all who hear of it.
THE GREAT BIG GREEN SING
Shaftesbury Abbey SP7 8JR. An evening of nature themed songs and folk music while you picnic. Hosted by Shaftesbury Community Choir, Palida Choir and Reel Deal. Bring chairs and picnic blankets. Hot drinks, bar, ice creams available. Free entry with donations to the Abbey. Doors Open 6pm, 6.30pm music starts, 7pm Choirs sing.
JUMP (NATURE MUSIC)
Live Clarinet performance accompanied by insect and amphibian calls. Composed and performed by Karen Wimhurst. Lyrical alongside jagged rhythms and improvisation, leading to a place where we can all trill, whirr, croak and chirrup for joy. Inspired by a natural symphony of small voices, rapidly being silenced. Let’s jump right into the living world and join with them, before it’s too late. Hosted by Rebecca Newnham at The Chapel Studio, Tuckingmill, Tisbury SP3 6JB Performances 3pm and 5pm (45 mins) Tickets £5 available at 01747 850978
MAKE A HEDGEHOG BOX
2pm - 5pm Shaftesbury Town Hall. We will be providing cut wood and screws to make hedgehog boxes, which those making will take home. Please bring a crosspoint screwdriver - an electric screwdriver would be helpful. We could also use a couple more Workmates if you have one. Free event. Enquiries 07467 129349
ORANGUTANS AND DEFORESTATION
7pm - 9pm Assembly Room, Grosvenor Arms SP7 8JA. Alison Bristo, volunteer ambassador for Borneo Orangutan Survival, talks about orangutans. Orangutans are among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. They are highly intelligent, thoughtful and humane. Now, only to be found in Borneo and Sumatra they face extinction. The talk is about the process from orphan to freedom with the charity, Borneo Orangutan Survival UK; the problem with deforestation and how it affects the world we live in; what is being done to help the situation and the outlook for the future; finishing with a short film of her time as a volunteer at the BOS rehabilitation centre in Borneo.
POETRY AND PROSE WRITING CHALLENGE
10.30 - 12.30, Garden Room of the Gold Hill Museum SP7 8JW. Express your response to the changes we are witnessing in the climate across the world and the losses we are facing in biodiversity. Come and meet other budding writers and poets. There separate categories for under 13yo, 13yo - 17yo and over 17yo. We hope you will want to display your work can be displayed on the GBGW website and in the People's Exhibition in Shaftesbury Town Hall. There are three documents on the Links page with suggestions and writing tips.
DONHEAD ST ANDREWS CHURCHYARD WALK & TALK
Meadow wanderings. Come and join an informal walk and talk around St Andrew’s Churchyard Donhead St Andrew SP7 9EB to hear about the churchyard restoration project and how to start creating a wild flower meadow. Drop in between 2.30 - 4.30pm
HAWKERS FARM VISIT
3-5pm. SP8 5LZ Free event. See new hedgerows, tree planting, wild flower areas, herbal lay and reinstated orchard. Follow in the footsteps of Cromwell’s troops and learn about the history of the land. Also an opportunity to find out about renewable energy and battery storage. Not accessible by wheel chair or push chair. Please call (07801 250103) or email (Info@hawkersfarm.org) to book a place.
MMMM (MONDAY MEAL MOVIE MINGLING)
7pm Simple veggie meal followed by film and informal discussion. Film likely to be 'Fantastic Fungi', a 2019 critically acclaimed documentary. Held at the Assembly Room in The Grosvenor Arms (SP7 8JA). The cost is £15 and those attending need to book: Jenny 07801 240103 or info@hawkersfarm.org
If you would like to download a poster to display your support for Great Big Green Week, right-click on the image below and save the image on your computer. You can then print it out.
Each person that goes to an event and who enjoys themselves is helping fight climate change and the nature crisis.
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