Raising Environmental Awareness – Page 2

Keep Safe Near Water

Posted on 19th July 202017th July 2020Posted in News, Raising Environmental Awareness

Keep Safe

PROSPECTS will share public safety information in relation to keeping safe when you are out and about in public spaces and the countryside. Some of these have already been shared via social media but we believe it is important to repeat them here. Please share the information especially with children and young people. Most reservoirs and rivers, whilst being close to public footpaths and bridleways, are on private land so please do not trespass!

Stay Safe when near reservoirs – https://www.unitedutilities.com/about-us/recreation-sites/reservoir-safety/

Is your river fit to swim in? – There are some areas in Hyndburn which are not fit for swimming and should be avoided. An example is the Hyndburn near the old paper mill in Rishton, which is on private land, and warnings about this location have already been issued and water tests are currently being carried out.

There is no public health monitoring of river water quality in the UK. There are pathogens (bacteria or viruses) in rivers which can cause illnesses. These can come from agricultural pollutions, discharges from badly connected household appliances and hidden septic tanks etc. Therefore, we can never be 100% sure that a location is safe for swimming or recreational access.

The Rivers Trust https://www.theriverstrust.org/2019/07/24/river-safety-routine/

Water Safety for Kids – https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/water-safety

YouTube video – Water Contamination – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om42Lppkd9w

Sustainable Travel – Cycling

Posted on 18th July 202016th July 2020Posted in Cycling, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

PROSPECTS is not running any cycling activities at the moment. We receive regular information from our partner organisations and associates. We share this information via emails, our website and social media. See Positive Spin, Go Velo and Pedal Away below to find out about led cycle rides, adult cycle training and cycle maintenance courses for Hyndburn residents.

To keep local cyclists up-to-date there is a Hyndburn Cyclists Facebook page. This is a private group to protect people who wish to invite people to join them on a cycle ride so you will need to join the group.

Cycling UK provide up-to-date information on safe cycling.

Hopefully Pedal Away Hyndburn will be able to resume their Monday cycle rides in the not too distant future. Pedal Away Hyndburn link.

Positive Spin have recently received funding from Connecting East Lancashire and they will be providing led rides (ages 16+) on either a Saturday or a Sunday in the Hyndburn area starting soon. You will need your own bike and helmet in order to participate. The rides will be geared towards various levels with some being beginner/improving confidence rides and some being for the more experienced cyclists. If you would like to know more, please contact David via email at SPDLancashire@hotmail.com

Go Velo are now providing cycle training and are looking forward to starting another Sofa to Saddle in Accrington in September. The course is a six week course and is specifically for those who have never ridden a bike or those who haven’t ridden in years. You will start at week one learning basic bike maintenance and by week six you will be taking part in a led ride. The Sofa to Saddle will be at the Accrington Stanley Sports Hub on Thorneyholme Road. Go Velo will promote the course via Eventbrite in due course. Contact info.govelo@googlemail.com for details.

Family Activities

Posted on 17th July 202017th July 2020Posted in News, Raising Environmental Awareness

School Holidays!

Most of our young people have been home educated since the beginning of lock-down. Saturday, 18^th July is the start of the traditional wakes-weeks in Hyndburn and the start of the long summer school holiday. Since March, several of our partners and national charities have produced educational and fun family activity ideas and we will continue to share these with you until the end of August as part of our Environmental Awareness theme. This will be mainly through social media as this is how we receive them.

To get you started we have included a few links in this newsletter:

Wildlife Trusts – https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wild-activities-families-and-schools

Ribble Rivers Trust – Ribble Life Together – https://ribblelifetogether.org/homelearning/

The Woodland Trust – kids nature activities

Canal & River Trust – https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers

Canal & River Trust Home Learning – https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/learning-from-home

Canal & River Trust Lego – https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/children/build-along

The Big Butterfly Count is back

Posted on 17th July 202017th July 2020Posted in Biodiversity, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

Following the fine spring weather we’ve seen the earliest average emergence of butterflies for the last 20 years. It’s vital that we understand how these weather patterns affect butterflies to help protect them for the future.

By spending just 15 minutes taking part in this year’s Big Butterfly Count, you will help Butterfly Conservation understand how different species are faring in our area, which in turn will help them target research and conservation work where it’s needed most.

How to take part in the Big #ButterflyCount 2020:

Visit the website

Get Ready – Download the ID chart via the image below
Join In – Between Friday 17 July and Sunday 9 August choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes.
Visit the website and Add your Counts
Spread the word
Get the new App via the image below

Take a look at Hyndburn Butterfly Project, visit Milnshaw Park WildFlower Meadow, Huncoat Colliery and Whinney Hill Woodland

Discover Hyndburn Walk Leaflets

Posted on 16th July 202017th July 2020Posted in Discover Hyndburn Guided Walks, News, Raising Environmental Awareness, Wednesday Walks

PROSPECTS is not currently organising and leading any guided walks. We have considered all the UK Government guidelines and the information and guidance available from the Ramblers and, like many walking groups, we have decided now is not the right time.

Our Discover Hyndburn walks are now being written up into self-guided walk leaflets. The first pdf leaflets will be launched during the week commencing 27^th July and will be available via the website on the News and Discover Hyndburn walking pages. There will also be an external link to the gpx routes for those that like technology!

ViewRanger App

We will uploaded our routes to the ViewRanger App, where you can plan, navigate, record and share your adventures, so why not have an explore! The App provides PROSPECTS with a more efficient way of updating routes and gives you access to the most up-to-date information.

To download a route you will be asked to create a FREE account (all of the PROSPECTS Discover Hyndburn routes are free to download.)

Taking Action for Insects

Posted on 16th July 202022nd July 2020Posted in Biodiversity, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

Action for Insects is a campaign led by the Wildlife Trusts, supported by a range of partners who are all determined to reverse the alarming declines in insects and help nature recover across the UK. The Wildlife Trusts hope to inspire and help people take action for insects where they live, learn, work and farm.

Just how important are insects to our everyday life? Answer: VITAL.

This is the link to download the guide – Action for Insects Guide – At Home

You can watch Action for Insects – Reversing Insect Decline on YouTube by clicking on the image below.

Energy Conservation

Posted on 16th July 202016th July 2020Posted in Handy Hints & Tips, Raising Environmental Awareness

Energu Conservation — Tips to help you save money

With more people remaining at home for extended periods of time because of the coronavirus outbreak, households may see an unexpected increase in their monthly energy usage. Please do your own research to find out what best fits with your home and family circumstances!

PROSPECTS understands the increasing financial hardships facing families and businesses and offers these helpful room-by-room tips to reduce home energy costs.

We have produced a short document to give you a few ideas to ge start Energy Conservation

Here are some links so you can do your own research.

LINKS (in alphabetical order). We recommend that you take a look at several or all of these in order to make a decision.

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-energy-efficiency

https://hoa.org.uk/energy/top-10-energy-saving-tips/

https://www.citizenenergyuk.co.uk/home-energy/energy-saving-tips.aspxEnergy Conservation Energy Conservation

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/energy-saving-tips/

https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/100-ways-to-save-energy-in-your-home/

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/cutting-your-energy-bills/article/how-to-save-on-your-energy-bill/10-ways-to-save-on-energy-bills

Canal Towpath Volunteering

Posted on 16th July 202016th July 2020Posted in Canal Towpath, Get Involved, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

Have you enjoyed walking along the canal towpath? Have you thought about becoming a volunteer? Why not join the Hyndburn Volunteer Work-party.

May 2019 saw the start of PROSPECTS renewed partnership with the Canal & River Trust (C&RT). We achieved a lot but Covid-19 has slowed things down and there will be a lot to do when we start volunteering again.

The Canal & River Trust are managing a phased return to volunteering. In July, the volunteer lockkeepers returned to allow the movement of traffic along the canals.

The volunteer taskforces and work-parties have not yet returned, and this is not likely to happen before August.

If you wish to return to or to start volunteering on the Leeds-Liverpool canal there will be strict controls in place. You need to make a start now. Firstly, read the Volunteer information. Then register to MyTrust. You will then be able to LogIn. This will give you access to MyVolunteeering. Here you will find information specifically for Trust volunteers including health& safety, training, claiming expenses and more.

In preparation for returning or to start volunteering you will need to visit the Training Courses page and watch the Toolbox Talk on coronavirus. You will not be able to volunteer until you have watched and claimed this training session. There are a lot more training courses you can work through to prepare for volunteering with the Hyndburn volunteer work-party and this will also help you understand more about the C&RT.

Peel Bank March 2020

Biodiversity – Plants that Harm

Posted on 15th July 202016th July 2020Posted in Biodiversity, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

Do you know about INNS – no not places to eat and drink – Invasive Non-Native Species?

The plants we are most likely to encounter in Hyndburn are: –

Himalayan Balsam – Well established and extremely invasive. Found at moist and semi-shaded places, waste ground, and thin woodlands; but particularly on soft banks by slow-moving water along canal sides, streams and rivers. When it is ripe each plant explodes and can eject as many as 800 seeds for a distance of up to 7 metres.
Japanese Knotweed is a weed, mainly in urban areas where plants regrowing from rhizomes can come up through gaps in flooring in conservatories and patios. Its habitats are urban areas, by water courses, canals and on waste ground. It occasionally invades woodland. There is legislation in place that makes its eradication a legal requirement.
Giant Hogweed is widespread and it is a plant that can harm both humans and dogs. It is especially abundant by streams and rivers, but also occurs widely on waste ground and in rough pastures. The plant produces phytotoxic sap which in contact with human skin and combined with UV radiation causes skin burnings. It can harm dogs via nose, eyes and ears. The intensity of the reaction depends on individual sensitivity. DO NOT TOUCH IT.

What can you do?

Make a record of the location and take photos when you are out walking. Then you can join INNS Mapper and record all your sitings. https://ywt-data.org/inns-mapper/.

You will be contributing to a huge UK database and this helps organisations such as the Ribble Rivers Trust that works to improve, protect and promote the River Ribble and its catchment area for both people and wildlife. As well as the Ribble they look after the Calder, Hodder, Darwen, and Douglas sub-catchment.

This means that they not only look after all these rivers, but all the rivers, streams, and becks that flow into them which includes the Hyndburn. They are able to apply for funding to deal with invasive species if they have enough evidence of problems in the catchment area. Your recorded evidence counts!

In spring 2021 a new project ‘INNS Free Rivers’ will be launched!

This project aims to tackle invasive species, including Giant Hogweed to make our rivers safer and more natural spaces for everyone. INNS Free Rivers will bring together landowners (who are responsible for controlling invasive species), local councils, supporters, and the public.

Discover Hyndburn Walk Leaflets

Posted on 6th July 20206th July 2020Posted in Discover Hyndburn Guided Walks, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

Discover Hyndburn Walks

We are not currently running a programme of Discover Hyndburn guided walks due to Covid-19. These are normally held every two weeks (March to September) and we visit different places around the Borough. We have hosted walks around Woodlands, Stanhill Village, Jackhouse Nature Reserve, Woodnook Vale & Rothwell Heights and to other places of interest across the Hyndburn townships.

During Covid-19 we have been developing our led walks into guided walk leaflets so that friends and family can experience the walks. We urge all walkers to follow social distancing guidance and walk safely, responsibly and considerately.

We aim to launch our first batch of Discover Hyndburn self-guided walk leaflets at the start of the local summer school holidays on Saturday, 17th July 2020.

Please visit the Home page of the website and sign up to receive the PROSPECTS News so that you have up-to-date information.

The easing of lockdown measures allows more freedom for walkers. However, the advice remains to limit your contact with others. From 4th July, people in England can exercise alone, with members of your household (or support bubble), or with up to 5 other people from outside your household. Two households can also meet. You should maintain a distance of 2m between people from different households, or 1m plus mitigations (such as face coverings or avoiding face-to-face contact) where 2m is not possible. We advise that you always refer to the latest government guidance regarding restrictions that may apply in your local area. UK Government

Handy Hints and Tips – Article 2

Posted on 28th March 202031st March 2020Posted in Handy Hints & Tips, News, Raising Environmental Awareness

FEATURING – SOAP AND SHOPPING

Why soap for hand washing? Here is a useful hand-washing link.

Click on the Handwashing poster for more information

and more information on NHS handwashing HERE

Now some product links… because we want to help protect you and the environment.

METHOD – Here is a range of natural products for hand washing

Here is a glossary of terms that often confuse us including CRADLE TO CRADLE®: NATURAL: and NATURALLY DERIVED:

ECOVER – Here is a company you will be familiar with and their online shop in case you are self-isolating and not going out.

ONE PLANET shop, Accrington. The One Planet shop is a community benefit co-operative formed and funded by a group of volunteers. Their high street outlet offers a range of Local, Innovative, Fairtrade, Ethical, and sustainable products enabling you to shop with your conscience. As of 26^th March they have adapted their opening hours to Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm. Facebook

BIG GREEN SMILE offers a wide range of organic lifestyle products including natural and organic bath and skincare; and household products. This is online shopping and they are open as usual, but orders are taking longer to despatch.

Watch Out for Article 3 coming soon…

Handy Hints & Tips

Posted on 28th March 202031st March 2020Posted in News, Raising Environmental Awareness

We are all spending more time at home at the moment and being advised to clean and wipe surfaces. Whilst there are a great array of cleaning products available in local shops and supermarkets many of them have been based on existing natural cleaning products, all of which can be used to help with keeping our homes clean and germ-free. You can easily mix up solutions yourself.

PROSPECTS has previously run activity sessions on natural cleaning so we are going to revisit this topic and post some Handy Hints and Tips. We all need to carry on protecting the environment during the ‘Stay at Home’ period.

To get you started visit Dri-pak.

This Clean & Natural range is made up of natural cleaning agents such as White Vinegar, Bicarbonate of Soda and Citric Acid ensuring every room in your home stays fresh and clean – naturally!

There are few tasks that can’t be tackled with Dri-Pak products, so you spend less buying different cleaners for different jobs and have much more room in the cupboard under the sink!

Dri-Pak is committed to using sustainable ingredients in its products and make packaging decisions on a balance of practicality and ‘whole life’impact. They also have a policy on animal testing and products.

I am able to buy these products at small local discount stores and local supermarkets. In each of the Handy Hints and Tips I will tell you what I use the products for. Barbara, Activity Organiser, at PROSPECTS.

Towpath Partnership

Posted on 1st October 201910th October 2019Posted in Raising Environmental Awareness

Would you like to meet new people, enjoy some healthy exercise in the great outdoors and make a difference to your local canal? Volunteering on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Hyndburn could be just the thing you’re looking for.

On 1^st May a new Towpath Team for Hyndburn was launched. The launchtook place alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Rishton Bridge No 108A, Hermitage Street, Rishton opposite the Canal Café. The launch format was the first ‘Hyndburn Work party’ session.

Barbara Sharples, Activity Organiser at PROSPECTS explained, “There are Towpath Taskforce Volunteer Teams for Blackburn, Burnley, Nelson and Colne so we felt Hyndburn was missing out. Several of the PROSPECTS Panels, including Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Church PROSPECTS Panels, have done a lot of work on sections of the canal over the years. The PROSPECTS Foundation is pleased to be working alongside the Canal and River Trust to start up a Hyndburn team of volunteers during our 21^st Anniversary year.

“The canal enters Hyndburn at Whitebirk, where the retail park occupies the site of Blackburn’s former power station. It leaves Hyndburn near Altham Barn Bridge No 118 so we have a large area to cover and plenty to do. Initially we will be working on urban sections and key entrances to the canal towpath where work is most needed but eventually, we hope to include some of the more rural sections.”

Towpath Taskforce is ideal if you want to volunteer on your local canal, but need the flexibility to fit that volunteering around a busy lifestyle. This way you can go along whenever you’re free, whether that’s once a month or more regularly.

Gary Wilkinson, Volunteer Team Leader for the Canal and River Trust added, ”Tasks vary on a regular basis and can include lock-painting, hedge-planting, weeding gardens, litter-clearance from land and water, repairing towpaths and more – depending on what’s most needed in that area.

“On arrival volunteers will be greeted by myself and I will run through what’s to be done that day, assign tasks and demonstrate the safe use of any equipment. I will help to make sure the task is suited to an individual’s ability and be on hand throughout the session to provide help, advice and the all-important tea and biscuits.

“Volunteers should let us know they are coming in advance, so we can look out for them and let them know of any last-minute changes. They should wear suitable outdoor clothing they don’t mind getting mucky or snagged. Sturdy shoes are a must. For full day sessions they should bring a packed lunch and we will provide a hot drink but they may also want to bring their own. Wear waterproof clothing or sunscreen — depending on the weather. They do not need to bring any tools as all tools and equipment are provided for the tasks to be undertaken on the day.”

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