Small Derbyshire village pledges to help fight climate crisis

The village is aiming to set up a group to come up with ways in which villagers can play their part in saving the planet.

Over Haddon, near Bakewell, has set up a dedicated group which will look for local solutions and suggestions to some of the ways in which villagers of all ages can play their part in saving the planet.

The intention is then to work with other local villages in the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales to ensure that the messages get through to a wider audience.

The village’s parish council and village hall management committee linked up to hold a public meeting on the climate and ecology crisis in the village hall, Over Haddon, earlier this month.

It will examine some of the potential problems facing people internationally, nationally and locally through the eyes of villagers who have expertise linked to the climate crisis.

Roger Truscott, chairman of the parish council, is the driving force behind the project and believes that the climate crisis will only be resolved if individuals make a difference.

He said: “The recent weather that we have had – winds, rain and floods – along with earlier bushfires in Australia and hurricanes, floods and droughts elsewhere may suggest that climatic change is happening faster than we might have expected. “These events can seem very remote to people living in small Derbyshire villages.

“ But for starters, each of us can play a part in basic things like recycling, the way we travel and how we run our homes but there are wider issues that villages may find themselves involved sooner rather than later.

“If one individual can play their part then if millions do it, it really will make a difference.”

The public meeting saw a panel of local people present their views and answer questions from the audience. The panel members were environmental consultant Adrian Anderson, Diane Gould, an ecologist working for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, writer and journalist Steve Pope and Mr Truscott, who is a former lecturer in environmental studies.

For more information about the group or to get involved, contact Zena Hawley on 07975 591905 or 01629 814750.