Welcome to our Winter Newsletter!

As the days grow colder, we’re bringing you the latest green ideas and sustainable initiatives from our local community.

In this edition we’re highlighting sustainable ideas and practical tips that can make a real difference to the planet. From winter gardening and workshops to art competitions and eco clubs for children, there’s something for everyone. Read to the end to see our Just One Sustainable Thing section too for quick tips.

As fires and floods across the globe remind us daily of the dangers of climate change, we believe that every action, no matter how small, can help tip the scales in favour of healing the planet.

Enjoy reading, stay warm, and let’s grow greener together!

With Our Best Wishes

The Sustainable Three Rivers Team

PS If you don’t already, please do follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see all our latest news.

We’re a friendly and sociable bunch at S3R and we’re always glad to welcome new members to our group!

A few of us got together at the Community Garden, on behalf of us all at S3R, to send you a big THANK YOU for all your support in 2024!

We hold regular meetings, seasonal events and socials plus our garden teams are carrying on their weekly sessions throughout the winter months.

The garden session times are:

Mondays from 11.30 - 1.30 pm, meeting in Rickmansworth Rose Garden.

Thursdays from 12 - 1pm at the Community Garden

When it's warmer, we also run a session in the Community Garden 10.30 - 11.30am on Sundays. 

All sessions can be weather dependant, so please check first.

If you’d like to get involved, email hello@sustainablethreerivers.org, or click the link to our website below and complete the contact form.

We are excited to announce an art competition which is open to all Rickmansworth residents.

With the generous support of local councillors Paula Hiscocks and Reena Ranger OBE, we are on a mission to celebrate and highlight the importance of nature, wildlife and biodiversity in our area.

We’re inviting you to create a painting, drawing, or sketch, in a square format (e.g. 21cm x 21cm), inspired by the local nature that makes Rickmansworth so special. From the natural beauty of the Aquadrome and Stocker’s Lake to the charm of Woodoaks Farm, the vibrant Community Garden, and the tranquil Rose Garden, there’s no shortage of inspiration.

The winning pieces will be featured on six panels in the subway connecting the west of Rickmansworth to the town centre, creating a beautiful and inspiring space for the community to enjoy.

HOW TO ENTER:

Send a high resolution photo of your artwork minimum size 3MB, by 26 January 2025 to hello@sustainablethreerivers.org.

Include your name, address, contact details (email or phone number), and age (if under 18).

A panel of judges will select the winning entries, and successful artists will be contacted by 28 February 2025. Winners will need to provide original artwork.

The finished panels will be installed in the subway this spring.

Don’t miss this chance to share your talent and leave your mark on Rickmansworth. We can’t wait to see your creations!

S3R Update
Working Together For a Green Christmas

Whatever the season, there’s always a way to make it friendlier to the planet whilst not missing out on any fun!

S3R members Jane and Jenny joined with children from St John’s primary school in Rickmansworth to create this fabulous eco Christmas tree at the St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival. The children enjoyed creating colourful decorations using recycled materials, highlighting important messages at what can be a very wasteful time of year.

S3R were also represented at the Rickmansworth Christmas Market. Rosi, Bernie and other members of the team were there to highlight sustainable gifting ideas and spread a bit of festive happiness!

S3R together with TRDC apprentice Tree Officer Blue Jenkins will be holding a winter fruit tree pruning session on

Thursday 13th February at 11am.

This will be held at the Community Orchard in Rickmansworth and everyone is welcome.

The session will include advice on how to keep your fruit trees healthy and productive. You’ll also have the chance to get hands-on, pruning the orchard trees.

Blue is very knowledgeable about fruit tree pruning so we’re looking forward to learning a great deal.

If you have strong gardening gloves, secateurs and / or a pruning saw, please bring these along. If not don’t worry! Please come along anyway!

School Eco Clubs

The children at St. John’s School Eco Club created a brilliantly inviting safe space for bugs to call home this winter. During the lunchtime sessions, they decorated the colourful sign to welcome little critters in and are looking forward to finding out who’s checked-in during the cold weather!

The children also planted tulips for spring, so they can see the fruits of their winter labour next year.

The club is led by Jane Irwin from S3R. It includes fun interactive activities which introduce the concept of personal choice and agency across many areas of eco-friendly living.

S3R is continuing its schools outreach programme this year, planning more eco clubs and workshops for young people.

If you are interested in getting involved, or if you have the skills and networks that can assist S3R in our schools outreach, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Jane on 07590 010902. Alternatively, email janekatherineirwin@gmail.com 

RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring in the UK.

The year’s event is being held between 24th and 26th January. All you have to do is spend an hour watching the birds in your patch and make a note of those which land.

Click the link to sign up and receive your free guide. The RSPB are also offering 20% Off and free delivery on bird food and feeders so you can stock up in advance.

Winter Gardening Jobs

Although it’s cold outside, there’s still plenty you can be doing in the garden to ensure a strong start to the growing season. It’s a chance to protect the soil from erosion, plant hardy crops, and prepare beds for spring. Winter gardening also keeps you connected to nature, boosts mental well-being during the colder months. With the right techniques, your garden can thrive year-round. Here are a few of our top tips for gardening jobs this winter.

• Why not plant some rhubarb? It’s delicious and so easy to grow. Buy as a dormant ‘crown’ and plant from now until mid-Spring. Use lots of manure and plant so the tip of the crown is just below the soil surface.

• Remember to cut off the flowers of pansies, cyclamen, violas etc which have finished flowering. This will encourage more blooms and prevent disease.

• Allow fallen leaves to stay on the soil in your borders. They add valuable organic matter and are great as a mulch.

• Keep your hellebores healthy by removing diseased leaves affected by leaf spot.

• Use holly as a natural deterrent to squirrels who will see newly planted bulbs as a tasty snack!

• Take care not to disturb any hibernating creatures in your compost heap such as hedgehogs, grass snakes or frogs.

• Don’t forget your greenhouse if you have one. Remove faded leaves and water only sparingly.

• If you are an indoor gardener, water house plants sparingly and only when the compost feels dry. Move them away from draughts or radiators.

Just One Sustainable Thing…

Big change starts with small steps. Here are some ideas for you to try this winter:

• Change your energy provider to a green supplier. This is one of the most powerful steps we as individuals can take to mitigate the climate crisis. Many S3R members are with Octopus, but there are plenty of eco alternatives out there and it’s easy to switch.

• Make the most of daylight to naturally warm your home. Open curtains and blinds during the day to let sunlight in, helping to increase indoor temperatures without using electricity. Use natural light as much as possible during the day and minimize artificial lighting to save energy. Don’t forget to draw your curtains again as soon as it gets dark.

• Take care of wildlife in the cold months by leaving out food for birds and water when ponds are frozen. Getting outside and appreciating nature is also a great way to help ourselves feel better during the dark winter months.

What’s your favourite sustainable tip? What’s the one thing you plan to do this autumn? Visit our website for more ideas.

Sustainable Three Rivers is a Community Interest Group founded by local residents. Our aim is to help people in Three Rivers make lifestyle changes to protect the planet. 

If you’ve got any ideas for sustainable solutions, or questions about any of the points we cover, we’d love to hear from you!

You can email us at hello@sustainablethreerivers.org

Please click the link below if you’d like to donate to our cause.

As a Community Interest Company, everything we do is for the benefit of all of us in the Three Rivers area. We run community events and other initiatives, including investing in our flourishing Community Garden. We rely on grants and donations to keep funding all of this. If you can spare anything to help us keep our community thriving, we’d be incredibly grateful. Thank you in advance.

Photo Credits : Claire Pride at S3R, Jane Irwin at S3R, RSPB, Ambitious Studio on Unsplash, Lucas George on Unsplash.