Action Groups Update - July 2025
Transport and Active Travel Action Group
It has been a busy month.
There was a meeting organised by two rail action groups – SENRUG & RAGES – at the Town Council offices on the evening of 14th July, to promote improved rail services for Berwick.
Judith has been working with the Northumberland Cycling Campaign.
The funding is coming to an end for the cargo bike. The Group is working to raise awareness of it by actively promoting the bike, to ensure that it is well-used and not lost to the town.
Judith had a meeting with the County Council’s Bus Engagement Team on Tuesday 15th July.
Growing Communities Action Group
Jo, Joel and the Team have been busy carrying out maintenance and watering of the beds during the hot weather.
The Group participated in the Berwick Open Gardens event on Sunday 15th June, preparing and putting signs up at the four flower beds they are developing and looking after across the town. The beds were marked on the event’s maps. Jo, Tansy and Joel attended the Castlegate and Foul Ford beds at set periods during the day to answer questions from a good number of people visiting gardens across the town. This involvement helped to raise the profile of the Group and Greener Berwick.
Tweed Estuary Pollution Action Group
Algae monitoring in the Tweed Estuary and the new phosphate & nitrate monitoring at Fenham-le-Moor is continuing. The Coquet River Action Group (CRAG) are also involved and have been assisting with training. Monitoring is monthly over the summer period and every two months over the winter. Results are forwarded to the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water.
The People’s Commission on the Water Sector, which Greener Berwick contributed towards, have issued their report and we support their recommendations. The Summary report has been added to the Greener Berwick website (details here) and included in our social media. Elaine has contacted David Smith MP asking him to support the report.
Zero Waste Hub Action Group
Pepper has agreed to take on a co-ordinating role for Zero Waste, as an extension of her role in the Repair Café.
Repair Café
In May and June, the numbers of customers and items repaired were down – last year the summer numbers were maintained, so the Repair Cafe team is keeping an eye on the situation as less customers means fewer donations which are needed for room hire etc. costs.
Part of the reason for the reduction in numbers, is that tool sharpening has not been available for the last couple of months, and again in July. We are actively seeking others to come forward with this skill – a service much valued by people in Berwick
More publicity is needed for the Repair Cafe – suggestions include a banner on town railings, use of empty shop windows etc.
We continue to work towards finding suitable accommodation to house both the Repair Cafe and Tool Library together
Tool Library
The Tool Library now has 22 members, and 39 tools in the inventory, including 8 donated electrical items. Donated electrical tools are PAT tested to ensure that they are safe to use. More tools are needed but this depends on obtaining funding, and/or people offering to donate further tools. A leaflet and poster have been prepared to promote the Tool Library, and they are being distributed.
Blade Sharpener Required for the Repair Café on 26th July
We are looking for someone to help with blade sharpening for the Repair Café on the 26th July. If you have the necessary skills, drop us a line at: repaircafe@greenerberwick.org.uk
