Sustainable South Brent

Energy Advice Drop-In Session
2025-02-19 09:30 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
Wednesdays 22 January; 19 February 2025: Energy Advice Drop-In Sessions from 9.30am-12noon in The Hub at the Old School Community Centre.
Free impartial advice from Mark Skinner of South Dartmoor Community Energy.

Worried about the rising cost of energy?
Struggling to Heat your home?
Not sure where to get good advice?

Drop in and find out about:

Reducing your energy bills;
Grants available;
Which energy supplier to choose?

Subsequent Energy Advice Drop-In dates: Wednesdays 19 March; 23 April; 21 May; 18 June; 24 September 22 October; 19 November; 17 December.

Free Knitting Workshop
2025-02-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
Free Knitting Workshop every Wednesday from 3-5pm (note time change) in the HUB and Warm Space in the Moor Room at the Old School Community Centre. Families and children welcome with their grown ups.
Never has there been a better time to learn to knit! Come & learn from our resident expert, Sue, from Cosy Corner Crafts. Bring your own knitting or use our needles & wool to start from scratch.
FFI email hub@ssb.org.uk.

Tree Planting in Hope Wood
2025-02-21 10:00 - 15:00
Tree planting at Hope Wood continues apace. If you’d like to be involved, please see the information below from ParkLife – the organisation contracted by South Hams District Council to arrange the tree planting sessions:
Join our Planting Days. Turn up on Friday or Saturday mornings from 10.00 onwards starting on Friday 31 January and Saturday 1 February. Please just turn up with wellies, waterproofs, spades, lump hammer, snacks and a warm drink. We’ll signpost the wood from Palstone Park Recreation Ground (where you need to leave any cars) if you haven’t been before. These planting days will run through until the end of March (unless we’ve planted it all by then).
With your help we’ll be doing two things by the end of March:

Planting the rest of the trees and shrubs – a mix of native trees (such as alder, aspen, birch, rowan, cherry and willow) and a range of native shrubs (including hazel, blackthorn, elder, hawthorn and spindle). These will be mixed between the oak circles that we planted on the 4th January.
Putting wool mulch mats around the trees and shrubs to limit grass growth and give them the best chance of establishing well.

The Marsh - Open for Garden Compost and Waste
2025-02-23 10:00 - 13:00 | The Marsh Composting site, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
The Marsh Composting site webpage: https://ssb.org.uk/projects/the-marsh-community-compost-and-re-use-centre/
Current Marsh volunteers rota Jan-April 2025 Click here

Hedges and Woodland Group - Hedgelaying
2025-02-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Harbourneford Road, John Jellicoe's Hedge
For current Hedges and Woodland Group activities, venues and leaders, Click here to open the programme
Visit the Hedges and Woodland Group’s webpage – https://ssb.org.uk/projects/hedges-and-woodland/

Tuesday Fair Share
2025-02-25 14:30 - 16:00 | Palstone Park Recreation Pavilion, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Tuesday Fair Share: from 2.30pm at Palstone Park Rec.
An opportunity for residents of South Brent and the surrounding area to access affordable, good quality surplus (in date) produce, minimising food waste and landfill.
Everyone is welcome; You’ll be asked to check in each time, and there is a suggested donation of £3.50. (The food is free but we need to pay transport and rent). For that you can get at least 10 items of food and groceries, from a selection of produce that changes every week and includes a selection of fruit and vegetables and store cupboard essentials. If you feel you would like to donate more than £3.50 you are welcome to. There is free parking on site at the Rec.
The main supplier is Fareshare SouthWest, a national charity that redistributes surplus food from the food industry to community groups.

This is a volunteer led project, if you are interested in volunteering, please email tuesdayfairshare@ssb.org.uk. See: https://ssb.org.uk/event/tuesday-fair-share/.

SSB Board of Directors Meeting
2025-03-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Old School Community Centre, South Brent, TQ10 9BP, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Sustainable South Brent’s board of Directors/ Trustees, meet monthly, currently on the first Tuesday of the month.
For further information please contact chair@ssb.org.uk

South Brent Repair Cafe
2025-03-08 09:30 - 12:00 | Old School Community Centre, South Brent, TQ10 9BP, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Saturdays 8 March; 10 May; 12 July; 13 September 2025: SSB’s South Brent Repair Café from 9.30-12noon in the Old School Community Centre.
Do you have items you are tempted to throw in the bin? Help is at hand!! Electrical; Jewellery; Household; Bikes; Clothing; Computers / IT; Tools; Furniture; Toys; Knife Sharpening. A team of volunteer repairers offer their services for free, several times a year, with a café with cake to enjoy while your item is being repaired.
Please bring up to 2 small household items for repair. Free, but we welcome donations.
The Repair Cafe runs on the second Saturday morning of January, March, May, July, and September plus the first Sunday in November.
Visit https://ssb.org.uk/projects/repair-cafe/

If you like repairing: OR If you like helping: Organising; Social Media; Baking; Hosting:
– We need you! Contact repaircafe@ssb.org.uk.

Hedges and Woodland Group - Coppicing
2025-03-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Penstave Copse, South Brent, Devon

Tool Sharpening Workshop
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
Thursday 13 March 2025: Tool Sharpening Workshop
at 7-8:30pm in the Hub at the Old School Community Centre.
This is a free event organised by Sustainable South Brent
– to book a place, please email hub@ssb.org.uk
(this will also help us organise – thank you!)
There will be a further Tool Sharpening Workshop on 29 March

Home Composting Masterclass with Nicky Scott
2025-03-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Marsh Meadow, United Kingdom
Saturday 15 March 2025: Home Composting Masterclass from 1-4pm at the SSB’s new home compost demonstration site at the Marsh Compost Site (Exeter Road South Brent TQ10 9QF – adjacent to South West Water’s site).
This your chance to learn all you ever wanted to know about compost – and more! Sustainable South Hams ‘compost mentors’ ‘Dr Compost’, *Nicky Scott and Mel Harvey will will guide you through different methods of home composting and the pros and cons of each.
Learn about home composting methods such as ‘daleks’, ‘green cones’, ‘tumblers’, ‘bokashi’, ‘hot heaps’ and ‘biochar’. We’ll take a specific look at what to do with woody offcuts and learn about the power of biochar.
Bring a sample of your own home compost and Nicky will make suggestions for how to improve it.

The event runs over 3 hours as there is so much to learn! Please bring your own notepads, cameras and ideally, a pop-up chair, plus lunch and snacks. There will be ample supplies of hot drinks. Although there is some shelter, the event will be held outside, so please dress accordingly. And there is a lovely compost loo on site!
The event is being run by Sustainable South Brent in collaboration with Sustainable South Hams and is made possible by the support of South Hams District Council.
Tickets are donation based (or free for exiting SSB Marsh volunteers (both compost and wood groups). To book your space go to Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/home-composting-masterclass-tickets-1217905220299
or scan the QR code:

*Nicky Scott has been around compost for most of his life from a Saturday job whilst still at school to coordinating the Devon Community Composting Network, employed by Devon Local Authorities. He’s been Chair of the Community Composting Network, is the founder of Proper Job in Chagford and a regular contributor to compost forums around the world. Nicky has written many books about composting, spoken at conferences here and abroad and runs innumerable compost workshops. Currently he is revising the third edition of ‘How to make and use Compost’ for Bloomsbury publications. Nicky has most recently worked with Sustainable South Hams to produce the booklet ‘Composting in the South Hams’.

Hedges and Woodland Group - Tree Planting
2025-03-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Palstone Woodland, Palstone

Hedges and Woodland Group - group planning meeting
2025-03-18 19:00 - 21:00 | tbc

Energy Advice Drop-In Session
2025-03-19 09:30 - 12:00 | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
Wednesdays: Energy Advice Drop-In Sessions from 9.30am-12noon in The Hub at the Old School Community Centre.
Free impartial advice from Mark Skinner of South Dartmoor Community Energy.

Worried about the rising cost of energy?
Struggling to Heat your home?
Not sure where to get good advice?

Drop in and find out about:

Reducing your energy bills;
Grants available;
Which energy supplier to choose?

Subsequent Energy Advice Drop-In dates: Wednesdays 23 April; 21 May; 18 June; 24 September 22 October; 19 November; 17 December.

Tool Sharpening Workshop
2025-03-29 10:00 - 11:30 | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
Saturday 29 March 2025: Tool Sharpening Workshop:
at 10-11:30am in the Hub at the Old School Community Centre.
This is a free event organised by Sustainable South Brent
– to book a place, please email hub@ssb.org.uk
(this will also help us organise – thank you!)

Hedges and Woodland Group - activity tbc
2025-03-30 10:00 - 14:00 | tbc

Gig for SSB with Opa Rosa
2025-04-05 19:30 - 22:30 | South Brent Village Hall, Station Approach, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9PJ, United Kingdom
Saturday 5 April 2025: Gig for SSB with Opa Rosa:
supporting Sustainable South Brent with a night of music and fun in South Brent Village Hall from 7.30-11pm (music starts 8pm).
Energetic Balkan and Klezmer sounds for the heart and feet from this high energy, tight and talented band.
£12 full price, or £10 or £7 if you prefer – please pay what you can.
Tickets available via eventbrite.co.uk/e/gig-for-ssb-with-opa-rosa-tickets-1247130243129 or from artworks in South Brent
or scan the QR code

SSB Board of Directors Meeting
2025-04-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Old School Community Centre, South Brent, TQ10 9BP, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
From April 2025, Sustainable South Brent’s board of Directors/ Trustees, monthly meetings will take place on the SECOND, Tuesday of the month.
For further information please contact chair@ssb.org.uk

Sustainable South Brent's 2025 Annual General Meeting
2025-04-22 19:30 - 21:00 | Old School Community Centre, South Brent, TQ10 9BP, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Tuesday 22 April 2025: Sustainable South Brent’s Annual General Meeting, celebration and social event.
Open to everyone, at the Old School Community Centre. Doors open at 7pm.
The AGM business part of the evening is from 7.30-about 8.15pm, after which you’ll have a chance to chat with SSB members and find out about volunteering opportunities.
Since 2006, SSB has been at the heart of the village’s sustainability activities, aimed at ‘creating a resilient, low-carbon community where all life thrives’, and this annual event is a celebration of all things SSB, and SSB’s chance to thank publicly those who’ve made its achievements possible.
We do hope you will join us – bring a friend; for all, or part, of the evening.

Download the Spring Newsletter and 2025 Annual Report.
To download the Agenda, Previous Minutes, Proxy form, Annual Financial Statements or Annual Report from the AGM resources page – CLICK HERE.

Local Election - County Councillor
2025-05-01 07:00 - 22:00 | South Brent, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Thursday 1 May 2025; 7am-10pm: Local Election for Devon County Council. Here, there is one County Councillor to be elected for the electoral division of ‘South Brent and Yealmpton’.
Candidates are nominated between Wednesday 26 March and Wednesday 2 April and the statement of those nominated published on Thursday 3 April.
Five candidates are contesting this County Council seat:

Jen BURDETT (Reform UK)
Richard HOSKING (Conservative Party)
Jack STEVENS (Labour Party)
Dan THOMAS (Liberal Democrat)
Becky WARNES (Green Party)

See Notice of Poll: https://southbrent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Notice-of-Poll-South-Brent-Yeampton.pdf
Make sure you are registered to vote:

The deadline for registering to vote at this election is Friday 11 April.
The deadline for submitting an application to vote by post is 5pm on Monday 14 April.
The deadline to submit a proxy vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.

In South Hams the Electoral Services Centre, to send or hand in the above, is the Council Offices, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE.
To vote at polling stations in this election, you will need to show photo ID (e.g. Passport; photographic driving licence; biometric immigration document; Proof of Age ID card; Blue Badge; Bus pass, etc.; or ‘Voter Authority Certificate’)- the deadline for applying for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.
For more information see www.southhams.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/elections-and-referendums-2025/devon-county-council.
The votes will be counted on Friday 2 May 2025, and you will be able to follow the results on DCCs democracy website – www.devon.gov.uk/democracy/elections-and-voting/.

RESULTS: Dan Thomas has been re-elected as County Councillor for this division.

1st: Dan THOMAS (Liberal Democrat) 2397 votes (52.3%)
2nd: Richard HOSKING (Conservative Party) 941votes (20.5%)
3rd: Jen BURDETT (Reform UK) 833 votes (18.2%)
4th: Becky WARNES (Green Party) 288 votes (6.3%)
5th: Jack STEVENS (Labour Party) 115 votes (2.5%)

Devon County Council has moved from overall Conservative control to Lib Dems being the largest party:

Lib Dems – 27 seats;
Reform UK – 18 seats;
Conservative – 7 seats;
Green – 6 seats;
Independent – 2 seats;
Labour – 0 seats

The Marsh – Open for Garden Compost and Waste
2025-05-04 10:00 - 13:00 | The Marsh Composting site, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
The Marsh Composting site webpage: https://ssb.org.uk/projects/the-marsh-community-compost-and-re-use-centre/

For more info contact: marsh@ssb.org.uk

Energy Wise and Eco-Homes Show
2025-05-11 11:00 - 16:00 | Totnes Civic Hall, Market Square,, Totnes, Devon, United Kingdom
The Energy Wise and Eco Homes Show
11-4pm, Sunday, 11th May, 2025.
Totnes Civic Hall, TQ9 5SN
The third Totnes Energy Wise Show will be combined with the Eco-Homes Fair, for the first Totnes Energy Wise and Eco-Homes Show.
The focus of the show is to help our community to transition their home life and transport to being more electric, eco and energy efficient.

At the show, find advice and information about:

reducing energy consumption
retrofitting and available grants
eco-building
home insulation
low carbon and renewable energy technology
electric vehicles
trading locally generated renewable energy
sustainable building supplies

Stalls at the show include

Energy Local Totnes
Glo Renewables
Terra Perma Geo
Woodlab Studio
South Dartmoor Community Energy
Mole Energy
Barefoot Architects
Citizens Advice Energy Advisors
Smart Louvres
South Devon E-bikes
Sustainable South Hams
Bloom Renewables
Eco NRG
Association for Environment Conscious Building

See: https://energy-wise.uk/energy-wise-shows/

NB. This is not an SSB Event, but will be of interest to those with an interest in sustainable living

Community Market Garden and Orchard Wildlife Day
2025-06-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Community Market Garden Site
There is a nature survey planned to take place on the Market Garden site on Sunday 22nd June (weather permitting) between 10am – 2pm. Several of our local wildlife experts will lead groups around the field to observe and document the flora and fauna.
We would like to make this a social event for volunteers and anyone who is interested in getting involved in the Community Market Garden and Orchard Project. Bring a picnic! Children welcome accompanied by an adult.

Help with Tree Care at Hope Wood
2025-07-18 10:00 - 15:00 | Hope Wood, Portford Lane,, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9DD
Friday 18 July 2025: Tree Care at Hope Wood: 10am-3pm: During this session, we will be working together to ensure the young trees aren’t being lost under the grass – so we’ll either be cutting or pulling grass around the trees that are being most affected. Please bring gloves and shears if you are able to. Feel free to come for as long as you can. Please make sure you wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring plenty of water and lunch if you are planning to stay the whole day, and don’t forget a sunhat and suncream if the weather is looking clear and hot! There is limited parking on site, but the site is only a 10 /15 minute walk from South Brent. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us on office@parklifesw.org.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information about Hope Wood, see: https://ssb.org.uk/hope-wood/
ParkLife South West is a social enterprise – a not-for-profit community interest company – set up in 2018 to support environmental volunteering. In particular, ParkLife aims to give people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and interests a chance to get involved hands-on in the great outdoors. See: https://parklifesw.org.uk/.
Book to join this free session via: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tree-care-at-hope-wood-south-brent-tickets-1488367239479.

NB. This is not an SSB event, but is organised by ParkLife South West.

Scything with the 4Bs (Brent Bees, Bugs and Butterflies)
2025-08-09 10:00 - 13:00 | Sanderspool Cross Roundabout, Exeter Road, South Brent
Scything with the 4Bs (Brent Bees, Bugs and Butterflies)
When: Saturday 9th August 10am-1pm
Where: Sanderspool Cross roundabout, Exeter Road, South Brent
(what three words ///upholding.relax.daydream)
You are invited to come and have a go at scything as we mow the increasingly diverse wildflower area along Exeter Road, near the roundabout and playpark. There will be an opportunity to learn from experienced scythers. We’ll also be raking the cuttings ready for collection, so please bring a rake and gloves if you can. Or just come for a chat! All welcome but no dogs please, and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please bring whatever you need to be comfortable e.g. drinks and snacks. Sturdy footwear recommended (not sandals). We’ll be returning to collect the grass the following day, Sunday the 10th from 11-1pm – please bring a hay fork if you can. See you there!
There will be another opportunity to have a go at scything in the ‘Apple a Day’ Orchard behind South Brent Health Centre from 6:15pm on Tuesday 19th August.
In the event of strong winds or torrential rain we will postpone.
Any queries to beesbugs@ssb.org.uk
More about the Brent Bees, Bugs and Butterflies (4Bs) Project HERE

Scything with the 4Bs - Health Centre
2025-08-19 18:15 - 20:15 | Apple a Day Orchard (Health Centre), South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Scything with the 4Bs (Brent Bees, Bugs and Butterflies)

When: Tuesday 19th August 6.15pm
Where: ‘Apple a Day’ Orchard behind South Brent Health Centre.
You are invited to come and have a go at scything as we mow the increasingly diverse wildflower area along Exeter Road, near the roundabout and playpark. There will be an opportunity to learn from experienced scythers. We’ll also be raking the cuttings ready for collection, so please bring a rake and gloves if you can. Or just come for a chat! All welcome but no dogs please, and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please bring whatever you need to be comfortable e.g. drinks and snacks. Sturdy footwear recommended (not sandals). We’ll be returning to collect the grass the following day, Sunday the 10th from 11-1pm – please bring a hay fork if you can. See you there!
In the event of strong winds or torrential rain we will postpone.
Any queries to beesbugs@ssb.org.uk
More about the Brent Bees, Bugs and Butterflies (4Bs) Project HERE

Community Litter Pick - CANCELLED
2025-09-28 14:00 - 16:00 | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
This litter pick has been cancelled.
The next one will be due on Sunday 30 November.
Last Sunday of the month: Community Litter Pick from 2-4pm.
NB. Subject to the availability of a lead volunteer.
Join SSB’s South Brent Litter Pickers at the Hub at the Old School Community Centre at 2pm. Equipment is provided there is tea, cake and conversation in the Hub afterwards!
All are most welcome
– “Together we make changes!”.
Community Litter Picks are usually every 2 months on the last Sunday of the month.
FFI contact hub@ssb.org.uk

SSB is looking for a volunteer to co-ordinate the two monthly Community Litter Pick. If you would be interested in managing this please email hub@ssb.org.uk.

South Hams Energy Assembly
2025-10-18 09:30 - 15:30 | Kingsbridge Community College, Balkwill Road,, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1PL, United Kingdom
Saturday 18 October 2025: South Hams Energy Assembly: 9:30am-3:30pm at Kingsbridge Community College, Balkwill Road, Kingsbridge TQ7 1PL. (https://what3words.com/whistling.glares.blazers)
Are you interested in sustainable energy generation and use? Then this event, organised by Sustainable South Hams, is for you. There will be Talks, Discussion, Exhibition; Networking; Workshops and a tasty lunch.
All welcome – community groups, councillors, businesses and individuals.
Enquiries and booking via Eventbrite – Tickets: £7.50 (unwaged)/£15 (individual, Community Group, Councillor, Non Profit)/ £25 commercial organisation).
FFI see: www.sussh.org/energy-assembly.

NB This is not an SSB event, but is organised by our friends, Sustainable South Hams

Thermal Imaging Training
2025-11-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Old School Community Centre Sustainability Hub, Totnes Rd, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9BP, United Kingdom
Tuesday 4 November 2025: Thermal Imaging Training: in the Hub at the Old School Community Centre
SSB has two Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs) for our members to use. The camera creates an image from infra-red heat emitted from an object, so you can clearly “see” hotter or colder areas in your home – and where your home might be losing precious heat
.
In order to borrow the cameras, you need to (1) be an SSB member and (2) attend this training.
This is a short, fun session which teaches you how to interpret the images, so you get the most out of using the camera.
Tickets on the door at £3, £5 or free – as you feel is right for you
See more information about Thermal Imaging on the SSB Energy project page https://ssb.org.uk/energy/

Butterflies & Moths of South Brent
2025-11-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Old School Community Centre, South Brent, TQ10 9BP, South Brent, Devon, United Kingdom
Thursday 6 November 2025: Talk on The Butterflies & Moths of South Brent by Phil Dean of the Devon Moth Group council in the Old School Community Centre at 7.30.
There are over 100,000 records of butterflies and moths in South Brent dating from 1975 to the present day which reveal much about their success or decline, their behaviour and their life cycles. “What’s the difference between butterflies and moths? How can you help them in your garden? What are their sizes, colours, lifecycles? How many of the UK’s 2500+ species are found in South Brent? Where’s the best place to look for them? How can you set up a light source to attract moths at night? How can you identify what you find? What can you do with records of your sightings?” This illustrated talk will answer these and many other questions. In addition, Phil will have moth traps to examine, and a moth trap set up and working outside to see what might arrive on the night.

The first in a winter series of SSB Wildlife Talks, with the next one being in early December.
