The Green Pledge @ Gloucestershire Archives

Pucklechurch Woodland in South Gloucestershire was previously farmland about 30 hectares/ 42 football pitches in size. 

In the space of four months 18 000 new trees have been planted here, and a further 24 000 will be planted next year.  

This site is the first major new woodland to be planted as part of the Western Forest – the first national forest in the UK for over 30 years. The aim is for 20 million trees to be planted by 2050 fostering collaboration between local communities, businesses, and landowners,  it will address net zero carbon ambitions drive nature recovery.

The Green Pledge Podcast caught up with Safia Gilder-Hodgsen from the Western Forest team, Jette Halling from South Gloucestershire Council Tree Officer and volunteers Daphne Dunning and Tony Riggs. 

https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/our-projects/the-green-pledge-project/

https://www.wenp.org.uk/priority-programmes/western-forest

https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/tree-planting-programme/

The residents of Frampton Cotterell work hard to protect local nature, enhance the local environment and combat climate change. In this episode we’ll hear about all the incredible projects that the group are spearheading, including wildlife ponds, dead hedging, hibernacula, repair cafes, scything, clean air monitoring, wild life reserves, the climate and nature action plan ... and the list goes on. 

To find out more about the Green Pledge Project visit https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/our-projects/the-green-pledge-project/

In this episode Christina talks to Jojo Mehta, co-founder of Stop Ecocide. Jojo worked tirelessy with Polly Higgins to support the establishment of ecocide as a crime at the International Criminal Court.  Hear about Jojo’s early influences, how she met Polly in Stroud, their work together, and also the impact of losing Polly to cancer in April 2019. 

Find out about what the law of ecocide is, why it's so important, and the huge achievements and milestones that have taken place. 

The interview was recorded in March 2025, in Stroud, where Jojo lives and where she grew up.

Ian Boyd is the third generation of farmers at Whittington Lodge Farm in the Cotswold Hills near Cheltenham. 

The Farm looks after a herd of organic, pasture fed, Hereford Cattle. Ian works alongside his wife Cathy. Their daughter Steph has now taken over the farm. 

The farm’s focus has dramatically changed over the years from concentrating on production for maximum yield to working in harmony with wildlife and the environment. 

Cate Cody lives in Tewkesbury and is a Green Party member. She's on the local town, borough, and county council. Cate has initiated an abundance of green projects, including Plastic Free Tewkesbury, Toads on the Road, and repair cafes. 

Empowering Futures is a care farm in Hambrook, South Gloucestershire. Their mission is to use horticulture and animal therapy to create positive meaningful changes to the lives of people living in the local community who are living with disabilities, who are vulnerable, isolated or disadvantaged. They are passionate about relieving social exclusion, increasing wellbeing and reducing the disparity between those with and without disabilities in employment. And they do all of this through the dedication of caring, sensitive staff and the power of being in nature. 

For further information visit https://empoweringfutures.co.uk/our-services-and-training

To make your own pledge for nature and the environment visit https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/our-projects/the-green-pledge-project/public-pledge/

In this episode, I talk to Claudia MacGregor. Claudia has a master's degree in environmental development and policy. Her work involves finding new and innovative ways to exist in harmony with the planet.

Claudia also facilitates Climate Fresk workshops, which teach the fundamental science behind climate change and empowers you to take action.

The workshop uses cards to guide you through the findings of reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global authority on climate science. 

Claudia came to the Heritage Hub to deliver the workshop to archives staff in July 2024. 

To find out more about Claudia's reminiscence project visit www.celebrationofwildlife.com 

and her edible food gardens www.soilsnack.com

To find out more about the Green Pledge Project visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/our-projects/the-green-pledge-project/

Mollie Meager is a lifelong campaigner for social and environmental justice who lives in the Forest of Dean. In this episode we talk about her work with the Save the Wye campaign, her early influences, and her time with CND and the Greenham Common Peace Camp. 

In the second part of my conversation with George Peterken, we talk about the importance of grassland ecology and why Peter set up the Parish Meadows Group, as well as hearing about his latest project about the ecology of churchyards.  

In this episode, we hear from George Peterken, who lives in the lower Wye Valley in Gloucestershire, and has probably done more than any other living person to protect Britain's ancient woodlands. We talk about his time with Nature Conservancy, and his time as specialist woodland ecologist there.