Foraging Walk this Sunday, with Carl Wain and Alastair Fitter

Posted on 06/08/2026 by PlanetSouthBank

Join us for an afternoon of foraging in our local area and discussing best sustainable practices, along paths and open spaces beside the River Ouse.

We are delighted that as well as walk-leader and forager Carl Wain we will also be joined by Alastair Fitter, well-known York ecologist and naturalist and President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. As part of the walk, Alastair will be sharing his own expertise on soils, microbia and nature’s responses to climate change – the things which we don’t see but which are such a critical part of the world we are part of.

The walk will last up to one and a half hours; for those who would like to, we’ll head for tea/coffee in a riverside cafe afterwards.

Meet by 2pm beside the Millennium Bridge, on the Rowntree Park / Bishopthorpe Road side of the river.

Free to attend; please reserve your spot at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/planet-south-bank-foraging-walk-led-by-local-forager-carl-wain-tickets-1995900227308?

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Foraging Walk with Carl Wain and Alastair Fitter, Sunday 9 August, 2pm

Posted on 01/08/2026 by PlanetSouthBank

Join our ever-popular local foraging walks, in the company of experienced local forager Carl Wain.

Sunday 9 August, 14.00 to 15.30 – full details and free tickets here. We’ll meet just before 14.00 by the river at the Millennium Bridge (Rowntree Park side).

We are delighted to announce that we will also be joined by Alastair Fitter, well-known York ecologist and naturalist and President of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. As part of the walk, Alastair will be sharing his own expertise on soils, microbia and nature’s responses to climate change – the things which we don’t see but which are such a critical part of the world we are part of.

These walks are a great opportunity to get to know your area better, meet other local people, and learn about food-for-free in our hedgerows and open spaces.

For those who would like to, we will finish the walk with tea or coffee in a riverside cafe.

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What do you think?

Posted on 24/07/2026 by cathmortimer

It’s difficult to know what people think – and so you can’t know whether your own thoughts, worries or hopes are shared with other people. That can be hard, in troubling times.

At Bishopthorpe Road Street Party last month, we decided to ask a few questions, using the techniques of Common Ground. We made a flip chart, stood at ‘Cherry Tree Corner’ (opposite Sainsbury’s) and asked passersby if they wanted to add a dot to the chart. It was a lovely day for a chat and people were in a festive mood. We had decided to be there for just an hour, but lots of people stopped and talked about what they thought, and where to put their ‘dot’.

It certainly provoked some discussions, and we’re going to do it again sometime!

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Climate Listening Circle

Posted on 07/07/2026 by cathmortimer

The next Climate Listening Circle is Tuesday 14th July 7-8.30 in Rowntree Park. Meet at the dovecote. Book a place using Eventbrite

A Climate Listening Circle is a quiet, welcoming place to bring your feelings about the climate. We’re all in this together, and it can help to know that your feelings are shared, understood and held in community. Bring a mug, if you fancy a cup of tea (or bring your own beverage of choice).

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Last nine tickets remaining! – People’s Emergency Briefing film, Friday 19 June, 7.30 for 8.00pm

Posted on 15/06/2026 by PlanetSouthBank

The People’s Emergency Briefing film has made it to York – don’t miss your chance to see it.

To get your tickets: 19 June, 7.30 for 8.00pm, at Clements Hall.

Tickets are free – and the Hall has fixed maximum capacity, so booking is essential please.

In line with Planet South Bank’s focus on encouraging local adaptation, together with Clements Hall we are also organising a local screening of the film, on Friday 19 June 2026.

The Emergency Briefing is a free, 50-minute film, narrated by Chris Packham, that delivers the facts about the many related threats we face, and also emphasises the enormous benefits of genuine emergency action.

It features reactions and perspectives from members of the public – and some more familiar faces too.

Spread the word: bring your friends, work colleagues, neighbours – and anyone else who could do with an opportunity to feel part of a community that actually does care about these global issues and who want to do something about it.

Local speakers after the film will share projects and opportunities here in the South Bank area where you can get involved, meet local people and make a difference in the place where you love.

Booking is free and essential, as we are anticipating a full house:    https://www.tickettailor.com/events/yorkcliconnect/2171591

To see the national list of all screenings – over 2,000 organised so far!, see this link: https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map

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We’re gardening this weekend!

Posted on 04/06/2026 by cathmortimer

We have fortnightly gardening sessions during the growing season, and this Sunday (the 7th) at 2-3pm is one of those sessions. We’re expecting to see a lot of growth – the warmth and a little bit of rain have helped. It’s also the season for planting up some baby vegetables which have been grown on in pots, by the group. Best of all, the first of the red currants are ready to be picked and enjoyed. Come and join us – no experience needed and all tools provided (bring a yoghurt pot or something for the red currants) – see you at the plot (the Nose (the pointy bit) at St Clements Church, Scarcroft Road)!

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People’s Emergency Briefing film, Friday 19 June, 7.30 for 8.00pm – tickets going fast

Posted on 04/06/2026 by PlanetSouthBank

The People’s Emergency Briefing film has made it to York – don’t miss your chance to see it.

19 June, 7.30 for 8.00pm, at Clements Hall.

Tickets are free – and booking is essential please.

In line with Planet South Bank’s focus on encouraging local adaptation, together with Clements Hall we are also organising a local screening of the film, on Friday 19 June 2026.

The Emergency Briefing is a free, 50-minute film, narrated by Chris Packham, that delivers the facts about the many related threats we face, and also emphasises the enormous benefits of genuine emergency action.

It features reactions and perspectives from members of the public – and some more familiar faces too.

Spread the word: bring your friends, work colleagues, neighbours – and anyone else who could do with an opportunity to feel part of a community that actually does care about these global issues and who want to do something about it.

Local speakers after the film will share projects and opportunities here in the South Bank area where you can get involved, meet local people and make a difference in the place where you love.

Booking is free and essential, as we are anticipating a full house:    https://www.tickettailor.com/events/yorkcliconnect/2171591

As of early June, there are also at least six other screenings coming up in York – see details here

To see the national list of all screenings – over 2,000 organised so far!, see this link: https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map

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Planet South Bank at the York Festival of Ideas

Posted on 04/06/2026 by PlanetSouthBank

A York Festival of Ideas event, hosted by Planet South Bank – Thursday 11 June, online, 6.00 to 7.00pm

Thursday 11 June, 6.00 to 7pm, online: Imagining Thrutopias: How We Made It Through. You may have heard about our community creative writing project How We Made It Through – local people imagining a hopeful future for our part of York. We are thrilled to have been accepted into this year’s Festival of Ideas, and we’ll be presenting the story of the project and anthology, as well as introducing the concept of thrutopia fiction and celebrating this grassroots initiative.  

Hear from Rupert Read, creator of the concept of Thrutopia; learn about the radical intentions behind the publication and its design, print and distribution of the anthology; enjoy short readings from contributors (poetry and prose); and view some of the illustrations included in the anthology.

https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2026/calendar/imagining-thrutopias

Additional invitation:

If you would like to try out some thrutopia writing:

A few of us in Planet South Bank are interested in collectively writing a poem to be read out together at dawn on 21 June – the summer solstice, the longest day. The theme of the poem will be agreed by us together, but it’s likely to include thrutopian elements of hope, light, nature and community.

We’d love you to join us, for the writing workshop, 7.00pm Sunday 14 June, at a location in the South Bank area, and / or the reading at dawn on Sunday 21 June, near the Millennium Bridge. You don’t have to come to both!, for example if dawn isn’t your thing.

And of course, no prior experience of writing poetry is required.

If you’re interested please e-mail laurabok1980@googlemail.com and we’ll send you details as they are finalised.

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Looking for a bit of help on Bishy Road

Posted on 05/05/2026 by cathmortimer

The corner of Bishopthorpe Road and Scarcroft is a tiny bit of tranquillity in a busy area. The beds are kept in order by occasional work parties – and the volunteers are looking for some more help. If you can help, email Johnny on johnnyhayes@hotmail.co.uk or phone him on 078 049 33690.

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First foraging walk of 2026 – this Sunday 3 May

Posted on 01/05/2026 by PlanetSouthBank

Join our ever-popular foraging walks, in the company of experienced local forager Carl Wain.

This Sunday 3 May, 14.00 to 15.30 – full details and free tickets here.

These walks are a great opportunity to get to know your local area better, meet other local people, and learn about food-for-free in our hedgerows and open spaces.

The next walk after 3 May will be Sunday 9 August – save the date, and we’ll post more details here. Sign-up to our blog to receive direct notifications. We don’t post frequently, and it helps you keep in touch with all our activities.

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