Launch and celebration event: How We Made It Through – and Climate Choir opportunity!

Posted on 08/10/2025 by John Gray

Planet South Bank is delighted to invite you to the launch of our community creative writing anthology, How We Made It Through.

For six months in 2024, local residents and those who love South Bank were invited to create visions of hope for the future – looking back from the future, to say ‘This is how we made it through’.

Launch and celebration of the anthology: Tuesday 28 October 2025, from 6.30 to 8.30pm, Friargate Quaker Meeting House, York. More details here: https://yorkenvironmentfestival.org.uk/event/how-we-made-it-through/

At the launch we’ll be sharing extracts from the anthology, sharing how we ran the project and how it can easily be replicated in any local community. Get your own copy, and share ideas for helping local communities work together in the face of current future challenges. There’ll even be short performances from a one-off climate choir – details below if you’d like to join in as a singer.

More about the project: Twenty people responded initially and once our programme of free workshops and online calls kicked off, more joined along the way. By the end of the project, we had received more than thirty individual entries, in media ranging from prose to poetry, and from collage to needle felt. The generous support of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Abundance Press pulled all of our work into a beautiful book, copies of which will be for a donation at the launch, and an electronic copy made available online.

Would you like to be in the climate choir during the evening? The inspirational Catherine Heinemeyer will be leading a group of singers as part of the event, in three short songs climate and hope. Singers are warmly welcome! There will be one rehearsal, on Sunday 26 October 2 to 5pm (venue to be arranged). Please email laura.bok@balliol.oxon.org to show your interest and so that we can send you details of the rehearsal.

This evet is part of York Environment Festival. Take part in their wonderful series of events, running from to 27 September to 2 November 2024. https://yorkenvironmentfestival.org.uk/events/

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Our events this month

Posted on 06/10/2025 by cathmortimer

Firstly, thanks to everyone who took part in Street Recycle yesterday – especially whoever it was who took an ancient bike off my hands!

York Environment Festival is about halfway through, with events on nearly every day – check out the details here. We at Planet Southbank still have three more events.

This Thursday (October 9th), we’ll be supporting York’s Climate Listening Circle, which will meet at Patch (The Bonding Warehouse, 7-8.30). Everyone is welcome at this lovely, supportive meet-up.

And then on Sunday, 19th October (2-4), we have an Open Garden at the Nose. Come along to find out more about the garden. There may be a giant crafted worm to meet!

Lastly, on Tuesday 28th October, join us to celebrate our creative writing project ‘How We Made it Through’ at the Friargate Meeting House (6.30-8.30). Hear some readings from the collection and see the final product.

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Join the churches as they go litter-picking!

Posted on 30/09/2025 by cathmortimer

Here’s a lovely opportunity to get out and about with some litter pickers, and at the same time, potentially pick up some amazing bargains, at the Street re-Cycle! And with refreshments, afterwards! South Bank’s Sunday afternoons have never been so exciting.

You can sign up via the QR code, or use the link: https://brp.churchsuite.com/events/lrmh6fnx

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Reminder: it’s Street Recycle, this Sunday!

Posted on 29/09/2025 by cathmortimer

Don’t forget: it’s Street Recycle this Sunday, 5th October, from 12noon to 3pm.

Join in by browsing – see what’s available, in your neighbourhood! – or to sign up yourself, send your name, address and postcode (by Wednesday 1st!) to info@planetsouthbank.org.uk

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Foraging Walk this Sunday 28 September, 2 – 3.30pm

Posted on 24/09/2025 by PlanetSouthBank

A chance to learn about the edible plants available in York’s hedgerows and public spaces, led by local forager Carl Wain. Ideal for families, local residents and nature lovers.

Booking is required and can be done here. Places are limited to 25 people so that everyone has the opportunity to hear Carl and join in with the discussions.

There are just a few spaces remaining.

The walk is free and donations are welcomed when you book. Donations will shared between the Friends of Rowntree Park and Planet South Bank.

The event will start by the dovecot, near to the Rowntree Park Reading Café.

Organised as part of the wonderful York Environment Festival which begins this weekend – check out the schedule of this year’s events: https://yorkenvironmentfestival.org.uk/events/

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Clothes swap in South Bank

Posted on 11/09/2025 by cathmortimer

Hurray! Another recycling/upcycling event in South Bank!

Saturday, 27 September, 10-12. Southlands Methodist Church (97 Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NX)

Refresh your wardrobe and reduce waste! Bring your clothing in good condition, and take home what you like. All ages, sizes, and styles welcome (please no swimwear or underwear). Plus, grab a cuppa (maybe cake?!) from the church’s regular Saturday coffee morning and stay for a chat. 

More details here – you don’t need to book a ticket though, just turn up!

Register on Eventbrite
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Street-re-Cycle, Sunday 5 October, midday to 3pm

Posted on 09/09/2025 by PlanetSouthBank

Now in its tenth year! – your local opportunity to clear out clutter and meet folk in your community too.

Sign up now for your household to be involved! Sunday 5 October 2025, midday to 3pm.

You’ll be part of a ‘trail’ of local addresses, for people to come and buy/swap/take away the things you no longer need.

Maybe you’ll start putting things bit by bit over the next few weeks, getting things ready for the day? Or maybe you’ll plan a weekend beforehand for a big clear-out? Either way, it’s a great chance to ‘walk more lightly on the earth’ and to pass your stuff on to a good home.

To sign up, send your name and address and postcode to info@planetsouthbank.org.uk

Closing deadline for sign-ups: 6pm Wednesday 1 October.

This event is part of the wonderful York Environment Festival

Thank you! for taking part in a day of de-cluttering and of things finding welcome new homes.

Our mission at Planet South Bank is to enable a more resourceful community, a more connected community, and a more resilient community. 

The Street-re-Cycle ticks all those boxes: connecting people, sharing resources and making better use locally of what’s in our community.

Follow Planet South Bank to keep in touch with everything we do:   https://planetsouthbank.org.uk/subscribe-for-updates/

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PSB at York Environment Festival 2025

Posted on 30/08/2025 by cathmortimer

Hope through Action

This year, York Environment Festival runs from 27th Sept to 2nd November, and Planet South Bank is involved in five events during the festival.

On Sunday, 28th September (2-3.30), Carl Wain is running another of our fabulous foraging walks, this time in Rowntree Park. Tickets are free but booking is essential, so that all of the group can hear Carl’s words of wisdom.

On Sunday, 5th October (12-3), we have another wonderful Street Recycle event. This is an opportunity to clear out your cupboards and pass things on, from your front doorstep – books, clothes, DVDs, bric-a-brac. If you want to offer things, please email us at info@planetsouthbank.org.uk by Oct 1st, so we can put you on the list. If you are just curious to browse, just come along to join in. More info here.

On Thursday, October 9th (7-8.30), we’ll be supporting York’s Climate Listening Circle, which will be meeting at Patch (The Bonding Warehouse). Everyone is welcome at this lovely, supportive meet-up.

On Sunday, 19th October (2-4), we’ll have an Open Garden at the Nose. Come along to find out more about the garden, and check out our stalls.

On Tuesday, 28th October (6.30-8.30), we will celebrate our creative writing project ‘How We Made it Through’. Join us at the Friargate Meeting House to hear pieces from the collection and to see the final product.

Lots more events and ideas on the YEF website, but if you just want to see the events that PSB is running, this is the link for you.

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Foraging Walk, Sunday 27 July at 2pm

Posted on 24/07/2025 by PlanetSouthBank

Our third Walk this year, thanks to the support and generosity of experienced forager Carl Wain; and, meeting up at the Holiday Inn on Tadcaster Road for tea / coffee afterwards (self-funding).

Full details here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planet-south-bank-foraging-walk-led-by-local-forager-carl-wain-tickets-1461613979759

Because the walk will head into Knavesmire Wood, the start point will be on the cycle track beyond the race course – NOT our usual muster point by Millennium Bridge. See the eventbrite for full details.

Please book a ticket so that we know to expect you. If you can offer a donation alongside your ticket, that really helps Planet South Bank’s running costs. Thank you!

The final Foraging Walk of the year will be on Sunday 28 September at 2pm. – details nearer the time on this blog and on eventbrite. Sign up if you’re not already on the list to receive Planet South Bank updates: https://planetsouthbank.org.uk/subscribe-for-updates/

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Foraging Walk, Sunday 27 July at 2pm

Posted on 07/07/2025 by PlanetSouthBank

Our third Walk this year, thanks to the support and generosity of experienced forager Carl Wain; and, meeting up at the Holiday Inn on Tadcaster Road for tea / coffee afterwards (self-funding).

Full details here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planet-south-bank-foraging-walk-led-by-local-forager-carl-wain-tickets-1461613979759

Because the walk will head into Knavesmire Wood, the start point will be on the cycle track beyond the race course – NOT our usual muster point by Millennium Bridge. See the eventbrite for full details.

Please book a ticket so that we know to expect you. If you can offer a donation alongside your ticket, that really helps Planet South Bank’s running costs. Thank you!

The final Foraging Walk of the year will be on Sunday 28 September at 2pm. – details nearer the time on this blog and on eventbrite. Sign up if you’re not already on the list to receive Planet South Bank updates: https://planetsouthbank.org.uk/subscribe-for-updates/

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