Welcome!
Our theme this month is Community - reflecting on the benefits of being part of a thriving community and how we might strengthen our own community of LEG.
Being part of an engaging community (‘A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common’ or ‘The condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common’ - Oxford English Dictionary) is central to our experience as human beings. It can give us a sense of belonging and social connectedness and research shows that this social connectedness can lead to longer life, better health, and improved well-being. Community allows us to come together around shared interests providing a sense of common purpose, that is proven to have positive benefits on our mental well-being. And it can also provide the support and growth of its members and the environment.
“The answer to most climate, ecology and social issues is community”.
What we can learn about community from bees
Bees provide us with an excellent example of working as a community. A beehive is a superorganism, a self-governing autonomous community. Within the hive bees occupy different roles but work together as one to ensure the sustainability of the colony.
During times of uncertainty, such as after swarming while bees are setting up a new home, they join together. This behaviour, called Festooning, allows bees to literally hold each other up as they quickly build structures within their new home.
Bees are great communicators, a vital ingredient of a strong community, using both movement and odour to talk to one another! They use these behaviors, such as the famous “waggle” dance, to send messages throughout the colony, locate a nearby food source, and communicate other information.
Bees also care for the well-being of each other. If a bee has an itch, a fellow bee will eagerly assist and relieve it. Likewise, with their general maintenance and self-care, should a worker bee require grooming it will dance as a signal to other bees to come to their aid.
Bees are super-efficient with their resources. They only expand the hive if more space is needed for a growing population or more food storage and they understand that hard times happen, so they prepare for disasters and food shortage. This approach ensures that they don’t drain their energy on anything that is not necessary.
Bees are also important to our own ecosystem and sadly we have declining numbers so if you would like to learn more about bees and how we can support bees click here.
The LEG Community
Over the past year we have seen our own community grow and thrive. We are connected by our shared interest of creating a greener environment for Longridge and the surrounding areas. We meet each month to connect, form friendships and explore local environmental issues. We work on projects together on our Active Sundays (most recently planting around 300 trees near Ribchester with the Ribble Rivers Trust to help mitigate the effects of flooding) and we are building our connections with other people and organisations in the local community.
Your help is needed!
Our community will only continue to thrive if we have people holding key roles within the group. We currently have people who volunteer for tree and other planting projects which is great. We have a Steering Committee which plays a necessary role in managing the finances, sending out newsletters, managing social media and bringing new members on board. But we need more support and would like to invite any member of LEG community to join our small but enthusiastic team to help with some of these activities and help shape the future of LEG, it only requires the occasional hour or two per month.
If you would like to be involved please get in touch with us at longridgeeg@gmail.com or come along to our Annual Meeting on Saturday 9th May at our Social Saturday at Little Town Dairy. Whether you can offer your time on the Steering Group or not please do join us - we are looking for your support and ideas too!
LEG Calendar of Events
Social Saturday - Social Walk – Meet at War Memorial, Longridge at 10am for circular walk including reservoir. Ending back at one of our cafés in Longridge for refreshments.
Earth Week - Litter Pick - Sunday 28th April, 10am
For our Active Sunday in April we will be joining together for a litter pick in and around Longridge. Litter pickers and bin bags will be provided. If you’d like to join us please meet outside Booths at 10am.
Calendar of Events Summary: April - June
April:
13th - Social Saturday Walk and Refreshments
28th - Active Sunday Litter Pick for Earth Week
May:
1st - Beltane / May Day – marking the beginning of summer - ideas invited
11th - Social Saturday and (v short) AGM - Little Town Dairy, 10am
22nd - Biodiversity Day - ideas invited
26th - Active Sunday - TBC
June:
8th: Social Saturday TBC
8th - 16th - Great Big Green Week - We are looking to host film: 6” Of Soil and other activities. Ideas welcomed.
21st - Midsummer’s Day - Walk to Bleasdale Woodhenge Circle
23rd - Active Sunday - TBC
A reminder that you can …
And we look forward to connecting at a social Saturday or active Sunday.
Supporting LEG
For time and other reasons, we are aware that not all can join our activities, so we have made it easier to support us with a donation. Simply use the QR code below and you will be taken to our Stripe page where you can donate. All gratefully received, no matter how small.
Thank You.