As we grow, change is necessary.
Seeds for the future
In June 2019, Northumberland County Council declared a Climate Emergency. The then leader, Peter Jackson, gave a target of halving the Council's carbon footprint by 2025, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
This declaration came after Climate Action Network Northumberland (CANN) petitioned NCC successfully. Peter Fuller spoke out after the Declaration saying that although NCC had achieved a lot, the message needs to be spread to the whole community, to work together to find solutions throughout Northumberland.
In September 2021, as part of the NCC Climate Action Plan, NCC launched the NCC Community Climate Champions programme.
This is a YouTube video from NCC explaining the work of the Climate Champions. The video is introduced by Glen Sanderson, and it highlights fantastic work by Felton CAN, and by Liz Anderson. The Climate Officers involved have, I believe, all moved on, and been replaced by others.
Katie Scott was invited to become one of the climate champions as she had begun and led Rothbury Rubbish Friends (community litter picking group) since about 2018. She was known to NCC.
Rothbury CAN was launched on 18th September 2021 with the first Great Big Green Event at Jubilee Hall. It is an umbrella organisation for a variety of different climate action groups.
In 2023, Katie won the BBC Make a Difference Award, in the Green Category, for the Rothbury Tree Trail, and for 'inspirational leadership of a group'.
Also in 2023, Katie was awarded the Freedom of the Parish of Whitton & Tosson for 'valued and devoted services rendered to the community and for her astounding achievement of the successful reopening of the Rothbury Community Hospital'.
More recently, in 2026, Katie collected, on behalf of Rothbury CAN, the 'Earthmovers' Award from Friends of the Earth.
Katie with grand-daughter
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Change for the Better
Rothbury CAN has a firm foundation as a well respected organisation within the Coquetdale Community. Each of the groups is autonomous, but they come together under the umbrella of RCAN. These groups are amazing, with hard-working, innovative, and dedicated members. They are always keen to work with others and welcome new people.
Coquetdale Repair Cafe focuses on saving items from landfill, and bringing the community together over tea and cake. They successfully secured funding of £5000 to begin their successful and important work.
Rothbury CAN Coquet River Action Group - RCAN has a team attached to the highly successful CRAG. This group has received funding from NCC, and Julia Chambers, the VC of CRAG, rightly won Outstanding Individual Award at the Love Northumberland Awards.
All of the groups are doing important and wonderful work within Coquetdale.
Katie has now stepped down from the role of Co-ordinating RCAN, although she will continue as an active member. (Katie is very keen to spend more time on her writing projects, and is delighted to share that she is now a member of the NUJ).
It is a good time, therefore, to rethink the organisation and working of the group.
Elidh Gardiner will take on the role of Secretary, as well as Treasurer. We are currently negotiating the best way forward for Co-ordination and Chairing of meetings and organisation of events.
It is very exciting and everyone is buzzing with fresh ideas!
Cherry blossom
Where do you fit in?
RCAN is a very friendly, happy, supportive informal organisation of local volunteers. Have you an hour or so a week to spare, which you would like to spend helping the environment, and our lovely community? Why not get in touch for an informal chat.
Contact Elidh on [email protected]