Notes from Rothbury CAN meeting 19.5.26

Feedback from Groups

Tree Wardens. Several of us are taking part in the Tree Council Citizen Science Hawthorn Project.

CRAG Joy asked for the Tree Wardens taking part in the Citizen Science project to also note Himalyan Balsam on the river bank, and report to her.

Amble Little Shore has been awarded Bathing Water Status. "Water quality campaigners in Amble are celebrating as news broke that the Little Shore has been officially designated as a bathing site. It follows a successful application to the government by Coquet River Action Group (CRAG), backed up with strong support from the local community." The Ambler

Join CRAG for the Big Splash on Sunday 24th.

Rothbury Golf Course

Rothbury Golf Course have issued the following statement.

Rothbury Golf Club is exploringa series of long-term, community-focused environmental initiatives designed to strengthen the club's role as both a sporting venue and a steward of the unique Coquet Valley landscape. These ideas build upon the club's existing natural assets and heritage, with a focus on biodiversity, habitat enhancement and responsible land stewardship. Proposed opportunities include the potential extension of the National Collection of apple trees, alongside carefully managed improvements to hedgerows, wildlife habitats and ecological features across the course. The intention is not to alter the character of the club, but to enhance and celebrate the landscape in a way that benefits both the environment and the wider community.

Discussions have also considered measures to support local wildlife, including Sand Martins, bats and bird populations along the River Coquet corridor through the sensitive placement of nesting and habitat features around existing buildings and woodland edges. Additional concepts include the restoration of weaker hedge lines and the creation of modest public-facing environmental features, such as a landscaped orchard area and a small contemplative labyrinth adjacent to the public footpath network. All proposals are intended to sit quietly within the landscape, respecting both the golfing heritage of the course and the natural beauty of the surrounding valley, while encouraging greater community engagement and environmental awareness.

These potential developments strongly reflect the club's established values of stewardship and sustainability, as identified within the club's wider vision and marketing strategy. There is broad recognition that thoughtful environmental management can positively enhance the identity, visitor appeal and long-term resilience of the club.

Any future proposals would be subject to careful planning, consultation and partnership working, including early engagement with relevant stakeholders such as Northumberland Estates, while exploring opportunities for external funding, grants and community support. Rothbury Golf Club remains committed to balancing sporting excellence with responsible environmental stewardship for the benefit of both current and future generations.

It was agreed that the Labyrinth creation project would be taken up by Coquetdale Creatives. Rothbury CAN Rowans, and Tree Wardens, will work with the Golf Club, on orchard and biodiversity ideas.

National Emergency Film

The meeting agreed that Rothbury CAN should write to MP David Smith to ask him to support this Early Day Motion:

Motion text
That this House notes the National Emergency Briefing held in Westminster on 27 November 2025, attended by over 1,200 leaders from politics, business, science, and civil society, which set out the escalating risks posed by climate change and nature loss; further notes the expert evidence presented that the UK faces intensifying weather extremes, with up to 1 in 4 properties at risk of flooding by 2050 and increasing heatwaves and wildfires; recognises that current global trajectories risk 3-4°C of warming, threatening systemic societal disruption and exceeding the UK's fair share of the remaining carbon budget within years; expresses concern that the UK ranks among the lowest globally for biodiversity, with significant declines in wildlife and ecosystem health; acknowledges warnings that food security, public health, and national security are increasingly compromised by climate-related impacts, including supply shocks, economic instability, and heightened global tensions; also notes the substantial economic costs of inaction compared to the benefits of rapid transition to a low-carbon economy; and therefore calls on the Government to screen a prime-time televised emergency briefing across all the main channels, delivered by independent experts and supported by the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser, setting out the nature and scale of the climate and nature threats facing the UK, why these threats matter to people's lives and livelihoods, and to introduce emergency legislation, investment and public engagement commensurate with the scale and urgency of the crisis.

UK Parliament Early Day Motion: National Emergency Briefing

RCAN members and supporters should consider signing the petition
This it to request that the film be shown on the TV to gain as wide an audience as possible.

2026 Great Big Green Event

Katie reported that the event is absolutely FULL. Lots of interesting and diverse stalls of selling, and of information. It should be a wonderful event!