IMG 1769 croppedThe Advent season last December saw an exciting joint venture with the Young Phoenix singers at the Old Grammar school in Leek. It was part of the OUTSIDE Arts 24 Doors Advent Event. The project was entitled Christmas Hope - for our (their) Future, to mirror MCA’s strapline ‘For our Future NOW!’ 

It was a magical event, albeit a marathon for the young singers, who sang practically non-stop for 3 hours, against an atmospheric Christmas and wildlife themed backdrop. Not only carols but also our climate song, Do It Now! There were well over 200 visitors, many of whom didn’t know about MCA before but who do now!  All family groups had our MCA flyer, repair cafe flyer and a young Phoenix flyer. They also had a Christmas card showing our Earth, the words ‘Christmas Hope - For our Future’ followed by the names of all the young singers.

p1130852 720 copy for newsletterLeek First School is a Plastic free ‘Ally’, helping Leek to become a Plastic Free Community, but they are also very interested in becoming a Plastic Free School. Sally has done an assembly for them all about single use plastics and they are setting up a ‘Plastic Free Squad’. She is going to go into school to work with them to help them achieve Plastic Free School status. We shall let you know how we get on.

YA at Buxton smOur dynamic Youth Action team took a stall to not just one but two Student Induction days for Buxton and Leek College in September - one in Leek and one in Buxton, shown here in the fabulous Devonshire Dome building.

Their stall lined up several activities, mainly linked to fashion but also their joint work on Wild Week with Transition Buxton.

KitesFrom the 19th to the 23rd of June, 563 children in four Staffordshire Moorlands schools were treated to a Wild Week of activities delivered by workshop leaders and volunteers from several different organisations working together. We helped children to find out more about our local ‘At Risk’ wildlife and habitats, hoping to help them appreciate why endangered wildlife and their own environment matter.

Archie age 9 Overall Winner MCA Summer Art Competition IMG 9649Draw, Paint or Photograph a Bee or other Pollinating insect!

In Spring, young artists across Staffordshire Moorlands, took part in Moorlands Climate Action’s 2nd Art Competition.   This year we focussed on some very important insects, our Bees and pollinators.

It was very difficult to choose from the wonderful range of entries but our MCA Artist/ Naturalist judge decided upon the following well chosen winners.   We thank her and everyone who took part, also those parents, grandparents and helpers who submitted photographs of the entry on their child’s behalf. Many of the young winners and artists came to MCA’s Green Arts Festival HUG at Foxlowe Arts Centre to receive their certificates and printed card copies of their artwork. The overall prize winner and winners in order of age group are as follows:-

image2As usual, we are very busy in the Youth Action group. Some of you may have noticed that we have had a change of name. We felt that Youth Engagement was a little staid and old fashioned and we really want to encourage younger people to get involved with our projects. We are also working on a new, colourful, eye-catching logo for Youth Action - so watch this space!!