Published: 23 October 2024

The first ever Leek Textile Week was a stunning success, with its range of talks, walks, installations, exhibitions and interactive workshops attracting artists and performers from all over the country. The brainchild of long-time MCA member and supporter Carry Somers, the week had a strong theme of sustainability running throughout it. Australian writer Clare Press read from ‘Wear Next’, her latest book on the future of sustainable fashion, at an evening of poetry and prose organised by Mark. A number of MCA members had taken part in the associated woad and indigo growing project, including Debbie Potts, pictured here with her own-grown indigo.

Published: 23 October 2024

Mike and Mark both attended the annual Staffordshire Climate Expo at Uttoxeter Racecourse in September. Ably organised by the Globe Foundation, keynote speakers at the event included Michaela Strachan and Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, to whom Mike gave a sustainably-foraged recipe for blackberry whiskey. There was a great range of stalls and attendees and both Mike and Mark made new contacts for MCA and swapped progress and ideas with old friends.

Published: 23 October 2024

A great day was had by one and all: talking about the Nature in Your Neighbourhood project, playing our Land Use Game, exploring greenhouse gases (in the pink buckets) and of course making wonderful wildlife masks. Huge thanks to Belinda Hargreaves for organising such a tremendous event and also inviting us to have a stall.

Published: 23 October 2024

MCA has always worked hard to engage the local farming community, to understand their concerns and, where possible, work with them on understanding what's needed in the transition to different forms of agricultural practice.

We are regular stallholders at the Leek and District Agricultural Show and many of our members attend the smaller, more locally focussed events, such as Ipstones and Manifold Shows. But none of us go as far as Phil Barks, himself of farming stock, who is a long-time member of the organising committee of Ipstones Agricultural Show. Here is Phil taking a well-earned break from hammering in stakes and chasing runaway cattle.

Published: 23 October 2024

MCA’s Repair Cafe went on tour again in late August, with a very busy day at Warslow Village Hall. Many faces new to the Repair Cafe and lots of happy customers. Here’s volunteer Bill with a freshly-mended toaster.

And it was full steam ahead at September’s packed Foxlowe Repair Cafe as customers brought clothes, bikes and household items (including this kettle) for repair. Next month’s October 19th Repair Cafe at Haregate Community Centre co-incides with International Repair Day and there will be be tea and cakes on offer!

Published: 23 October 2024

MCA held its 2024 AGM at the end of August and after all the formal bits there was lots to discuss. We have such a range of existing projects on the go but also talked about our ideas for the future. These include the possibility of building on the success of the Repair Cafe to establish a Library of Things (though we are keenly aware of the substantial organisational capacity this would require). A visit to Transition Buxton’s Library of Things to learn from their experience is planned for late October.

We are also exploring the idea of holding the first ever Youth Eco Forum (in 2025) in the Moorlands, possibly in conjunction with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. Again this would build on the success of our Wild Week events, but requires a lot of work. Moira and Sally have already done a remarkable job in putting together a robust structure and draft plan and benefit greatly from sharing the experience of friendly groups across the county border. As always, we have talked to local people (including surveys) to get their views on the ideas, as well as collect ideas of their own! 

On the way in and out of the Quaker Meeting House, we were able to admire progress on the ecobrick planter being built in their garden - since completed!