Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network

Meeting minutes

10.30 am October 28th 2019 at the Museum of Wigan Life
Present
Bob Bruce (Astley Green Colliery), Avis Freeman (Leigh Soroptimists), Joe Taylor (Billinge History Society) John O’Neill (Greenheart), Mary Pennington (Wigan Archaeological Society), Ken Barston (Stubshaw Cross Residents group), Derek Wilde (Wigan Family History Society) Mandy Wellens-Bray & Martin Atherton (Rebel Flower Farm).,
Apologies
Alex Miller (WBC), Peter Goodwin (Tradition Films), Neil Forshaw (George Formby Society), Glenys McClellan (Leigh Family History Society), Jenny Giggs (Wildlife Trust), David Shallcross (Leigh Ornithological Society), Richard Sivil (Atherton Heritage), Eileen Walsh and Eileen Bithell (BETA), Tom Price (Civic Trust)
Minutes of last meeting - true and accurate
Matters arising - none.
Presentation:
Mandy Wellens-Bray, a Network member from Rebel Flower Farm, gave an apt presentation, in view of Wigan Council declaring a climate emergency, regarding Regenerative Agriculture.
Scientific knowledge about how farming has degraded soil, causing carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere instead of being absorbed into the soil, is a fairly recent development. Modern farming methods cause a negative feedback loop, destroying the soil’s ability to produce the nutrients all life depends on. The carbon dioxide released by chemical based agriculture is causing the sea to turn acidic and climate change as we understand it today.
This topic proved to be of interest to attending members and the chair allowed discussion to continue beyond the time usually allocated to presentations.
It was agreed that the E&H Network will arrange a visit to Rebel Flower Farm early next year.
Members Reports:
Mary gave out copies of the latest Archaeology Society newsletters.
Next Meeting 9th December - Presentation Day - Discovery Room 10.30.