Find out about the steps our community is already taking towards a more sustainable future and be inspired to get involved.

St Bees Green Future, St Bees Parish Council, Adams Recreation Ground, the Community Garden, Eco Church and the schools are already taking action to protect the environment and reduce our carbon footprint.

Reduce reuse recycle

While we have recycling collection points in St Bees for various items of waste, recycling is always a last resort. So, for items still with lots of life left in them, we reuse what we can. We have Facebook groups for the parish to buy and sell or share, swap and give away items. St Bees Green Future organise swap events and preloved sales, and there is also a Little Free Library in St Bees. These opportunities allow us to pass on and use preloved goods. And by doing so, we reduce our reliance on new items.

Food growing

St Bees Parish Council provide allotments for residents. The Community Garden (next to St Bees Priory) produces fruit and vegetables, with produce available to residents and visitors. St Bees Village Primary School is also developing a vegetable plot and orchard, which the children and their families will benefit from.

Transport

St Bees Parish Council proposed a near-level traffic-free cycle track along the valley between St Bees and Mirehouse, which is now part of the Whitehaven Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. Commuters, leisure cyclists and walkers alike would benefit from this route.

St Bees Parish Council has also proposed a Travel Hub at St Bees Train Station. The extension of the station car park would help encourage rail travel by commuters. The plan also includes charging points for electric vehicles and e-bikes, as well as improved cycle parking.

Energy

Community energy includes collective action to install renewable energy systems for the benefit of the community, as well as tackling fuel poverty and reducing energy use. Community energy is one of the topics that St Bees Parish Council’s Climate Change Working Group will explore.

Rewilding

As well as Priory Paddock, a wildflower and conservation site, rewilding projects are also underway along the verge on Beach Road, at Adams Recreation Ground, in the Community Garden and in the grounds of St Bees Village Primary School.

Tree planting

St Bees Parish Council plants trees in the parish. The schools and Adams Recreation Ground also undertake tree planting in their grounds.

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