Plaque unveiling
As many of you will know, the plaque to the Sheffield Street Tree Campaign was unveiled on Friday 6th March by Rob McBride, international tree campaigner, and the Lord Mayor Safiya Saeed, with a civic reception afterwards. Many of those who worked on the wording of the plaque were present, as was Lydia Monks, the well-known Sheffield-based children’s book illustrator and designer of the plaque.
Perhaps you were there on the 6th March? If so, you will have seen the large number of tree campaigners catching up with each other, looking at the campaign memorabilia and photos we had assembled and enjoying the opportunity to go into the Town Hall without needing to occupy the Chamber!
James Mitchinson, editor of the Yorkshire Post and keen follower of our campaign gave a very well-received speech, showing his understanding of what we all went through and the need for those who made such poor decisions (or worse) to be held accountable.
He said in a chat after his speech that he thinks the story of our campaign deserves a TV show along the lines of Mr Bates vs The Post Office or Dirty Business. He may contact some people. No promises obviously, but maybe collect your campaign photos and footage where it can be accessed. Just in case.
STAG archive of the street tree campaign
While assembling materials for the campaign display in the cabinet in the entrance of the Town Hall (do pop in to have a look) we realised what a plethora of memorabilia and photos exists out there. Talking to other campaigners at the event and afterwards it is clear there is a lot of enthusiasm for creating some kind of archive of campaign materials, both physical and digital. The idea of a working group of campaigners has been mooted. Please let us know if this is something you would be interested in.
A quick google suggests many benefits from creating an archive including creating a source of inspiration for future actions, a sense of achievement and purpose, better future decision-making, resilience and less burn-out, and increasing the visibility of environmental activism. It could also allow expression of some voices who have not so far been heard.
Street Tree Planting Project
We have had some great conversations with local people in the Spital Hill area of Burngreave, in Low Edges and in Jordanthorpe, with general positivity around getting some street trees planted. We have chatted to shopkeepers, people in libraries and community centres or just waiting for the bus, trying to enthuse while also ‘managing expectations’. Always tricky!
There have been offers to water new trees and fund the 5% of the cost, in some cases from their own pockets!
The next step is to send the proposed planting locations and species to Amey by the end of March, to see which can be approved, before final submission by the end of June at the latest.
Linking with other groups
In addition to making links with the community environmental groups Green City Action (Burngreave) and Greener Greenhill (covering Greenhill, Jordanthorpe, Batemoor and Low Edges), STAG representatives have been attending meetings with the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership and Sheffield Green Spaces Forum.
Preparation for the AGM
Preparations are under way for the STAG AGM on 20th April from 7-9pm
Venue: Sharrow Community Forum, South View Rd, S7 1DB
Parking onsite and wheelchair accessible.
Attendance will also be possible online for those who cannot make it in person and all members are welcome.
The Committee election will be held beforehand and announced at the AGM.
The provisional agenda includes:
- Co-chairs’ report
- Treasurer’s report
- Membership secretary report
- SSTP rep’s report
- Discussion on updated constitution proposal (see below for more info)
- Tree planting project progress update
Papers for the constitution discussion will be circulated beforehand
Committee election
There is still time to put yourself forward, or to nominate others for the STAG Committee. The deadline for nominations is 23rd March. We welcome new faces to the committee to help take forward projects like the street tree planting project, developing a tree campaign archive, the new website and work with the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership. Maybe you are interested in looking at planning applications for their impact on trees? And perhaps other ideas that we haven’t thought of.
Please check the email of 3.3.26 for the ‘call for nominations’ email with more details. Do ask questions if more information might help you to nominate yourself.
STAG Assets
The Committee continues work in the best interests of the organisation tosecure the assets of STAG. This includes having sought legal advice and taking the necessary legal steps for regaining ownership of the STAG Public Facebook Group, which currently remains outside of the management of the Elected Committee. We will keep members updated on progress.
Recent meetings
9.3.26 STAG Committee.
16.3.26 SSTP Planting Biodiversity and Engagement working group
Dates for your diary
Weds 18.3.26 Sheffield Green Spaces Forum
Monday 23.3.26 Deadline for nominations to STAG Committee
Monday 30.3.26 THE WAY STAG WORKS(LOOKING FORWARDS!)
7.30-8.45pm (ish) online
All members welcome
Significant constitutional change proposals will be brought to the AGM and for a subsequent all-member vote.
You may have been following developments here but as time for discussion will necessarily be limited at the AGM, this is an additional informal opportunity to dip in to:
- hear about the range of proposals being put forward
- clarify and ask questions
- hear what others are asking/saying
This informal event will be prior to final proposals going out in the AGM papers. The event is hosted by Ruth, Woll and Julian (who has contributed as a member).
Please indicate your interest on the Facebook event post that will be going up shortly if that’s possible for you.
The zoom link for the member constitutional discussion on 30/3/26 is:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87854623694
with very best wishes from all the STAG committee.