Extinction Rebellion Malvern
Welcome to XR Malvern!
Who are we?
We are a friendly local group of people who are active in Extinction Rebellion. We are all extremely concerned about the rapidly deteriorating climate and the breakdown of the natural world. We only have one planet, and it’s being trashed right now. We want to do whatever we can to stop this nightmare. Many of us take part in non-violent direct action, to try to get governments and large organisations to make the changes we urgently need. We have a vision of a much better world, with a culture of respect, nonviolence and care for all life.
What do we want?
Our demands are that governments (in all forms) Tell The Truth about the climate and ecological emergency, Act Now to address climate change and biodiversity loss, and move beyond politics to Be The Change, creating a Citizen’s Assembly so ordinary people can lead the way to climate and ecological justice.
What do we do?
We meet usually twice a month, in person or on Zoom. We take part in peaceful, nonviolent actions locally, in Malvern and Worcester; regionally (e.g. Birmingham); and nationally (e.g. London, G7 in Cornwall). We spread the message of the need for urgent government action, by giving talks, and offering friendly chats and free gifts on local stalls. We arrange support and social activities, like listening circles and nature walks, as we recognise the importance of accepting our emotions, looking after ourselves and others, and feeling community support. We make beautiful art work as part of our message.
XR Malvern’s main meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month (currently all in-person). New people are always welcome!
News
- June 2026 News
Clean Air Action, Worcester, Saturday 13th June A simple and quickly put together, but effective action. Based on the ‘cube of truth’: 4 people sat in a square with placards with air pollution messages on them – this was effective and people were obviously stopping to read the signs. We also displayed the big clean air board, and there were people doing outreach. The response was generally very positive. We found that focusing on a single subject makes the message accessible to some who might not be able to engage in the wider climate crisis. On a more negative side it can also lead to people dismissing concerns “I already have an electric car”. Some interactions were able to lean into the wider problem: people in electric cars are still breathing polluted air, and the people least able to afford alternatives are often the most affected. Interestingly, someone from London recognised that Worcester is not designed for active travel. Thanks to all who helped out, and it was great to see Paul from the Marches! The county council are doing a survey on pollution at the moment Air Quality | Worcestershire Regulatory Services and there was an article in the Malvern Gazette. We will continue this initiative with leaflet distribution to shops and businesses and at the vigil.
People’s Emergency Briefing in West Malvern – 13th June Following the succesful event at Holy Trinity Church Hall at Link Top on 16th May, members of Malvern XR were again involved in organising and facilitating a second local screening at West Malvern Social Club on 13th June. About 50 people gathered to watch the hard-hitting film, then divided into small groups to share their reactions and discuss what should be done in response to the expert evidence presented in the film. We are grateful to West Malvern Social Club for hosting this event free of charge and for providing a bar to lubricate the discussions. We have two more local screenings coming up very soon. Welland Parish Hall on the 1st July is now sold out, but spaces are still available at:- The Fold, Bransford on Sunday 28th June 7-9 pm
- Free tickets: A special community screening: The People’s Emergency Briefing – The Fold
- Tell your friends/colleagues/neighbours/people you meet at the bus stop… Similar sessions are happening across the whole of the UK – for other locations see: https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map
- Sign the parliamentary petition: National Emergency Briefing . Please note, the petition now has over 27,000 signatures. The government have made an initial – and unsatisfactory – response. The NEB response to the government is here: Our reaction to the government response. We need signatures to reach 100,000 to trigger a debate in parliament.
- Send a WhatsApp message to BBC Newsnight. With so many people-driven screenings it is time they covered the climate and nature crisis properly and the Heatwave is a good time to do it. Tel. number is 0330 678 4783
- Contact our local group to find out more about getting involved locally: nebmalvernhills@gmail.com
The Wye Walk Tracing 136 miles over nine days in May from Plynlimon to Chepstow, Josh and I walked for the joy of the River Wye and to witness her struggle. The relentless heat nearly broke us but the support of friends and family sustained our resolve. The river’s beauty remained breathtaking. We found ourselves surrounded by iridescent damselflies, singing skylarks, and ancient sweet chestnut trees. This natural resilience stood in painful contrast to human impact. Beyond the litter and rusting machinery, we observed a deeper sickness: disappearing minnows in Llangurig, rising phosphate levels, and water turning thick and brown as it reached the sea. A local mother shared how the river’s pollution had made her child gravely ill—a sobering reminder of the harm caused by sewage and agriculture. Despite a human sense of entitlement over her, the Wye persists. Her water shifts from bright rapids to soft shallows, a quiet insistence on life that demands our care. I finish this walk with sore limbs but a resolved heart. The time for quiet observation has passed; we must rage and speak urgently for the river before her song falls silent. With that in mind River Lamentations is a protest performance project that began in May with a workshop led by myself and Ruana Xerri-West; the project continues with another session on July 11th, 11.30 – 15.00 by the Teme in Bransford. Join us to keen and move for rivers and nature. Rachel Freeman (rfeverybodydance@gmail.com) - Art to Imagine a Better Future
A few of us are launching the Art to Imagine a Better Future project in January, which invites people to produce stories and artwork showing what it would look like in 10 years if all that could be done to solve the climate and nature crisis had been done.
We have set up a Crowdfunder to help support the project, so if you could afford a one off or regular donation that would really help us get the project off the ground.
You can also contact us if you would like to help. We are particularly looking for people to be part of a team running workshops in schools and colleges, for which we have materials prepared.It is a Malvern Climate Community Group project that has grown out of Rob Hopkin’s imagination work. We have the display boards near Malvern Waitrose booked for early 2025.
- Dirty Water – blue plaques
XR Malvern joined a UK-wide day of action unveiling blue plaques in Upton on Severn and Worcester, where we joined with other Worcestershire XR groups to highlight the impact on the River Severn of our local MPs’ voting record on the discharge of raw sewage. In Upton, the plaque reads: “Harriett Baldwin MP Voted to block a law requiring water companies to dump less raw sewage in our waterways and seas, 20th Oct 2021”. The 2021 records show the Upton on Severn overflow spilled sewage for a total of 1,407 hours. This is happening up and down the River Severn and all our major rivers and coastline.
- Festival of resistance postponed
Festival of resistance postponed
Due to Thursday’s news about the passing of Queen Elizabeth, the Rebellion Planning team, and other groups involved, made the difficult decision on Thursday to postpone the Festival of Resistance this weekend in London until further notice.
It was felt that the risks to our mobilisation efforts outweigh the desire to continue, and occupying a Royal Park at this time would not be practical. The decision has not been made lightly and in full appreciation that it will impact so many who have put much time, heart and commitment into making this festival the beautiful reality it was gearing up to be. This message comes with immense gratitude and respect for everyone involved and every single person who was about to attend Rebellion for the first time. This decision comes as multiple groups who had protest plans over the coming week make similar announcements.
There will be further updates after the weekend about what we intend to do next. If you’re not already following the Rebellion Broadcast, please join now for updates.
There will be many strong feelings around this decision, which everyone involved in this decision shares. There will be a space to come together on Saturday at Mile End Park for the afternoon for those in London or planning to travel to London in the next few days.
Love & gratitude,
Rebellion Planners
- Well Dressing April 2022
XR Malvern Well Dressing!
The Temperance Drinking Fountain has been dressed by Malvern Extinction Rebellion – and looks stunning!
Well worth a visit, it’s in place until Sunday 8th May. We chose a theme of biodiversity and nature in literature.
The Well Dressing festival was originally going to coincide with the UN Biodiversity conference – COP 15 in China (now delayed), which aims to agree a new set of goals for urgent action to halt and reverse the loss of plants, animals and ecosystems on our planet.
People depend on nature and nature is being destroyed at an alarming rate. The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, with 1 in 4 British mammals now at risk of extinction.
The loss of biodiversity worldwide is intrinsic to the climate change crisis and needs to be addressed with the same urgency.
When you read a piece of literature, it is like a time machine that transports you to another time and place, and the wonders of nature are represented throughout historic as well as modern literature. Contemporary literature represents the world we see today; many poems are written to express the emotions associated with losing our natural world. Much has already been lost, including large mammals, birds and small insects.
In Malvern we have lost these birds:- Curlew, Quail, Willow Tit, Tree Sparrow, Woodlark, Nightjar.
……and we have lost these butterflies and moths:- Juniper, Purple Emperor, Large Tortoiseshell, Small Blue, Large Heath, Grizzled Skipper, Small Bordered Fritillary, Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper, High Brown Fritillary.
……and we have lost these mammals:- Red Squirrel, Harvest Mouse, Pine Marten.
Throughout art and literature, we celebrate our emotional and spiritual connection to the natural world.
Here is more information on visiting the dressed wells.
