June 2026 News

July 12, 2026

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:

We are looking at arranging further screenings locally over the summer and autumn.

This is a huge national initiative with now over 1800 events scheduled. You too can get involved – and there’s many things you can choose to do:

  • 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)