What's New?
Find out about the work we've been doing to help make Crich a more sustainable and enjoyable place to live. Plus, discover useful guidance and good news from local residents!
Crich Creative Agent Update
Community news
May 2025
May in Crich was bursting with creativity and connection, thanks to the Neighbourhood Creative Agent project led by Clare Limb.
Highlights included a joyful intergenerational gardening session with Crich Luncheon Club and Junior School, a lively sustainable fashion show, a nature-inspired Make, Do and Mend session exploring sound and art, and the spring Share & Repair Café. The month wrapped up with a musical celebration for Derbyshire Toy Libraries' 25th birthday.
Spring Share & Repair Café
Community news
May 2025
Our May Share & Repair Café was full of warmth, creativity and community energy.
From 28 successful repairs and free bike checks to an inspiring Artshare and a thoughtful Earth Day display from Crich Juniors, it was a joyful celebration of making, mending and reusing.
Thanks to all who brought items to fix, shared handmade creations, and joined the conversation about Crich’s Green Energy Vision. You make these events special!
Sustainable Fashion Show Highlights
Community news
May 2025
Crich recently hosted an inspiring sustainable fashion show by New Mills Fashion Activistas, turning the spotlight on fast fashion’s environmental and human costs.
The event featured a striking collection of upcycled charity shop garments, creatively transformed with embroidered poetry and bold messaging.
Audience members joined the catwalk, shared outfit stories, and took part in clothes swapping and a raffle.
Crich Creative Agent Update
Community news
April 2025
Creativity and community take centre stage in Crich this May!
Creative Agent Clare Limb shares a month full of inspiring events - from wild garlic tastings and shoe-planting workshops to youth-led rust dyeing and inter-generational mending projects.
With a fashion show, art share, and biodiversity sessions on the horizon, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.
Journey to Net Zero
Voices of the Community
By Ian - April 2025
Discover how two Crich residents transformed their home to achieve net-zero emissions. From installing an air source heat pump and solar panels to integrating a battery storage system, this personal account details the steps taken, challenges faced, and lessons learned in the pursuit of sustainable living.
The story offers valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path towards energy independence and environmental responsibility.
The Badger Man
Voices of the Community
By David - April 2025
Meet David, The Badger Man – a local wildlife hero quietly making a big impact in Crich.
From setting up hidden cameras to capturing rare glimpses of badger life, to championing their protection in the face of environmental threats, his passion for conservation is truly inspiring.
Discover how one man’s dedication is helping an entire community reconnect with nature.
Crich Creative Agent Update
Community news
March 2025
Throughout March, Crich Creative Agent, Clare Limb, and the Transition Crich team delivered several community events to foster creativity and sustainability, including our first Share and Repair Café of 2025 and two exciting Make, Do and Mend sessions.
Find out how local residents planted shoes, crafted bunting, and worked together to remake Colin the Caterpillar from Crich. Plus, read about a heartwarming inter-generational workshop and an insightful fermentation skill-sharing session!
Don't miss upcoming events including a 'Capturing Natural Wonders' photography competition launching on April 1st, a Make, Do and Mend session focused on sowing and foraging on April 17th, and the 'Love it Again Fashion Show' on May 9th!
Capturing Natural Wonders Photography Competition
Community news
March 2025
We are thrilled to announce the Capturing Natural Wonders Photography Competition 2025, inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase the beauty of our local environment. Participants can submit their original photos in three categories: Plants, Animals & Insects, and People & Place. Age groups for the competition include Under 8s, 8-12, 13-17, and 18+.
The competition deadline is May 31st, with winners announced on June 19th at the Make, Do & Mend Skill Share event at Crich Glebe Community Centre. Each category winner will receive a special prize, with winning entries displayed at St. Mary's Church during the Crich Well Dressing celebration.
To help entrants hone their skills, a Family Friendly Photography Walk is scheduled for May 4th, meeting at Crich Market Place at 1:30pm.
A Repairer's View
Voices of the Community
By Paul Smith - March 2025
Since we launched the Share & Repair Cafés in Crich, volunteer repairer, Paul Smith, has been fascinated to see the range of
household items people have brought for us to look at.
"For me though, the prize has to go to the solar-powered chicken door: the idea being that the morning sun opens it, letting your chickens out for the day, and then at dusk, it closes again – with your chicks hopefully shut up inside, safe from Mr (or Mrs) Fox."
In this, the first edition of our 'A Repairers View' series, Paul talks about his experience of volunteering with Crich Share & Repair Café.
Crich Creative Agent Update
Community news
February 2025
Our February 'Make, Do and Mend' session was a resounding success, with participants exploring visible mending techniques like Sashiko and gaining insights into sewing machine maintenance. The next session, scheduled for 20th March, will focus on fermenting with favourite vegetables, offering attendees a chance to learn and take home their creations.
From an inter-generational mending project to the Plant a Shoe initiative, there’s plenty to get involved in. Read Clare's latest update to find out about upcoming creative wellbeing sessions in Crich.
Visit to HW Martin
Community news
February 2025
Members of Transition Crich visited the HW Martin Materials Recovery Facility in Alfreton to learn about the recycling process for materials collected from local bins. They discovered that 85-88% of collected materials are recycled, with the remaining 12-15% sent to energy recovery facilities, ensuring no waste ends up in landfills.
To improve recycling efficiency, the group was advised to avoid placing hazardous items in recycling bins, ensure recyclables are clean and reattach lids to plastic bottles after rinsing.
Operations Manager Inga emphasized the importance of "Recycling Clever" to maximise recovery efficiency. A follow-up visit is planned for April 2025!
Crich Creative Agent Update
Community news
January 2025
The year kicked off with the first Make, Do and Mend skills-sharing session, at Crich Glebe Community Centre, featuring planet-friendly cleaning tips, Japanese bookbinding, and a taste of Lise’s Fire Cider!
In the latest update from Crich Creative Agent, Clare Limb, find out about the next workshop, which will focus on visible mending, wardrobe creativity, and sewing machine basics. Plus, learn how to get involved in Transition Crich’s Sustainable Fashion Show on 9th May and discover some of the other creative events that Clare is developing!
Seedy Sunday Seed Swap
Community news
By Janet Morrow - January 2025
Seedy Sunday was a joyful celebration of community, seed saving, and sustainable growing. Organised by Earthed Up!, it featured a vibrant seed swap, inspiring talks on food sovereignty, and homemade soup.
Speakers stressed the value of local seed saving for resilience and biodiversity. Transition Crich will trial heritage seeds this year - join us at the next Share & Repair Café on 8 March to get involved!
Key moments, events & achievements in 2024
Community news
December 2024
10 Committee meetings
7 Green Spaces and Wellbeing meetings
7 Energy and Waste meetings
4 Share and Repair Cafés
8 Litter Picks and community gardening events
Discover these activities and more, as we reflect on the change we've created throughout 2024.
Thank you for being part of our efforts to make Crich a greener, better place to live!
How mindfulness helped me
Voices of the community
By Jane Hubbard - December 2024
Ever since Jane Hubbard first became aware of yoga and meditation at the age of 10, she retained an interest in yoga and its underlying philosophy. This experience stood her in good stead when, at the age of 55, illness arrived in the form of auto-immune disease - Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Hear from Jane about how she combines mindfulness with a healthy diet and physical exercise to deal with the condition. Through these lifestyle choices, Jane is even fortunate enough to have eliminated the need for medication.
A Creative Clay Experience
Community news
December 2024
Crich Glebe Community Centre came alive with the joyful sounds of laughter and conversation as Crich Junior School children joined Crich Luncheon Club for a unique morning centred around making clay tiles together.
The gathering was not only a celebration of creativity but also an opportunity for both younger people and older people to learn from each other and share stories about their experiences and passions for making.
Festive Share & Repair Café
Community news
November 2024
Thank you to everyone who joined our Share & Repair Café on 23rd November at the Glebe Community Centre! Despite the rain, highlights included a toy swap with Derbyshire Toy Libraries, eco-friendly crafts and stories for kids, and inspiring talks from local groups.
Our amazing Repair team completed 44 fixes, and guests enjoyed homemade treats while learning sustainable tips like Japanese fabric-wrapping. Thanks to all who came and volunteered - get in touch if you’d like to join our next event!
Crich Creative Agent Update
Community news
November 2024
November was a creative month for Clare Limb, Crich’s Creative Agent. From making Tin Can Robots with Crich Youth Club to storytelling and oak tree art with toddler groups, Clare brought fun, eco-themed activities to all ages.
She’s also been gathering ideas to help make Crich greener - like skill-sharing, art walks, and sustainable fashion. Don’t miss Mingle and Mince Pie on 28 Nov and the Make, Do and Mend sessions launching in the new year.
Members attend meeting with new MP
Community news
November 2024
In November, Hazel Allister joined Transition Crich members at a meeting with MP John Whitby and the Derbyshire Climate Coalition. Key topics included sustainable aviation, local renewables, and nuclear energy. Concerns were raised about river pollution, poor public transport, and the need for carbon-neutral, affordable housing.
The group also pushed for nature-friendly farming and an end to badger culling. Despite the challenges, Hazel felt hopeful, encouraged by the informed discussion and the positive work already happening behind the scenes.
Crich Neighbourhood Nature Plan
Community news
October 2024
Transition Crich joined the Neighbourhood Nature Plan initiative to ensure nature remains a priority in local decision-making. Following community input, we set three local priorities: planting to boost biodiversity, maintaining green corridors, and preventing inappropriate development.
On the ground, we've been planting with Futures Housing and the parish council, and sharing gardening advice at local events. We’ll keep working with the community to put nature first through practical action and local partnerships.
Creative Agent - Community Consultation
Community news
October 2024
Transition Crich and local Creative Agent Clare Limb are exploring what matters most to our community around people, planet, and place. Clare has created a short survey to gather your views and ideas - please take a moment to fill it in.
Supported by Make/Shift and Platform 31, Clare is also visiting local groups and planning creative events to shape a greener Crich. Find out how to get involved and share your ideas!
Art Share Sunflower Workshop
Community news
September 2024
At the Art Share Crich workshop on 12th September, participants explored colour and pattern using acrylic paint and teabag paper, guided by local artist Cheryl Porter. Through a simple monoprinting technique, everyone created unique and expressive pieces - many featuring sunflowers in all shapes and sizes!
The artworks were later displayed at the Crich Community Art Share Exhibition, where they were admired by visitors and celebrated for their individuality and creativity.
Crich Share & Repair Café
Community news
October 2023
Our Autumn Share & Repair Café was a lively and successful event, with 74 repairs completed alongside the Glebe’s Table Top Sale. Visitors enjoyed homemade cakes, a poetry reading, and a community art exhibition from Art Share Crich.
Hazel gave a hands-on rag rug demo using recycled materials, and volunteers joined a campaign for better bus services in Derbyshire. A big thank you to everyone who took part - get in touch to volunteer at the next café!
Scandinavian Rag Rug Workshop
Community news
October 2023
Art Share Crich and Crich Crafters hosted a creative evening workshop on making Scandinavian rag rugs from old fabrics. Thanks to Sophie James - of James and Co. - for patiently guiding us through the tricky but rewarding process. Using recycled materials like duvet covers, we learned a relaxing, sustainable craft - some pieces were even displayed at the Autumn Art Share.
Sophie began crocheting for her mental health and now runs her own artisan business.
Whatstandwell Festival
Community news
June 2023
Transition Crich ran a popular clothes swap and haybox demo at the eco-friendly Whatstandwell Festival. Festival-goers enthusiastically donated, swapped, and bought clothes, while the haybox cooking demo and tasting drew lots of interest.
We had great conversations about our work and even gained some new volunteers - thanks to the organisers for inviting us to take part!
The Derwent Living Forest Project
Community news
June 2023
During The Great Big Green Week, George Jones from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust shared updates on the Derwent Living Forest Project, which aims to reduce flooding, improve wildlife habitats, and reconnect landscapes across Derbyshire.
The 30-year project works with landowners to plant trees, hedges, and make nature-friendly changes. George encouraged us to help at home by planting, reducing hard surfaces, and building ponds.
Crich Share & Repair Café
Community news
June 2023
Joining forces with the Glebe’s Table Top Sale brought record numbers to the latest Crich Share & Repair Café.
Volunteers repaired items like a teddy bear, sunglasses, bike, and even a chicken house door - plus over 40 tools were sharpened! Demonstrations included sewing, soldering, and making plant milk. Donations and cake sales support the café’s future.
The Big Help Out 2023
Community news
May 2023
Volunteers from Transition Crich and Crich Open Gardens joined forces for #TheBigHelpOut, marking the King's Coronation.
Despite the rain, two teams tackled litter picking around the village and refreshed the Queen Elizabeth Garden with herbs, berries, and a bug hotel. The morning flew by with great conversation and a shared sense of achievement.
There’s still more to do - new helpers are always welcome, so do get in touch!
The Big One 2023
Community news
April 2023
Members of Transition Crich joined thousands at #TheBigOne, a four-day climate protest in Westminster.
Hazel shared the uplifting experience of standing with people from across the UK, united in demanding urgent climate action. She emphasised the organisers’ determination to keep pushing for systemic change, saying: “The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”
Crich Inaugural Share & Repair Café
Community news
October 2022
Our first Crich Share & Repair Café was a great success, held alongside Art Share Crich’s annual exhibition. Both groups aim to bring the community together through creativity and skill sharing - from fixing broken items to showcasing local art.
With great attendance and positive feedback, more events are planned for next year!
Pledges at Crich Fete
Community news
July 2022
At the 2022 Crich Village Fete, Transition Crich invited visitors to make environmental pledges and add them to a "pledge tree" display.Suggestions ranged from reducing waste, cutting down meat consumption, and using refillable products, to rewilding gardens, leaving lawns unmown, and giving up flying.
The initiative highlighted how simple everyday changes can collectively make a big impact.
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