WOMEN from a Dorset branch of the WI are behind an unusual Valentine’s Day gift to residents - but there’s an important message.
Members of Bere Regis WI have lovingly decorated the village ahead of the 14th, as part of a national campaign that will see thousands of people across the country stitching, knitting, painting and baking green hearts to show the love for all they want to protect from climate change.
The hearts, made by the group from recycled materials, have been placed all around the village of Bere Regis to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the message: ‘Join us and 130 other groups to show your love for all we want to protect from climate change.’
WI members have distributed the craftwork at houses, at the GP surgery and at pubs including the Drax Arms and Royal Oak, as well as beauty spots, flower boxes and at the entrance to the village.
Moira Mathers was among those to take part. She said: “The hope is that everyone who sees the hearts will be encouraged to think more about our environment and what we can do to protect it”. Bere Regis is one of 130 WI groups taking part in the Show the Love campaign this Valentine’s Day.
The campaign was started in 2015 by The Climate Coalition (TCC) and aims to show people that climate change is affecting the things in their life that they love, such as chocolate, bees, and beaches. People are asked to wear and share green hearts to show that they would like to see action on climate change.
The TCC is made up of over 100 organisations, including the National Federation of Womens’ Institutes, with over 15 million people working together for action on climate change.
Organisers say the campaign was pivotal in the coalition government taking the lead in tackling climate change as part of the Paris agreement.
Schools, community and faith groups and individuals are now being urged to join the campaign by holding their own crafting and baking events, or by making a green heart of their own and sharing on social media using the hashtag #ShowTheLove.
Visit www.theclimatecoalition.org/show-the-love
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