Activists meet to set out path to a cleaner, greener Helensburgh
DOZENS of people from across Helensburgh and Lomond have joined forces in a bid to improve the local environment.
Plastic Free Helensburgh held their ‘Big Conversation’ to bring together individuals and organisations to make the area cleaner, more sustainable and climate friendly.
In all, 44 people from Cardross, Helensburgh, Rhu and the Rosneath peninsula met for the event, which funded by a micro grant from the recently formed Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN) Hub.
Argyll co-ordinator Jamie Joyce and Lindsey Young, the part-time coordinator for ABCAN in Helensburgh and Lomond, both attended the event at Helensburgh Parish Church’s main halls.
A spokesperson from Plastic Free Helensburgh told the Advertiser that the attendees “brought their enthusiasm, drive, knowledge and shared their sense of commitment to make and keep Helensburgh and Lomond a great place to be”.
They said: “The parish hall buzzed all afternoon and throughout the break with heartfelt and purposeful conversation, everyone contributed, and went away with
new contacts and ideas.
“There was a real desire to cooperate and work together both on the day and in future projects.
“To start the conversation and to draw in a sense of place groups pored over maps marking where their project is based.
“The information will be captured on the Green Map ‘ABCAN map of Argyll and Bute’.
“The purpose of the event was to capture the current work being undertaken but also to discover the barriers that stop groups from achieving their goals, and identifying opportunities or areas where groups can work together on projects or help by sharing knowledge.”
Organisers thanked everyone for attending and The Ginger Bread Man and Natures Harvest for providing refreshments.
They added: “We have gathered a goldmine of data to sift through and sort into themes. Once this is done we can concentrate on how to, initiate and accomplish a way forward.
“We will keep in touch with those participating and are looking to form a small group from the participants to bring the ideas together.”
Anyone interested in volunteering to turn “conversation into action” is asked to email plasticfreehelensburgh@gmail.com.
ABCAN Hub aims to help meet climate change targets through training, seed funding and sharing information. There will be a series of free webinars online on energy (March 19), food (March 21) and housing (March 26).
For more details on the sessions, email info@act-now.org.uk.