Residents explore sustainability and climate change at Westbury event

Over 50 residents came together at The Laverton to find out how they can make Westbury more sustainable and resilient at a day-long event hosted by the town council.

The Sustainable, Resilient Westbury event took place on Thursday 30th October and featured expert talks and practical advice on how to live more sustainably, from gardening and energy saving to tackling climate change.

Mayor of Westbury, Jane Russ, said, “It’s not just Westbury, it’s about everybody. You have to start somewhere. This event is about saying ‘this is what you as an ordinary person can do’. The wonderful Penny Tranter helped us understand that climate change is real. It is not made up. There is something everyone can do and it starts at home.”

Former BBC weather presenter and meteorologist Penny Tranter gave a talk titled Climate Change: Myth or Reality? She said, “Climate change has a real impact on flooding because we are going to see an increase in it. And for Westbury it’s about river flooding, it’s also about surface water flooding. There are other things we need to be concerned about -there’s heat waves, droughts and storms.”

She added advice for residents, “Become more conversant in it. Really understand – what does it mean for me? What can I do to help the situation? Because if we all act together in a community then we can start to make a real difference.”

Speakers also included gardener Charlotte Howard, sustainability consultant Sam Drury Shore, and representatives from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Butcher Bros Westbury, and the University of the West of England.

The free event was live-streamed for those unable to attend and included a locally produced lunch by Wild Pantry.