It was a happy day at the beautiful Drybridge House in Monmouth as we celebrated efforts by three community centres to save energy and water. Environment Minister John Griffiths revealed the winner at a ceremony held at Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth.
Pontrobert Community Centre near Llanfair Caereinion was crowned the winner of this year’s Welsh Government Climate Change Challenge. Over the past year, the centre has been in friendly competition with two other community centres – Bridges in Monmouthshire and Bloomfield in Narberth – to find innovative and fun ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Pontrobert made some significant steps to reduce its carbon emissions and encouraged users to do the same. It is hoped that other communities throughout Wales will be motivated to take up the challenge and reduce their own carbon footprint.
Centre users were encouraged to make small changes that are not only beneficial to the environment but are useful also to them. One example was a cookery course which taught people how easy it can be to create healthy and tasty meals on a budget using fresh, locally sourced produce. The Challenge also changed users’ habits at home, with many purchasing new white goods, turning off lights, recycling, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, car sharing and reusing plastic bags
Pontrobert Secretary John Rose, said:
"We are absolutely delighted to win the Welsh Government’s Climate Change Challenge. It’s been a great experience and is just the beginning of the journey for us. The past year has made us realise that the subject of climate change isn’t as daunting as some people think. There are so many ways to lower carbon emissions that there is bound to be something to suit everyone’s lifestyle. We just hope that we have inspired people and businesses within the community to do their bit to help tackle climate change.
As reward for their hard work, the three centres will receive money to put towards a low carbon measure that will reduce their footprint even more.
A guide to help other community centres in Wales reduce their carbon footprint is now being produced as a result of the Challenge. For more information and to find out how you can make a difference, visit the communities section of www.walescarbonfootprint.gov.uk