We are running a series of workshops called Future Energy Landscapes encouraging communities to come together to share how they feel about the place they live and imagine what kind of renewable energy projects they would like to see in their area. The workshops are hosted by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, who developed the methodology. Our first one was in Thornbury in late spring, which we organised with the help of local group Climate Action Thornbury and Surroundings (CATS). We caught up with Melinda Evans, a member of CATS, to find out what she thought of the event.
How long have you been involved in climate action?
Locally, probably about seven years. However, I’m an environmental professional, and I’ve always been concerned about the issue. Also, I have children and I’m really worried about the data we’re seeing from places like the IPCC. It’s such a big problem and rather than feeling helpless about it, I find doing something locally really helps me to manage those concerns.
Can you tell us more about climate action in Thornbury?
My involvement with Sustainable Thornbury started when I met members who were also part of Thornbury’s “Plastic-free Town” movement I became involved with in 2018. I started going to the Green Drinks every month, and Climate Action Thornbury and Surroundings – CATS – was taking off at the time. That’s the bit that interested me personally. There are five groups now, including a grow-your-own food group, CATS, a permaculture project, Plastic Free Thornbury and another group that looks after the Thornbury Orchard.
What’s Thornbury like as a place to live?
It’s an old market town of around 12,500 people. It’s great for families and older people. Lots of people commute into Bristol to work. There’s lots of lovely countryside around. It’s quite agricultural, to the west there’s the Severn estuary, flood plains, mostly flat with lots of accessible footpaths. All in all it’s a really lovely place to live.
Can you tell us about the Future Energy Landscapes workshop?
It was useful in terms of presenting the likely tech that could be used around here and for getting factual info about how these things work – not just that these are always positive assets but also covering the downsides too. The workshop was structured so people were free to voice any concerns. It was great because it drew on people’s local knowledge of the topography, infrastructure and how people used the land in and around the town. It was a powerful way to begin discussing how Thornbury might transition to cleaner energy forms.
It was mostly a conversation starter, getting people thinking about what is possible and where. People were really keen to promote this as a community energy project.
What will you do with the results of the workshop?
We’re publishing the report from the workshop on our website and will share it on social media, in our monthly newsletter and at our upcoming event being held in October. We plan to present it to the town council and surrounding parish councils as well as promote it in the local press.
How would you improve the workshop?
One way to improve would be to attract a broader audience. It would be great to use the workshop to explore the idea of a local citizen’s assembly about this. Lots of people are struggling with the cost of living. It’s hard to for people to focus on change and a completely new way of doing things when they have other priorities, which is understandable. But I also think a lot of people consider investing in renewable energy is a good thing to do.
…
We also held a workshop in Yate/Chipping Sodbury with the final one set to take place this month in Winterbourne. The project is funded by Patagonia, Younity and with support from South Gloucester Council.
