They say the way to one’s heart is through their stomach. This might explain the brilliant success of the Curry and Conversation workshops set up by Weston-super-Mare’s Chamber of Commerce. The scheme invites local residents to come and enjoy a tasty meal whilst learning about sustainability issues.

The Curry and Conversation workshops are just one of the fantastic projects benefiting from our Megawatt Community Energy Fund. The fund provides grants of up to £4000 to community groups, supporting sustainability initiatives. Bristol Energy Coop set up the fund in 2017 with Quartet and Low Carbon Gordano, using revenues generated from solar projects, such as the solar farms at Puriton, Somerset and Lawrence Weston in north west Bristol. Between 2011-2021, these projects have helped us raise over £300,000 in community benefit funds, supporting a range of organisations and charities.

Weston Chamber of Commerce have been able to use the funding to cover 6 free events over the course of 6 months. Each Curry and Conversation workshop covers a different topic, such as plastics, food waste, fast fashion, clean energy and transport. The lunchtime sessions are led by Naseem Talukdar of Plastic Pollution Awareness & Actions Projects (PPAAP), with the expertise of UK Curry Connect.

“Here in Weston-super-Mare we want to make sustainability part of our everyday conversation, and we also want it to be fun to bring as many people on board as possible. We’re grateful for the opportunity to deliver these workshops and raise awareness of climate change in our community.”

Debbie Apted, community lead for Cleaner Coastlines -Weston and North Somerset’s plastic-free campaign

There are 40 free spaces available at each workshop and booking is essential. For full details and how to register visit www.cleanercoastlines.org.uk/events.