NEWLY revived environmental charity Westden will be holding its first social event on August 10 with a picnic at Morwellham Quay where people can learn about projects in the pipeline. Following the appointment of new trustees, Westden's mission is to set up a scheme to collect and transport commercial food waste but it is also looking at getting the Tavistock Transition Town off the ground. Many towns across the country are working on this initiative which is all about helping people use less fossil fuels in order to combat climate change and conserve oil and gas supplies within the global economy. There will be an informal discussion about transition towns at the picnic and an inspiring film will be shown at 11am and 3pm called 'The Power of Community — how Cuba survived peak oil.' People are also invited to do a bit of 'bringing and buying' if they wish of junk, plants, home-grown veg, cakes, books and so on. In October Westden will be organising a week of events to do with peak oil issues, energy savings, renewable energy, recycling and re-using for both householders and commerce. The commercial food waste project would run alongside West Devon Borough Council's initiative to collect household waste from 7,000 homes in Tavistock and Okehampton. All waste would be taken to Summerleaze at Holsworthy (formerly Holsworthy Biogas) where it would be added to farm slurry and produce methane which in turn can be converted into electricity. Discussions are underway with waste companies to set up a collaborative project. Other projects include a review of parish plans for the borough council, local school gardening projects and Lopwell Camping Barn — a resource for local interest groups with the focus on nature and the Devon environment. Anyone who wants to get involved or find out more can contact Westden on 0845 345 5077 or by visiting http://www.westden.co.uk">www.westden.co.uk Westden works to achieve sustainable rural communities in Devon and beyond. Through its work and projects the charity finds, and puts into action, practical solutions to the challenges facing rural areas.
