Excitement heats up for town’s ClimateFest

THE town’s very own climate festival, ClimateFest, returns next month to celebrate, educate and bring the community together to discuss ways of protecting the climate. The group are also seeking volunteers to help with the organisation and running of the event.

This year, the festival takes place on Saturday 9th September and is being organised by the town council’s Environment and Climate Working Group. The event will explore what we can all do, as Melksham residents, to effectively help the climate.

Chair of working group, cllr Graham Ellis said, “Our weather is getting more extreme. We are burning, drying out, and storms are increasing. Sea levels are rising, wildlife is dying, natural resources are running out and we’re polluting our water, earth and air. This is a worldwide problem. But what can we – and you – do about this in Melksham?”

“Festival-goers will have the chance to view displays and listen to speakers who will be sharing information on different topics to do with the climate. There will be a series of talks from experts to help inform people about subjects including electric buses and heat pumps plus from campaign groups like Extinction Rebellion.

“People can also ask their questions of these speakers in an Any Questions format and get answers and views.

“I encourage everyone to come along, bring your questions, bring your experiences. Learn and help others learn how we can help the environment and make a real difference here in Melksham as well as for the world. For you, for your children and for your grandchildren.”

In-keeping with the festival’s focus of what we can all do to protect the climate, there will be the chance to take part in a personal environmental audit and also learn what councillors, staff and speakers are doing to protect the climate.

Cllr Ellis added, “We will be telling you what we do in our lifestyle for the environment, what more we could choose to do, and what we have chosen not to do. Blank audit sheets will be available and we can help you see what you can do – both for yourself, for Melksham and for the environment.

“The cost of coming along is nothing but your time” said Graham, “The cost of letting the climate burn is the end of life as we have known it. Some changes you can make will be a cost to you. Other changes are just sense or common sense and may save you money and give you a better and happier lifestyle. We have much to learn from each other.”

Volunteers are needed to help with the organisation and running of the event. “Volunteers will be welcome to help in the three weeks leading up, at the event, or afterwards to help inform, monitor and implement environment aware activities in Melksham into the future,” said cllr Ellis.

• ClimateFest will take place on Saturday 9th September from 1pm to 5pm in the Melksham Assembly Hall. For more information and to get involved in the event contact cllr Graham Ellis.