The group Climate Action Bude hosted a ‘Community Conversation’ about climate change on Tuesday, September 24 in the Parkhouse Centre.

The 50 or so members of the public people who attended heard talks from Charlotte Barry (Good Companions), Cllr Simon Browning (Bude-Stratton Town Council) and Rob Meredith (Friends of the Earth) and watched short films featuring Greta Thunberg, George Monbiot and Rob Hopkins.

The attendees then divided into groups to discuss various themes: restoring nature; power and energy; buildings and housing; transport and decision-making.

They produced lots of ideas for actions the town council could consider, and the Climate Action Bude team will now create a report on these to present to the council’s new Climate Change committee.

One of the founders of Climate Action Bude, Philippa Purchase said: “We were delighted when Bude-Stratton Town Councillors voted to declare a climate emergency on September 5 and we wanted to find a way for local people to contribute to the development of an action plan for the town.

“The enthusiasm and knowledge of those who attended exceeded our wildest expectations and we are very grateful to everyone who took part.

“It was also very pleasing to see town clerk Keith Cornwell and Cornwall Councillor Peter La Broy at the meeting. We’ll definitely do something similar in the very near future.”