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Sustainability stories - Llanidloes LM

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Gwen Prince, Llanidloes LM

Challenged by a talk on Global Warming by the co-chair of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, in 2001 a Friend and I were moved to bring the concern to our Meeting and subsequently founded a community group to raise awareness about Climate Change, encourage energy saving and promote renewable energy in our small market town.

Llanidloes Energy Solutions (LLES) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and we now have about 150 members. Though few are very active it gives us a voice in the community to promote sustainability issues and we have the support of the Mayor and Town Council. We are now part of the Low Carbon Communities Network, and have held regular films, talks and market stalls on different topics, so have quite a high profile in the town. Many people know we have strong links with the Quaker Meeting and we have four Quakers on the trustee board. We pioneered Open Eco-House days and have held three very successful Green Fairs which have attracted visitors from near and far and involved local schools, churches and other community groups. We have done household Energy Surveys to encourage cutting carbon, loan out Energy Monitors to track electricity use, and recently have had the loan of an infra-red camera.

Last year we launched the 10:10 Campaign in the town and organised an eco-renovation of the town's Community Centre which included installing solar pv on the roof to generate electricity. We have also installed solar panels on the public toilets to provide hot water.

LLES has had many successes but also many failures and disappointments over the years as projects have failed to come to fruition. I think my main role has been to faithfully hold things together through difficult times and uphold the project in prayer, which I feel has been crucial.

A recent high was being given a Wales Green Hero award for my work with LLES.

 

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