4 inspiring speakers from other local communities are coming to talk to the community in Wetherby and surrounding villages, about how they have helped solve challenges with regard community energy, waste & reuse, transport & community gardens.

Energy costs may continue to be volatile. How can our community become more energy independent? Making the most of cheaper, local, sustainable energy, on a community basis. 'Bainbridge Hydro' who are a community hydro scheme setup in 2011 and have recently passed a milestone of 1 million kWh generated for the local community will be sharing their experiences. There will also be a launching of a Community Solar Scheme, come and find out more.

In the UK, we waste 38million wheelie bins of edible food each year. And £140million of used but wearable clothing also goes to landfill each year. What else have you bought and never used much again? What can we do as a community to reduce waste? There will be 2 speakers; 'Buy Nowt LS6', a Library of 'Things' is a pay-as-you-feel community initiative, created by a group of local volunteers to encourage local people to borrow instead of buying the things they need and 'Refill kitchen' a social enterprise based in the city of York. They rescue perfectly good edible food from local suppliers and supermarkets deemed as waste and destined for landfill. They then revalue, repurpose and redistribute the food making it accessible to all.

There are limited allotments in Wetherby. Do you have a green space that could be used by someone else?, as a community, to grow more stuff? 'Living Potential', will be showcasing what they do on a working farm, near Wetherby. It's a community interest company, set up to be a non-profit social enterprise. Run by Tanya and the team who have many years of experience, teaching and working in a variety of environments and who have seen first-hand the therapeutic effects of nature-based interventions.

The average UK car journey is just 8.4miles. Our streets become more congested and polluted. What is your most common, short journey? What can we do as a community to reduce congestion and pollution? A new rideshare idea will be launched to draw our community closer together and help cut down on the town's congestion and parking challenges.

The presenters will be followed by small breakout groups that will be inclusive forums for you to share your ideas on those topics above, for a better local community. Your ideas will then be shared with the wider group at the end of the meeting and decide what actions should be taken as a community, who should be involved and more.

Adrian Balcombe, organiser of the event, says "I feel this is probably the biggest opportunity for local people to have their say in a more sustainable, community focused future. This is our moment to influence, please share this event page (https://bostongreengroup.co.uk/uncategorised/have-your-say-about-a-better-future/) with as many friends, family and neighbours."

Interested? Want to have your say? Limited space available.  Reserve your FREE seat by emailing adrian.balcombe@bostongreengroup.co.uk or sharing your details on the event form.

Adrian goes on to say "Arrive early & make the most of refreshments provided by the local committee of The Children's Society. If you can't make the event, please pop your thoughts about community solutions to the above challenges on the event form and these will be included on the day."