COP26 events success sees Council plan more sustainable activities

More green activities are coming to Broxbourne Borough after the success of the Council’s COP26 events.

Three sustainability-friendly activities were organised across the Borough to coincide with the global climate summit, which took place in Glasgow on 31 October – 14 November.

The first event was on 6 November and saw Cedars bee-keeper, Andy Massey, leading a biodiversity talk on honeybees. Andy was able to give those in attendance an intimate tour of Cedars’ own beehives, as well as insight into the life of bees, including how they live, how the Queens are crowned, and how they create honey.

The second event, held the following day, saw more than 35 people take part in an exploration of the Lee Valley Park’s flora and fauna. There was a talk and walk led by ranger Amy, and further advice given by New River Community Partnership Officer Katie Goldthorpe, Broxbourne Council’s Sustainability Officer Emma Cantu, and Sports Development Officer Matthew Ridley.

The final event was the Borough’s first ever Swish event which took place at the Wormley Community Centre. The activity, also known as clothes swapping, saw the public take along good quality clothes to exchange for items that others had brought along. The community centre’s Sewing Bee group were also on hand to help make adjustments, or give damaged clothes a new lease of life, while the Broxbourne Fairtrade Group provided refreshments. The success of the event has led to the Council planning similar events next spring.

Councillor David Holliday, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

"We welcome the commitments made in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Broxbourne Council already has an Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by introducing electric vehicles and encouraging green and active travel, improving energy efficiency at its facilities and helping residents and businesses access Government grants to make their properties more energy efficient. There will also be 10,000 trees planted across the Borough by 2024 along with the implementation of other biodiversity initiatives across our parks and open spaces.

“The Council is also pleased to see that our COP26 events were well received, with planning already underway for Swish and Repair Café events to be held next year."

Published: 22nd November 2021