Monday, 4 August 2008

Watford CVS held one of their popular Networking Lunches around the theme “Protecting and improving our Environment”.

There were seven speakers at this event, each talking for 5-10 minutes on their local activities. Maeve Tomlinson of Sustrans Travelsmart spoke about their work in Watford to promote more sustainable transport. In the wake of the collapsed world trade talks, Leslie Beckett of Watford Fairtrade spoke about the often difficult judgements that are needed around trade and sustainability. Margaret Collier described the campaigning work of Friends of the Earth and provoked some lively debate. April Cowen of Groundwork Hertfordshire and Judy Adams of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust both explained the work they do with volunteers to protect and care for local environments. Emma Gadsby of Watford Borough Council explained the LSP’s work to encourage local businesses to make the Green Business Pledge. Finally, Pam Handley explained that Nine Lives Furniture had so far saved more than 30,000 items from landfill sites.

These lunches provide a great a opportunity for people to hear and contribute to the debates that are shaping their community and their future.

I had intended to spend the remainder of the day on preparations for our NAVCA QA “audit” at the end of August. But I received an e-mailed invitation to give a presentation on our Herts CVS consortium bid for the LINks contract so preparations for this took priority.