A SOCIAL group that meets monthly in Wokingham to discuss sustainability will celebrate its second birthday in November.
People, Planet, Pint Wokingham is part of a national scheme that gathers local people to share ideas and to network.
“We’re a friendly group of people who really care about the environment and each other,” said the group’s facilitator, Elizabeth Corse.
“It’s not an activism group, we’re simply individuals from all walks of life, who want to learn and share ways to support sustainability in Wokingham.
“Our strapline is, Think Global Act Local.”
Meetings are free to attend, and take place in a local pub, over a drink.
“The first drink is free,” said Elizabeth, “and on most months there’s no need to book – people can just rock up.”
This month, as the group celebrates two years in the town, people wishing to join do need to register.
Visiting speakers on the night will be: Matt Knight from Freely Fruity, Maya Gheorghe from Maya’s Refillables, Marc Adams a local resident who has recently installed a heat pump, Clare Sharp from LEVI project, and Leanne Hughes who organised this year’s Holme Grange School Sustainability Fair.
“There are some tremendous things going on in the borough that I had no idea about until this group started,” said Elizabeth.
“Membership is steadily growing, and Wokingham is definitely on the map – our numbers are now the same as in Liverpool, Sidney and Brisbaine.
“But we are very keen for more people to join in the discussion.
“I feel there has been something of a sustainability recession recently – we need to be doing all we can to support our environment locally.
“In the next two years I would love to see the group grow even more.
“I’ll know we’ve really achieved something when a member of my school WhatsApp group posts something about People, Planet, Pint – and it isn’t me.”
People, Planet, Pint began as a spontaneous casual gathering at COP26 in Glasgow, in 2021.
Championed by Adam Bastock, founder of Small99, a company that helps small businesses to improve their sustainability, in three years it has grown into a global phenomenon that regularly sees around 11,000 like-minded people gathering at 500 events across 90 cities.
It aims to create a welcoming space for people to share their ideas about sustainability and the environment, over a drink.
Everyone is welcome; sustainability professionals, council workers, students, people looking to shift their career, business owners, and interested local residents.
“Whether you’re interested in biodiversity in the garden, or zero clean energy, there’s a place for you here,” said Elizabeth.
“There’s no agenda, we’re just keen to be supportive of each other – there’s always an opportunity to ask for help with a particular project or resources.”
The group would like to thank The Rose Inn, Wokingham.
“The staff are always so welcoming and organised, and we’re very grateful to them for allowing us to use their upstairs room free of charge,” she said.
“We are all influencers in our own lives, so come along and be inspired by what’s going on in the borough.”
People, Planet, Pint Wokngham meets most months at the Rose Inn, Wokingham, on the first Thursday of the month, at 6pm.
Their anniversary evening is on Thursday, November 7.
All are welcome.
To join the event people should register, at: www.eventbrite.co.uk search for People, Planet, Pint Wokingham
