Some 40 people attended Fordingbridge Greener Living’s AGM to hear updates on their current projects and to hear of exciting plans for the future of the group.
Reports were given on the work and progress of the Repair Café and Blister Pack recycling scheme; the Community Garden and its remit to provide education to young people on gardening skills; the Community Fridge which recovers food that would otherwise be wasted; the Recycling Shed and its range of recycling resources; an update on the Bathing status and water quality of the River Avon; the current status of the Ridan Composter and whether it will be still be used with the arrival of NFDC food bin collections.
The group has existed in an informal style since 2019, and the steering committee proposed to the meeting that it was now an appropriate time to look at formalising its status by forming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The main reason for this is the acquisition of a Woodland in the centre of Fordingbridge in order to create a space for use by the community to learn about the wildlife present, how a woodland can be managed to optimise the opportunities for a diverse ecology, and to access a peaceful place for recreation.
This status would enable the group to apply to a range of sources of funding to develop the woodland, but also to expand some of the other projects already underway. Those present at the meeting agreed to pursue the option of becoming a CIO, and a group will be formed to organise the application.
Anyone who would like to know more about any of the group’s projects or can offer skills to help, please contact FordingbridgeGreenerLiving@gmail.com
