Lunchtime Speaker – Rupert – Woking Environment Action

They were set up in 1994, as Woking Local Agenda 21, in response to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. This charity promote the conservation, protection and improvement of our physical and natural environment, in particular Woking and the surrounding areas.This week our speaker was Rupert Devereux who is the Chair of Woking Environment Action (WEAct). WEAct, which was originally known a Local Agenda 21, was founded in 1994. It is an environmental action group. It has a number of projects. Woking Repair Cafe, where a team of volunteers offers free repairs to: small household electricals, battery-operated clocks, ceramics, small items of furniture, toys, computers, garden tools, clothes and textiles. Sessions are held once a month in different parts of Woking borough. Woking Biodiversity Group has a number of nature conservation projects. This includes helping to look after Woking Borough Council green spaces such as Mayford Meadows, Millmoor Common and St Johns Lye. WEAct planted 420 trees at the White Rose Lane Nature Reserve and St Peters Recreation Ground. The group also does water testing in rivers throughout the borough. Woking Wings originally focused on tawney owls by putting up nesting boxes has been extended to bats and swifts. Woking Hedgehogs is helping to conserve these animals which are now an endangered species. WEAct is campaigning for the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill to pass into law- this has been put on hold by the Government. It also arranged an exhibition called Letters from The Global South to campaign on climate change issues. WEAct is also campaigning on plastic pollution to reduce the use of single use plastics in packaging. WEAct has set up community garden projects in West Byfleet, Sheerwater and Old Woking and a scheme to distribute surplus produce such as fruit to foodbanks and community fridges. The Sustainable Byfleet initiative is a collaboration between WEAct and local organisations to enhance biodiversity and boosting sustainable living in Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford and surrounding areas. Keith Tatlock thanked Rupert for his interesting and informative presentation. Carol suggested that we look at ways that the Club could work with WEAct on projects and explore whether WEAct could become a corporate member