MORE than 200 people packed into the town hall on Saturday as Malmesbury continued its fight against climate change.

People came to express their concerns about climate change, learn from eight speakers about what is being done in other communities and commit to taking action in the Malmesbury area.

The day was hosted by Malmesbury Town Council and organised by the Malmesbury Area Climate Action Network.

In welcoming people to the event, Malmesbury’s deputy mayor Campbell Ritchie said: “Malmesbury Town Council is committed to take action to minimise our impact on the environment and help local businesses, community groups and residents to do the same.

“We see this day and the actions that will come from it as another step on our journey to carbon neutrality in Malmesbury.”

The council has appointed three councillors to lead the work on making Malmesbury a sustainable town.

The idea for the event came from one of these three, former mayor Cllr Fran Vandelli.

Introducing the first working session she said: “Lots of us are worried by what is happening and many are taking individual actions in our homes and businesses. Now we need to bring those good ideas together to spread the word, support each other and encourage more people to get involved in fighting climate change.”

The day was compared by the third town councillor Gavin Grant.

He said: “Ten weeks ago a group of concerned residents joined our town council working group to see what we could do to get effective action on climate change really moving in Malmesbury and our surrounding villages. It has been amazing to see the commitment and enthusiasm of so many people who recognise the threat of the climate emergency and are determined to take action. It is invidious to single out one person but the hard work of our Young Citizen of the Year, Chess Fearnley has been truly inspiring. Without Chess the day would not have happened let alone been the amazing success that it was.”

Chess added: "I was stunned to see the Town Hall packed with over 200 people signing in!

"We had great speakers from neighbouring towns who gave positive and practical examples from encouraging bees, setting up local community renewable energy schemes and the library of things where residents can borrow the tools and equipment they need rather than buying them.

"More inspiration came from the books on sale from The Yellow Lighted Book Shop and the word will be spread by Malmesbury Community Radio who were also there.

"It is clear that there is tremendous enthusiasm to get many of these great ideas underway here.

"We will be contacting everyone who came about what happens next and those who could not come along can register their interest at the Malmesbury Area Climate Action Network Facebook page."