URCHFONT Parish Council is urging villagers to go green after setting up their own environmental working group.

The village near Devizes launched the Urchfont Parish Environment Group just before lockdown was introduced in March.

It was tasked with making the parish carbon neutral, in other words, not releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than it was locking up, by 2030.

Now with restrictions lifted it is full steam ahead with members of the group delivering leaflets to villagers in Urchfont, Wedhampton and Lydeway, advising them how they can make a difference themselves by following some simple suggestions.

The group’s chairman, parish councillor Lewis Cowen, said: “People look at the global warming crisis and despair, but there are many things they can do to help, things we have been told about for many years, such as switching off lights that are not needed, recycling as much as possible and planting more trees and hedges.

“Wiltshire Council has already declared its intention to make the county carbon neutral by 2030 and they are offering some excellent advice on their website, which we are repeating on the parish council site.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “Carbon reduction will be a key theme in our recovery from COVID-19.

“As well as developing a new carbon reduction strategy, we are carrying out a review of the Local Plan and developing our fourth Local Transport Plan. Carbon reduction will be an integral theme within these documents.

“We are currently developing a Green Infrastructure Strategy. From this we will develop a woodland and tree planting policy.

“We are also engaging with other public sector organisations through the Wiltshire Public Service Board and with businesses through the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP). The SWLEP has published its emerging Local Industrial Strategy which includes commitments to improving the strategic energy infrastructure, decarbonising our economy and helping to deliver the national climate change targets.

“We will continue to engage with communities to work collaboratively towards achieving the country’s decarbonisation goal.”

Anyone who would like to become involved with UPEG should contact Cllr Cowen at lewis@thecowens.force9.co.uk or 07523 050961, or visit the Urchfont Parish Council website at www.urchfont-pc.gov.uk