Sowing the seeds of green enterprise (From Western Telegraph)

Sowing the seeds of green enterprise

Pembrokeshire environmentalists gathered together at Narberth Queens Hall on Wednesday for an afternoon of brainstorming and networking.

The event kicked off with a talk by Pete West, of the West Wales ECO Centre. He focused on the use of energy, telling the audience about examples of energy efficiency in Denmark. He explained how its local government supported environmental projects and encouraged initiatives by local people, suggesting that local government in Wales could do more to follow its example.

Judith Bevan, of Environment Wales, followed Pete's lead. Sustainable projects by local groups, such as FRAME the furniture recyclers, are supported by EW and a number of organisations that they work with.

The conference emphasised the value of enterprise from environmental projects. Ms Bevan said that she thought the ECO Centre was a good example of this. Beginning as an initiative to get people to insulate their homes, its activities expanded to include the promotion of ecologically friendly building, education and even tourism and has created jobs for at least 12 people.

Kaye Angus, a herbalist who has just started running a business from her home in Brynberian, was another example.

Ms Angus explained that one of her reasons for protecting the environment was to protect plants that can be used for medicinal purposes.

She said: "I like to teach people about the weeds in their garden and all the different things they can get from them."

The afternoon concluded with a lively 'mind mapping' session led by Wendy Paine, of PLANED, which consolidated the day's accomplishments.