TRANSITION Bro Gwaun was delighted to welcome more than 200 visitors to its recent Energy in the Community event at the Gateway Community Hub, Fishguard.

People came from the local area, as well as further afield, to meet and find out more about how renewable energy generated locally could supply local needs.

There was standing room only for some very popular talks, including an update about Transition Bro Gwaun’s Tidal Energy Project.

Also well-received was a talk by Sea Trust and Swansea and Bangor Universities joint project SEACAMS 2, reporting on their research into marine life and tidal energy.

Pupils from Year 5 and 6 of Holy Name Catholic Primary School in Fishguard visited in the afternoon and actively engaged with many of the information stall holders, including Swansea University’s Specific Project which is developing active buildings that can harness renewable resources so well that they are net exporters of energy.

Food for the day was sustainably sourced with a breakfast buffet of breads and pastries provided by Fishguard & Goodwick Community Fridge and lunch and afternoon tea catered by The Grub Kitchen. Pupils from Holy Name pupils sampled the food and talked to Andy Holcroft from The Grub Kitchen, most were excited to try his dishes containing crickets, mealworms and ants and were interested in the concept of sustainable food and eating in the future.

Power for the event was provided by REsource Living’s solar generation and storage technology, installed in a converted fire engine. Their presence in the car park beside the Gateway Community Hub proved to be a real draw, with passers-by getting involved with their interactive activities and asking questions about solar powered energy systems.

As well as powering the building and community fridge the fire engine also recharged an electric car.

“It was great to see such a positive response to community energy at the local level,” said Tessa Stewart of REsource Living. “We had a constant stream of interest from questions about what we do, to questions and general chat about people’s personal renewable energy projects.”

Electric car owner, Rob Proctor, of Community Energy Wales added: “This event showed how community groups like TBG can really engage people in transitioning to a sustainable future.”