INTRODUCTION TO EXCESS BAGGAGE
By Tony Greenham
Tonight our theme is waste and our question for debate is "can Lostwithiel become plastic bag free?"
To explore this issue we have a documentary from the BBC, an expert from Lostwithiel, several crates of Cornish Beer, large quantities of tea and coffee and plenty of audience participation.
Please feel free to get refreshments throughout the evening, we will have a short comfort and refreshment break after the film, and we expect the evening's proceedings to draw to a close at around 9.30pm.
I know that many of you are very familiar with the Churchrooms, but may I point out the fire exits over here, and remind you all that if you visit the toilets, through the door next to the bar, please remember to press the light switch by the door before you exit.
The BBC documentary is called "Message in the Waves" and it examines environmental challenges through the lens of the Hawaiian Islands. It inspired Rebecca Hosking, one of its makers, to return to her hometown of Modbury with one simple request to her fellow townspeople - "will you pledge to stop using plastic bags?" They did, and Modbury hit the headlines for becoming the UK's first plastic bag free town.
The film is about 50 minutes long and we hope you enjoy it.
After this, it is our pleasure and privilege to welcome Richard Bower who will lead us through the second half of the evening - Julie will introduce Richard properly a bit later although I know he will need no introduction to many of you.
Last, but not least, the most important element of these evenings is to hear what you have to say and we will have plenty of opportunity to open up the discussion after we have heard Richard thoughts.