Energy Cafe at Vine Church for Great Big Green Week

As part of the Great Big Green week we ran an unusual Energy Cafe on June 17th at an Eco-Faith event at Vine Church in Ilford. Faith buildings are often large and not energy efficient but there is a growing Eco-Faith movement. People from churches, mosques and the Ilford Buddhist Centre came along to share their experiences and learn about how they can save energy in their buildings and make their land more nature friendly.

The event started with lunch and environmental songs from Redbridge Music Lounge.

Transition Ilford was a partner in the event and the Energy Cafe had a table where we demonstrated simple DIY ways to save energy in faith buildings (as well as at home). We were delighted that Ven. Hemaratna, who is in charge of the Buddhist Centre in Balfour Road, knew volunteer Sam, and went away with a roll of radiator foil which Sam had persuaded him to use in the centre!

Lunch was followed by a meeting when we heard from a church which has received the Gold Eco-Church award and from Redbridge Faith Forum, which is supportive of the venture.

Participants then joined discussion tables on topics like getting started with eco measures, using land for bio diversity, fundraising for energy saving etc.

The group meets quarterly and the next event will hopefully be held in a Mosque. We would like to hold more Energy Cafes in faith buildings so let us know if you could arrange one for us.

Ruth Musgrave