2021

It was in 2021 that we started our journey as an Eco Church. Our first actions were to form a garden group to manage the land and to set up an exclusive Eco noticeboard to explain our ongoing aims and achievements. Our carbon footprint was calculated and we started to look for environmental charities we could support.

2022

We committed to offsetting our carbon footprint going forward and chose ARocha as our offset charity. A draught audit of the premises was carried out. A commitment was made to having a couple of Eco themed worship services every year. The planting of pollinators/eco-friendly plants started. We held our first Eco themed coffee morning and donated 50% of the money raised to Grow Wilder. A guest speaker from Grow Wilder also came along to our Eco themed worship service in September. Exposed pipes were lagged and the office insulated. We committed to registering as a Fairtrade church.

2023

A decision taken to change our 2nd Eco charity from Grow Wilder to Earthwatch Tiny Trees project. 2 Bird boxes to attract Wrens and Robins were installed. The group agreed that we would focus on Fairtrade and River/Water pollution issues/campaigns this year. Wild flower seeds were planted in a small area of the grass – these came from Yarley Meadows, a site of special scientific interest in Gloucestershire. A successful litter pick of the surrounding area took place.

2024

We switched to a Green Energy contract with Yu Energy. A Community Litter pick was held on 13th June attending by volunteers from both Horfield and Bishopston.

Activities/Actions

We hold 2 Eco themed coffee mornings every year and invite the wider community.

3 worship services every year are dedicated to the environment and issues relating to the Climate crisis.

We carried out a full environmental audit of the premises in 2023.

We monitor our carbon footprint annually and offset our footprint through Climate Stewards – ARocha charity.

There is a Christmas card scheme every year to encourage the reduction in cards handed out.

We use an ink cartridge recycling system and donate funds from this to Climate Stewards directly.

Members of our Eco Group have engaged with our local MP on issues relating River Pollution and we also sign petitions and raise awareness of national and international campaigns that are ongoing.

We are a registered Fairtrade Church and are proud to serve Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar.