Penicuik Carbon Challenge finds a home

Penicuik Carbon Challenge has secured project premises at 34 John Street, with the grand opening taking place on Saturday, May 15.

Seven-year-old Euan Corke from Penicuik at the Youth Strike for Climate event.

The premises in the precinct will allow a focal point for delivery and a place where the community can get advice, attend workshops and use project facilities. You can drop-in on opening day from 10am – 4pm to find out more.

Reverend Nick Bowry chair man of the Penicuik Community Development Trust, which has recently taken over management of Penicuik Carbon Challenge, said: “Climate change is a reality and the shop will help people see what steps can be taken to help us avert an ecological disaster."

He added: “I am sure the building will make a valuable contribution to the Carbon Challenge Project and positively contribute to the life of our town and wider community.

"I hope many people will make use of the space.

"The building will provide a space for the project to help the people of Penicuik to reduce their carbon footprint through reusing recycling and reducing waste.”

On the open day, free bike repair and maintenance will be available, so bring your bike along. Take away your own home composting kit with a garden bin and kitchen caddie. Chat with project staff and volunteers and find out how you

could get involved through volunteering or taking part in events.

Film clubs, carbon conversations courses, low carbon food workshops, zero waste art projects, climate cafés, story-telling and apple pressing are just some of the events the project will be offering from 34 John Street over the next year.

Penicuik Carbon Challenge has already funded a new zero waste refill shop in The Penicuik Storehouse and a Community Fridge in Food Facts Friends, to help reduce food and packaging waste in Penicuik.

Both of these are now open and available to the community.

Penicuik Carbon Challenge is funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

The project aims to work with the EH26 community to raise people’s awareness of the climate emergency and provide workshops and events to showcase some actions we can take to help cut our carbon emissions and achieve a low carbon, zero waste lifestyle.

To find out more, visit: www.penicuikcarbonchallenge.org.