3/4/2007

Pembrokeshire is looking for enthusiastic residents to become Master Composters and encourage their local communities to get stuck into home composting.

The aim is to recruit community volunteers who, in return for training and support, will act as composting ambassadors in their local neighbourhoods.

Geraldine O'Donnell project leader of the Strategic Recycling Scheme (SRS) , said today : “We all learn from people around us, such as family, friends, neighbours or work colleagues. This is why we hope that Master Composter volunteers will prove a really effective way of promoting home composting at the heart of our communities.�

There is a wide range of activities that volunteers can get involved in, including talks at their local schools, a stand at the village shows, holding a compost surgery for your friends neighbours. or preparing an article in the parish council newsletter. The Master Composters will be supported by the SRS compost officers.

Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for the Environment, Pembrokeshire County Council said: “This is a great way for people to play an important role in spreading the message about the benefits of home composting. As well as producing their own high-quality compost, residents will have a chance to do their bit to help reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill sites.�

The Master Composter programme has been developed by Garden Organic (www.gardenorganic.org.uk), one of the UK’s oldest standing environmental charities. Previously known as HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association), Garden Organic is involved in scientific research and development work, the provision of advice and information and the promotion of organic food, farming and gardening. All Master Composters will become members of Garden Organic, which has Prince Charles as its patron and more than 32,000 members.

Book your place on a free two-day training course given by Garden Organic at the West Wales Eco Centre in Newport on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th April and you will learn about a variety of waste issues, including the secrets of successful home compost. You then need to do 30 hours of voluntary work promoting home composting to earn the full title of ‘Master Composter.

To attend the training sessions and for further information, call Jane Griffiths, Master Composter Coordinator, on 024 7630 8202 or email jgriffiths@hdra.org.uk. Or Paul Harris at West Wales Eco Centre 01239 821907 paul@ecocentre.org .uk

For home composting enquiries in Pembrokeshire call the hotline: 0845 6030494