ECO-WARRIORS gathered at the first meeting of a new sustainability group in Ascot.

The Eco Explorers group at All Saints' Church in Ascot launched ASCENT, the Ascot Community Environment Network, on Saturday, November 20 at the church and discussed how Ascot can become part of the Transition Town movement.

Forty people turned up at the launch event which attracted praise from MP Adam Afriye, Royal Borough Mayor Cllr Catherine Bursnall and the Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard, who said: "ASCENT is a great idea. What we need is grassroots environmental action, not just high-flown ideas, and ASCENT looks to be offering just that mix of stimulus, action and fun that works best in community organising." The Eco Explorers have been working with Sunningdale Parish Council clerk, Anne Martin, who delivered a presentation on the Transition Town movement, which aims to encourage communities to become sustainable and provides advice about switching to renewable energy. There are now more than 640 Transition Towns initiatives around the country including in Maidenhead and Wokingham.

Anne Yarwood of the Eco Explorers said: "Transition is about shifting our consciousness towards local resilience, to confront the twin imperatives created by climate change and peak oil." At the launch event people discussed in groups what they would like to see happen, what they are doing already and what they would like to start doing to become more sustainable.

Five special interest groups were set up to begin looking at recycling, food, the environment, community resilience and reflection. Email Mrs Yarwood on yarwodav@aol.com to find out more.