Transition Ashtead, a local envrionmental intiative, held a successful event last Monday covering the issues of food miles and packaging.

A role-play kicked off the evening at St George's Parish Room, in which the event's organiser Caroline Cadrew-Smith and Flip Cargill (from Transition Bookham) discussed the origin and packaging of Local and Yonder produce in their baskets.

Two guest speakers, Graham Love and Tyrone Patterson, also contributed to the evening. Graham Love, who runs Greenways Fruit Farm in Herstmancoux in East Sussex, emphasised the importance of buying local produce in order to reduce carbon emissions. Tyrone Patterson runs Greenwise fruit and veg shop in The Street and pointed out that meeting customers' needs meant that supplying only locally-produced food was not always possible. For example, locally produced bananas would be hard to find.

A lively debate ensued, covering the issues of sustainability, technology, and the general unwillingness to forgo modern conveniences.

A consensus was reached that using technology responsibly was the way forward.

To find out more about Transition Ashtead, go to transitionashtead.org.uk, or call the Secretary Caroline on 07768 806201