Grove in St Davids takes up Welsh Assembly climate change challenge

Customers and staff at a Pembrokeshire pub are taking on a challenge to help Wales cut its carbon footprint.

The Grove in St Davids is going green for the Welsh Assembly’s climate change challenge.

Over the next six months, the pub, owned by Welsh brewer SA Brain, will be competing against The Turf in Wrexham and The Castle Inn in Caldicot, to find innovative and exciting ways of reducing their carbon footprint.

To kick off the challenge, The Grove will be running a light-bulb amnesty, where customers can exchange conventional bulbs for free energy-saving alternatives.

Manager of The Grove, Jeanette White, said: “It’s a pleasure to be a part of the climate change challenge and represent Pembroke-shire.

“We’ve only recently moved into the Grove but can already see there’s a great community spirit here, which means collectively, we can make a difference and help lower Wales’ carbon footprint.”

Husband Barry continued: “We want our customers to help us get off to the best possible start in the challenge and would urge everyone in St Davids to pop in to the pub and swap a light-bulb today. Not only can energy-saving light-bulbs help cut carbon, but they can save money on bills too — meaning you’ll have a few quid left for a pint at the end of the week!”

The pub has an eco-society which meets every other Tuesday and locals are being urged to come along to the green get-togethers and come up with fun ways to reduce The Grove’s carbon emissions during the challenge and beyond.

Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly environment minister said: “Congratulations to The Grove for joining the challenge and setting a great example to their community. It’s a great way of encouraging people to make small changes which together can make a big difference. The challenge will encourage all of us, from the locals in the pubs to their suppliers and beyond, to do their bit and help reduce our carbon footprint.”

She added: “Taking action doesn’t mean radically changing our way of life right now. Simple actions such as turning off electrical items or not running the tap as you clean your teeth, all contribute to lowering your carbon footprint.”