Over 50 Rye business representatives attended the Rye Chamber of Commerce spring networking event – in a brewery. The Waterworks Brewery and Taproom hosted the event last week and attendees enjoyed pint or two as well as gourmet pizza from Wild Flame and music from duo Logan Wilson.
The subject this time around was sustainability and David Roder, from the Waterworks Brewery and Taproom kicked off the evening with an entertaining insight into the brewing process and the many sustainability initiatives that the business has developed. One of the most creative ideas involves saving the waste-water used only for the cooling part of the brewing process to subsequently flush the taproom toilets!
Lucie Bolton, climate strategy officer for Rother District Council spoke next. She commended David for the microbrewery’s innovation, commenting that creative approaches to sustainability efficiencies are often how small businesses can make change happen that really makes a difference.
Rother District Council’s climate strategy is robust, and part of Lucie’s remit is to encourage and advise town and parish councils on developing their own climate strategies and targets in line with targets set out for the wider region.
With that in mind, Sarah Broadbent, vice-chair of Rye Chamber reported that Rye Town Council has yet to declare a climate emergency or nominate a working group to tackle sustainability but that the chamber is pushing ahead with this agenda so that the town doesn’t get left behind. To that end Rye Chamber officers have trained to facilitate the delivery of CRAB – Carbon Reduction Action Box – an initiative from not-for-profit organisation Small99 which comprises a one-hour workshop enabling small businesses to easily begin their carbon reduction journey. More news on this will follow in coming weeks.
Kerry Campbell from KSS Air Ambulance gave a compelling appeal for this vital emergency service that has an ambitious but necessary fundraising target to achieve by the end of May.
The chamber’s next joint event was previewed by Tracey-Anne Cook from Littlegate Farm which will be hosting a summer barbecue on June 20 – tickets for this will be on sale very soon.
Jane Brook, chamber chair said: “Rye chamber continues to prove that social events with good food and entertainment are the exactly the sort of networking environment that our members enjoy best and benefit from most. Our speakers enjoy a more relaxed forum too! Our growing membership is something we’re extremely proud of.”
Image Credits: Kt Bruce .