Grassroots Bicester
Grassroots Bicester is a Community Action Group which was established in October 2010. The group comprises of local residents who shared a common interest in sustainability and community spirit. Our aim is to build a better world by growing a greener Bicester and we hope to:
• To promote the 3 R’s of waste (Reduce, Re-use & Recycle)
• To work with local residents to build a better community in Bicester
• Raise awareness of climate change and reduce Bicester’s carbon footprint
Grassroots Bicester has an annual events programme which includes ‘Freecycle...Live’, Eco Bicester Day, Bicester’s Biggest Bike Fix and Green Drinks. GRB also attends regular events throughout the year such as the Annual Town Carnival and Christmas Lights Switch on.
The Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month usually starting at 7pm followed by Green Drinks at 7:30pm (for location and timings please contact us as this may change).
Grassroots Bicester has participated in a number of projects and has several that are ongoing at present. In March 2012 the group worked alongside Bio Regional, Oxford Brookes & Cherwell District Council to promote GLEE - Grassroots Leads Energy Efficiency) in Highfield workshops were held in the Highfield area of Bicester to encourage residents to learn about how they could reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills.
Bicester Reuse & Repair Centre is an ongoing project that GRB is partner of and our vision is a multi-functional Reuse & Repair Centre in Bicester, where activities such as training and awareness raising, repairs and retail could operate under one roof. A central location would be preferable to reduce travel and increase the appeal of the site to visitors. It is hoped that the centre will include a repair and refurbish service for such items as: White goods (inc. pat testing and refurbishment), Computers, Bicycles, Furniture, etc. Project Partners include Grassroots Bicester, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership, Oxfordshire County Council, Bioregional, Cherwell District Council, Bicester Town Council, Bicester Chamber of Commerce, Emmaus Oxford, CAGs Oxfordshire and Orinoco.
Langford Community Orchard Group (LCOG) a sub group of Grassroots Bicester was formed in spring 2011. LCOG has permission from Bicester Town Council to develop an orchard site on Langford Village. The working group meets regularly to work on the orchard site. We are looking for volunteers to help. The orchard is for the whole community to use, we hope it will appeal to young and the not so young! From playgroups & nurseries, to schools, to local community groups of all ages.
For further information on any of our projects or events then please get in touch with us here or by emailing us at grassrootsbicester@yahoo.co.uk
For information about Eco Bicester Day & GLEE - http://gleebicester.wordpress.com/about-grassroots/
For more information regarding Community Action Groups - http://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/