What we've done so far

We started around October 2007, really inspired by Modbury's efforts to go plastic-bag-free and the media reports about it. We did lots of research and particularly looked at the websites of Modbury (www.plasticbagfree.com) and Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire (www.plasticbagfreehebdenbridge.co.uk).

Rebecca Hoskins, the wildlife camerawoman and Modbury-dweller who kicked this all off, has communicated so much that we weren't already aware of. We followed lots of the ideas trialled by these towns as well but quickly realised Godalming is bigger – and of course unique – and there were only two of us running this campaign! Naturally we developed our own ideas too about trying to persuade Godalming to go plastic-bag-free'. We made contact with lots of local people from shops, businesses, the town, borough and county councils, the supermarkets. We came across lots of moral support and enjoyed the community spirit that comes out of a project like this.

We successfully applied for a small grant from Godalming Town Council for awareness-raising material including this website.

We wrote to or visited all the shops in Godalming to find out what they are doing with bags already, tell them about what we would like to do and listen to their concerns or help them look at alternatives to plastic bags. We invited them all to a meeting to present our ideas and have a discussion. We produced a poster, which many shops and Godalming have put up in their windows or on their walls.

We met lots of shoppers on Town Day just before Christmas at our display on the High Street.