Welcome to the Environmental Champions Network!

[Dan Wills]

A big welcome to everyone joining this new space. It’s fantastic to have so many people across the diocese who care about creation and want to help drive positive change.
This group is here to help connect, support and inspire each other. It’s a place where you can:

• Share what your parish is doing
• Ask questions or get advice
• Highlight ideas, resources, or success stories
• Learn from others across the diocese

To get things started, why not introduce yourself below and tell us:
• Your parish, church, or role
• Something environmental you’re passionate about

The Environment Team will post a prompt each week to spark ideas and discussion, but feel free to jump in anytime.

You’re welcome to be as active as you like - whether that’s posting regularly or simply following along and picking up ideas.

And if you know someone who would make a great Environmental Champion, please do share this group with them. P.S - give our social media page a follow and get in touch to contribute - Facebook 

Let’s see what we can grow together.

[Dan Wills]

I'll kick things off.

Dan Wills, Net Zero Project Lead for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and one half of the Diocesan Environment Team. I am hugely passionate about the decarbonisation of the built environment and want to see as many churches, schools and houses reduce their energy bills and reduce their emissions. 

If you would like to introduce yourself to the group - click 'Reply All' so everyone can see! 

Many thanks,

Dan

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From: diocese-of-bathwe...@googlegroups.com <diocese-of-bathwe...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dan Wills <dan....@bathwells.anglican.org>
Sent: Friday, March 6, 2026 4:21 PM
To: Diocese of Bath&Wells Eco Champions <diocese-of-bathwe...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Welcome to the Environmental Champions Network!

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[Sara Emmett]

Hi all,

I’m Sara, Climate Justice & Environment Advisor at the diocese and PhD researcher at Bournemouth University. I attend Holy Trinity church Yeovil and we have our Silver Eco Church award. I am working alongside Dan to achieve Net Zero 2030 and also cover the biodiversity and social justice aspects of Creation Care. Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Sara

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From: diocese-of-bathwe...@googlegroups.com <diocese-of-bathwe...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dan Wills <dan....@bathwells.anglican.org>

Sent: Friday, March 6, 2026 4:27:01 PM

To: Diocese of Bath&Wells Eco Champions <diocese-of-bathwe...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: Welcome to the Environmental Champions Network!

 

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/diocese-of-bathwells-eco-champions/LNXP123MB3611BA1FC48D1CDE0C7CFF25D77AA%40LNXP123MB3611.GBRP123.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

[Ruth Orriss]

Hi I am Ruth Orriss I am the Eco Champion in Crook Peak Parish, near Axbridge. We have 6 churches in our Parish and all have a Bronze Eco Church award. Currently promoting the Climate Stewards Carbon Fast for Lent 

[ADRIENNE HUGHES]

Hi All,

I’m Adrienne Hughes, Eco-champion at Flax Bourton Church. We’re very proud to have achieved our Gold Award last October-the first in Bath and Wells. 

We’re continuing to promote an eco-message to our community and beyond, via events such as eco-talks and our annual Earth Day festival on April 25th. Why not give our benefice eco-church pages a follow on instagram and Facebook to find out more?

Adrienne

[Deborah von Bergen]

Hi Everyone,

I’m Debbie and am passionate about the environment.  I’ve been an organic gardener for 25 years, and have loved getting involved in my church's eco church journey.  We are a rural church in the village of Keinton Mandeville.

My current mission is to get everyone using the old fashioned handkerchief and ditching single use tissues wherever possible - the little things count!

Debbie von Bergen
debbiev...@icloud.com
07774 784008

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[John Burke]

Hi

I'm John Burke, Eco Church champion (with my wife Megan), at Holy Trinity Church, Frome.

I would like to see our church grow and develop more on the 'A Rocha' principals, 

developing 'buildings and energy' and possibly one day being able to share Solar with the local community.

John B

e...@holytrinityfrome.com

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/diocese-of-bathwells-eco-champions/LNXP123MB3611BA1FC48D1CDE0C7CFF25D77AA%40LNXP123MB3611.GBRP123.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.

[lindsay smith]

Hello all

I'm Lindsay and just love all green things. I have always said God has called me to live my life muddy. Big passions are the land, biodiversity, and planting trees and gardening.

Our next eco church event is our annual dawn chorus walk on Palm Sunday.

Looking forward to being part of this group and sharing how we can all care for God's creation.

lindsay 

[Adrienne Hughes]

Hi Lindsay,

A dawn chorus walk sounds a lovely thing to do on Palm Sunday. Which church are you based at?

Adrienne 

On 11 Mar 2026, at 07:25, lindsay smith <teamp...@outlook.com> wrote:

Hello all

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/diocese-of-bathwells-eco-champions/89f82e03-5850-4312-8472-2331a3e724a6n%40googlegroups.com.

[lindsay smith]

Hello

We are in Portishead - so have two churches, St Peter's and St Nick's - St Nick's has a wonderful glade full of English Bluebells - tawny owls, and it's just magical.

Lindsay 

[Andy Levett]

Hi! I'm Andy Levett, part of the diocese Go Team, championing all things outdoors and eco church especially where children, young people and families are concerned. I love helping organise community beach cleans in Watchet, where I live.