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LATEST NEWS :-

Local Plan Consultation ends soon! SEG's response guide can help you respond effectively

Saltford residents are encouraged to engage in the consultation and respond, and can do so until 5pm 14th November - don't leave it until it is too late. SEG has published information and a helpful guide here from this link on our News page on how you can make an effective response.

BaNES reports on its efforts tackling climate and nature emergencies

SPC submits objection response to Saltford development options in the Local Plan

UK food production and food security at risk, says All-Party Parliamentary report

SEG Guide for responding to the Local Plan Options Consultation 2025

Local Plan Consultation Launched (3rd October)

BaNES Council publishes Local Plan 'Options'

Keynsham Home Energy Evening (14th October)

Coffee Morning - Friday 3rd October 2025

Saltford Calendar 2026

Next BaNES Local Plan: SPC meets with BaNES Council Leader (12th Aug)

Saltford's Housing Development Boundary requires no change, says SPC

Keynsham Recycling Hub wins top construction award

More news in our news archive >>

BaNES reports on its efforts tackling climate and nature emergencies

November 2025

On 5th November, BaNES Council announced that carbon emissions per person in Bath and North East Somerset had halved over the last 20 years and continue to reduce steadily, according to a new climate and nature emergency report.

The Annual Climate and Nature Progress Report will be presented to Cabinet on Thursday 13 November. It sets out work underway and planned to tackle both climate and nature emergencies.

The council claims to be leading the way nationally with work including:

• Electrifying the waste fleet

• Managing more of the council estate for nature including Charlcombe Meadows and Purlewent Village Green

• Making it easier for people to walk, wheel and use public transport to reduce transport emissions

• Supporting the owners of listed buildings in Bath to save energy by retrofitting through our Green Heritage Homes project

• Securing funding with partners led by the Forest of Avon for the first new national forest in 30 years.

Emissions from the council's own buildings and estate have almost halved over just the last nine years. This has included new solar panels on Bath Sports and Leisure Centre. There are also plans to upgrade Carrswood Adult Day Centre and the Civic Centre in Keynsham with solar and/or heat pumps, which will reduce carbon emissions and buildings running costs.

The revised Local Plan will be informed by a new Greener Places Plan, also being considered by Cabinet on 13 November. This will play a key role in ensuring Bath and North East Somerset has a more sustainable, nature-rich and climate resilient future. It includes ambitious targets for green spaces, including tree cover.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: "We are a leading council for our work to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies - this is one of our core priorities and influences every decision that we take. Our commitment remains as strong as ever and there is a huge amount of positive action and so much to celebrate in this report.

"Working in partnership is critical and I want to thank the wide range of organisations, groups and individuals who have contributed to the progress that we are making towards a low carbon, district."

SEG COMMENT

SEG welcomes and supports this progress and the promise of more to come from BaNES Council, but is aware that the declared aim for Bath and North East Somerset to be more nature positive and climate resilient will not fit with building new homes to meet the Government's high housing targets on Green Belt land including farmland.

Building new homes closer to centres of employment, e.g. Bath or a new Garden Town, so that employees can walk or cycle to work, will help protect natural habitats and reduce rather than increase net carbon emissions from commuter traffic, the congestion of which harms air quality, has a negative economic outcome, and lowers the quality of life for everyone affected.

A long-term genuinely sustainable development approach to where new houses in Bath and North East Somerset are built is what is badly needed as BaNES Council considers where to permit and encourage the building of new houses in the forthcoming Local Plan.

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SPC submits objection response to Saltford development options in the Local Plan

Part of Saltford South that is at risk of development...

November 2025

At its monthly meeting on 4th November Saltford Parish Council resolved its detailed response to the BaNES Council Local Plan options consultation 2025.

In summary, SPC objected to proposals at the three 'options' sites in Saltford as presented in the consultation. SPC firmly stated the clear, detrimental impact that further development would have on residents' quality of life, the Green Belt, and local infrastructure. SPC's response also included that any future housing development in Saltford or Keynsham would be unsustainable due to existing severe congestion on the A4 Bath Road.

SPC's response is published on its website; the response can be found from this link >>

It is important that as many residents as possible respond to the consultation by the deadline of 14th November - don't leave it to others to respond.

Our Parish Council has worked hard on this issue, submitting during the past two years detailed planning evidence including landscape assessments for why Saltford's Green Belt is so valuable to residents and visitors. It is now time for members of the community to back the Parish Council and submit their responses.

SEG has provided a guide to help you access the consultation directly and make your effective response with planning reasons for why Saltford's precious Green Belt, that benefits rural and city dwellers alike, should not be developed.

To access the guide, see our news story "SEG Guide for responding to the Local Plan Options Consultation 2025".

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UK food production and food security at risk, says All-Party Parliamentary report

November 2025

A new study report, Feeding Britain sustainably to 2050 - the 30:50:50 mission (3.11.2025), from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture (APPGSTA), Feeding Britain sustainably to 2050 - the 30:50:50 mission, states that without a renewed focus on productivity and innovation, domestic food output could drop by 32% by 2050, or 39% per capita, at current growth rates. APPGSTA is calling for the government to adopt a 30:50:50 framework aimed at boosting UK agricultural output by 30% while cutting the sector's environmental footprint by 50% by 2050.

APPGSTA chair George Freeman MP warned: "Despite favourable growing conditions, world-class agri-science, and a highly professional farming sector, UK agricultural productivity growth has stalled. Across successive governments, fragmented support policies, inconsistent regulation and a failure to translate scientific advances into practice have constrained progress."

He said, "Defra's own research indicates that current farm policies will reduce or displace domestic food production. Without radical policy reform, the UK risks further erosion of its food self-sufficiency and growing reliance on imports at a time when geopolitical instability and climate extremes threaten global food supply chains... The challenges of population growth, climate change, war and global instability demand a joined-up, cross-government response."

The report's recommendations included:

• embedding the 30:50:50 mission across all food, farming and land use policies

• protecting high-quality farmland from non-agricultural development

• establishing a National Farm Data Initiative to measure productivity and sustainability progress

• reforming farm support to reward measurable outcomes rather than practice uptake

SEG comment:
A joined-up approach to land-use planning is long overdue. It will be interesting to see if this important report can influence the Government's planning policies concerning new homes. Building new homes in the right places is about building housing developments near centres of employment, not in the Green Belt and/or farmland.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture (APPGSTA) website can be found from this link >>

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SEG Guide for responding to the Local Plan Options Consultation 2025

October 2025

Protecting our Green Belt landscape and the rural nature of our village from development is critically important. The local countryside plays a huge role in protecting wildlife, future food security, and our health and well-being.

BaNES Council is now consulting until 14th November 2025 on options for development in the new Local Plan and the 3 proposed options for Saltford total up to 1,650 new houses. You are encouraged to make a response.

Have your say, your response to BaNES matters!

SEG has published here a guide to help you access the consultation directly and make your effective response with planning reasons for why Saltford's precious Green Belt, that benefits rural and city dwellers alike, should not be developed.

You can download the SEG guide here in pdf or word formats (these open in a new window):-
 

• Saltford Options Response Guide (pdf version)

• Saltford Options Response Guide (word version)

Saltford Maps: If you wish to see indicative concept plans of the 3 Saltford options for development in BaNES Council's consultation whilst looking at SEG's response guide, you can view or download them by clicking on the links below. Each map (a pdf) opens on SPC's website in a new window:-

• South Saltford (350-450 dwellings, previously 800)

• West Saltford south of the A4 (650-850 dwellings, previously 500)

• West Saltford north of the A4 (new option for 300-350 dwellings)

Note: the maps are also within the BaNES consultation website for each option.

The link to the online consultation is in the guide but for future reference (e.g. if you want to go back and amend your response before the 14th November deadline) is also here:

• BaNES Local Options Consultation (2025) >>

Saltford Parish Council is helpfully providing lots of information (including maps) about the consultation process on its website with a dedicated page that can be reached from this link to SPC's website >>

Saltford Parish Council is expected to resolve its response to the options consultation at its monthly meeting on 4th November and post a copy of its response on its website. SEG will add a link from our website when it is available to see and download - now done, here's the link >>

Background information on SPC's crucially important landscape designation requests can also be found on SPC's website from this link to SPC's Protecting Saltford's Green Belt page >>

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Local Plan Consultation Launched (3rd October)

October 2025

Higher Government targets for new houses means that BaNES Council needs to reset its Local Plan & consult again on where new developments might go. The total new housing in 3 options (previously 2 options) proposed for Saltford has increased by 350 from 1,300 (in the 2024 consultation) to 1,650 in our Green Belt. Almost doubling the size of Saltford with that level of over-development risks its future as a rural village from such a significant loss of our local countryside.

The 6-week consultation runs from 3rd October to 5pm on 14th November (but don't leave it until the last day to respond!). It is important that you have your say. Your response to BaNES matters!

The online consultation can be found from this external link >>

Saltford Parish Council is helpfully providing information (including maps) about the consultation process on its website with a dedicated page that can be reached from this link >>

We have published maps (sourced from BaNES) in the news story immediately below this one and on our Green Belt page showing the 3 proposed options for development in Saltford (South Saltford, West Saltford - north of A4, and West Saltford - south of A4).

Please Note: SEG will be publishing guidance here (on our News page) as soon as possible on how you can make an effective response, so please do check back here before the end of October. Thank you!

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BaNES Council publishes Local Plan 'Options'

September 2025

On 17th September BaNES published its Cabinet papers that show 'options' for development in Saltford in the forthcoming Local Plan. These options along with other Local Plan development options elsewhere in Bath and NE Somerset will be consulted on by BaNES in a public consultation which opens on 3 October for six weeks (until 14 November 2025).

Having consulted in 2024 on their earlier ambitious target of 14,000 new homes over 20 years, BaNES Council has reset its Local Plan Options Report after the Government almost doubled the target to 27,000 over 18 years, from 2025 to 2043.

The Saltford options consulted on were for up to 1,300 new dwellings; the total has now been raised to up to 1,650 new dwellings, i.e. an additional 350. The maps below show where the new or revised options are and what they might contain. Whilst the need to assess the requirement for a new primary school in Saltford is referred to, its location is likely to be subject to decisions yet to be made on development options that go into the draft Local Plan.

The latest set of options, now three for Saltford (previously two options with 800 houses for 'South Saltford' and 500 for 'West Saltford'), are as illustrated by BaNES Council in these maps:-

South Saltford (350-450 dwellings, previously 800)

Saltford West (north of A4) (new option for 300-350 dwellings)

Saltford West (south of A4) (650-850 dwellings, previously 500)

Ward Councillor Duncan Hounsell is organising in Saltford Hall a public meeting to be held on the evening of Saturday 4th October (starting at 7.15pm). The meeting will be on the Local Plan Options and Saltford with a small number of guest speakers and a Q and A session. Although booked in the name of the Saltford and Keynsham Lib Dems, this will be a non-political meeting. The objective will be information sharing.

Saltford Parish Council (SPC) has usefully published a summary of the Saltford options and a lot more information about the Local Plan process on the SPC website plus links to the BaNES website - to see, click this link to SPC website >>

When the consultation is published by BaNES Council and more information known, SEG aims to publish guidance on how residents can respond effectively to reduce the hugely negative impact on the rural village of Saltford if these proposals all go forward and are adopted in the new Local Plan.

Whilst SEG recognises the need for new, affordable homes - the shortage caused by factors including short-term approaches to policy making that we need not go into - they need to be built in the right places. That is on previously developed land, near employment and public transport facilities. Building on the Green Belt (as being proposed) is not the right place if we are to protect people's health and well-being, nature and food security.

Our Green Belt page keeps members informed on SEG's campaign to protect Saltford's Green Belt, in particular with regard to the Local Plan.

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KEYNSHAM HOME ENERGY EVENING

September 2025

WHEN: Tuesday 14th October, 7-9pm

WHERE: Community Space, above Keynsham Library

Bath & West Community Energy are holding a Home Energy Evening at Keynsham Community Space on Tue 14th October, in partnership with Retrofit West, Keynsham Town Council, Keynsham Community Energy and BaNES Council.

This will be an evening of practical advice, inspiring ideas and expert guidance. From simple, low-cost energy tips to advice on big upgrades like heat pumps - something for every home and budget.

Warm your home > Cut your bills > Reduce your carbon footprint

Free entry, all welcome - drop in or book online with the organisers, Bath & West Community Energy:- Link to BWCE.

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Coffee Morning - Friday 3rd October 2025

September 2025

Help us Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight

Please join us for our Saltford Fairtrade Coffee Morning from 11am - 1pm on Friday 3rd October at Saltford Hall in Wedmore Road. All are welcome.

Tea, Coffee & Cake - Free Admission (donations welcome).

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Saltford Calendar 2026

August 2025

The 2026 edition of the popular Saltford Calendar featuring some stunning photographs by local photographers is available from Saltford Community Library & Post Office* from 1st September at 8.50 each.

As in previous years the calendar has been produced by Saltford Community Association and Saltford Environment Group. All net proceeds will be split between SCA, SEG and the Saltford Community Library and Post Office to help further their work supporting the community.

By purchasing your copy or copies (it makes a great gift!) you are helping support the community, including helping to keep the Post Office open, whilst celebrating the village and its rural setting.

*Saltford Post Office is open 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm on Monday to Friday. The Shop & Library (but not P.O.) is also open Saturday 9am - 12 noon.

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Next BaNES Local Plan: SPC meets with BaNES Council Leader (12th Aug)

August 2025

On 12th August, representatives from Saltford Parish Council met at The Guildhall in Bath with the Leader of BaNES Council, Cllr Kevin Guy, and the Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, Cllr Matt McCabe; BaNES Planning Policy officers were also present. This was to discuss SPC's letter to the Deputy Prime Minister titled "New housing without compromising food security and nature" (the letter was reported by SEG in February 2025) and related issues concerning the forthcoming new BaNES Local Plan and its impact on Saltford. The members of SPC's 'Planning Policy Working Group' present were Cllrs Jon Godfrey (SPC Chairman), Phil Harding (Chair of SPC's Planning Committee) and Gary Graveling (Planning Committee member).

As reported in the 'Current Position' section of SPC's website page Protecting Saltford's Green Belt, key discussion points included:-

   Green Belt and Landscape Protection:
Since January 2023, SPC has been working to secure enhanced landscape protections for Saltford's Green Belt. During the meeting, SPC sought assurances about maintaining Saltford's integrity as a village surrounded by Green Belt and stressed the importance of preserving the current Green Belt between Saltford and Keynsham. SPC again sought additional protections for Saltford's Green Belt, such as NE2a protections as seen on some parts of the Green Belt surrounding the village.

   Saltford's Rural Identity:
During the meeting, SPC Councillors reiterated the importance of preserving Saltford's identity as a distinct rural village. This followed concerns raised by SPC in response to BaNES Council's pre-options consultation presentation at the June Keynsham Area Forum, where Saltford and Keynsham were jointly referred to as potential future "vibrant hubs". SPC made clear its view that Saltford's unique rural character and green setting must be maintained, and welcomed the acknowledgment of this by both Cllr Guy and Cllr McCabe.

   Transport and Connectivity:
Transport was a key focus of the discussion, particularly in relation to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), which oversees transport planning. Concerns were expressed about the amount of development in the BaNES Council area and also potentially in the Hicks Gate area (Bristol), and the impact of this on the A4 in Saltford. When asked for information - as none had been forthcoming from WECA despite requests by SPC - BaNES Council shared that a second A4 Bath to Bristol Corridor consultation was expected in the autumn. In response to this new piece of information, SPC urged that Parish Councils be kept informed at the earliest opportunity of the next WECA A4 Corridor consultation so that they could look to respond as well as support timely local engagement. SPC also welcomed news that First Group is planning to fully electrify its fleet, particularly given the high volume of First Bus vehicles using the A4 through Saltford. SPC had previously sought information from WECA on this matter earlier in 2025 and is still awaiting a formal response.

   Local Plan and Community Engagement:
SPC requested further information about the upcoming Local Plan Options Consultation, particularly in relation to engagement for Saltford residents. The Parish Council asked BaNES Council to hold a public drop-in event at Saltford Hall (no confirmation either way as yet) and welcomed Cllr Guy and Cllr McCabe's offer to attend a future Saltford Parish Council meeting if invited.

SEG reported last month (17th July) the latest consultation dates for the Local Plan. SEG will be providing guidance for how Saltford residents might make an effective response for any proposals to include new development options in Saltford, so do keep an eye on our website in the coming weeks and months.

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Saltford's Housing Development Boundary requires no change, says SPC

August 2025

At Saltford Parish Council's Planning Committee meeting on 6th August, the Planning Committee resolved SPC's view on BaNES Council's Planning Policy team's Housing Development Boundary informal review. This review considered any changes to Housing Development Boundaries in the BaNES Council area, and no changes had been proposed by BaNES Council to Saltford's Housing Development Boundary. This is part of the preparatory work by BaNES Council for the forthcoming new Local Plan.

SPC's formal response to BaNES Council was resolved as follows:-

   "Saltford Parish Council (SPC) has made an informal review of its Housing Development Boundary. SPC is in full agreement with BaNES Council's review document that Saltford's existing HDB does not require change as the review document shows that following an initial review by BaNES Council whilst preparing its review document, there are no proposals to amend Saltford's HDB.

   Saltford's HDB is well established, having consistently served its purpose for several decades in protecting the surrounding Green Belt from inappropriate development, including the areas that have NE2a landscape setting designation. Saltford's HDB's delineation is sufficiently consistent and does not require adjustment as no material benefit would result.

   The small linear developments that are outside the Saltford HDB, for example Mead Lane, Avon Lane, and Manor Road (west side of Saltford), that contain just a few countryside and/or former agricultural properties that are physically and visually detached from the main settlement relate more to their isolated countryside setting than to the developed settlement within the existing HDB. Including them within a slightly expanded HDB would

    (i) fail to recognise their special remote location within the local landscape and the sensitivity of their location, and

    (ii) create a significantly less homogenous HDB than exists at present.

   SPC requests prior engagement and consultation with BaNES Council before any decision is made to propose adjustments to Saltford's HDB in the next or future Local Plan Options Consultation, should such a proposal come forward."

Further information on the actions by SPC to protect Saltford's Green Belt can be found on the SPC website from this link: Protecting Saltford's Green Belt.

SEG fully endorses SPC's review findings on Saltford's Housing Development Boundary and SPC's response to BaNES Council.

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Keynsham Recycling Hub wins top construction award

August 2025

BaNES Council's new 40m Keynsham Recycling Hub has been recognized for its innovative approach to reuse and recycling and the positive impact it has had, with a top award. The recycling hub, which was completed in early 2024, scooped first prize in the Building Project of the Year Over 5m category at the Construction Excellence South West Awards 2025.

Councillor Mark Elliott, Cabinet Member for Resources, thanked everyone involved in the project and said: "It was a significant investment by the council, but the resulting facility is a highly efficient and future-proofed operational hub that can process over 150,000 tonnes of waste for reuse, recycling and disposal, ensuring that we can meet current and future demand in our area."

Keynsham Recycling Centre will represent the South West in the National Finals, which take place later in the year. More information on construction of the Keynsham Recycling Hub can be found on the BaNES website from this link >>.

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Worried about your home heating and energy costs?
Check out our Energy page for energy saving tips, sources of advice, grants and more.
 

For previous news stories from SEG visit our

Find us on facebook >>

Current areas of local volunteer assistance sought by SEG

Whilst our partner organisations such as Saltford Wombles (for tackling litter), Saltford4Nature (for making for Saltford's green public spaces more pollinator friendly) and the Fairtrade Group always welcome volunteer assistance, SEG sometimes has specific roles or posts that need filling. Here are the current vacancies:-

Updated July 2024

Executive Committee: Want to help steer SEG?

SEG is seeking new Executive Committee members to help steer and develop SEG's role in the community as we address the environmental concerns of our members at the local level. If you think you might like to get involved and join our Executive Committee (enthusiasm and a "can do" attitude is more important than expertise!), please contact our Chairman, Phil Harding, for an informal non-committal chat.

The Executive Committee only meets 4 times a year and its working method is more about sharing ideas and getting things done in a friendly and productive atmosphere than being bogged down with time-consuming administration.

Website skills wanted!

Our website is a popular resource for our members and others which means that in addition to keeping it relevant we want to make sure it continues to function as it should.

If you live in or near Saltford, care about your local environment and have current knowledge of website design and might be interested in using your IT skills for a bit of IT volunteering to help us behind the scenes please get in touch with our Chairman by email to philharding27@gmail.com for a no-obligation chat on possible volunteer help.

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Contact Us

All general, membership & urgent (e.g. Press) enquiries by email to our Chairman please from whom SEG's postal address, if required, can be obtained on authenticated* request *(to avoid junk mailing etc.).

HOW TO JOIN SEG: If you live, work or have a particular interest in Saltford & wish to join our email membership list please send an email to our Chairman. Please include your name, address & contact telephone number in your email application. NOTE: We provide information about membership including our simple code of conduct for members and personal data protection by SEG on our "About Us page".

CONTACTS:

Chairman: Phil Harding
philharding27@gmail.com

Website Editor is Phil Harding but see website editorial/contact info. below BEFORE contacting SEG about this website

Secretary: Vacant post

Treasurer: Andrew Stainer
andrew.stainer@outlook.com

SEG Green Belt Campaign: Contact our Chairman (contact details above)

Saltford Station Campaign: Chris Warren
cherokee1883@live.com

Saltford Fairtrade Group:
saltfordfairtrade@hotmail.co.uk

History of Saltford
Project Curators: Phil Harding & Andrew Stainer (contact details above).

Saltford Wombles is independent of SEG but contact details can be found on our Less Waste page.

Saltford4Nature community gardening group is a sub-group of SEG; contact details can be found on our Gardening page.

Cookies and Privacy Policy Statement

SEG respects the privacy of visitors to our website. We do not use cookies to collect personal or other data about visitors to our website; the only data we collect via our ISP's hosting service, and without the use of cookies, is the number of visits to each of our web pages but not who the individual visitors are.

*EDITORIAL POLICY including SEO, web design and marketing for www.saltfordenvironmentgroup.org.uk

As a general rule our editorial content is sourced locally in Saltford and NE Somerset or from reputable non-commercial organisations based in the UK.

Will Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), website design, "content providers" and other similar companies please note that this website has all the SEO ranking, social media links, and smartphone compatibility that it requires to meet its specific objectives and enquiry emails on this topic including link requests will not receive a reply to save your time and ours.

SEG is not a commercial enterprise therefore companies that produce bespoke marketing materials or sponsored editorial content should also note that marketing emails or requests for placing links to other websites* will not receive a reply as it is our policy not to reply to marketing emails of this nature unless they are from a Saltford-based organisation seeking to assist SEG.

*SEG is not in a position to authenticate the accuracy and legitimacy of third party websites and/or third party editorial content.

Do you care about the village of Saltford, its environment, wildlife and future as a thriving, more sustainable community? Then join us and also follow us on facebook. See our 'About us' page for how to join (membership is free!).

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SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS:
We welcome support from local businesses to help cover our costs and keep membership free for our members. If your local business would like to support SEG (e.g. a logo + link on this page is very inexpensive), please contact our Chairman (see above for contact details).