Porlock initiative to end water in plastic bottles could make village a UK leader

AN ‘unusual drinks reception’ was held on Tuesday evening (July 7) for the official launch of a project aimed at making Porlock the first UK village to stop selling water in plastic bottles.

Guests attending the village hall event were treated to nibbles, music, and a ‘lively discussion about the water we drink’.

The project, QUENCH, is being run by Porlock performance arts group Stacked Wonky and already has the support of the village’s community library.

Young people who run the village’s ‘While We Still Can’ campaign have been visiting shops the length and breadth of Porlock to recruit businesses prepared to offer free water refills.

Those which join up receive a blue marker to display in their window telling people they will refill their bottles for free if they ask inside.

Businesses which for whatever reason cannot offer refills, have instead been displaying posters to show their support for QUENCH.

A spokesperson said QUENCH had a busy launch day out and about in Porlock with volunteers manning two stalls and refilling bottles and talking about the project.

They said: “Reception has been very positive.

“Thank you all, businesses and passers-by alike, for putting your names down in support.

“Exciting times ahead.

“For now, if you have an unwanted metal water bottle sitting in a cupboard, could we have it?

“Drop off at Stacked Wonky headquarters on Porlock High Street.”

The ‘While We Still Can’ team was previously behind an innovative ‘Down to Zero’ initiative in 2023 when they ran a High Street pop-up shop where customers made pledges to cut down on single-use plastics.

The shop was filled with 350 single-use plastic items, representing more than half of the homes in the village, and one piece was removed for every pledge received, with the aim of having none left by Christmas.