PEOPLE in Settle were given a lesson in what can - and can not - be recycled at a 'let's talk rubbish' day held at the town's St John's Methodist Church.

Organised by the church's own eco-group, the event, at the church in Church Street, featured a variety of stalls and speakers on the subject of rubbish, recycling and composting. More than 100 people turned up seeking answers to questions such as “Which bin should I put that brown plastic lasagne pack in?", "does the Co-op recycle my empty crisp packets?" and “can I put my tea bags in my compost bin?”

There was also the unveiling of the new Jubilee eco garden at the back of the church with children from Settle Primary School.

Lizzie Hall from Craven District Council explained to people what could be put in each of the council's waste bins, answering many questions from unsure residents, while Emilie Knight, from North Yorkshire County Council's Allerton Waste Recovery Park, next to the A1 showed what happens to rubbish in the green 'general waste' bins. She explained how some material from the bins is still extracted for recycling, before the rest is incinerated to produce electricity.

There was also a talk from a representative of Everyday Essentials in Ingleton, on the subject of re-fillables, and the North Yorkshire Rotters, gave advice about composing bins and womeries, both available at reduced prices from North Yorkshire County Council. The rotters also demonstrated their bicycle powered smoothie maker which they used to make drinks out of blackberries, apples and plums.

A spokesperson from the St John's eco-group said: "There was a happy ceremony in the sunshine when Emily Knight cut the gold ribbon and officially opened the Jubilee eco garden at the back of the church. A group of children from Settle Primary School's 'green team' were there. They had made a visit earlier to help set up the bug hotel in the garden. They also had a stall in the hall selling notebooks designed by them with reused paper.

Also represented at the event were Settle Hub and Community Fridge, whose members came along with a 'hay box' to demonstrate the cooking of rice pudding; and Action on Climate Emergency Settle (ACE).

Settle Town Council had a stall, and No 29 Clothing Agency, in Gargrave had stands, as well as the St John’s Eco-Group, Settle Eco-Explorers and a Fair Trade Stall.

On Saturday (October 1) there will be a concert at Settle Methodist Church by the Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band, all welcome, concert starts at 7.30pm.