AN open meeting to plan for the Alton Climate Rally, set for November 28, has taken place at the Assembly Rooms.

In what was described as “an extraordinarily mature and eloquent opening address”, Eggar’s pupil Holly Dowds said that many young people were “deeply concerned” about the need for effective action on climate change.

At the meeting she wondered what the world would be like when she reached the average age of her audience which, she guessed, to be between 30 and 40.

She didn’t ask what the world would be like if she reached 107, the age of the next speaker, Bob Weighton. Without notes and with an easy flow of names, facts and figures, the one-time engineer explained the necessity for renewable energy, and especially tidal power, linking this to the lunar eclipse of the preceding week.

He told the meeting that “we have a duty to the world we live in”, and these words echoed those of the mayor of Pertuis, Alton’s twin town in the south of France.

In a letter received by Alton mayor Pam Jones the previous day, he said: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

Referring to the plans to show the strength of Alton’s support for November’s Paris talks, he added: “The citizens of Pertuis, very concerned with the issue of global warming in an area where its devastating effects are beginning to be felt, are aware that France has arrived at humanity’s appointment with history.”

He concluded by saying: “In the name of the citizens of Pertuis, whom I am honoured to represent, I bring you my unconditional support at a time which could be decisive for our future.”

After the addresses, the meeting divided into working groups. There was a buzz of energy and excitement as people shared and developed ideas for making Alton’s demonstration of support for the Paris Climate Conference “powerful and effective”.

Organisers say that the important thing at this stage is for everyone to spread the word “far and wide”, and above all put Alton’s event on November 28, two days before the talks open, into their diaries.