9:00am Monday 8th January 2007
By Vicki Foster
A GROUP of Swindon mums have called on the council to reward mums for using reusable nappies.
The Real Nappy Network wants the council to copy other neighbouring authorities in offering rebates for mums to use non-disposable nappies for their babies, saying they save the environment and reduce landfill.
Highworth mum Abigail Gilby, 27, helped launch the community group in August, which aims to promote the benefits of cloth nappies to other mothers.
"We meet up for coffee mornings, called nappuccinos, and talk about our experiences with real nappies, and offer advice to anyone who needs it," Mrs Gilby said.
"We can give advice to people on where to buy their nappies, and which type of nappy system is best for them, but we don't own any stock, we don't have a shop and we are not-for-profit.
"We originally got together because we are all concerned about the environment, and we think that Swindon Borough Council ought to do more to promote real nappies.
"We feel that it is unfair that in any other part of Wiltshire parents can claim money back for nappy purchases and have access to a try before you buy' scheme, but we don't."
Wiltshire County Council has a refund scheme for residents offering £30 back on purchases over £60.
It can also be split into two £15 claims for people making smaller purchases of £30 each.
The money is redeemed by filling out a voucher available from Wiltshire Wildlife.
"Families a few miles away from us in Wiltshire can claim £30 off the cost of buying real nappies, can access other financial incentives and have a free try before you buy' scheme available to them.
But that is not the case for Swindon families.
"There is a really serious lack of support for real nappy use."
Swindon Council spokesman Richard Freeman said the borough was investigating nappy rebates. He said the council had applied for funding last year to run a scheme similar to Wiltshire County Council's, but had been knocked back.
Mr Freeman said the council had applied again for the Government money and was supportive of the scheme that it hoped would reduce landfill.
The nappy network will hold its first AGM today at 8:30pm at the Dockle Farmhouse on Bridge End Road, Swindon.
There is also a regular, weekly parent support group that starts on Wednesday, in Highworth along with a "nappuccino" nappy coffee morning, to display a range of nappies on Friday, January 26 from 10am until noon at Starbucks in the Brunel Centre.
For more information, phone Mrs Gilby on 01793 762066.
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