“A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world.”
Proverb (Mt. Abu Declaration, United Nations)

Sustainable Oban was founded in March 2008 by Astrid Horward (Eco Promotion) and Julie Fairbrass (GRAB).

After moving to Argyll in August 2007 Astrid, eco-auditor and green lifestyle coach, set out to initiate a sustainability forum, gathering under its umbrella all environmental & sustainability organisations and individuals in and around Oban who would want to ‘join forces’; share knowledge and experience, help raise awareness and encourage participation in debate and action in pursuit of sustainable development within the community.

In December 2007, Astrid contacted Julie Fairbrass from GRAB, who was keen on co-organising an introductory meeting to establish whether there was enough interest in the community to found such a forum. They were later joined by Liz Gibson from the Oban Church’s eco-congregation and osteopath Andrew Pallas of the Complementary Health Service.

The introductory meeting took place on 8th March in the Oban Church where an audience of about thirty people came together to listen to Astrid’s ideas and add their own. It was such a successful event that they decided to found Sustainable Oban. Since then, Sustainable Oban has had the fantastic contribution and support of many local people and organisations, among which Jane Wilding, Mairi Stones, Sam Harrison, Mark Carter, Jill Bowis, Margret Powell-Joss, Adam Hughes, Pip Weaser, Annabel Gregory and many others.