News
Did You Hear Us on the Radio?
Wed, 20 May 2015
One of our Eco Open Homes householders was recently interviewed for a BBC Radio Derby programme. Listen to find out more about the eco features Tony has installed in his house (shown above during winter). The interview is approximately 1hr and 12min in to the programme.
Find more homes to visit over the next few weekends: www.everybodys-talking.org/ecohomes/events
Three Eco Homes Open This Weekend
Wed, 20 May 2015As part of the Nottinghamshire and Debyshire Eco Open Homes event, taking place throughout May, three homes are throwing opening their doors this weekend; and there's something to suit every budget:
NEST is a terraced house in Nottingham with lots of cheap, simple eco features including draughtproofing measures and container vegetable gardening. If you want a warm, cosy home on a budget this is the place to visit!
If you have some cash to splash but also like the idea of reusing materials visit Thornhill Eco House, a purpose built timber frame eco home whose owners have made use of recycled and local timber. Other features include warmcell insulation, recycled slates and a south facing conservatory. Passive Solar design means the house is heated using solar hot water and just one woodstove. It has solar photovoltaic panels for electricity. Rainwater is collected for use in the house and garden and a reed bed is used for grey water recycling.
Finally, just up the road from Thornhill, you can see a compost loo, vegetable gardens, wildlfe areas and internal solid wall insulation on a older building, lived in by Bamford Quaker Community.
It's not too late to find out more about some of the homes that have already opened earlier in the month. Elm Avenue has its own website and Tony from Malthouse Lane was on Radio Derby last week talking about his house (starts 1hr 12mins into the programme).
DerwentWISE Practical Conservation Volunteers Required
Mon, 11 May 2015Every Friday and the second Saturday of each month, the DerwentWISE scheme carries out practical work to improve the biodiversity of local wildlife sites throughout the lower Derwent Valley. The work includes a variety of conservation tasks including hedge laying, scrub clearing, tree planting and meadow creation. If you have an interest in helping improve wildlife on your local patch join their small friendly team of enthusiastic volunteers.
Ambergate Hydro Next Steps – Can You Help?
Mon, 11 May 2015Amber & Derwent Valley Community Energy (ADVyCE) have completed an Ambergate Hydro feasibility study, which looked at the views of the local community with regards to reinstating hydro power at the weir in Ambergate, Derbyshire. Subject to further negotiations ADVyCE intends to make use of the 100kW turbine in the West Pit. The next big step is to develop and sign the land lease agreement with the landowner, who is also keen to progress the project, and they wish to find legal assistance locally. Could you, or a friend help? Or could you recommend a legal firm who might be able to help? If the answer is yes to either of the above please get in touch with Ian: ijackson@advyce.co.uk
Abmergate Weir pictured above
Community Minibus Appeal
Mon, 11 May 2015Hayfield Sustainable Transport (HSTL) has been awarded a sizeable grant from The Department for Transport to support its plans to purchase a second minibus, which will enable more local group travel by community groups and schools. The news means HSTL is well on the way towards reaching its funding target, but it’s not wholly there yet. HSTL still needs to raise around £14,000 through its community share offer.
To find out more or discuss buying shares, please contact Roland Strube by email: roland.strube@gmail.com or phone: 01663 749062