News

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Ambergate Hydro Next Steps – Can You Help?

Mon, 11 May 2015

Amber & 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

www.advyce.co.uk

Community Minibus Appeal

Mon, 11 May 2015

Hayfield 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

Support Needed for an Anti-Fracking Report

Mon, 11 May 2015

Bassetlaw Against Fracking are raising money to fund a report which could stop an application for experimental fracking in Nottinghamshire. They need to raise £1800 by 14th May to fund a Professor of Geology to write a report and visit a Planning Committee to argue against the application. Contributions can be made online: http://tinyurl.com/p76ubyu

Nottingham’s City Centre to Go Electric?

Mon, 11 May 2015

Nottingham City Council is looking to make the city centre a low-emission zone by encouraging the use of electric cars and bringing in a city-wide network of electric vehicle charging points. The proposals will be part of Nottingham's bid for a chunk of the £35 million the Government is making available through its Go Ultra Low initiative. Nottingham is one of 12 cities selected to make a detailed bid and up to four winners will be named in the autumn.

http://tinyurl.com/nw3jxje

Visit a Compost Loo This Spring!

Wed, 22 April 2015

You're invited to visit eight eco homes and buildings in whose owners are throwing opening their doors to the public this May as part of the third Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Eco Open Homes event.

Solid wall insulation, solar panels, draught proofing, wind turbines and even compost toilets will all be on display. If you’ve ever wondered how well these things work in real homes (or if the loo smells or not!) and if they’re worth installing, come and have an honest chat with householders about what it’s like to live in their home and their experiences (both good and bad) of installing these measures.

Visitors in previous years have left inspired to change their own homes – with most intending to do something they’ve seen to their own homes. One of last year’s visitors said: ‘It was really useful to see a house where the owners had the confidence to make these improvements.’

Caroline Harmon, of Marches Energy Agency, said: ‘Rising energy bills are affecting everyone and there’s a pressing environmental need to reduce our energy use and get energy from renewable sources. This event is an opportunity to see real solutions in real homes, done on a range of budgets, and talk to the people who live there. Last year, more than 300 people visited a home in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Why not come and get inspired this year?’

Briefly, the homes and buildings are:

  • The house on Malthouse Lane, nr Belper has a condensing boiler, solar panels, LED lighting and more. Open 9th & 10th May.
  • Hillside Farm near Wirksworth has a range of renewables: solar photovoltaics, a 5kW wind turbine, wood burning stoves and a ground source heat pump. It also features a sunpipe, high performance double glazing and underfloor heating. Open 9th May.
  • Hockerton Housing Project is a development of five earth sheltered homes built with high thermal mass and high levels of insulation to avoid the need for heating systems. There are solar panels, wind turbines, food growing, water harvesting and recycled waste materials have been used during construction. Open 9th May. There is a charge for some to visit this home and pre-booking is essential: http://bit.ly/1cPuhJ5.
  • The house on Elm Avenue in Beeston has internal solid wall insulation, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting for the toilets. Lower cost measures include blackout blinds and self-closing doors to keep heat in. Open 10th May. Pre-booking is essential: http://bit.ly/1FNULrm
  • Torrs Hydro in New Mills is a community-owned hydro-electric plant. Open 16th & 17th May for tours.
  • Bamford Quaker Community in the Hope Valley has internal solid wall insulation on stone walls, a replacement boiler and a composting toilet. Open 23rd & 24th May.
  • Thornhill Eco House in the Hope Valley is a purpose built eco home with grey water recycling, recycled slates, a south-facing conservatory and both solar photovoltaics and solar thermal panels. Open 23rd & 24th May and throughout the month by appointment.
  • Derbyshire Eco Centre is a purpose built education centre. Features local stone, a living green roof, rainwater harvesting, an air source heat pump and solar panels. Open 26th-31st May.

More details on all the homes are on our website: www.everybodys-talking.org/ecohomes