Posted by Julian Ashworth | Filed under Energy, Events
Cafe Transition: Renewable Energy
18 Saturday Jan 2020
Category Archives: Energy
Forthcoming Café Transition: Save Money and Emissions
28 Sunday Apr 2019
Transition New Mills December Newsletter
08 Thursday Dec 2016
Season’s Greetings to all Transition New Mills supporters! There have been strong signs of hope in what has often been a difficult year. Frequently these have come as a result of ordinary people doing wonderful things for their own communities. New Mills is fortunate to have a good number of active citizens, contributing in their own ways, without whom all our lives would be much poorer – so thanks to you all! Transition is all about local action, and there are some opportunities below. Please contact us on transition.newmills@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved!
Incredible Edible update
Some progress has been made on the projects mentioned in October’s newsletter, and we hope to be able to bring you some positive results on all three in the New Year:
- New Mills Primary School are working on a funding package for improvements to their edible garden capabilities, including the installation of a greenhouse ,
- a proposal has been tabled for the creation of a series of planters around the town with edible plants
- funding has been committed by New Mills Community Orchard for the creation of a Forest Garden trial; a planting session will be arranged for spring 2017.
These are great practical projects; if you want to get involved, email us at transition.newmills@gmail.com
Egg Map
In addition, we are working on a town egg map. This will map the locations where you can buy locally produced eggs, normally using an honesty box. In future, this concept can easily be extended to cover many other locally produced items, ending up with a local directory, maybe something like Falmouth’s. If you know of any locations, or you want to sell eggs or other sustainable local produce yourself, let us know and we can put it on the map.
Discussion Group Next Meeting
The group is tackling the Universal Basic Income as its next topic; an attempt to get away from linking income with work or benefits. Here’s a short introductory video explaining the concept.
Sue will also give a report on her recent visit to Marrakech during COP22. The meeting is on Monday 12th December at 8pm; all are welcome. Please contact us on transition.newmills@gmail.com for details if you want to go.
New Transition movement website
The Transition Network now have a brand new website! It’s not just a re-design; they have started afresh, making it more readable and accessible, and are introducing new features and lots more specific content. Check it out with this link to our launch blog from Rob Hopkins, where he explains some of the key elements of the new site, and helps you find the things of greatest importance to you.
The Gift of Death
Before you buy any further Christmas presents; just bear in mind the consequences! I’ve recycled one of my favourite George Monbiot articles from a few years back on what does and doesn’t make a good Xmas gift.
How to Save Energy and Be Warmer
Dreading the next fuel bill? A few years ago I participated a Global Action plan project on everyday household sustainable living, and created a series of handy ‘top tips’ guides, with a range of solutions to suit different interests, abilities and pockets. Rather than waste them, we’ll be offering them up in the newsletter at intervals, and putting them on our website. Check out this month’s, topically on energy use, and make it your New Year Resolution to try some out.
Local Giving
Any donations through our Local Giving site will be matched using lottery cash. This offer lasts until April 2017, and could give us up to £500 of free cash! Needless to say, we are very keen to reach this target, and being an environmentally based group there is flexibility over the projects for which we can use the money. Please help us reach this total in a very efficient way by donating as much as you feel comfortable at Transition New Mills | Localgiving
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New Mills School Goes Solar!
19 Monday Sep 2016
It’s great to hear that Solar PV panels have finally been installed at New Mills School. Electricity generation started on Sunday 18th September from a 21kW array on the Maths and Swinburn Buildings.
In late 2012 the PTA launched the Solar Schools Project at New Mills to raise funds (aim £12,000) to install Solar PV panels. The school and PTA would benefit directly in the form of:
· free electricity generated to the school
· income to the PTA from Government incentive payments (FITs)
Approximately £7,800 was raised by the end of 2013, and Transition New Mills supporters raised over £400 of this through our ‘Clock New Mills’ walking challenge.
The Solar PV (much more than the school previously anticipated) has now been installed by the Schools Energy Co-operative. Although the financial model has changed, the PTA and school will still benefit by:
· electricity generated sold cheaply to the school
· PTA earning an annual interest payment on money invested in the Co-operative
Well done to everyone involved; another step closer to a low-carbon New Mills!
FREE RETROFIT ADVOCACY TRAINING OFFER
22 Sunday May 2016
Transition New Mills is offering to cover the cost of training up to 4 New Mills residents to gain the knowledge and skills needed to motivate others in our community to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing carbon emissions, improving comfort and reducing fuel bills. The course is being hosted by the Carbon Coop, Manchester.
All we ask is that you undertake to help spread good practice back here in New Mills. Let us know if you’re interested before you book!
WHAT: Retrofit Advocacy Training
WHEN: 9.30-12:30pm, Sat 11th and 25th June 2016 (as this is a two-part course you need to attend both dates)
WHERE: URBED offices, 5th Floor, 10 Little Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1HR
COST: Members – FREE, Non Members – £10 (To be reimbursed by Transition New Mills)
LEADS: Helen Grimshaw, sustainability consultant, URBED and Julian Tomlin, consultant, Carbon Co-op committee member, and householder.
This simple, two-part, participatory course will enable local green volunteers to confidently discuss energy efficiency and inspire others to find out more about retrofit, whether on a stall at a local event, in a meeting or workshop, or with friends and family.
Delivered by a specialist retrofit consultants URBED and a householder with retrofit experience, the fun sessions will involve presentations, a quiz, group activities as well as a bit of homework.
The training has been designed to comply with the Carbon Literacy Standard and all successful completers will receive a Carbon Literacy Certificate
This training is for volunteers to provide first stop advice and support to other householders. It will not replace the technical expertise provided by industry professionals.
Please book early as spaces are limited.
