Newsletter April 2011

  ^Click on the above cartoon^

A shorter edition this month (with the Easter holidays looming) to bring you up-to-date on recent and upcoming events. We hope that the season’s theme of hope and new life coupled with sunny Spring weather (I did mention ‘hope’!) will inspire you in the days ahead to live more sustainably. Never before has this been so important and never before has Sustainable Ottery been so stretched in terms of people power! If you agree with the aims of Sustainable Ottery then we would urge you to get more involved and support us to help us achieve a sustainable Ottery. Please contact us at info@sustainableottery.org.uk about any aspect but we would especially like to hear from you if would like to get involved with the energy group and the local food group. Thank you.

‘Save Energy, Save Money, Live Better’
A very successful community event organised by Sustainable Ottery took place last week on 24th March at the King’s School. The evening was full of useful tips and excellent advice on how to reduce our energy consumption and bills in the home and when travelling and was appreciated by everyone who came.

The evening started with an update on the activities of The King’s School Green Team who have planted trees, reinstated the Gardening Club, organised weekly litter picks, installed can and plastic bottle recycling bins in the canteen, monitored energy waste around the school and impressively reduced their water bill by 50% by mending leaks and installing an automatic flush in the boys’ toilets. They have lots of future plans and if you think you might be able to spare some time to help in any way please contact Mr Yann Mahdjoub the organiser of The King’s School Green Team on 01404 812982 or e-mail ymahdjoub@thekings.devon.sch.uk

The talks by Energy Action Devon, Co-Cars and Devon County Council Travelwise, showed the economic benefit of being smarter with our energy usage but this was brilliantly reinforced by the need to do so from an environmental perspective by the talk by Derrick Ryall, Head of Climate Change Research at the Met Office. All past and present indications plus future predictions all suggest that the rise in greenhouse gases are invariably linked with rises in world temperatures, with potentially catastrophic consequences. It was obvious imperative that we start to reduce the amount of these gases in the atmosphere NOW or the future consequences for all of us in terms of food, fuel, health and security could be catastrophic. The need to change how we live and travel in an effort to reduce our collective carbon footprints has never been more important – so spread the word!

Please calculate your own carbon footprint by visiting www.greencommunitiescc.org.uk/group/otterystmary
You will need to know your annual electricity and gas consumption before you start. Everyone that visits this site and calculates their footprint will be given ideas on how through small changes they might be able to benefit from savings in energy consumption and money-win/win. You might even win an energy-saving prize for taking part plus the results will be aggregated for the whole of the town.

Thank you to everyone that came to the talk and completed a Travel Energy Survey. Well done to Mrs Ruth Wright of West Hill who won a digital tyre pressure gauge for completing the survey (correct tyre pressure is important as under-inflated tyres use more fuel and should be checked weekly).

If you couldn’t make the talk but would like to know more about the topics covered, the speakers details are as follows -

 = The Met Office – www.metoffice.gov.uk or enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk or Tel: 0870 900 0100 or 01392 885680
 = Energy Action Devon -www.energyactiondevon.org.uk or info@energyactiondevon.org.uk or Tel: 01752 235 180 or 0800 512012 (free phone) for The Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre. Please contact them to find out what grant you will be eligible for to make your home more energy efficient.
 = Co-Cars - www.co-cars.co.uk or drive@co-cars.co.uk or Tel: 0845 345 2544
 = Devon County Council Travelwise - www.carsharedevon.com or lesley.c.smith@devon.gov.uk or 01392 382089 or 0845 155 1004.

Also to find out how to reduce your petrol consumption by making small adjustments to your driving please visit www.devon.gov.uk/ecodrivingfilm

Green Communities Programme Update
As mentioned in last month’s Newsletter, as part of our commitment to reducing energy consumption, Sustainable Ottery has joined the Energy Savings Trust ‘Green Communities’ project. The aim is to try and establish a Carbon Footprint for the town and to identify areas where energy efficiencies can be made. (see above article). As part of this programme a free energy audit of the Institute building has taken place (report to be delivered very soon) but it has identified areas where savings could be made in terms of heating and lighting in particular. A grant application for the first stage of lighting changes has been submitted which we hope will be successful. However, there will be other measures to cover draught-proofing and the next stage of lighting changes to come over the next few months which will need funding. This scheme could be an ideal candidate for the Community money offered by Keir Construction for a Community project in the town - one look at the bookings’ diary for the Institute and you’ll realise just how many community groups use the building. Future Newsletters will keep you informed on progress and how your support for this might be channelled.

African Drumming
If your new year’s resolution is to do something fun, musical and cultural with others, why travel further afield? Our very popular African drumming workshops may be just what you’re looking for. The next drumming workshop will be held on Sat 9th April, beginners at 2pm, more advanced drummers at 3.30pm. The cost is £7.50 per session. It will take place at the Station Youth Club, Barrack Rd (ie main road out of Ottery to A30), on the Kings School side of the River Otter on the right hand side, a few metres from the bridge. For more information call 814217. Drums are available to borrow and everyone over 11 years old (accompanied by an adult up to 16) is welcome. Further African drumming workshops will take place at the same time in the same place on.

Community Market
The next SO Community Market will take place on Sat 30th April 9.30am – 12.30pm in The Institute, Yonder St. Come and visit our thriving market, selling locally produced organic vegetables, free-range eggs and egg products, a huge selection of preserves and chutneys, apple juice and home-baked goods, plus greetings cards, local crafts and jewellery. There is also a Traidcraft stall selling those other essential staples, such as tea, coffee, rice and dried fruit which cannot be grown locally and are sold at a price and in a way that benefits producers in the developing world.

Free Bikeability Training
The Cycle Training Officer for Devon has organised FREE Level 1 and 2 Bikebaility courses in the Easter holidays. They are available to all children 10 years and above who can ride independently without stabilisers. Parents welcome too. It will give trainees a real cycling experience so that they are able to deal with traffic on short journeys such as cycling to school or with the family. The sessions are conducted by one or more accredited Bikeability Instructors and together the trainee will embark on a journey on various cycling-friendly roads and paths around town. They will also learn how to do your own bike check and take on all exercises and road safety theory required to achieve Bikeability Level 2.
There is lots of cycling involved on the day, but trainees will also have to listen and learn from the instructor(s). They will be rewarded with an official Bikeability certificate and badge according to the level achieved. Trainees will also hopefully leave the session with a feeling of independence and be ready to make more cycle journeys – maybe to and from school or leisure rides with parents and friends.
You will need to bring a roadworthy bike & properly fitting cycle helmet, suitable clothing plus a drink and a packed lunch.

The nearest sessions are either –
- Tuesday 12 April 2011 Outside Exmouth Sports Centre, Royal Avenue Exmouth EX8 1EN or
- Wednesday 13 April 2011 Byes Park (entrance nr Toll House) Salcombe Rd, Sidmouth, EX10 8PR

Sessions start at 9 am prompt and finish at 4 pm.
To book online : http://www.cycleexeter.org.uk/get-cycling/cycle-training/free-saturday-holiday-bikeability-courses/ 

Field for Community Use?
It has come to our attention that there is a field for sale on the northern edge of Ottery St. Mary. Could this be an ideal place for a Community orchard? Some of our Newsletter readers seem to think so. Let us know if you would be prepared to get involved – info@sustainableottery.org.uk

A Future date for your Diary- September 24th 2011.
Satish Kumar will open the Recycling & Environment Exhibition in Ottery Parish Church. This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the World’s leading environmental thinkers and speakers live in our area. He is a guest of Sustainable Ottery and will be one of the speakers during the day of the Exhibition, together with Sustainable Ottery’s Helen Collinson who will talk about the work of Christian Aid.

Other Events in the Area
* Monday 4th April 7 p.m. - Meeting of Ottery St Mary Town Council to be held in the Council Chamber. Members of the public are welcome to attend. One of the agenda items concerns the controversial removal of red cedar trees from the Sainsbury’s site.
* ‘Food Inc.’ – Saturday April 9th April. Doors open at 2 p.m. at Broadclyst Village Hall. An Oscar-nominated documentary about modern food and farming, followed by refreshments. Tickets £2 in advance or £3 on the door. View trailer at www.foodincmovie.com. More details from henry.gent@btinternet.com or 01392 469334.

SUSTAINABLE OTTERY’S NEXT STEERING GROUP MEETING -
7.30 P.M. THURSDAY 19th MAY 2011 OTTERY ST. MARY TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES. ALL WELCOME!

If you would like to attend any of the events advertised in this Newsletter but have no transport or if you are thinking of going and could offer a lift, then why not contact us and we can put both parties in touch with each other. Simples! info@sustainableottery.org.uk or tel. 01404 811067.

Please pass on this newsletter to any contacts you have. If you have been sent this by a friend, please e-mail info@sustainableottery.org.uk adding `subscribe’ to the subject line. If you would like to be removed from the mailing list, please let us know. And if you currently receive a paper copy of this newsletter but could receive it electronically (which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly), please send us your e-mail address.
See www.sustainableottery.org.uk for further details of our events and activities.