Newsletter July 2011

Hello and welcome to July’s Newsletter. First an apology about last month’s Newsletter as no sooner had we mentioned the dry spell and water-saving ideas, than the heavens opened! However, water-saving tips can still come in handy, especially if you are on a water meter. There’s more on this below together with exciting information on the upcoming Environmental exhibition at the Church, details about the official naming and opening of the new cyclepath and footbridge plus updates on the Sainsbury’s store and other future events and even some jobs too! Read on....

Official opening of new footbridge and cycle path –
 Bank Holiday Monday 29th August
The new footbridge and cycle path linking the centre of Ottery with the King’s School and Thornton Farm Estate will be officially opened on the Bank Holiday Monday 29 August – hoorah! The event will be marked with stalls, refreshments and games on Millennium Green, plus a duck race down the river Otter. All welcome – please show your support for the Town Council, Sustrans and all the other bodies involved in making this project a reality. Sustainable Ottery have been represented in the monthly meetings about the project over the months. Let’s encourage as many people as possible to use this wonderful new resource, whether on foot or by bike – and help reduce our carbon footprint in the process. If any individual or organisation is interested in having a stall at this event, please contact Helen Collinson tel 01404 81408 who will pass on your details to the organisers. King’s School pupils were asked to come up with possible names for the new footbridge and these are listed in the July edition of Ottery Gazette for everyone to vote on. See you on 29 August and don’t forget to vote this month on the bridge name. Look out for local publicity giving times and further details of the official opening on 29 August.

Recycling & Environmental Exhibition at Ottery Parish Church –
September 24th 2011.
This promises to be a very exciting event with inspiring talks as well as a variety of interesting stalls and stands. Satish Kumar, who will be a guest of Sustainable Ottery, will be speaking at 2 p.m. and taking questions. Satish was born in Rajasthan, India, in 1936. His life is permeated with the theme of pilgrimage. At the age of 9 he became a wandering Jain monk and spent many years in pilgrimage through his homeland. In 1962 he set out on a peace pilgrimage of 8,000 miles from the grave of Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi to Moscow, Paris, London and Washington. He has studied Buddhism and Hindu philosophy. He is the Editor of the ‘Resurgence’ magazine which is a multi faceted publication of poetry, politics, imagination, economics and creativity. He has also published several books and is the Director of Programmes at Shumacher College. He now lives in North Devon and his excellent profile of Dartmoor that was shown on BBC called ‘Earth Pilgrim’. This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the World’s leading environmental thinkers and speakers live in our area. Sustainable Ottery’s Helen Collinson will also talk about her work for Christian Aid.

Water, water everywhere...?
Last month we advertised some useful water-saving gadgets that were free from South West Water. If you didn’t get around to getting them, then here’s a reminder of the link -
http:\\www.southwestwater-savewatersavemoney.co.uk/products/free-water-saving-pack/from/SWSML.
If you want to calculate how much water you use every month then try this water calculator http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/5086298.stm.
Our very own ‘Gadget man’ John Bryant has a useful tip for reusing bath water –
“I thought I would pass on this quick tip as I found it so useful. In dry spells I use bathwater to top up the water butt which rapidly empties in hot dry periods (bathwater is fine for plants even if a bit soapy). But carrying buckets of water down the stairs and out into the garden is hard work and not popular with my wife. So I prepared a length of hose which fits nicely from the bath out of the window down to the water butt.
The next problem which had me stumped for a while, was how to start siphoning. There was no way I was going to stand in the garden sucking the end of a hosepipe with that pressure of water above me; a real recipe for discomfort and embarrassment. So I hit on the idea of setting the pipe up, one end in the bath the other in the water butt, then using the shower hose in the bath to give a quick blast of water into the hose. Once the water inside the hose has gone up over the window sill and started falling on the other side, the siphon process is under way, so drop the hose into the bath water and it will empty and the water butt fill up. Easy. Good luck.”
Hope this works for you but Sustainable Ottery can take no responsibility for spills, slips or soggy bathroom floors!!
Getting water from a tap is something we all take for granted but as the title of this paragraph hints at, there may not be water everywhere. I’m sure that you will have seen worrying pictures of the drought in the ‘Horn of Africa’ this week. You may like to check out Oxfam’s Water week (11-17 July) see -
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/waterweek?ecid=em_CPD_CAM_53_f4

Sainsbury’s Planning Amendments
Many of you will be aware of the amendments to Sainsbury’s original planning application. It seems that retro-spective changes to the original specification are ‘de rigueur’ in such builds, for whatever reason. So far, you will be aware that five trees had to be removed which were deemed unstable near the Hind Street wall and which were inconveniently extremely close to the building (there was some dispute about whether permission was needed to do this). More recent disappointing amendments include not now installing the biomass boiler, which was loudly trumpeted as showing Sainsbury’s ‘green’ credentials before planning permission was granted. Now it seems that green has reverted to orange. Also, the very latest amendments concern the listed brick wall in Hind Street car park. Sainsbury’s have now applied for permission to reduce that wall to a height of 2 feet only, which was not in the original specification. Discussions with a representative from Sainsbury’s said that there are visibility issues and also concerns about the stability of the wall. However, nothing has changed in terms of the wall in terms of visibility issues (it’s the same height now as it was when the original plan for the store car park was devised) and the problem of stability has probably only arisen because of the constant movement of Sainsbury’s large trucks right in front of it over the past few months. Have been waiting for a promised e-mail from Sainsbury’s with their thoughts but can wait no longer as need to send this Newsletter out.
However, all is not lost, there is an option of keeping the wall and strengthening it with buttresses. This matter will be discussed next week at the next meeting of the Planning Committee of the Ottery Town Council meeting in Tipton St. John Village Hall on Monday 11th July at 7.30pm where members of the public are welcome to attend and can speak for 3 minutes at the start of proceedings.

Green Communities Programme Update
The new energy-efficient lights bought with the Western Power grant and supplemented by Sustainable Ottery are to be installed in The Institute this month. This should result in lower electricity bills, especially in the autumn and winter months when the lights will be used more often.
If you need any help or advice on any energy matters, whether it’s energy efficiency measures for your home or work or if you’re considering installing any renewable scheme, then please get in touch with us at info@sustainableottery.org.uk or tel. 01404 811067. We can’t guarantee to know all the answers but we might just know someone who can help of we can’t.

African Drumming
The very popular and vibrant African drumming/percussion workshops continue on our doorstep in Ottery The next drumming workshop will be held on Saturday 9th July , 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. Note there will be no drumming in August but will return in September.

Community Market – Saturday 30th July
The next SO Community Market will take place on Sat 30th July 9.30 am – 12.30pm in The Institute, Yonder St.
Stalls selling locally produced, organic fruit and vegetables, free-range eggs and egg products, a huge selection of preserves and chutneys, apple juice and home-baked goods will fill the Institute in Ottery. All this food is produced within 5 miles of the town! For the gaps in the garden there will be plenty of plants to chose from. And don't forget there is always a wide range of home made cards and interesting presents to choose from.
After shopping, the WI ladies invite visitors to stop by their table “for a refreshing cuppa and a delicious cake to set you up for the rest of the day”.
Share Cars, Share Costs!
If you are unable to walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work then how about car-sharing? Do you travel the same route to work everyday in a car on your own? Would you like to reduce your fuel costs and the wear and tear on your car? Why not let www.carsharedevon.com help you?
Carsharedevon is a free matching service which puts people travelling in the same direction or to a similar destination in contact with each other. This allows them to share the journey and the costs, either taking turns with the driving, or giving someone a lift in exchange for a contribution to fuel.
The scheme is free and open to non-drivers. Simply register your details on the website at www.carsharedevon.com and the data base will automatically identify possible matches. It is then up to you to contact the travelling companions you choose, via email, and arrange to meet at a convenient location. Remember to bring identification with you.
More than 8000 people in Devon have already chosen to join up to www.carsharedevon.com and the scheme is particularly useful in rural areas with limited bus services.
To register for free, go to www.carsharedevon.com or for more details please contact Lesley Smith,TravelWise Officer, Devon County Council

Community Orchard / More Allotments?
Currently, Justin Pollard, a research student at Exeter University is working with local transition groups in East Devon and Exeter He is keen to explore the idea of a community orchard, allotments or growing space in Ottery. He is successfully investigating this with the other groups too. If this is something that you might like to get involved in either as a grower, investor or land supplier(!) then please contact Justin on justin@sustainableottery.org.uk

Local Jobs
As you realise, Sustainable Ottery is all about keeping things as local as possible. To this end you might be interested in the following local jobs (mostly in Ottery) that have come to our attention. However, you must visit www.devonjobs.gov.uk for more details and how to apply or ring First Stop Desk on 01392 383034. If they are not applicable to yourself then maybe you could pass the information on to others. Thanks.

Support Worker (temporary) - Busy Otters Pre-School Playgroup
  Salary details: Meets National Minimum Wage. 9 hours per week
  Closing date:15 July 2011

Mealtime Assistant - Tipton St John C of E (VA) Primary School
  Salary details:£6.47 per hour. Hours:3 hours per week (12pm - 1pm, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday), term time.
  Closing date: 08 July 2011. Interview date:15 July 2011

Social Work Transcription Assistants(4 posts)
  £12,787 - £14,733 (pro rata for part time). Posts 1 - 3: 37 hours per week, Post 4: 33.3 hours per week.
  Posts 1 - 2: George Street, Exeter, Posts 3 - 4: St Saviours, Ottery St Mary
  Closing date: 15 July 2011 Job Ref: HRC3730

Social Work Resource Assistant
  £15,039 - £16,830 pro rata. 18.5 hours per week. (Job Share). St Saviours, Ottery St Mary
  Closing date: 15 July 2011 Job Ref: HRC3729

Administration Assistant for LINk Devon
  £15,987 per annum pro rata. 16 hours per week. Based in Ottery St Mary
  An application pack is available from EDVSA on 01404 549045.
  Closing date: 22 July 2011. Interview Date: 4 August 2011
  Charity number 1134611. Company number 7035905

Administrator - Busy Otters Pre-School Playgroup
  Salary details:£6.50 - £7.00 per hour. Hours:5 hours per week, term time only
  Based at:Busy Otters Pre-school Playgroup, Longdogs Lane, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX11 1HD
  Closing date:15 July 2011.Interview date:w/c 18 July 2011

Creative Arts and Media Technician - Honiton Community College
  Salary details:£6,382 - £7,142. Hours:18.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per annum
  (term time plus one week)
  Closing date:11 July 2011. Interview date:w/c 18 July 2011

Rotary Raffle
Sustainable Ottery will again be taking part in the Rotary Club’s raffle over the next few months. Please help us by buying these at the Community Market or any other events that Sustainable Ottery take part in. Thank you.

Other Events in the Area
Whimple Village Fair Saturday 16th July 12md – 5pm.
 For the first time Whimple will be holding it’s annual village fair on the Parish Field. The Fair will open with a one mile family fun run at 12md – starting and finishing on the field – Why not have a go, register on the day from 11am, £2 per adult, £1 older children and those under 9 free.
Come and have lunch; BBQ, cream teas, beer tent, waffles and ice-creams will be available while you browse the many stalls offering a wide variety of goods and crafts. Relax and watch the taekwondo and cycling or listen to the drumming, see the scouts build a rope bridge or gaze enviously at the vintage cars.
 Children too will have fun; we have a bouncy castle, sumo wrestling, coconut shy, bobbing apples, tug of war, wellie throwing and much more. Look out for the signs to parking.

Coastal Change - Thursday 21 July at Kennaway House, Sidmouth,
Ever wondered about how the changing coast may affect you, your community or your business? If so, come and browse our exhibition, watch a presentation and find out more about coastal change on the Jurassic Coast. Exhibition: 10am-8pm. Presentations at 1pm and 6pm.
Come along to the exhibitions to find out more about how coastal erosion may affect your community, who makes management decisions on the coast and how coastal management is funded. Take a look at how your coast may look in 20, 50 and 100 years and explore some of the ideas which communities themselves have come up with to adapt to change. Tea and biscuits will be served and everyone is welcome! To find out more about the Jurassic Coast Pathfinder Project, visit: www.jurassiccoast.com/pathfinder or contact the project team on 01305 225515.

SUSTAINABLE OTTERY’S NEXT STEERING GROUP MEETING -
7.30 P.M. THURSDAY 21st JULY 2011 OTTERY ST. MARY TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES. ALL WELCOME!

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See www.sustainableottery.org.uk for further details of our events and activities.
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Supporting the work of Sustainable Ottery as described on the website
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