Wiltshire Council is offering a grant for loft and cavity wall insulation, to keep your home warmer and save on heating bills and carbon emissions.
Residents may be able to have the work done for free if they fall into one of these categories:

• Householders over 60 years old.
• Households whose total income is less than œ16,000 per year gross
• Families with children under 16 with an income below œ22,000 per year gross
• Households with an income of below œ30,000 per year gross where a member has been made redundant, lost overtime or taken lower paid work.
• In receipt of benefits

But everyone is entitled to at least a partial grant.

Home owners and private tenants are eligible to apply. Residents of flats are also able to apply provided all in the block are in agreement.

All grant offers are subject to survey, as the grant covers a maximum area of loft or wall, and has a maximum value of œ200 per insulation type.

To register for the scheme, please tel: 0800 512 012 or go to: www.warmandwell.co.uk

Please publicise this scheme to friends and neighbours and other members of your community. Leaflets are available from the Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Officer, Rachel Ross; tel: 01722 434349 or email rachel.ross@wiltshire.gov.uk

The aim is to provide reliable and useful information in small supportive groups for people who are concerned about climate change to help them examine ways in which they might reduce their carbon footprint.

This is what a participant on the first Salisbury course had to say-  ”Most inspiring was sharing curiosity, discovering information from each other and then  encouraging others to make changes -and receive support to make ones own changes.  It was the ‘togetherness’ that made all sessions so valuable”.

The course consists of six two hour sessions, which take place once a fortnight, on home energy, travel and transport, food and water and consumption and waste.

It is based on a course handbook, which is packed with useful information.   Methods consist of exercises in pairs, group discussion, board games, short talks and practical tasks based on participants’ own lifestyle.

  For further information go to:

  www.cambridgecarbonfootprint.org.uk/action/carbon- conversations

  For information about courses in Salisbury email: southwiltsaction21@gmail.com

A power station on the roof

Find out all about it; from fitting solar thermal panels to photovoltaics for power generation. 

What does it cost, what are Feed-in tariffs (FITs), how much power can I generate and what is the pay-back time?  This is the story of one Salisbury couple’s personal experience.

“It was a long and dark December, from the rooftops I remember there was snow, white snow………”

Yes (with apologies to Coldplay), when it snowed, the sun could not penetrate the thick white layer until Jimmy wielded a long-handled brush and removed it!  From dark and dismal December when solar generation was at the annual minimum of 35 units for the month (see graph below) we seem to have turned the corner of winter and January has been much brighter.   However the potential for winter generation when the weather is clear and sunny was demonstrated by the only 3 dawn to dusk sunny days in December when we generated 5 units on each day and Sunday 30^th January when 6 units were produced.

We took our first steps into harnessing the sun’s power by installing 3 panels to provide hot water in  summer 2005.  Since then we have not used any gas for water heating in the summer months and it provides a useful supplement even in the winter when the water temperature often gets to over 40°C on a sunny day.  Taking it one stage further, we had solar photovoltaic (PV) panels fitted to the roof in late January 2010 and so have recently completed the first year of electricity generation.  We took the decision in late 2009 when grants of up to £2500 were still available and obtained 3 quotes for the installation, all of which were within £100 of each other, giving us confidence that we would be paying the going rate, and chose Ecofirst (www.ecofirst.net), a company based in Yeovil, to do the job.  We have a semi-detached 4-bedroomed 1950s house with a large roof area facing south in the ideal position and angle to get the maximum benefit from the sun. Installation took 3 days and commissioning another few hours on another day and then we were off.  

The system has 9 roof panels, an AC/DC inverter in the loft and a generation meter in the understairs cupboard where the electricity and gas meters are also housed.  (Technical details at the end for those who are interested).  The wiring was fitted neatly down a wall and skirting board in white trunking.  Scaffolding was necessary as the house has 2 storeys.    

Pre-installation with 3 solar thermal panels

Completed-3 solar thermal and 9 PV panels

The introduction of Feed-In Tariff (FIT) payments in April 2010 as well as the grant of £2500 has made it very cost effective even though the initial outlay of just over £10k seemed a lot of money to pay out.  FIT payments of 41.3p per kWh (1kWh=1 unit) plus an extra 3p for exported units are more generous than anticipated when the payback time for our system was estimated.  Up to early December  we had received £617 and will receive approximately another £35 for the remaining months.  Since the FIT was only available from April 2010 this is not as much as we would receive in a full year which would be over £700 for the total generated this year.  This represents a tax free return on the initial investment of almost 7% per year, and the payback time is likely to be about 14 years.  However, this excludes the reduction in electricity usage when running appliances while the system is generating, the grant we received and the annual increase in FIT so the actual payback time for us might be less than 10 years.  The FIT is guaranteed for 25 years and from April 2011 the rate will increase in line with inflation, but the initial rate for new systems installed after 1^st April 2012 will decrease, and in subsequent years decrease further so the time to get started is now! On a sunny day, we find that the system will support the use of most appliances in use during the day (fridge/freezer, computer, battery/phone/ipod/toothbrush charging) as well as those drawing a heavier current (washing machine and  dishwasher, but not at the same time).  Things that create a lot of heat like kettles, irons and hair dryers draw too much current to be completely run on solar but it contributes to the total used.  A slow cooker allows you to cook an evening meal while generating.  Any units generated that we don’t use get exported to the National Grid.  It’s much more efficient to use the electricity generated on site if possible so where possible we wait for a sunny day to do the washing and dishwashing. In the summer months, if our solar thermal panels haven’t warmed the water enough during the day, we top up with an immersion heater before the PV panels stop generating.  It’s too early to quantify how much electricity we have saved as our meter was replaced in October.  When we have more information on this we will update this article.

For full calendar of events click on ‘Come to our Events and Meetings’ in the lefthand  column.

To download a poster go to www.salisburyfairtrade.org.uk

 The award was presented by Araine Crampton at the Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony on Friday 11th February. Ariane is Climate Change Officer at the Green Business Awards sponsor Wiltshire Council. Others on the South Wilts Agenda21 panel of judges were Ken Taylor, retired Shell general manager, and Guy Beards, Lecturer in health, safety & environmental management, and Environmental management coordinator, at Wiltshire College.

Read Ariane Crampton’s speach in full here..

Addressing the local business community, Ms Crampton said:

Wiltshire Council is delighted to sponsor the green business award again this year.

We have been championing sustainability by signing up to the 10:10 campaign, committing to reduce our carbon footprint by 20% within 4 years, and putting in place an Energy Management System supported by an ECO team who can make it all happen.

We recognise we have a leadership role to play in the low carbon transition and we want to work with businesses to make Wiltshire a low carbon county.

I am convinced that being green makes good business sense:

• in times of rising fuel and energy costs, many businesses are seizing the opportunities for resource efficiency
• in the current economic climate, smart businesses also recognise that being green gives them a competitive edge with customers
• Finally, the shift to a low carbon economy also gives us the chance to develop green skills locally.

This award recognises businesses who have already shown their commitment to becoming more sustainable by:

• Firstly – reducing their carbon emissions and waste, and influencing suppliers;
• Secondly – improving links with their local community and involvement of their workforce;
• And finally – by demonstrating that environmental initiatives benefit the business and are economically sustainable.

I’d like to compliment all the entrants. But five entries isn’t many, looking at the numbers here tonight. As businesses, it’s time to step up to the green agenda!

Here’s a quote from Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency:

“The tough economic climate means some companies will resist environmental investment but it is the companies who continue to put the environment at the heart of their business that will best survive the hard times”

Both leading contenders for this award were able to demonstrate their commitment, with green strategies and measurement of progress. But the winners impressed the judges most by their personal passion and ‘green leadership’ of a small enterprise.

The winner’s passion came across in many ways — for example in their approach to the supply chain. They demonstrated that they prefer green suppliers, and lead clients not to use mainstream products or the cheapest product if something better is available, even if there is a cost premium. Their end result is of higher quality and their customers are more satisfied.

Lapvent has demonstrated that it is committed to marketing a green product and is

just starting out on its environmental journey.

Wilts and Dorset are very close runners up.

I am delighted to announce that the winner is WS Wyatt.

 Photovoltaics, Bikeabiltiy, School vegetable gardens, Fairtrade Diocese, community orchards and more……

Read about them and how we plan to build on these in 2011.

                                              1. Local people take up new Clean Energy cash- back scheme & feed-in tariffs for PV solar panels.

Anyone planning to take this up needs to act sooner rather than later to get the full benefit, the rate will fall year on year from April 2012.  If sufficient numbers install PV in one area a discount can be earned.

 Watch this space for full details of one couple’s experience of going solar – coming shortly. 

 2011 – aim to get 100 local clean energy generators and earn a discount.

 2. Wiltshire Council.  Wiltshire signed up to 10:10, a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.   What they say: “Over the course of the next two years, we will develop and implement a climate change action plan.  The action plan will address energy reduction across all areas of the wider community and our own estate.”

2011 – ensure a greater level of commitment through the developing Parish Plans.

 3. Say No to Plastic Bags WE DID!  SCRAP’s shop survey in the city  found that most retailers are interested in reducing their plastic bag use by asking customers if they need a bag rather than automatically giving them one, using biodegradable bags or charging for bags.

2011 -The environmental concern is evident; can we translate this into a strong commitment to make Salisbury PBF?

4. Fairtrade Diocese.  In April 2010 the Diocese of Salisbury was recognised as a Fairtrade Diocese, marking the commitment of over half of parishes in the Diocese to using and promoting Fairtrade products.

 2011- can we persuade Wiltshire to become a Fairtrade County?

5. River Bourne Community Farm goes from strength to strength with sustainable, traditional farming on our doorstep and extensive community involvement.

2011- add to Salisbury’s network of natural green spaces and wildlife corridors.  Set up a Salisbury Greenspace Alliance to co-ordinate management for the benefit of wildlife and people.

6. Local Food.  Growing interest in allotments, community gardens and orchards.  River Bourne Community Farm sells eggs and meat from the farm, Martin Future Farms opens a shop in the village, Tisbury Community Allotment makes a profit, and Downton holds an Apple Day.

 2011- Community Orchards to be planted in Salisbury’s Parks, firstly in Fisherton and Bishopdown.  If successful these will be followed by other areas throughout the city.

7. Cycling.  100s of children in Salisbury and the surrounding area receive level 3 Bikeability training.

 2011 -  achieve first steps towards Connect 2 cycle link between Wilton and Alderbury. 

8. Schools.  More schools develop outdoor classrooms with ponds, native hedges, wildflower meadows and vegetable gardens.  Children grow their own vegetables, learn about composting and harvest their produce for school dinners.

2011- increase the number of Eco-schools in South Wiltshire, acheive more  safe routes to school for walking and cycling and encourage energy saving through the WC Climate Change Schools officer.

9. Launch of Green Café and Green Drinks. This initiative, started in October, has brought more of those interested in ‘green’ issues together for informal discussion.  Go to ‘Events and Meetings’ for future dates.

10.  Membership.  SWA21 membership reached 100 individuals and organisations.

2011 –aim to attract more young people.

If you know of other good things that have, or are happening why not send them in via our contact address.  They can then be posted on the website and more people can hear about them.

Talk inspires … and sets some homework!

River Bourne Community Farm - the vision

Ben Parker, from River Bourne Community Farm in Salisbury and Nick Snelgar, from Future Farms Co-operative at Martin both spoke at our recent ‘Local Food and Farming’ meeting.   Ben spoke of his vision for a community based project to re-create a working farm, such as those of the 1950s/1960s.   The farm is readily accessible to local schools and provides a ‘hands on’ educational experience for local children.  

Nick talked about the ‘Future Farm’ project in Martin, where local households are involved in growing their own food.  This project started some 7 years ago, with the aim of producing as much food as possible locally and raising people’s awareness of the source of their food.  For those whose appetite had been whetted by his talk …

… Nick has suggested the following homework:

Colin Tudge – ‘Feeding people is Easy’

Graham Harvey – ‘The Carbon Fields : How our Countryside can save Britain’

Bee Wilson – ‘Swindled: from poison sweets to counterfeit coffee – the dark history of the food cheats’

Felicity Lawrence – ‘Not on the Label’.

Wiltshire Council are currently consulting on proposed changes to their waste collection service which will see alternate weekly rubbish collections introduced across the county.

Evidence from other councils has shown that, where alternate weekly collections are introduced – recycleable material one week, residual waste the next – recycling rates have improved.  For this reason, South Wiltshire Agenda 21 are supporting the proposed changes. 

To find out more and take part in this consultation visit http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm

Climate Change – should we be worried?

SCCAP meeting 21.6.2010

The next full meeting of the Salisbury City Community Area Partnership – which will also be the AGM for the Partnership – takes Climate Change as its theme.

The meeting will be held at the newly refurbished Quaker Meeting House on Wilton Road on Monday 21st June, 7 – 9 pm.

There will be speakers from Wiltshire Council and South Wiltshire Agenda 21 as well as displays and information.

Admission free – all welcome

We also encourage member groups and individuals to submit their own responses and make sure their voice is heard.  We welcome contributions towards our group responses to ensure that we represent the views of the membership.  Wiltshire Council consultations are accessible from their website at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm

Below are some examples of our recent responses.

• Hampton Park Development

• Waste Site Allocations

• Salisbury Our Place in the Future! (Part 1)

• Salisbury Our Place in the Future! (Part 2)

• Comment on the Strategic Plan for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

• South Wilts Core Strategy