Ashton Hayes Parish Council
The Parish Council has adopted the Going Carbon Neutral Project as part of its Parish Plan which sets out our aims and aspirations for the village over the coming years. Parish Councillor, Garry Charnock, is the Going Carbon Neutral Project coordinator and is being supported by the entire council. Funding for the project launch is being provided by business sponsors but the Parish Council has set aside some small funds for future printing requirements.
The University of Chester
The University of Chester is made a long-term commitment to the project. It will provide the student manpower and expertise to carry out the baseline carbon emissions survey, starting 8th May 2006 for 6 weeks. The University will them provide a team of six work-based learning students (3 male, 3 female) for six weeks every year to measure our success in reducing and mitigating emissions.
At the outset, students will familiarise themselves with the aims of the project and with the relevant methods for the collection of baseline data. Guidance and training will be given. They will then work in male/female pairs to carry out the various tasks of data collection. Two pairs will conduct a door-to-door survey, completing an interviewer-administered questionnaire at each house. The third pair will carry out desk-based research into various aspects of carbon sources and sinks, conduct a biodiversity survey of the parish using ground survey, aerial photographs and satellite imagery, and also complete some vehicle counts in the village. They will be provided with appropriate identification and will wear clothing bearing the project and university logos. In the latter part of the project the students will collaborate to produce a report of their work and will also a make a presentation of their findings to the Parish Council and others in the village.
Some training for the project will be carried out in the Department of Geography and Development Studies, but for the bulk of the time the student group will be based in Ashton Hayes using the Parish Rooms and/or the Doctors’ surgery for their work. They will be travel to and from Ashton Hayes using sustainable forms of transport (rail to Mouldsworth; bicycle, or possibly in shared cars).
The Energy Saving Trust (Winsford Local Support Team)
The Local Support Team of the Energy Saving Trust, led by Eric Whitworth, has proved to be one of the driving forces behind the project, offering guidance and support and introducing the project team to key people in local government. The EST has also publicised our activities in its national newsletter and has introduced its schools liaison office to Ashton Hayes Primary School. As a result the school had done an energy audit in early 2006 and the EST is giving the children three special lessons in eco-issues.
The EST supported theJanuary 26th village forum, giving a short presentation and bringing exhibits relating to energy savings and renewable energy technologies.
Chester City Council
Ashton Hayes is working closely with Chester City Council, which has just signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, an agreement that commits the Council to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging community involvement in the process.
Cheshire County Council
Is providing advice on environmental and waste management issues and links to organisations working in the area of sustainable development. It is also examining the construction of a new and safe footpath that will link the village with Mouldsworth Station. The County Council has also pledged to put carbon neutrality at the centre of its thinking. See the latest information on sustainable contruction (1MB pdf)>>>
Ashton Hayes Primary School
Headmaster Robert Ford and the children and teachers are being assisted by the Energy Saving Trust's school liaision team to undertake and eco-survey of the school, plant trees and carry out home-based energy saving reviews. The school is now hoping to install solar thermal panels, a wind turbine and use biofuels in heating.
Ash-Worth Time Bank
The Time Bank is supporting the project through website publicity and through members who are hand delivering messages throughout the community on a regular basis.
Drs. Rowland, Taylor and Gleek
The Tarporley-based doctors are kindly allowing the University of Chester research students to use a room at their Ashton Hayes surgery as a base, while they are carrying out the 2006 survey from 8th May for six weeks. The use of the room is limited to out of surgery hours.
Ashton Hayes Website (Sylvia Milne)
Sylvia Milne runs the Ashton Hayes village website and was the first to provide web-based publicity to the project after its inception in November 2005.
Cred - Carbon Reduction (UEA-based)
The Cred group at the University of East Anglia is working closely with the Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral Project and The University of Chester to help us develop a emissions calculation methodology for the village. They are developing and testing software tools that other communities will also be able to use.
National Association of Local Councils
Nalc is helping to press release the project information to all the UK's local councils. This has encouraged useful feedback and ongoing dialogue.
UK Climate Impacts Programme
UKCIP is based at Oxford University and has contacted the Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral Project and The University of Chester offering support and software tools to help with emissions management.
The village of Chew Magna, near Bristol
Chew Magna adopted at zero-waste policy in 2005 and is working hard to become a sustainable community. They are keen to share ideas with Ashton Hayes and a meeting with their project leader is planned in Spring 2006. The community has also set up the 'Go Zero' campaign whereby it uses community derived funds to purchase lands and plant trees in less developed countries, such as India.
The Go Zero campaign is one of a number of initiatives started as a result of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Zero Waste Coffeehouse Challenge, which began in 2004. The campaign aims to raise awareness of issues of waste management and sustainable living and enable people to make a difference on a local level.
Bical Energy
Bical is one of the leaders in the successful development and production of Miscanthus (also known as Elephant Grass). Bical has invested a large amount of time and resources into developing many end uses for this crop, ranging from High value Equine Bedding, use in Composites and Bio-degradable Plastics and also as one of the most economical and renewable energy crops on the market to day.
Cheshire Furniture Forum helps people to recycle their furniture. They are making a website soon but for now can be contacted at their location or by email to Ged Edwards.
Blacon Community Trust, 4 Maitland Way,
Blacon,
Chester,
CH1 5QT
07961 077299 or
01244 390344.
(More information from ged.edwards@blueyonder.co.uk)
Solartwin, a local and award winning solar panel manufacturer is working with Ashton Hayes to examine the practicalities of installing solar panels at suitable sites. Solar Twin Ltd, 2nd Floor, 50 Watergate Street, Chester, CH1 2LA, UK
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