End of decade survey begins 13 May

The Going Carbon Neutral Project is 10 years old this year and to mark the occasion the University of Chester has engaged 8 student volunteers to undertake another carbon footprint survey of the village. The students will arrive on 13 May and issue notices to all residents. As with previous surveys, you will be able to indicate whether you do/don't wish to take part.

This year we the students will be asking a few extra questions about sustainable living in Ashton Hayes. We appreciate your input. During the coming year we also hope to carry out video interviews with people who have lived here for the past decade and who feel able to comment on the impact of the various initiatives such as the Carbon Neutral Project, Community Shop and Community Energy Company.

More soon on this from the students.

Earth Hour celebrated in Ashton Hayes

Thanks to all the families who came to celebrate the Ashton Hayes Earth Hour on 28 March. Our new LED street lights also went off to mark the event - thanks to CWAC for coordinating the switch off.

DECC releases Community Energy Strategy Update

DECC has produced an update to the Community Energy Strategy

This is a 2015 Update to the first ever Community Energy Strategy in 2014 published by a UK government. It sets out how the Government has begun a rolling programme of action of action to address the barriers to community energy deployment, and has introduced new policies and programmes as well as improving existing ones. The Government is helping to create the right conditions for community energy to grow by providing a secure foundation, a clear pathway to success, and fostering innovation.  It also includes our responses to the Planning, Grid and Hydro Working Groups outlining what we are taking forward.
 
Announcements include:
·        Almost £1 million to develop a best practice local authority community energy programme
·        £1.3 million for the Big Energy Saving Network
·        Commissioning of new research to build on our community energy evidence base
·        Creation of a new Community Energy Efficiency Working Group
·        Funding 17 Community Energy Savings Competition projects, above our original commitment of funding 5 projects
·        Introducing a new innovation programme on solid wall insulation to help skill up community energy groups during the installation process

Pilot light test on woodland walk to Mouldsworth

The PC has been trying to get a new lighting system along the woodland part of the footpath towards Mouldsworth. It may take us some time to get a wired system installed so for safety we are trying out these motion activated LED lights. We hope this will make this short walk safer at night. Please let us know if you find a problem with these.

Earth Hour - 28 March at the Recreation Field

Hi everyone, we shall be swithing off the new LED street lights and having fun on the field between 8.30-9.30 pm on 28 March to celebrate Earth Hour. This is when the world gets together to recognise the need to reduce energy use and tackle climate change. Everyone is welcome and we'll be giving the children glow sticks and walking round the field, as we did last year (see photo). We also hope that we shall have tea/coffee/hot chocolate on tap to keep us warm.