Equipment, Donations and Volunteers needed by Trafford Mill Restoration Project

A group of volunteers have been busily beavering away over the last 18 months on a project aimed at restoring the historic watermill at Mickle Trafford, parts of which are thought might date back to 1302. when a mill on this stretch of the Gowy was first recorded.

The group's goal is to bring the mill back into use and develop it into a community centre where traditional crafts and skills such as forged metal work, cabinet making, wood and metal turning, joinery, leather work, hedge laying, charcoal making, dry stone walling, lime mortaring, cobbling, food growing and other ancient skills can be revived.

Until recently the mill restoration volunteers - known as 'The Friends of Trafford Mill' - have been working alongside 'The Commu

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@ashtonhayesCEC tweets provoke response to BT inaction

The twitter campaign about our ongoing telephone problems, led by Ashton Hayes Community Energy Company CEC @ashtonhayesCEC, has got a response. See the conversation below. Maybe something will happen?

Read Kate Harrison's interview in The Guardian

The Guardian newspaper has featured an interview with Kate about the Going Carbon Neutral Project in its 'Live Better Challenge' section. Read the full article here.

Good turnout for Earth Hour in Ashton Hayes

The lights went out in Ashton Hayes on 29 March to celebrate Earth Hour - suppoting the world's attempt to highlight the importance of climate change. People of all ages turned out for the 'Get Glo-ing' walk around the recreation field and were also treated to hot chocolate, courtesy of the community shop. Thanks to everyone involved in organising the event, including CWAC who installed LED lighting along the main road in time for the event. These lights use around 80% less energy but are better than the old sodium lights - and they can be turned on and off remotely.

See Kate's energy measurements

Kate Harrison is a finalist in the Observer Ethical Awards Great Energy Race and is doing her best to reduce her energy with gizmos and gadgets provided by B&Q, who are supporting the Race. She has done an analysis of how much energy she uses around her house and sent us this amazing table.