Dear <<First Name>>
A Happy New Year to you and let's hope 2013 is the year our government really does demonstrate it's "greenest government ever" credentials - it's got a lot of ground to make up to achieve this. Look out for the new CFB website, going live any day now and there are plenty of events for you to come to, with films and interesting speakers.
January meeting - "Puzzled by Plastics?"
Monday, 21st January 7.30pm
Quaker Meeting House, Whiteheads Lane, BoA
Do you stand by your re-cycling bin puzzling over which plastic items to re-cycle and which to chuck? If so, our January meeting is for you. Cliff Carter from Hill's Waste will be coming along and, hopefully, making all clear so be ready with all your queries. This will be followed by a screening of the film 'Plastic Shores' which shows just why it is so important to dispose of plastic properly. This is a long film so we may not show it all on this occasion. All welcome and donations to cover costs gratefully received.
February meeting - Fracking
Monday, 18th February 7.30pm
Quaker Meeting House, Whiteheads Lane, BoA
Screening of the documentary "Gasland" which shows the impact of fracking in the USA. We will be joined by someone from FrackFreeSomerset who can help us with answering questions.
New CFB website
Our new website will be going live over the next few days, so do look out for it; the address will be exactly the same as before: www.climatefriendlybradfordonavon.co.uk. We are really grateful to Kim and Mark Samouelle who have worked incredibly hard over the past 12 months to set up and design the new site for us
Sustainable Food and Drink Group (SFADG) update
With world food prices high, this is a good time to be planning to grow some of our own for 2013. This website is full of useful information: www.bbc.co.uk/gardening
Only 58% of vegetables and 12% of the fruit eaten in the UK was grown here in 2011 (Defra). The SFADG 'Growing Your Own' section of the new CFB website will highlight the wide range of luscious fruits that can be grown in this country.
The RHS Britain in Bloom is targetting growth in fruit and veg growing for 2013 and has launched this year's Britain in Bloom programme with the bold vision that "streets across the UK will be lined with herbs and vegetables for years to come." Try these sites for more information: www.hortweek.com www.rhs.org.uk
And don't forget the Winsley & District Gardening Club talk about growing your own on Thursday 24th January, 7.30 p.m. in Winsley Village Hall.
Energy we can all afford? Question Time
Thursday 28th February, 7.30 - 9.30 p.m.
St Margaret's Hall, BoA
This promises to be an interesting meeting on this very important topic. There will be a panel of speakers, including Duncan Hames MP and Ed Matthews who works with the Energy bill Revolution team; they will be giving short presentations and then answering questions from the audience.
This will be one of a number of public meetings with MPs and others across the UK supported by a coalition of organisations engaged in fuel poverty and climate change issues and including the Energy Bill Revolution www.energybillrevolution.org, Friends of the Earth, Age UK, etc. The aim is to influence the energy bill at present passing through Parliament to ensure that the we can all afford the energy we really need without wrecking the planet. Do came along to ask questions and put your point of view..
Volunteers Wanted
CFB is organising an Eco Trade Fair in St Margaret's Hall on Saturday, March 16. We have a good number of firms bookd to come but will be looking for helpers on the day, particularly to help organise and serve refreshments. We already have one offer but it would be great to have a small group of four or five people to take this on.
On Thursday, February 28 we are also looking for two or three volunteers to help serve teas and coffees at our Energy We can All Afford Question Time Meeting, also in St Margaret's Hall.
If you could help with either of the above please email climatechampions@gmail.com or ring 07507 782523. It would be good to hear from you!
A Special Deal on Solar PV
Southern Solar are running a special offer PV system just for CFB members (that is any of you who are signed up for this newsletter and live in the BoA Community Area). It is for a fully installed, roof mounted system and is sized to be able to fit on most suitable roofs. It includes scaffold and assistance with FIT applications .... there is nothing else to pay. It’s just a small system as a taster but at a cost of just over £3,700, very good value and should anyone wish to increase the size/output then the returns will be even better. To find out more email Phil Nelms phil.nelms@southernsolar.co.uk or Jon Starks jon.starks@southernsolar.co.uk or ring 0117 953 9090.
Exhibition in London
If you're visiting London in the next few weeks you might be interested in this unique collaboration between Greenpeace, scientists and architects at the Architectural Association. You are invited to experience these temporary, exact scale replicas of Arctic ice floes.
When: 12 January – 9 February 2013
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm; Saturday 10am to 3pm
Where: Architectural Association, 36 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3ES
Details and directions of the venue.
Devizes Green Question Time
On Thursday 24th January 7.30pm, at Devizes Town Hall
Hosted by Pewsey Environmental Action Team and Sustainable Devizes.
Panel members: Claire Perry MP, Helen Taylor, Ecotricity Ambassador, Helen Browning, Chief Executive, Soil Association, Mark Fletcher, from the Green Party.
The event will be chaired by ffinlo Costain, environmental journalist and writer. If you would like to submit a question please e-mail ffinlo@ffinlo.org or ensure you hand it to an event organiser by 7.15pm on the night.
Inspiring renewable energy images
at Calne Library until 31st January
The 12 images are the winners and runners-up in a competition held last year by national Friends of the Earth as part of its Clean British Energy campaign. They represent the pick of over 600 entries from amateur and professional photographers across the UK. The inspiring photographs don’t just portray wind turbines and solar installations in new and interesting ways, but they show how renewables can help power homes, create jobs and bring communities together.
Arctic oil rig runs aground
By now you have probably heard of the Shell oil rig breaking loose in a storm and running aground on the coast of Alaska. This is another good reason why there should be no oil exploration in the Arctic. More information. Have you signed the Greenpeace petition against this? If not, you can do so on this website.
Wanted - for an interesting project
Bren Hodkinson is putting together a demonstration "energy bike" that shows the difference in (pedal) effort required to power an LED bulb v. an old fashioned incandescent bulb. In particular he needs some help from someone with electronics expertise as well as some bits and pieces, in particular:
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A 12V DC motor or alternator with around 100-500W rating (used car or scooter/motorbike parts would do);
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An inverter to convert 12V DC input to 230/240V AC output.
If you can help with any of this please e-mail us at climatechampions@gmail.com. Thank you.
Avoncliff Hydro Schemes
We'd like to draw your attention to the Environment Agency's notice concerning the "consultation" on the two competing hydro schemes at Avoncliff. Members of the public are invited to comment and have until 1st February to do this. CFB's position is very clear; we do not favour a particular scheme, we would simply like the Environment Agency to make a decision so this valuable hydro resource does not go to waste. You can see details on the EA's website:
Walkers are Welcome walks
Don't forget the first BoA Walkers are Welcome monthly walk on Tuesday 29th January, leaving 10.30 a.m. from the TIC. More information.
