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RCCG Meeting 29th January 2008. Present: Nuala Middlehurst, Linda Hemsley, Olive Ellis, Ben Hughes, Lesley Banks, Will Lewis. Apologies: Thomas Jackson, Tom Middlehurst, Steve Haigh, Pat Myers, Dorothy McCarthy. Linda will attend the two meetings concerned with redevelopment of The Valley Centre on Feb 6th at 13.00 and later at 18.30.If she is allowed to address the meeting(s) she will put the case for renewable technology and energy to be incorporated into the design of the building of the centre. This will cut costs for residents and provide an incentive for businesses to trade there. Thanks to Linda who has had to use several days of her holiday entitlement to attend this meeting and previous cancelled meetings. We read letters written by Linda and Dorothy which addressed this issue. Figures for recouping costs seem inaccurate and energy costs will rise over the years. Tom Jackson has set up a series of talks at Alder Grange Community School. February to August, provisionally will include the following subjects 1) Transition Towns 2) Food and Nutrition 3) Horticulture: Growing your own food 4) What Individuals can do to combat Climate Change 5) Aspects of coping with Climate Change 6) Aviation and Motor Transport 7) Who killed the Electric Car? Ben Hughes will give the first talk on Transition Towns at Alder Grange on Tues 26th Feb. at 7.30pm. The group discussed leaflets and information to be made available at the venue for anyone who may be interested Linda pointed out that Totnes had the advantage of locally produced food and no nearby Supermarkets. However the concept that ordinary people can improve their own town is encouraging and interesting. Will had information about the grants available from Rossendale Borough Council. They can be applied for by Community Groups engaged in awareness raising about action on Climate Change. The first date for application is 31st January. May 31st and October 30th are the two dates remaining this year. RCCG could apply for funding and match this funding (a requirement of the grant) with time and money spent on meetings, leaflets, awareness raising, advertising etc. Ben spoke about the complex nature of the forms and requested that more than one member help in this task. Ben also undertook to update the RCCG news on the Evening telegraph website. Members agreed to distribute information about forthcoming talks to local libraries, businesses etc. It was suggested that information about Warm Front Grants for new boilers, insulation etc. could be given out at the talks as these have a low up take, also giving out low energy light bulbs is a possibility, Will will contact the supplier. Any Other Business. The Whitworth Community venture was mentioned as a project that could be supported by RCCG. The possibility of some members attending a debate organized by Friends of the Earth and scheduled to take place in Manchester in the summer was also discussed. Will told the group that the Nissan Company has bought second hand turbines from Demark which are 80% efficient; obviously there are opportunities to make green technology work with the right knowledge rather than dismissing it as impractical. The subject of the disposal of old computers was raised. They must be disposed of by proper disposal companies (the hard drive must be removed and smashed to avoid improper/criminal use of stored information). Linda mentioned a book ‘Apocalypse Now’ by Vernon Cole which forecasts an energy crisis by 2012 – 2014. Information on the use of Powerdowns to save energy costs is available on www.energysavingstrust.org.uk. Powerdowns switch off electrical equipment left on standby. Olive raised the serious problem of the damage to the moorland at the Scout Moor windfarm site.. This is not only caused by the actual construction teams but by the use of the area by the use of motorcycles. Off roaders take advantage of the accessibility now provided by the Development and use the area with no regard for walkers or cyclists or the natural habitat. Protests and police are ignored. Next Meeting Tues 26th February at 7pm prior to talk at 7.30pm |
