Do you have a leaky house? Are you losing valuable warm air? The winter may have been mild so far but now is the time to seal up those draughty doors and windows. Come and find out how at a free Draughtproofing Workshop at BedZED on Wednesday 11th January (6.30-9.00pm). Draughtproofing is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to save energy and you could cut your energy bills by up to 20%. There will also be a chance to see the Carbon Calculator Model House and try out the Energy Bike in the new One Planet Experience exhibition. Refreshments will be provided. To reserve a place contact Stephen: stephen.edwards@bioregional.com, tel. 020 8404 4896.
Neighbourhood Plan Takes Shape
29/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
Hackbridge & Beddington Corner Neighbourhood Planning Group held a visioning day on Saturday 19 November at All Saints Church. Around 35 people came along to build a framework for their very own Neighbourhood Plan. Fortunately the sun was shining for the morning session when everyone split into 5 groups, each going on a different walk around the area, taking photos to highlight key issues and trying to imagine how the area could be better. For instance, how to reduce the traffice and make Hackbridge pedestrian-friendly?
After a delicious shared lunch everyone was invited to join themed discussion groups to address the different issues raised in the morning. Themes included Transport, Utilities, Environment and Local Economy. After many productive conversations throughout the afternoon the most important points that came up were:
• Develop an easy-access energy programme;
• Sign up to a business sustainability charter;
• Build a district heating network under local control;
• Create a better pedestrian experience;
• Co-ordinate public transport services;
• Reduce cars and car use;
• Encourage the move from cars to walking and cycling;
• Improve green spaces and playspaces;
• Support community-friendly shops and cafés;
• Strengthen corridors for wildlife and people;
• Make/manage open spaces to be safer and more accessible;
• Champion wildlife gardening;
• Make better connections between estates and heritage;
• Stimulate new local businesses;
• Buy and source locally;
The next task is to develop this as a draft Neighbourhood Plan and build support for it across Hackbridge. See Hackbridge.net for more information or contact Helena, hellsbar@hotmail.com.
New Money New Livelihoods
11/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
Now that our global economy apprears to be in meltdown perhaps its time to get a fresh view and perspective on things. Transition Town Sutton are hosting a discussion this Sunday to look at how money works and what are the alternatives. Does Sutton need its own currency, as they have done in Brixton (pictured), Lewes and Totnes? Should we support credit unions instead of the banks? And what about Local Exchange Trading Systems? Helen Mason, from Croydon, Merton & Sutton Credit Union Limited will give a talk and there will be discussion, actions, home baked cakes and friendly chat.
Sunday 13th November 3-6pm at the All Saints Community Centre, New Road, Hackbridge CR4 4JN. This is a free event (optional donations towards costs).
Sutton Retrofit for the Future Project Wins Award
07/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
At last month’s Sustainable Housing awards held in London, BioRegional and partners’ (Sutton Housing Partnership, Sutton Council, Lakehouse and Parity Projects) won ‘sustainable smaller housing retrofit project of the year’ for their Retrofit for the Future project in Sutton.
Joanna Marshall Cook (bottom left of picture), Energy Project Manager at BioRegional said: “We are thrilled to have won this award. Getting retrofit right is really important for combating climate change, making our energy bills manageable and our homes more comfortable. In this project we are going a step further than most retrofits to also deal with the vital issue of behavior change – a measure that should be included in all retrofit initiatives”.
This project involves the retrofit of three social houses on the St Helier estate. House 1 is the control so had no renovation work carried out. House 2 incorporates a decent homes upgrade (boiler and loft insulation). House 3 is a full One Planet makeover, a deep energy retrofit using low impact building materials. All households are taking part in the behaviour change programme so ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ measures can be compared and those that achieve the best sustainability outcomes per pound spent can be identified.
The project is part of a national programme from the government’s Technology Strategy Board which is funding 87 low‐carbon social housing projects around the country.
You can find out more about the project on the Projects menu (Retrofitting page) as well as the blog site http://retrofit.oneplanetsutton.org.
Tree Pruning Workshop
02/11/2011 By Leave a Comment
As part of the One Planet Food project, environmental charity EcoLocal will be offering a Tree Pruning Workshop at Carshalton Community Allotment this Sunday 6 November from 10.30am to 3.00pm. Learn the art of remedial pruning and how you can get the most out of those old fruit trees in your garden. Cost £20. To book contact food@ecolocal.org.uk, 020 8770 6611
Rastamouse comes to Sutton!
24/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
Makin' a Bad Thing Good!… this Saturday 29 October is the finale of Black History Month Sutton and Rastamouse co-creator Michael de Souza will be hosting a storytelling session in Carshalton and Wallington. The sessions are free and suitable for the over 4’s.
10.30am-11.30am Circle Library, Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton SM5 1JJ
12.00 – 1.00pm Phoenix Library, Mollison Drive, Wallington SM6 9NZ
Then on Saturday night is the Black History Month Finale Event with drumming, crafts, African Caribbean food and more.
6.00pm to 10.00pm at Sutton Life Centre, Alcorn Close, Sutton, SM3 9PX .
See http://tinyurl.com/5rzdjxt for more details.
One Planet Experience opens
20/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
The new DEFRA funded exhibition at BedZED created by BioRegional is now open to the public. It tells the London 2012 story about creating the greenest Olympic and Paralympic games ever and also has multi-media, interactive displays to inspire visitors to save energy and reduce waste. Try out the Carbon Calculator House to see how you can reduce your energy bills, ride in the energy velodrome to see how many household appliances you can power and watch the videos to see exactly what happens to your recycled aluminium cans and glass bottles.
Opening times:
Wed-Fri 11.00am to 1.00pm, 2.00-4.00pm
1st Wednesday of every month 4.00-7.00pm
at BedZED Visitor Centre, 24 Helios Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM67BZ
For more information, contact stephen.edwards@bioregional.com 020 8404 4896
Smashing Pumpkins – Family Food Growing Fun at Half Term
12/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
The Beanstalk Project, run by EcoLocal, is a fun way for families and children to learn how to grow food with fun games and activities to take part in and free seeds given away. They will have some free sessions called Smashing Pumpkins this half term where you can learn about composting and try some tasty squashes. The sessions are on: Wed 26 Oct 10.30am-12pm; Fri 29 Oct 10.30am-12pm; Sun 30 Oct 1.30-3.00pm and will be at Carshalton Community Allotment, Westmead Allotment Site, Carshalton SM5 2PW. See http://bit.ly/mVlTeR for more information.
One Planet Experience exhibition launches at BedZED
10/10/2011 By Leave a Comment
David Weir MBE, the Paralympian gold medallist from Wallington, was guest of honour at last Thursday's launch of the Defra-funded One Planet Experience exhibition at BedZED. Before cutting the ribbon, he talked of the support he received from the London Borough of Sutton after winning his first ever wheelchair race using his regular wheelchair whilst all other contestants were using special racing chairs. Having won two medals at Athens in 2004, four medals at the Beijing Games in 2008 and winning the London Marathon five times, David was an inspiration to the 60 guests attending the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
Representatives of LOCOG, Defra and Sutton Council, along with local MP Tom Brake, were also there to celebrate One Planet Experience. The new exhibition tells the sustainability story of London 2012 and has an interactive, multimedia experience to inspire visitors to save energy at home and reduce waste. Here, you can find out how many appliances you can power in the energy velodrome, how much money you can save by turning off the lights in the Carbon Calculator House and how much food we waste on average each month.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 20 October.
For more information contact Stephen Edwards, 020 8404 4896.
Confused by legislation? Join us for breakfast and learn more
23/09/2011 By Leave a Comment
Navigating your way through environmental legislation can be tricky, especially with all the recent changes.
Please join the Hackbridge Green Business Network for breakfast at The Grange restaurant on Thursday 20th October 8-8:45am to find out more.
We are fortunate to have John Mitchell, head of Blake Lapthorn solicitors' Business Regulatory team, who will:
- Update you on changes to waste, water and packaging law
- Examine what the Carbon Reduction Commitment means to you
- Review future changes and advise on how to prepare your business for the future
Please RSVP to Ben or call 020 8404 4897
