DECC selects us to be one of 12 Low Carbon Communities

Ashton Hayes is one of 12 communities from across the UK celebrating after winning up to £500,000 each to help install new green technologies such as solar panels, hydro turbines and energy saving insulation.

The grant money, awarded through the Government’s Low Carbon Community Challenge, will be spent on a range of green measures which will cut carbon, save money on energy bills, and could even see some communities make cash from generating their own energy – thanks to the Government’s new clean energy scheme.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said:

“The huge enthusiasm for the Low Carbon Communities Challenge demonstrates that local people are passionate about building a low carbon future in the UK. Today’s winners will act as a test bed for green action, and show us all what a greener future looks like.

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Community shop open for business on Monday 25th January

The community shop officially takes over the premises at the village store this week. The shop will be closed for refurbishments from Thursday to Sunday (although Helen will still be providing Post office services, bread, milk and newspapers from the rear of the premises).

We hope you like the changes we are making. Please bear with us over the next few weeks as new suppliers are established and final display fittings are delivered.

Please come and visit your new store next week and tell us what you think! We are grateful for any suggestions you may have, or requests for items you think we should keep as this is your Community shop and its success is dependant on its use by Community members.

Remember - unless we use it we will loose it!

Lisa Allman
On Behalf of the Community Shop Steering Committee

Blacon wins Phase 1 LCCC funding, Ashton Hayes awaits Phase 2 decision

Congratulations to Ged Edwards and his team in Blacon for winning Phase 1 funding under the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Low Carbon Communities Challenge. We are disappointed that the Ashton Hayes microgrid and green vehicle plan failed to secure DECC funds but hope we can secure the finance in Phase 2 of the programme in 2010.

We are now planning our project strategy for the coming years and will be announcing some changes in the New Year after consultatation with our volunteers.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Swedish radio pays us a visit

Left to right: Rebecca Handley, Katy Byrne, Harry Partington and Katie Barker are interviewed about their views on the enviroment by Swedish Radio journalist Johan Prane, at Ashton Hayes Primary School. Johan also chatted in the Golden Lion to visitors from Scottish Power (below) and other residents about our plans for the future.

 

Innovation award for Cheshire's Low-Carbon Visionaries?

Cheshire’s 'Ginger Group' has been shortlisted for The Institute for Engineering and Technology (IET) 2009 Innovative Team Award [IET] for its work to develop “Vision 2050 – A Sustainable Future for Cheshire West and Chester” [V2050] document that sets out how local councils, businesses and communities can work together to reduce the County’s carbon footprint. The team has supported work in Ashton Hayes - read the full Press Release.