Ashton Hayes Community Energy AGM in March 2020

The Annual General Meeting of our community energy company (Ashton Hayes Community Energy C.I.C.) was held on Thursday 12th March at 19.30 in the Parish Rooms. Company Chair, Professor Roy Alexander, ran the meeting with support from the board directors. The organisation's objectives are to develop, install, manage, operate, generate, transmit and provide the supply of energy from renewable energy sources. And to promote awareness of environmental issues, renewable energy and energy efficiency. The current directors (volunteers) are:-

•Roy Alexander (Hon. Chair)
•Garry Charnock
•Kate Harrison (Hon. Secretary)
•Maria Lindley
•Richard Stradling
•David Wilson (Hon. Treasurer)
•Lauren Colville (from March, 2020)
•Andy Pennick (from March, 2020)

A PowerPoint presentation was given by Roy and can be downloaded here.

Anyone interested in understanding more about the 15 year history of the project can view a video of Garry’s presentation at the 2019 ACRE conference on 26th November 2019 on this link https://youtu.be/sbzNPz_sLcw 

Presentation to SWANC and Extinction Rebellion groups in Galloway

20 February 2020: Garry Charnock presented the 15-year history of Ashton Hayes GCN project to an audience of about 40 people in Castle Douglas, Galloway. Several groups have declared an Exctinction Rebellion in the area and were keen to understand how we motivated the village residents.

Inspiring water industry leaders in Bristol

12 July 2019: The Institue of Water invited leaders of the UK water industry to hear about community engagement on climate change in Ashton Hayes. Garry Charnock spoke to an audience of about 50 people at the amazing SS Great Britain conference centre and then joined everyone later for a formal dinner on board the ship. 

Inspiring words encourage Natalie to cycle

Yesterday we had a lovely email from Natalie describing how our media coverage yesterday had inspired her into 'carbon neutral action'. Natalie has kindly allowed us to share her story...

"

Just wanted to share with you my morning thought processes. 

I had every intention of cycling to work this morning and was clad in my favourite lycra and Marmite top when Tom rings me to say that his train has been cancelled and can I take him to school. The bike is ready propped up against the garage and the panier is packed. It is 7:35 and he goes to school in Hartford. I leave Emily to fend for herself and dash out, annoyed that I will probably have to forgo my cycling treat even though I really know that the extra time it would take to shower and change at home and then drive round relentlessly in circles, looking for a parking space because it will be after 8:30, will probably more than match the increased journey time. It is also starting to rain!

And then, like a voice from heaven, you speak to me from the radio, espousing the benefits of small actions. So even though it was raining and 8:25 by the time I got home again, I cycled to work! And we are closer to becoming carbon neutral.

So thank you

Natalie"

Ashton Hayes featured on BBC Breakfast

The BBC Breakfast TV show came to Ashton Hayes this morning to report on our 13-year community effort to go carbon neutral. Interviews were broadcast live from the village and the pioneering work of the primary school was featured. The broadcast coincided with a news piece that highlighted the UK Parliament's Climate Emergency Declaration and a report that says the UK could be carbon neutral by 2050. 

Thanks to Prof. Roy Alexander (in brown jacket) and Richard Straddling (photos) who rose at dawn to give interiews and all the pupils and staff at the school. The community shop is also going to be covered, we are told.