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Carbon reduction activities and actions in Herefordshire

Class captivated at Caplor Farm

Submitted by Averil on Mon, 03/06/2013 - 4:13pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

Children from St. James’ School in Herefordshire had fun learning about animals at Caplor Farm, last week. With numbers of farms dwindling and concerns over food production on the rise it is encouraging to see children gaining first-hand experience of a working farm.

Caplor Farm is a typical farm in many ways; it has pedigree Hereford cattle, chickens, arable crops but also boasts a range of renewable energy systems including a wind turbine, large solar PV system and a solar thermal system. Children gained an insight into why producing renewable energy is good for the planet, as well as a greater appreciation of where their food comes from.

Gareth Williams, Caplor Farm owner said “It was inspiring to see so many happy children enjoying the freedom of the farm and discovering more about animals. I hope Caplor has also been able to contribute to their understanding of how they can improve the environment”.

As well as encouraging schools to visit the farm, Caplor Farm holds a weekly open day every Friday between 2-4pm to enable individuals, businesses and local groups to better understand how renewable energy works and can provide sustainable benefits for all. For more information please see the website:www.caplor.co.uk

For further details please contact Mel Preedy on mel.p@caplor.co.uk or 01432 860644.

Volunteer Request from BTO

Submitted by Averil on Wed, 29/05/2013 - 10:38am
Brief description of the activity or action: 

Richard Knight of Rhayader by Nature has asked if anybody might be interested in taking on a BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) bird recording transect.  There are 2 transects on Hergest and one near Kinnerton. Each transect involves about 4.5 hours work/walk recording the birds that are seen; 2 x 1.5 hours in May and 1.5 hours in the autumn.

For more information please contact Sue Buckingham at: sue.buckingham@zen.co.uk.


Why ‘Good Business’ is good for business

Submitted by Averil on Wed, 29/05/2013 - 10:18am
Brief description of the activity or action: 

Businesses within the West Midlands recently heard about why they should consider more than just the bottom line. Speaking at Aston University Business School Caplor Energy MD, Gareth Williams, explained how taking responsibility for the impact on the environment and local community can create real benefits.

Mr Williams was asked to speak to businesses at the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 small businesses programme as he has consistently upheld a positive commitment to the ‘triple bottom’ within his business endeavors. Research repeatedly demonstrates that businesses which acknowledge social and environmental considerations can create benefits not just for the company but society at large.

A positive Corporate Social Responsibility message can create gains in reputation, customer base, employee behaviour and product value. This may be why the numbers of businesses taking action to reduce their impact on the environment by installing renewable energy systems has greatly increased. Gareth Williams stated “Protecting the future of the planet is a key focus for Caplor Energy, which is why we seek to inspire individuals, businesses and communities to invest in renewable energy”.

Also speaking at the event was Herefordshire businessman Richard Garnett, who commented “Sustainability is a source of commercial opportunity and profit as well as a moral imperative for any enterprise. Producing goods and services that can positively improve people’s lives and the environment can drive a local and national economy and should be at the centre of all modern business practice and valued as equal to generating a profit. Good businesses are sustainable businesses.”

Hay Festival Boosts Green Credentials

Submitted by Averil on Fri, 17/05/2013 - 4:03pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

Herefordshire-based solar installer Caplor Energy is helping this year’s Hay Festival go green by providing a bespoke solar thermal system that will heat the water for the catering units during the Festival, which starts on May 23rd.

This is the third year in a row where Caplor has installed the thermal unit at the Festival and will build on last year’s success of 100% of the demand for hot water being catered for by the thermal unit. The idea behind having the system in place is primarily to promote sustainable energy production to the general public in a real time situation. Caplor Energy hopes that the production of hot water using only the power of solar radiation will educate people about the benefits that can be had from a sustainable approach to generating energy.

Caplor Energy’s Operations Manager, Paul Hollingsworth, said: ‘Hay Festival is a prominent feature in the country’s events calendar and to be a sponsor and supporter is a privilege. It is fantastic to be able to help reduce the carbon footprint of such an event and to educate people at the same time.’

Hay Festival starts on 23rd May and runs to 2nd June in the centre of Hay-on-Wye, Powys. For further information on the festival visit: www.hayfestival.com or telephone the Box Office on 01497 822629.

For further details on Caplor Energy’s involvement, tel: 01432 860644  or email: john@caplor.co.uk.

WALKING CHALLENGE

Submitted by Averil on Sat, 20/04/2013 - 5:07pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 
15 April – 26 May 2013
Sign up today and get ready for a special six-week Walking Challenge kicking off on 15 April. Just by taking part you’ll get the chance to win £150 to spend on some fabulous new footwear in our free prize draw. Follow the link for more information www.herefordwalk.org
We'll be challenging everyone in Herefordshire to get walking and clock up the miles. If you’re feeling ambitious, why not see if you can clock up the most miles and top our challenge leader board?
Herefordshire Council are offering everyone that signs up a free water bottle to use when you are out and about. To get yours just make sure you add your address details when you sign up so we know where to post it.  Free pedometers and posters are also available.
If you would like any further information or additional resources (pedometers, posters or flyers) please contact either Tina Kilner or Kate Phipps at Herefordshire Council, tel: 01432 383871 or email: kphipps@herefordshire.gov.uk.

Herefordshire solar installer backs local manufacturing plant

Submitted by Averil on Fri, 29/03/2013 - 5:41pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

Herefordshire solar installer backs local manufacturing plant

Hereford-based solar installer Caplor Energy visited the Sharp solar panel manufacturing plant in Wrexham, North Wales early this week as part of the company’s strategy to look more locally for products and services.

The Japanese manufacturer well-known for its contribution to the electronics industry has been manufactured solar panels from the Wrexham base for almost 30 years. The base currently employs 500 people, making it an integral part to the UK solar scene. Caplor Energy has strengthened bonds in an effort to increase support for UK manufactured solar goods.

Caplor Energy Operations Coordinator, Chris Knapton said: ‘We have recognised the need for a concerted effort towards supporting local businesses and manufacturers. Purchasing products from a local source means that we are helping to provide more job opportunities and economic expansion’.

Sharps Wrexham base is open to members of the public by special arrangement. To arrange for a tour please call Caplor Energy on 01432 860644 or email: john@caplor.co.uk.

Cycle Hereford One-Off Irresistible Membership Renewal Offer!

Submitted by Averil on Sun, 24/03/2013 - 4:03pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

BECOME AN INDIVIDUAL AFFILIATED MEMBER OF CTC BY PAYING US £8 BEFORE BY MONDAY 25TH MARCH AND PAY NOTHING MORE TIL JULY 2013!

This year we've decided to reduce the sub to £6 for individual and £12 for household, in order to reduce financial barriers to membership and to encourage CH members to become Individual Affiliated Members of CTC which would cost an additional £16 a year per person.

The benefits of becoming a CTC IAM are very similar to becoming a full CTC member:

• FULL CTC £10m third party insurance

• An individual membership card providing access to a wide range of discounts and benefits in selected shops and CTC events (see CTC website for details, www.ctc.org.uk)

• A copy of the weekly e-newsletter, 'Cycleclips' (subject to a current email address)

CTC, the national cycling charity, has been protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists since 1878 and is funded through its membership fees and donations. CTC Adult Membership (18-65) is £41 for an individual and £66 for a family (two adults plus unlimited children living at the same address). Senior membership is £25 a year.

This year, exceptionally, CTC will waive our group affiliation fee of £60 IF we can get four of our members to become IAMs before 1st April.

Our group affiliation starts on the 9th of July. So there is an additional discount for Cycle Hereford members taking up this offer now: you can become an IAM for half price, £8, because the IAM will run for less than 6 months.

We are revising our subscription system to ensure that subscriptions to Cycle Hereford are in step with our group affiliation to CTC.

These means that we will contact you for annual renewal of both Cycle Hereford at the new fee, plus the IAM should you have taken up the offer, come June.

If you do not want to become an Individual Affiliated Member of CTC, you will need to renew your membership to Cycle Hereford for a 50% discount (£3 individual and £6 household).

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW

1. If you are not already a full member of CTC and would like to take up this offer of discounted CTC Individual Affiliated Membership and free membership to Cycle Hereford til July 2013, please pay Cycle Hereford £8 per person by Monday 25th March

OR

2. If you do not wish to become an IAM, please pay Cycle Hereford £3 or £6 (50% an individual or family subscription to the group.)

Payment by cheque: Make cheque payable to Cycle Hereford and post to Martin Gilleland at the address below.

Cash payment: contact Martin and he will arrange to collect the payment.

Martin Gilleland (Cycle Hereford Membership Secretary)
35 Muir Close
Hereford
HR2 7EX

Tel: 01432 353971 or
Mobile: 07508 387466
website: 
http://cyclehereford.org.uk/

Herefordshire Company makes Solar Panels Affordable for all

Submitted by Averil on Tue, 12/03/2013 - 7:02pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

Herefordshire-based solar installer Caplor Energy has this week launched a new finance package in partnership with Shawbrook Bank. It provides the option to make solar panels affordable for homeowners interested in installing a renewable energy system.

The new ‘Green Fund’ will provide 100% of the upfront costs to install a renewable energy system, allowing for the homeowner to earn money from the Government feed-in tariff incentive as well as reduce their energy bills. The fund enables the cost of the installation to be repaid over an extended period of time, giving homeowners flexibility and control over any outstanding balance.

Business Development Manager, Paul Hollingsworth, said: ‘Homeowners who previously have been unable to afford the installation costs of a renewable energy system now have the prospect of owning a system outright and generating additional income’

‘With energy costs rising by 30% in the last five years and likely to increase in the future, having a renewable system can help you take control of your energy bills and reduce the impacts felt from energy price hikes’.

 

The unsecured finance, which Caplor Energy will provide in partnership with Shawbrook Bank, is available between three and 15 years and for amounts between £1,000 and £50,000. For further details telephone please call 01432 860644.

LOCAL PLAN CONSULTATION STARTS 4TH MARCH, BUT YOU CAN GET A PREVIEW NOW...

Submitted by kate on Mon, 25/02/2013 - 1:09pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

The next and final consultation on the Local Development Framework ‹henceforth the 'Local Plan' ‹will go live on Monday 4th March. The consultation will close on the 22nd of April. There will be a Cabinet meeting to sign off the consultation draft on Wednesday 27th at 9am at Brockington. Therefore you can get an early look at the Plan. Click here for more details.

The consultation draft and consultation programme, and preliminary draft Community Infrastructure Levy charging schedule (also going out to consultation on 4 March) can be found in various forms on the web page. This is probably the best link here. If you are interested in Hereford City and or Ross, there are some supplementary pages posted on the same link.  

There appear to be some major improvements ‹ for example around rural housing policy. But other major problems also remain, including lag in the evidence base and, alas, the justification for road-building.

QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL, DEADLINE MONDAY 25TH FEBRUARY MID-DAY The deadline for submitting questions for the next Council meeting is Monday 25th, noon.

CALL FOR LOCAL PLAN POLICY CONTRIBUTIONS This consultation is the last opportunity to amend or add policies before the Examination in Public in autumn 2013. A list of all the policies in the draft plan is attached. If you have ideas or strong feelings on any of these areas please be sure you make them known during the consultation. 

INTERIM LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN CONSULTATION RESULTS If you contributed to this consultation last year, thanks and well done! Although it is only a two year plan, it could help un-lock demand for sustainable transport. There will be major emphasis on active travel, including investment in cycling in Hereford and a plan for integrating public transport to limit the damage from the cuts and boost passenger levels. Unsurprisingly the road schemes remain, to be revisited in the Local Plan Consultation.   

From SURE Herefordshire Sustainability and Resilience for Herefordshire

New Room Hire at Castle Green

Submitted by Averil on Mon, 18/02/2013 - 6:06pm
Brief description of the activity or action: 

"Friends of Castle Green" are now managing the Castle Green Pavilion building and are committed to a community-led development process.

There are several rooms available for hire in this central and scenic city location.

Further details, including costs, are available by downloading the document below.

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