So, you have a great idea to make your community more efficient in its energy usage, or want feed-in tariffs to benefit your parish hall or community building. But then comes that daunting prospect of putting ideas into practice. Don't depair, take hope (and hopefully inspiration) from others who have already embarked on the journey to a low-carbon future.
Here we introduce some local examples of sustainability in action, from around the county of Staffordshire. Perhaps you can learn from their experience, and begin to feel that you are part of a growing sustainability movement in Staffordshire.
Derrington Way Ahead
Location: Derrington, a village of about 900 people west of Stafford
Started: 2009
Low-carbon community project
Webpages: see Way Ahead pages on Derrington Village Hall website
Now well into its third year, this can boast some great achievements – 54 household energy surveys, over 100 fruit trees planted, and the staging of a two successful Local Food Festivals in the village each attracting some 200-300 people. In 2010 fitted 24 solar PV panels to the village hall; income from the panels will subsidize use of the hall facilities to village groups. See Derrington Way Ahead: taking the low-carbon route; Derrington Village Hall's energy makeover.
Whittington and Fisherwick Environmental Group
Location: parishes of Whittington and Fisherwick, near Lichfield, Staffs, combined population of about 2800
Started: 2007
Low-carbon community project
Website: www.wfeg.org.uk
This has been at the forefront of the low-carbon community movement, and has won several regional and national awards. Their lively and attractive website is well worth a visit for inspiration, as is the group's annual Big Green Fair. An early focus of WFEG was to provide household energy audits, coupled with subsidised insulation. They have also arranged energy efficiency measures for the Village Hall, Church Hall, and local pub, and encourage local people to take part in an Open Homes event, which gives other villagers a chance to see what measures have been installed and how effective they are. People are also invited to measure their carbon footprint annually, via the WFEG website, with the data being collected and used to assess the progress of the community in reducing their carbon emissions. More recently they have set up a group discount solar electricity scheme, called Solar 500, and are part of Southern Staffordshire Community Energy - a community energy cooperative.
Madeley Community Development Project
Started: about 2000
Location: Madeley, north Staffs, CW3 9DN
Website: www.madeleycdp.co.uk
This new multi-purpose building, officially called the Madeley Centre replaces the old village hall, and provides a wide range of community services. Besides a gleaming new hall and society rooms, the building houses a community cafe, children's centre, health clinics and rural enterprise hub. And it is designed to be carbon neutral, with high-spec insulation, glazing, and ventilation, solar panels and a ground-sourced heat pump. A project team, comprising individuals from the village hall, parish council and other community groups, worked for over 10 years to see this project come to fruition, with the hope that it will serve as beacon for sustainable community life well into the 21st century.
Tutbury Eco Power
Location: Tutbury, north-west of Burton-upon-Trent
Started: 2009
Website: www.tutburyecopower.co.uk
A team of local residents is planning to install a micro hydro-electric plant to harness the power of water flowing along a former mill race branching off the River Dove. Part of the profit from the electricity generated, estimated at nearly half a million pounds over the 40-year lifespan of the plant, will be ploughed back into the local community, while local investors in the project will also receive a share.
Transition Towns
Grassroots action is being taken by the Transition Town movement, with groups established now in Stone (http://transitionstone.org.uk) , Stafford (http://transitiontownstafford.org.uk) and Leek .
Sustainable Staffordshire
A project of the Community Council of Staffordshire, Sustainable Staffordshire aims to connect the various individuals, groups and organisations in order to share best practice, signpost resources, and develop partnerships. Contact the Community Council on (01785) 242525.