Kingsley Village
in the heart of Cheshire
Tackling the Climate Emergency

August 2024

Person installing solar panels

Second round of Solar Together scheme launches in Cheshire

Residents in Cheshire have another opportunity to join together to invest in renewable energy through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage. Last year, over 220 residents benefited from the Solar Together scheme in west Cheshire, and now the scheme has reopened to help more homeowners generate clean energy. People who registered ahead of the 18 October will receive a free personal recommendation for their property, including costs and details of the most suitable solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

Read more about Solar Together Cheshire and how to register

Climate emergency response plan

Help shape plans to tackle the impacts of climate change

There is just over a week to share your thoughts on how the Council can continue to tackle the impacts of climate change. The Council is running an early-stage engagement activity to seek the views of residents, and other partners across the borough, as it develops the Climate Emergency Response Plan for the borough for the 2025-2030 period. Have your say on any of the six themes that the plan will focus on before Sunday, 1 September. A formal consultation on the draft plan will take place in the autumn.

Provide your feedback on Climate Emergency action in the borough

Loft insulation being installed

Fully-funded Home Upgrade Grants available for homes not heated by mains gas

As we head towards the cooler autumn months and our attention turns to keeping our homes warm over the winter period, now is a great time to look into energy efficient grants you maybe eligible to apply for.  The Council’s Home Upgrade Grant is fully funded for eligible homeowners whose heating is not supplied by mains gas and offers a variety of energy efficient improvements to help reduce energy bills, improve health and wellbeing and lower carbon emissions.

Find out more about the scheme and how to apply

Person repairing a kettle

Help support proposals for a Chester repair café

Chester Friends of the Earth is looking to start a repair café in Chester. Repair cafés are pop-up events held on regular dates where the local community can get their broken household items repaired for free or for a small donation by volunteers. The group is raising funding for the project through the crowdfunding platform Cheshire West Crowd. So far they’ve received over 50% of pledges to reach their funding target, which will help to reduce the amount of items ending up in landfill. 

Find out more about the initiative and make a pledge

Bus at bus stop

Get around for £2 until 31 December 2024

The scheme that encouraged passengers to ‘Get Around for £2’ by bus has been extended to 31 December 2024.  All bus operators participating in the original campaign will continue to do so. Cheshire West and Chester Council has worked with operators to encourage as many as possible to participate, although some services will not be eligible.

Journeys starting in Wales are not eligible for the scheme, however local concessions have been introduced by some operators.

Check to see if your bus operator is taking part

image of Ellesmere Port industrial area at night

Understanding what industrial decarbonisation means to local people

Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington, which support economic growth in the region, is working with public, private and voluntary organisations on a project to better understand the views of residents and businesses on industrial decarbonisation projects in the area. The first step of this project is to run a series of focus groups to gauge understanding and sentiment about ideas like industrial decarbonisation and net zero. If you are interested in getting involved get in touch with them by the 6 September.

Find out more about the focus groups and how to sign up

People around the earth

Local eco events taking place in the next month

Local sustainability group, Eco Communities has compiled a list of eco events taking place in the borough during August and September. Events range from the regular ‘People, Planet, Pint’ catch ups - for anyone who cares for the planet to come together to chat about climate action, to film screenings of environmental films. Chester Zoo has its fantastic Wildlife Connections event taking place on 14 and 15 September and the Winsford Salt Fair, which has received support from the Eco Communities team to make their operations more sustainable, also takes place on Saturday 14 September .

Read more about the events 

Picture of itravel bus

Council’s on-demand rural bus service celebrates its first birthday

The Council’s on-demand rural bus service, which aims to improve connectivity in some of the more remote parts of the borough, has celebrated its first birthday recently. The itravel service, which began on 31 July 2023, has clocked up an impressive 11,311 journeys with over 15,000 passengers jumping on board. The service is playing its part to help reduce car dependency, connect communities and reduce social isolation, as well as helping the borough reach its net zero targets.

Read more about the success of the itravel service

Agroforestry scheme in Cheshire

Trees planted at ice cream farm as part of agroforestry scheme 

A popular ice cream farm in Cheshire is set to introduce more flavours to its menu thanks to a selection of fruit and nut trees that have been planted on their farm this year as part of a wider agroforestry project. Funding through The Mersey Forest’s Trees for Climate programme was used to support Snugburys to plant over 2,300 trees on their 45ha farm in Cheshire. The tree planting season runs from October to March each year and The Mersey Forest is continuing to urge landowners with suitable land for planting to get in touch.

Read more about the agroforestry project

Image of student working at Countess of Chester Country Park

Student shortlisted for major national environmental award

Laura Tuckey, a soon-to-be graduate from the University of Chester has been shortlisted in the Sustainability Champion of the Year – Student category in the highly respected Green Gown UK and Ireland Awards. The awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the world. Laura was nominated by the University’s Sustainability Team to recognise her dedication to giving students access to sustainability-related opportunities.

Read more about Laura’s nomination

 
A Dr David Harrison has asked me to share the following plea for information about a man, John Thomas, who lived in Kingsley from the 1850's to around 1890.
 
I'm an author and researcher, and am currently working on a book project about an occultist called John Thomas, who resided in Kingsley from the late 1850s to around 1890.
John Thomas was born in Wales in 1826, that he was connected to the Methodist community (despite his occultist leanings) and was also a healer of animals. 
 
I was wondering if he might have some descendants in the village, and if so, would it be possible to interview them?
It's a bit of a long shot, but you never know until you ask.

From what I know he had a son, also called John, who may have lived in the village up until the 1950s.
 
Look forward to hearing from you.
 
Best wishes 
Dr David Harrison 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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The March 2024 edition of OUR NEWS is here


We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales.

Here are some highlights in March's edition:

  • ERA offers expert tips on home security when renovating - don't miss out on their Easter competition!
  • You could be eligible to join the SP Energy Network's Priority Services register
  • The Rt Hon Chris Philp MP reflects on the Government's recent ASB Action Plan 

READ THE MARCH NEWSLETTER HERE.

Don't forget...

  • You can now register for our March series of crime prevention webinars - click HERE.
  • NEW Crime prevention booklets are available to buy in the Neighbourhood Watch shop - click HERE.

We hope you enjoy this edition - please share it far and wide with your communities!

The April 2024 Delamere Forest Update can be read by downloading Neighbours Information Update April 2024.pdf

 

Tackling the Climate Emergency

February 2024

Climate Emergency response

Animation sets out progress to address Climate Emergency in west Cheshire

Our Climate Emergency Response Plan has been in place since 2021, outlining both the challenge we face as a borough and the action required to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The borough is making good progress taking steps to address the Climate Emergency, but there is still a long way to go. An animated video highlights what has been achieved so far and how carbon reductions are progressing across a number of sectors.

Watch our video to hear about our progress so far

Solar panels on roof

Busting some of the myths around solar photovoltaic systems

One of the latest articles on the Energy for Everyone site looks at solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and some of the common myths and misconceptions around them. From maintenance of the panels to the cost of installing a system, the feature covers a range of topics and links to some other useful articles on this topic.

Read the full article

Local nature recovery strategy

Working together for a wilder Cheshire and Warrington

The Council is working alongside neighbouring authorities and other key partners to develop a Cheshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. You can play your part in creating this blueprint for nature by sharing how nature matters to you and what actions you think could be taken to help wildlife across Cheshire. Share your views by Sunday, 31 March 2024. Alongside completing the survey, you can also make a pledge for nature on the interactive map.

Read more about the consultation and complete the survey

Borough plan

Four-year plan sets out strong ambitions for the borough

A Borough Plan for Cheshire West and Chester, covering the next four years was approved by Councillors on 15 February. The plan sets out a common vision for the borough, the overarching principles that the Council and partners will work to, and the six missions where we will focus our shared efforts to forge a stronger future.

Read more about the borough plan

Chester zoo employee talking to a young person at an event

Chester Zoo helps young people in Chester create a greener future

Chester Zoo has received a £532,179 grant from the Westminster Foundation to help young people tackle Britain’s disappearing wildlife. The funding will support the next generation of conservationists to learn about conservation, experience the wellbeing benefits of connection to nature, lead positive change in their communities, and broaden their career aspirations.

Read more about the zoo’s plans

Ginger escooter outside Chester Town Hall

Council fully committed to sustainable travel, following Ginger’s decision to suspend e-scooter trial

The Council has recently reiterated its commitment to sustainable and affordable transport, following the decision by Ginger, the company behind Chester’s trial e-scooter service, to suspend its operations until further noticeThe trial, which had been operating since December 2020, has supported the Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan, providing a sustainable mode of transport around the city and reducing short, single-occupancy car journeys.

Read the Council’s full statement

Food for the planet

New healthy and sustainable accreditation for businesses that serve food

A new initiative focused on healthy and sustainable food practices is being rolled out by Eco Communities and supported by the West Cheshire Food Partnership. The Food for the Planet accreditation encourages businesses and community food providers to pledge towards sustainable food practices. The national initiative, which is being led locally by Eco Communities, Cheshire West Voluntary Action and the Council, aims to improve our local food system and reduce our community’s impact on the wider environment. A number of food providers have already signed up in west Cheshire and Eco Communities continue to engage with businesses and community food providers across the area.

Read more information about Food for the Planet and how to sign up

Eco Communities logo

Making community events more sustainable    

Local environmental group, Eco Communities, has created a guide to organising community events in a more sustainable way. With over seven years’ experience organising local events, they are sharing their knowledge in a useful guide and also offering a returnable cup hire scheme to help reduce waste and minimise environmental impact at local events.

Find out more about hosting a sustainable community event

Performers from Mind The Gap

Rural Touring theatre returns this spring

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council, has launched the new spring 2024 artistic programme, taking place at various community venues across Cheshire. The spring programme includes the show Birdie by Mind The Gap, a fun and poignant adventure that blends choreography and original music to tell a powerful and accessible story about climate change for families. 

Find out more about Cheshire Rural Touring Arts Spring programme

Digital cleanup day colour

Digital Cleanup Day

With spring just around the corner, many of us might thinking about doing a spring clean in our homes, but have you considered doing a digital declutter? By reducing the number of emails, data and pictures and videos stored on your devices and clouds, you could reduce your carbon footprint and help to extend the life of your electrical equipment. Digital Cleanup Day, organised by Let’s Do it World, takes place on 16 March 2024.

Find out more about this day and tips to help you declutter

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