Housing estate in Mbro gets Eco-makeover!

The Spencerbeck estate in Middlesbrough is getting an eco-makeover with new external cladding being installed from Ellerbeck way to Ainsworth Way. The insulation should save tenants £400-800 a year in lower fuel bills and for private homeowners add value to their house . “The house is 2-3 degrees warmer and there are no cold spots” a householder said, “the houses look brighter and cleaner as well”. The scheme is part of a deal with Coast & Country and an energy supplier which also includes topping up loft insulation and new gas boilers if needed.

Andy Cameron, project manager said “There are 52 people working on both the Spencerbeck and Bankfield sites mostly Middlesbrough & Redcar locals although some live further afield. We have had some delays due to cold weather affecting the adhesive, but we are cracking on. We hope to finish August/Sept this year”.

The 4 inch thick polystyrene like cladding is stuck to the wall and then secured by plastic screws encase of high winds. Several coats of render are then applied to a mesh and then finally a coloured waterproofing coat.

This re-investment in the area will mean new signage for the buildings and also improvements like the small parking walls tidied. Each home makeover is worth about £5-8000. “This will significantly reduce peoples fuel bills year on year and families carbon footprints BUT they need to turn down their thermostats and wear jumpers to adjust rather than opening windows and letting the heat out!” Rob Tucker of Friends of the Earth said.

There are no plans yet for the Overfields and Netherfields areas, which also have the same house type, but C&C and Erimus must be considering things.

Ormesby Hall tree planting, big success

Middlesbrough and Redcar Friends of the Earth and National trust volunteers planted free trees from the Woodland Trust this Wednesday, leap day, to improve native woodland cover for wildlife at Ormesby Halls cherry walk.

Adam Cracknell, Gardener & Warden for the National Trust said “we get a great deal of wildlife here from squirrels and field mice, to tawny owls and foxes. A real variety of different birds as well”.

Friends of the Earth co-ordinator, Rob Tucker said "Tree planting is a fantastic and fun way for us to do something lasting in our local area. We hope our trees will help attract even more wildlife and make a real difference to everyone who will see them. It's incredible to think that in just 5 years, our trees will be as tall as us!"

Hundreds of communities across the UK will celebrate with a public tree planting event, more are encouraged to follow this example by registering for a free tree pack for spring or autumn 2012 for their local area, as part of the Trust's Jubilee Woods Project.

Victoria Hodson from the Woodland Trust added: "We are delighted Friends of the Earth are using our free tree scheme to plant more trees at Ormesby Hall. Communities are growing their own fruits and food, creating shade and shelter, and providing new homes for wildlife as part of our Jubilee Woods Project to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, and we would love more communities to get involved."

Communities can take part by applying for a free pack at www.jubileewoods.org.uk/treepacks .

Energy (efficiency) Bill meeting went well

The Energy Bill addresses energy efficiency and rented properties which are often very cold and have little insulation. Tony Bosworth from Friends of the Earth, came all the way up from Bradford and we had Ian Swales MP, Michael Wright from Quakers chairing and Mark Fishpool from Middlesbrough Environment City. The speakers complimented each other well with Ian saying what is on the table now, Tony saying what FoE would like and Mark giving practical advice as to what the situation on the ground is and how east it is or not to up-grade existing teesside terraced housing and more modern "council" housing stock . We had a good mixture of people in the audience, including some councillors. We did manage to get something into the papers beforehand (see below). Newcastle, Sheffield and other groups also held events at the same time.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/redcar/9051737.Campaigners_urge_action_over_energy/

Get Your Hands Dirty Stockton Free Event

Get Your Hands Dirty
Stockton Community Allotment,
Preston Lane,
Stockton on Tees
Wednesday 6 July, 9.30 am to 3.30pm
FREE event - PRE-BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL FREE lunch provided PRACTICAL'HANDS-ON' event .... workshops on bee-keeping, medicinal plants, low impact living, late summer sowing ... Find out more about organisations able to help you 'tread more lightly'...Meet new people from your area. See attachments for how to book and for more details. All at introductory level - suitable for people who may not have been to similar events previously. This is a partnership between Stockton Community Allotment, the Co-operative Membership, the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens. and the British Bee-Keepers Association. Please call/email if you would like any further information. Many thanks Lynn TaylorFCFCG
0796 016 4448lynn@farmgarden.org.uk

Hughs Fish fighters win a BAFTA!!

The fight to stop fish discards from fishing boats and just get a grip on what is happening to fisheries around the world, was recognised as the TV programme Hugh's Fish Fight gets a BAFTA!!

And the @BAFTA for Best Feature goes to... Hugh's Fish Fight! Hurrah! http://bit.ly/iHdZG0

The Big Energy Bill debate - Fri 27th May

The Big Energy Bill Debate
Can we pay the price or will we have to choose if we eat or heat?
The new "green deal" for energy efficiency, does it go far enough?
Focusing on the Governments new Energy and Localism bills.

Friday 27th May 7.30pm
Normanby Methodist Church, corner of Cleveland and Patton St, Normanby, Mbro. TS6
Speakers:
Ian Swales - MP Redcar
Tony Bosworth - Snr Climate Change Campaigner
Mark Fishpool - Director MEC
TBA scientist, theologian
Networking, stalls and refreshments. Free event, please use nearby car park, bicycle parking inside!
Tel 01642-294580 for more info.

WindFarm Wars TV programme

This TV series shown on BBC2 Fridays, looks at several windfarm applications from conception to council planning meetings to appeals. It is very unusual to let TV cameras into a council chamber, even still cameras are banned.
The 1st episode, that is on BBC Iplayer for 14th May, is a project in Devon, I think 4-6 miles from a national park. Devon is notorious for being anti-wind NIMBY country unlike its neighbour Cornwall which also has tourism and stunning scenery. The councils planning officers recommended that the project be rejected as did the councillors - and I AGREE in this case. In both the Seamer/Hilton and Lambs Hill projects that we backed there were existing pylons, roads or railway lines close by and this meant it was not a pristine landscape. We all use electricity, we all generate CO2 that causes climate change a pressing, urgent problem. We need to strike a balance.
The whole onshore windfarm process needs to be speeded up but how to do it so that it is fair?
I look forward to the next episodes.