Sustainable Harwell – September 2024 Newsletter
Hi everyone – it’s been a while since the last newsletter and we hope you have been enjoying the summer. Here’s a short update about some of the things planned as well as group activities over recent months.
Next meeting, AGM – Weds 2nd October at the Village Hall, starting at 7:30 pm.
“Harwell Green Homes”
There are many things that can be done to reduce our environmental footprint. An area which has a big impact is to improve the environmental credentials of the homes we live in.
Come and join us on Weds 2nd October to hear what local residents have done recently to decarbonise their homes, including fitting solar panels, home batteries and heat pumps.
Speakers will share their real-world experiences to provide practical insight about what can be done here in Harwell.
We will also be running a short AGM for 30 minutes at the beginning of the meeting to elect group officers and review the Group’s accounts.
Everyone is welcome so please reserve the date in your diary..
HarCars car sharing scheme
One of the projects Sustainable Harwell (SusH) has been running over the last year has been to look at options for an electric car sharing scheme in the village. Financial support for this work has been kindly provided by The Vale of The White Horse Climate Action Fund.
The initial survey we conducted indicated there is quite a high level of support for a scheme in the village and after further investigation of options the project team decided that a Peer to Peer car-sharing scheme might be possible.
Unfortunately it is not clear who could run an operation like this in Harwell and therefore at the moment it is unlikely to go ahead. The team are now closing the project. If you are interested in details of the work or think car-sharing is something you could help make happen in the village please get in touch for more information and to discuss what might be possible. More details on the SusH web-suite here.
Holloway hedgerow update
We have also been considering running a new sustainability project in the village to plant a hedgerow along the Holloway to Chilton. This is quite a large piece of work which is likely to be undertaken in stages over a number of years. It will provide a valuable new wildlife corridor to help improve biodiversity as well as delivering many other benefits along the route.
The landowners adjacent to the Harwell Parish part of the Holloway have been approached and are very supportive. A number of SusH members have also expressed their interest in helping with planting. We have approached the Parish Council and are hopeful they will support the plan. We will also be approaching Oxfordshire County Council to secure permission as we understand they are responsible for the maintenance of bridleways like the Holloway.
We have recently identified and started applying for a grant scheme to purchase the first batch of whips needed for this coming winter planting season and are anticipating that we will be able start planting a 100/200m stretch early in 2025.
Sustainable Harwell supports solar panels on new barn
SusH officers recently considered a request for the group to support the installation of solar panels on a new barn in the village. After discussion the officers agreed the following statement:
“Sustainable Harwell (SusH), a Community Action Group operating in the village, undertakes projects to tackle climate change, reduce waste and pollution and improve our environment. One of the group projects, endorsed by all members, is to lobby for new-build houses in the area to be more sustainable.
Whilst this is not a new house, the principle is that all new buildings should be sustainable. Solar panels are best placed on roofs, so the new barn is an ideal location.
SusH has also supported solar panels on two community centres (the village hall and the Harwellian sports and social club) and supports provision of solar panels on as many roofs as possible”.
An update from Harwell Swifts – the year so far. by Jerry Pride
The weather has not been so good for swifts this year, but it has been a good year for Harwell Swifts.
We have installed 36 boxes so far this year including four boxes in the church bell tower, and we are continuing with house surveys and box installs.
We have seen several boxes occupied for the first time this year, and we have seen several new boxes prospected by non-breeders, so we are optimistic that there will be more breeding birds in Harwell next year.
Surprisingly, we have found a small colony of swifts in Great Western Park. Unlike the majority of new houses these have open eaves and it appears that swifts have found a place to nest in them. We are keen to promote swift conservation there, so if you know anyone living near Daniel Shepherd Avenue please let us know.
And finally on 8th August Action for Swifts delivered 200 swift bricks to Taylor Wimpey at Valley Park for installing in the first phase of new houses. This is a very significant milestone and all thanks to the persistence of Kate Lilley and others.
New swift boxes installed in St Mathew’s church Credit Jerry Pride Harwell Swifts
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