Community Energy Birmingham: CEB was set up in 2011 by local people to develop a model for financing solar PV installations on community buildings in Birmingham. At the time of funding from the Trust, CEB was working with the Moseley Community Development Trust to install PV panels on a building offering facilities to small businesses, sole traders and social enterprises in the Moseley area.
Trust Update 2015/16
If you would like more information on any of the projects we’ve supported or the work of the Trust in general, please see our website at www.naturesave.co.uk or contact us on 01803 864390.
The huge range of projects supported by the Trust in the past 12 months is testament to the innovative spirit and the real sense of community throughout the UK, and we hope that these initiatives are the kind of projects you feel we should be supporting. Here is a snapshot of just some of them:
Bike Back/Life Cycle UK: A project recycling unwanted bikes refurbished by inmates of HMP Bristol and then offered for sale to those on low incomes. The project helps prisoners to learn new skills and work towards qualifications, and offers a low cost and sustainable transport option for local people.
Corwen Electricity Co-operative: This cooperative in North Wales is building a hydro generator which will be powered by water from a reservoir above the town. The scheme will involve building a pipeline to divert water from the Nant Cawrddu tributary of the Dee, and pass it on through a Pelton Turbine, and the scheme has since been shortlisted for the M&S Community Energy awards.
Ormiston Denes Academy Forest School: Provision of equipment and clothing at the Forest School where students are encouraged to explore their interests and the natural world in a fun way, at their own pace.
Cotswold Water Park Reserves Restoration: The project aims to enhance the biodiversity and public access on the nature reserves at Whelford Pools SSSI and Roundhouse Lake SSSI, providing marginal and open water habitats for many important species including Cetti’s Warbler, Great Crested Grebe, Water Rail and Lapwing.
Perhaps there is a project close to your heart which you would like us to help fund? In which case either complete our online application form or give Bee West a ring for further information and funding guidelines on 01803 864390. Please note our new address: The Naturesave Trust, South Devon House, Babbage Road, Totnes TQ9 5RU.
Dorset Community Energy: A not-for-profit Community Benefit Society set up in 2013 to enable local people to invest in solar panels on schools and community buildings.
SNUG Homes: Developed by Bristol-based social enterprise Ecomotive, the SNUG homes project supports people to custom-build their own affordable and environmentally-friendly homes, based around a simple timber-framed module called the SNUG shell, which can be used as a single unit or joined with others to create a larger dwelling and community.
Fareshare Merseyside: The food Fareshare rescues is all in-date and good quality but has become surplus for various reasons such as labelling errors and packaging damage. FareShare Merseyside helps 176 charities in the region and was able to redistribute 635 tonnes of perfectly good food last year, enough for 1.5million meals!
Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust/Woodworks: Managing woodland sustainably to provide habitat for red squrrels on the island.
Wildwood Trust: Set in 40 acres of ancient woodland near Canterbury, the pond renovation project will develop an area around two natural ponds to help educate visitors about biodiversity and the variety of species present.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust: Urban river restoration on the Guphill Brook in Coventry to help diminishing wildlife and deprived local communities, as well as addressing flood rish issues. The removal of areas of Himalayan balsam has been a priority in this project.
The Garden Classroom: Creation of a new apiary education site in Gillespie Park in Islington, which will house two beehives and provide learning facilities for urban children.
Simeon Care for the Elderly: A new rainwater harvesting system for the new care home garden in Aberdeen was installed in June 2015. The home provides care for elderly residents with a variety of conditions from dementia to motor neurone disease, and gardening and being outside aids wellbeing and brings happiness.
New Leaf Solar: Non-for-profit co-operative developing the UK’s first community-owned solar PV installation on a closed landfill site in Herefordshire. This will be a 1MW solar array, providing sufficient electricity to power the equivalent of 165 homes.
Mayflower Theatre: The Grade II listed theatre in Southampton has been able to replace all old incandescent halogen lighting with new energy efficient LEDs.
Jamie’s Farm: The installation of a biomass boiler at Lower Wenddu Farm will provide all heating and hot water at the site. Jamie’s Farm work with children from urban communities between the ages of 11-16 by providing a unique combination of ‘farming, living and therapy’.
The Fruit Factory: part of Brighton Permaculture Trust’s ‘Scumping Project’ promoting local food & drink by collecting unwanted fruit and turning it into fruit drinks, chutneys, jams & preserves for resale to encourage local purchasing and reducing food miles and food waste.
Sensory Garden Pod: The John Grant School in Norfolk provides education for students with complex needs. A special sensory garden has been created on site to enable students to access the outdoors and to experience difference scents and textures in the garden environment.
Nanstallon Solar Array: This array is owned by the Wadebridge Energy Company and financing has incorporated a community share offer with local residents benefitting from a dedicated community fund.
Reading Sustainability Centre: In the process of establishing an ecoeducation centre, combined with a hydro scheme at Caversham Weir near Reading to incorporate a natural fish pass system.