March 2014 Newsletter

A round up of news and views

Cheese-making day - Caroline is keen to share her newly-aquired cheese-making skills with us, between 10am and 4pm, on Sunday 27th April.  The cost will be just £25, including a free cheese mould and some delicious cheese to take home!  There are only 6 places for this beginners session, so write to Secretary@transitionmarlborough.org asap to book your place.

Retro-fitting 1,000 hard-to-treat homes? - It turns out that the 'green crap' that was cut from our energy bills was, in reality, a 33% cut in the Energy Company Obligation. This money was supposed to be used to install solid wall insulation in thousands of homes, where people are at risk of fuel poverty. We had been working with local councillors to try to access these funds for the benefit of vulnerable households in the Marlborough Area. Unfortunately, the government has now instructed the big six energy companies to prioritise cheaper, loft and cavity wall insulation, rather than the more expensive solid wall insulation, that is so desperately needed...

This year's Permaculture Course - has begun with great enthusiasm. The next session is Permaculture Design at Gerald's house on Saturday 12th April.  If you missed this session last year you are welcome to join us.

Green homes videoing - Ali Cameron, an ex-BBC camerman has helped us video an energy-efficient home in Manton and a wood-chip, district heating installation, feeding 4 cottages, a big house and a swimming pool, in Mildenhall.  These videos will be used by Wiltshire Council to raise awareness of government incentives and inspire house-owners, including land-lords, to improve energy efficiency in their own homes, as well as in rented properties. A big 'thank you' to Jane Laurie, SEACS Energy Ambassador, for sponsoring Ali's visit and for up-grading our editing software.

#6moremiles! Restoring the Line to Marlborough - Transport Group members are meeting with Claire Perry M.P. next month to request an official Cost/Benefit analysis of this proposal.  You can download our analysis from the bottom of the Transport Page (click on the blue button).

Thanks

The Transition Marlborough team