In early 2009, Neilston Development Trust became a member of Community Powerdown, a network of communities around Scotland all aiming to develop projects to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas footprints.

The network was co-ordinated by Community Energy Scotland, with support from Development Trusts Association Scotland. A Community Powerdown Offi cer (CCF-262) was employed in May 2009 to progress initiatives and projects for Neilston, including submitting a further application to the Climate Challenge Fund for a home energy advice service, climate change awareness raising and community wide carbon footprint (CCF-492). The aim of the project was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping local households fi nd ways to reduce their carbon footprint (reduce energy use, waste, consumption and sustainable use of resources). After establishing the procedures for our carbon footprint and home visits – the principal method for delivering home visit advice service – we began to offer other ways of providing assistance, including free loans of energy monitors, Kitchen Canny Challenge, and door-knocking campaigns for carbon surveys and to generate HEC referrals to our local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre. Between March 2010 and March 2011, we carried out 239 carbon footprint surveys, 400 home energy checks (referred 200 households to the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre and East Renfrewshire council), carried out full home visit advice for 197 households, and additional advice to 110 people through drop-in surgeries. We have also carried out 340 thermal imaging surveys, and provided other forms of assistance to another 74 households (energy loan monitor scheme and Kitchen Canny). This is a total of 420 households, an estimated 1050 people given assistance. To complement our effort, we have also given talks to local community groups and held several large-scale events, including our very successful "Neilston Powerdown: Liven Up" in March 2010. The feedback we have received from our advice service and energy-themed events and other climate change awareness events and workshops has been overwhelmingly positive. Energy effi ciency has been a valuable way of engaging with people in our community who would otherwise be uninterested in environmental issues. We have also made a signifi cant contribution to reducing incidence of fuel poverty in Neilston. It is estimated that our home energy advice service has saved approximately 220.921 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. In Neilston, the Neilston Development Trust now enjoys a wider profi le, which will serve us well, as we champion action on climate change as one of the key issues for our common future.

Full report is available here

Community Energy Scotland is pleased to announce the first of a series of events aimed and sharing knowledge and experience amongst low carbon community projects. The  Community Powerdown event to be held in the Perth Concert Hall on 22nd /23rd June will cover car sharing schemes, hydrogen and electric vehicles, energy efficiency and local food production from a variety of speakers including community groups who have done it for themselves.  

Attendees at the event will also have an exciting oppportunity to visit the new Hydrogen Office in Methil. Places for the event are limited to 50 but we would be glad to hear from those community group undertaking low carbon projects who are keen to share experiences . The event is free to Community Powerdown members and  open to other community groups who are delivering low carbon projects for a small fee of £35 .

For more information please Contact Melanie MacRae,  Community Powerdown Network Coordinator on 07917 597 009 or email at melanie.macrae@communityenergyscotland.org.uk

Booking is essential and places must be booked by Thursday 9th June

This is a link to a microhyrdo association:

microhydroassociation.co.uk/default.aspx

Well the time is getting closer when we will all meet again.  I do not know about you guys but I am really looking forward to us getting to know each other all over again.

 Don't forget your dancing shoes!!

Have a look at the picture gallery to see Kirsty's really great events

Just to let you know I will be out today from 12 noon until three o'clock - attending the funeral of a volunteer I worked with in Alness.

Well everyone I am at last going on holiday its been a long stretch from March until now.

A few points:  if there is anything with the website contact Garve.

Annette: Thanks once again for a great set of photos looks like a great event. 

Please do not send me email when I am away - put them on a delayed send.

There is really no one here to help you so please speak to each other.

I have added lots of new web based materials and there is also a CES quiz.  Look in Deliverables - schools

Thanks to those who have been posting now.

I have added two interesting documents about AD in the recycling section of the deliverables part of the website.

This might be a novel way to raise awareness

Grants to Help New, Innovative Visual Arts Projects (UK)

The Elephant Trust offers grants of up to £2,000 to artists and institutions (priority is given to small organisations and galleries) for new, innovative visual arts projects based in the UK. Recipients of grants have included Rachel Whiteread; Vong Phaophanit; and significant contributions have been made to institutions such as Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art; and Hayward Gallery and Camden Arts Centre, London. The next deadline for the submission of applications is 11th January 2010..
http://www.elephanttrust.org.uk/docs/intro.html

Will you please post your press releases on the site.  Also you can now put the site as an RSS.

The new Newsroom page is in the Welcome section of the menu. It has been set up so that all members can add stories - if you are logged in you should see an Add Story button on the page. You can Edit and Delete your own stories if required.

There is also now a public RSS feed which gives subscribers a digest of News stories.

However, Members should subscribe to the members RSS feed which amalgamates the News stories and the Announcements from the Members' Area.

cheers

Garve

Jonas received 2000 free light bulbs from EON.

The Scottish Power Energy People Trust has announced that the next application deadline for applications is the 13th October 2009. The Trust can provide funds for not-for-profit organisations and groups (such as children's charities, local community groups, support organisations, housing associations, local authorities and others) who work with or represent the vulnerable and fuel poor to help those most in need. Priority will be given to projects aimed at helping families with young children and young people. The Scottish Power Energy People Trust will award grant funding up to a maximum of £100,000 for projects lasting for up to three years. Previous projects supported include; the Greater Manchester North Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, which received a grant of £20,5000 to deliver training to front line home visiting staff to identify the fuel poor and then provide a system to allow the easy triggering of a range of intervention measures including Warm Front/EE grants, benefits checks and credit union services etc ; and the Granton Information Centre which received a grant of £29,866 to tackle fuel poverty by increasing household disposable income by raising awareness of welfare benefit, pension credit and tax credit entitlement. Organisations wishing to apply need to submit the Trust's online application form ..
http://www.energypeopletrust.co.uk/index.html

The sweatshirts have arrived, in the course of next week I will get them put together with the other goodies and sent out to you all.

I have posted this on the website in the document section under CCF bids.

I have posted some materials which Jonas has produced, for his energy awareness raising events -  worth a look.

I have uploaded the short course specification for the above course on the training section of the website.  Please let me know if you wish to take this course.

All the presentations from the CES conference can be found by following this link:www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/library.asp

I had a meeting with CCF last week and they are very disappointed at the lack of bids being generated by the Powerdown project officers.  Perhaps you have plans to get EOIs into KSB.  Let me know as we got some good information about what is eligible at the conference last week.

Also I have loaded a couple of bids and EOI in the document section under CCF bids if you want to see what is needed for a good bid.

On the transport front they will not fund a vehicle for social enterprise companies to use solely for themselves.  Must have wider community use.  They will fund a community minibus so long as you can show community interest and benefit.  They would fund cars if it was for a car club.  What you do with the vehicles after March 2011 is up to the group there may be an opportunity to use vehicles to develop a social enterprise thereafter.

When you put in your quarterly report please do not report that you have been writing  bids to other funders this is NOT an eligible use of your time.

If you have any interesting photos please load onto the site that way KSB/CCF might believe you guys are doing something!!!

Annette is organising a cycling event in Langholm on Sunday 13 September, if you want to get on yer bike please come along - 2pm start.

Peter is running a local food event in partnership with ROWAN on 19th September in the Averon Centre.

Here is the link to the presentation given at the CES conference: http://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/library.asp

When you have time I would be grateful if you would upload photos from the events etc which you have arranged or are attending.  Also photos of any projects which are getting underway. They can be uploaded into the image gallery any problems email Garve.

I have uploaded a leaflet Kirsty has produced, it is to be found in the energy efficiency part of the documents section. 

If you know of any groups which might be interested in joining Powerdown please let me have their contact details.

Just a wee heads up that your quarterly claim is due in next month.  Please use the new format which you should all have received by now.

Gwen is running a two day event to promote local food production and use of the wonderful lean meat from deer.

This is a funding opportunity to have an energy efficiency project in your community, check it out: www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/products/energy-innovation/green-streets.html

There is lots of new material on the website - check it out.

As I have been out and about I have realised that I should give particular thanks to Malcolm and to Peter for the ongoing support which they are giving to their fellow Powerdowners - thanks guys - you both have truly embraced the spirit of the project.

You can now start a new thread in the discussion forum in the members area.

I shall be visiting the Powerdown groups in the south later this week.  Please call me on my mobile if you need to speak to me.  I should be able to pick up my emails.

I am going to ask CCF if there are any implications for your energy efficiency deliverables: www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/07/30105512

You might be interested to read what the government is thinking:

intranet/strategy/Parliamentary%20Reports%20and%20Government%20Policy%20Statem/Final%20energy%20report.pdf

I still have some of the packets of carrot and lettuce seeds which Peter got for free.  Let me know if you would like some.

Helen

I shall be out of the office until Thursday I am visiting Ardoch and Kirknewton.

I will be out of the office until Monday 27th July.  The calendar shows where I shall be between now and then.  Please email or call me if you want to contact me.

The CES conference will be held on the 25th - 27th August 2009 at Stirling University

http://www.eventscotland.org/funding-and-resources/national-events-programme/

Earlier this year, EventScotland launched the new national events strategy, Scotland: The Perfect Stage. As part of this activity, the Regional Events Programme has been re launched as the National Events Programme to align with the new strategy. Through the programme funding is available to support events (outside of the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow) that showcase Scotland and help to generate tourism. Previous events supported through the programme include the Wigtown Book Festival which received a grant of £12,205 to create a new infrastructure for the event to increase audience capacity and grow the event; the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival which received a grant of £25,000 to target visitors from outside Scotland to help grow their audience numbers. The next funding application is the 2nd October 2009 for events which take place between 1 May 2010 and 30 April 2011.

Big Lottery Fund (BIG) Announces its New Funding Strategy for the next Six Years
BIG has announced the launch of its new strategic Framework which will underpin its priorities and grant making activities to 2015. Key themes emerging from the new strategy will include using its financial resources to become a champion of disadvantaged communities and people; and focusing its resources to help people undergoing difficult transitions in their lives or experiencing isolation. Big has also announced that at least 80% of its resources will go to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) via a mix of funding, including small grants, open funding and targeted approaches. In the shorter term, Big will continue to deliver its Reaching Communities and Awards for All programmes in England as well as announcing new smaller scale initiatives during the year, including some aimed at helping communities cope with the effects of the recession. Within Northern Ireland Big continue to offer to support projects through BIG Awards for All and the BIG DEAL programmes and to consult with stakeholders in order to develop its next round of programmes. In Scotland Big will build on its Investing in Communities Programme; improving it and refocusing it where necessary to take account of the needs and priorities of Scotland’s communities. Funding will continue to be available through Awards for All, Investing in Ideas, and the 2014 Communities Programmes. Within Wales will embark on a new portfolio with a Community Asset Transfer programme later this year, follow this with a programme aimed at reducing poverty and isolation amongst older people and launch programmes to promote the citizen's voice and to reduce the impact of climate change.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/index/about-uk/bigthinking/strategic_framework_2015.htm#02

Knowledge and Skills Exchange Fund (Scotland)

The Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) has announced the launch of its new Knowledge and Skills Exchange Fund. This fund of £120,000 over two years has come from the Scottish Government to be used to facilitate learning and the exchange of knowledge and ideas between CRNS members and within the wider community sector. Grants of up to £1,000 are available to full and fledgling CRNS members for activities such as going on visits to other more established organisations in the third sector or projects of particular interest or relevance to your organisation; hosting a visit for one or a number of organisations ; and attending external events and conferences; etc. Applications can be submitted at any time.
http://www.crns.org.uk/index/news-app/story.666/title.lpl-roll-out-knowledge-and-skills-exchange-fund

Gwen has suggested that we all bring sturdy shoes or wellies and a torch when we visit Knoydart next month.

I have made some changes to the programme please note.

I have booked single occupancy rooms at the following hotel: www.travellersrest-scotland.co.uk/view_company_info.asp

If you are going to the CCF conference and then to Neilston let me know if you want me to book accommodation for you for the evening of Wednesday 2 September.

Jonas I have not booked you into the hotel, if you want to stay over let me know.

I have booked single occupancy rooms at  The Teaninich Castle Hotel for 26 & 27 August

To view: www.teaninichcastle.com

Peter - I have not booked you in, let me know if you want to stay over.

Please note new telephone number for Kirsten: 07549 150 084

I have now hidden the discussion forum and my calendar.  I do not however have the knowledge of how to make them available to you by clicking at the members area but I shall get Garve to do this when he gets back.

However in the meantime you can see the areas by clicking on "sitemap" on the bottom left hand of a page.

Can you look at Kirsten's comments in the members section of the discussion page and let me know if you agree.  If so I will get the site changed to reflect same.

I have opened a page for general discussion in the members section of the discussion page. Please use this to ask questions which do not relate to the other topics or which are best dealt with in private.

This week Lisa has supplied the entertainment: www.facebook.com/ext/share.php

A couple of projects officers have asked about good printers this is the web address for the one which CES uses:

www.jtcp.co.uk

The site www.communitypowerdown.org.uk is now live.

Have a look at the school section, I have added a link to a site which offers materials for different age groups.

Hello everyone, this site should go live between now and Monday so please watch out for this happening.  Once it is live, most of the time I will communicate through the site.

Since you are all likely to be spending much more time in front of your computers now that you have an exciting new website to visit, perhaps you should try listening to a little music.

If you haven't heard of Spotify before, it's a cracking new music playing service, and if you don't mind a few adverts it's free. Download it from www.spotify.com.

PS. This isn't an advert - I really do recommend it.