Monk Fryston and Hillam Sustainability Project

Thank you for responding to our June survey and asking to be kept informed about the project developments.

We received over 200 responses to it then and over 96% either strongly supported or supported the project. We are now asking for you to spread the word for more people to take the survey as we need to show MASSIVE support for the project in order to boost our chances of winning the grants needed to fund our energy sustainability. We have far more than 200 people living in our communities and surrounding villages who benefit from using these buildings so these are the ones to ask. Please share the link below with your contacts and remember different individuals from the same household can take the survey too.

Paper versions are still available if you let us know where to drop them off and these can be returned to Monk Fryston Post Office as before.

We plan to ask local householders and businesses to show their support by displaying a sticker using our project logo and one that the children at the school have produced as part of their bid to raise the school to Green Flag status. Look out for these once Covid lockdown restrictions are eased!

News from Rick Weights the Head Teacher

All the children in Monk Fryston School have now had energy efficiency workshops so that they have a better understanding about how they can reduce their carbon footprint. More work is being done to provide lessons in global citizenship so that children understand their responsibilities. The Eco Warriors team have been considering environmental options and have completed an initial audit for the Green Flag award. A lighting survey has been conducted so that there is a better understanding of what will be needed to convert all lighting to energy-efficient LED units, and a school grant application for funding to address this is being prepared.

News from Kate – The Yorkshire Energy Doctor

We are working with the Energy Doctor to promote Big Energy Saving Winter, a campaign to help households to save money and energy this winter. Every week we will bring you a new top tip and for further information or advice: to receive these tips contact Kate, the Energy Doctor on 01757 249100 or [email protected].

Tip for this Week

Are you eligible for £140 towards your winter energy bills? The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that gives a one-off grant of £140 to eligible households over the winter. You may be eligible if your household income is under £16,190 and there are children, someone with a disability or someone of pensionable age in your home. You need to apply to your electricity supplier but can find more information here: bit.ly/whdinfo2020

An Offer from Kate: Become part of our network of Community Energy Ambassadors!

Since lockdown started, we have been running free online energy training courses for representatives of local community groups and voluntary sector organisations. Thanks to support from Northern Gas Networks, 66 people are now equipped with knowledge on all the schemes out there that can help vulnerable groups save money on their energy bills and be warm and well this winter.

Our seventh training course starts on 3^rd December and we are looking for more organisations and individuals who would like to join our network! We can offer a fun and informal 3-session training course where we will cover issues around fuel poverty, engaging households on energy, doing a home energy check, understanding energy bills, energy myth-busting and support schemes for households. We would then offer the opportunity to work together going forward to run specific seasonal campaigns and can provide free resources to you to promote certain support schemes to your clients (although there is no obligation for you to do this).

We know that it is going to be a difficult winter for many households, with loss of income and increased time at home contributing to rising energy use, challenges paying bills and increased risk of cold homes. I really hope we can work together to reach as many households as possible. This opportunity is open to anyone based in Yorkshire, the Northeast or Cumbria and you can find out more information here: https://bit.ly/energycourse7

Any questions then please contact Kate: [email protected] or 01757 249100

News from Project Partners

The Cricket Club, Football Club, Church, School and Community Association are continuing to gather data and energy surveys on their properties to understand what needs to be done to make them more energy efficient. Efficiency means reducing the amount of energy consumed to carry out their day-to-day operations. So, in effect each organisation has two projects underway, an energy efficiency project and a renewable energy project.

Peoples Post Code Lottery

In August, we applied for a Thermal Imaging Camera, Solar PV panels and battery storage for the Community Centre. A thermal imaging camera would be used to survey the Partner Buildings to identify areas of heat loss and later local people will be trained to survey local homes.

Government Green Homes Grant Scheme – Good News!

This was launched in September and has been massively oversubscribed and we have just heard that the scheme will be extended in the soon to be launched Green Recovery government plans.

Locogen Phase 2 Feasibility Study

Whilst the Phase 1 report has to be finalised Locogen have started working on Phase 2. The lockdown restrictions on travel have made it impossible for them to visit and survey the facilities so it has been agreed that the Project Partners will supply information as specified by Locogen in the form of plans and videos etc. Currently, the project is on schedule and should report in late December.

We are now in a very exciting phase of the Project – we have moved from shuffling paper to making things happen and making a difference. If you wish to help or know more please get in touch. There is a lot to do.

Thank you for your support.

Ray and Sue Newton

on behalf of the MFHSP Steering Group and MFH Community Buildings Project Partners