THE past few weeks have been very eventful, with the effects of climate change making itself felt in our Community.
Proposed plans for wind farms, hub stations and pylons may be destined to change the look of our valley for the foreseeable future.
The consultation process is on going and highlights the dilemma between the need for renewable energy and the negative impact it will have on our local environment. Fortunately for me the challenge is about helping individuals understand climate change and what they can do individually to save energy and water, rather than the wider economic issues that renewable energy presents.
To help people understand the implications of climate change, our film club is showing “ Age of Stupid” starring the late Pete Postlethwaite.
The film depicts a world in 2055, where insufficient action in the past had been taken to combat climate change. It is a very thought provoking film, the content of which can be discussed after the showing over a cup of tea.
My thanks to Ivor Hawkins, who runs our film club, for hosting the event which will be held on Saturday, May 14, at 7pm for a 7.30 pm start. The admission is free so please come and see this film.
In the hall we have had our heating boiler assessed and await the report and costing for a new energy efficient unit. Despite insulation of the heating pipework, to help the radiator controls regulate the main hall temperature, it has been noted at times the hall still gets too hot. The heating engineer has recommended installing a room stat in the hall, to prevent this happening. This new control will turn the boiler on and off between pre room set temperatures.
Following a visit to Jonathan Brown, PAVO's new Climate Change officer at Newtown college, by Ivor Hawkins and Charlie Human, the hall has decided to replace one of its fluorescent light tubes with an LED equivalent, so that users can give is feedback on the quality of light produced. The LED units save energy and unlike fluorescent tubes they can be repaired rather than thrown away.
Our next activity is to insulate the roof space above the kitchen, I will let you know how we get on with it.