Big year for greening group

Steyning 10:10 Climate Action Group held its annual planning meeting at Steyning Cricket Club last Wednesday, when members learned more about what is to come.

Co-ordinator Geoff Barnard explained Steyning 10:10 started out in 2010 with a target of saving 10 per cent of carbon emissions in Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding.

The Greening Campaign was launched in October 2010 and since then, planning meetings have been held each January.

“This one was a bit different because there is more in the pipeline,” added Mr Barnard.

One big project is Eco Open Houses in April, a new trail being run in conjunction with Transition Town Worthing.

There will be the chance to visit 10 houses around Worthing on April 12 and 13, and four in Steyning on April 27 or 28. The idea is to see how people have saved money on energy and water bills.

Mr Barnard said a new community energy scheme was ‘a twinkle in our eye’, linking in with a planned solar at Huddlestone Farm, Horsham Road, Steyning.

“The group wants to look into a community-financed PV project, either linked to the Huddlestone Farm scheme or as a stand-alone project,” he added.

He suggested they investigate who might be interested in investing and any other ideas.

A recent project launched was Steyning Power Rangers, who offer impartial advice on where people can cut electricity use and help them to monitor real-time electricity consumption.

More help was called for with several other projects, including Give Your Stuff Away Day and Steyning Freegle.

Both schemes encourage people to give things away for free and volunteers to help Steyning Freegle with moderating are particularly needed.

Green Drinks are held on the last Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is on February 26 at the Norfolk Arms, in Church Street, Steyning, when Peter King, project officer at Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust, will speak on flood management and plans for a water café event on March 1.

Visit www.1010steyning.org for more information.