Planning permission has been given for constructing a hydro scheme at Whalley weir for generating electricity from the River Calder. Ribble Valley Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the application unanimously at its February meeting with the condition that the visual impact of the power house, which would be about the size of a double garage, be softened. Agreement has now been reached on this with the planning officer.

Councillors recognised that a balance has to be struck between concern for visual appearance and the need to increase renewable energy supplies to safeguard our energy security.

Councillor Ian Sayers, speaking in support of the application, said “I’ve seen these kind of hydro buildings on the continent. They look like traditional rural buildings such as barns or sheds for storing hay and logs.”

Local residents concerned about flooding can be reassured by the Environment Agency’s assessment that the scheme will have no effect on flood risk.

Another concern that has been raised is about noise. The developer has given an assurance that with current design, residents will not hear any noise from the equipment above the sound of the weir.

Electricity will be fed into the national grid. Income generated will be used to fund more local renewable energy like solar panels and ground source heat pumps for domestic properties as well as buildings such as village halls.

Construction is now expected to start in the spring of 2013. Meanwhile, the team behind the scheme, all unpaid local volunteers, will be raising funds. Whalley resident, Tim Ashworth, said “We are launching a share issue in the autumn. Now we have planning permission we will be preparing the prospectus and we’d love to hear from anyone who wants to learn more about the scheme. Indeed, we are keen to hear from anyone who would like to support the scheme with finance or in person.” More at www.whalleyhydro.co.uk.

Chris

Tuesday April 3, 6-7pm.

Meet 5.45pm for 6pm start.

Directions: entrance to the sports and playing fields on Mitton Road, beside Whalley railway station. Follow the track beside the tennis courts, past the cricket pitch and bowling green to the car park at the end of the track, beside the railway.

If you can’t make this tour, ring Chris to arrange another time on 01254 823376.

Visit to Gazegill Organic Farm on Saturday 31st March 2012 http://www.gazegillorganics.co.uk/, meet at 11.15/11.20 for a site tour 11.30 and Community Supported Agriculture workshop finishing about 3 pm, find out what CSA is and how we can make it happen. Please wear sensible clothes and bring a packed lunch, Gazegill Organic Farm is at Cross Hill Lane, Rimington, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 4EE For more information contact Victoria Dewhurst on vicswoods@hotmail.com

Secretary Appointed at the AGM
We are delighted to announce that Katie Holden ( TTC supporter and active member of Clitheroe Fair Trade group) has stepped up to the challenge of becoming Secretary of TTC. Welcome !
Thank you to Katie and also to Charlie Stephenson for taking the baton from Chris
Gathercole and running with it for a couple of years.  Let’s keep running  !

Thanks to all who attended and helped out at the AGM. It was good to  meet up and reflect on what has been achieved this past year, and also start to make plans for the year to come.

The minutes will be posted  in the near future

Meanwhile here are some of the things people said they would like to see happen :-

Partnership projects with garden club –  basic growing/ stall 

Keep the group going

Beatherder 2012- be there and be different

Use the churches

Show In Transition 0.2 – plan well and make it a good event ( using churches?)

Active involvement in Whalley Forest Garden

Get a work placement student

Relate more closely to the Permaculture course

TTC/Fair Trade jointly creating spaces for people to share common ideas

Open a community shop with Fair Trade and Transition

Where? 

United Reformed Church Clitheroe, Saturday 17 March 2012, 4pm (4pm for meeting itself to be followed by a shared meal and the opportunity for a transition film showing). Bring food to share and see you there!

Important Notice:

A vacancy has arisen for the post of TTC Secretary. Nominations and expressions of interest are invited for this important role – for information about the Secretary post please contact Charlie on charles.stephenson87@gmail.com. (Some flexibility is possible as to the role and responsibilities of the Secretary).

Please see below an announcement about a new centre opening in Preston:

Dear friend or Acquaintance,

Attached is the timetable and information for what is on offer at Ciddiya Centre for Creative Arts, Health and Well Being in Preston. A new centre that I will be opening in April with an opening weekend and ceremony to celebrate this new adventure. It would be greatly appreciated if you can pass this information on (forward this whole email)  to anyone you feel will be open to recieve it, to help raise awareness about the centre and support it’s greater vision.

Any practitioner who want to facilitate, co- facilitate or contribute to the centre in any way please get in contact with myself. There is also space for exhibiting peoples art work.

If you wish to be removed form my mailing list please let me know.

Thank you
Best wishes
Sara Carter - sara.carter23@hotmail.com, 01282 680030 / 07916932621

Rabbit found dead beside the A59 at the site.

Roe deer spotted leaping through the wooded area at noon on a bright sunny day.

Owl pellets found under the coniferous tree on the site.

Will our recently completed willow and alder plantings for windbreaks survive with rabbits and deer around to browse the new shoots which are now coming through? Will we have to put up deer and rabbit proof fencing? If the deer and rabbits don’t get them will the voles finish them off?

Chris

Dear friends of Offshoots and Eco awareness raising!

Offshoots Permaculture Project together with the WEA (Workers Education Association)

Are pleased to offer free places on our Inspiring Permaculture Design Course for Sustainable Living

We still have four places available on the next Part 1 course starting on Sunday 25th March to Saturday 31st March

(7 days – the first half of a full 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate Course accredited by The Permaculture Association)

It is free to people who are on benefits, the full cost will be £130 if not on benefits

Also if not on benefits but have a low income these costs may be also be claimed back on successful completion of the course

Please would you help to let people know about this opportunity

If we do not fill these four places we may have to cancel the course which will dissappoint those already booked on

To reserve a place please email me directly on vicswoods@hotmail.com or text or leave a voice mail on mobile = 07765 414 335 (messages only)

For more information about Permaculture please visit The Permaculture Asociaition Web site www.permaculture.org.uk/
Or www.offshoots.org.uk

Many thanks

Victoria Dewhurst

Hello everyone, the first friday of the month heralds green drinks at the New Inn, parsons lane, Clitheroe. I will be there around 8-8.30. If you would like to come but do not know anyone, you can call me on 07595373682, and I will direct you to where we are sitting.