Susan Thompson's Blog (74)

I have just posted the following reply to Allison Thorpe of SDNPA who has asked for comments about sustainable transport and invited forum members to contribute to an on line survey @ http://southdownsforum.ning.com/forum/topics/survey-on-sustainable-.... There is a question about sustainable access to the South Downs National Park... Please join the forum and contribute if you can since this is very…

The Ouse Valley Cycle Network Moving Planet walk was promoted through Viva Lewes, Village Connections, Cycle Seahaven, Transition Lewes and at the Newhaven Mayor's quiz night!   As you can see from the happy waving walkers... we moved our tiny bit of the planet and our walk was well supported on a fine September day!

Around twenty people, several dogs and a heron joined the walk, enjoying the beautiful riverside scenery with wonderful panoramic views of surrounding…

The Stop Climate Chaos - Big Climate Reconnection public meeting in Uckfield last week was a perfect opportunity to engage with those who are in a position to make real changes which will have a direct impact on local people it included prestentations by the DECC minister Charles Hendry and project coordinators of WWF, RSPB, CAFOD and Transition Forest Row.   This initiative involved countrywide meetings with climate ministers.  For detailed responses by the member organisations see…

Thanks to the new Community Strategy team of the new South Downs National Park who hosted our first public meeting in the new Linklater pavillion to discuss the development of an Ouse Valley Cycling network.  An integrated South Downs cycle network is being considered as part of a possible application for Sustainable Transport…

The Powering Lewes discussion at the Linklater last night was very well attended and outlined details of some very inspiring local developments:

These include: the Rampion offshore windfarm, the Ovesco/Harveys solar roof, LDC plans for photovoltaics for local social housing and a planning application for an anaerobic disgester to deliver local energy to schools and leisure buildings from local restaurant and other waste.. the fertiliser by product enriching our local…

Ovesco The Ouse Valley Energy Supply Company have been running the LDC grant scheme for domestic renewables for the last four years as part of the Low Carbon Building Programme.  Fresh focus on developing community energy projects has led to ambitious plans to build the first community owned solar power station. Ovesco are currently examining the feasibility of installing a 98kW solar photovoltaic array on the roof of Harveys’ main storage and distribution warehouse…

"The plastic bag is the ultimate symbol of our throw away lifestyle" 

A new Lewes District Council Sustainability Centre campaign to say NO to the plastic bag has already received a great response as the majority of of Lewes shops, including one of the supermarkets, have agreed to seriously consider offering alternatives.   Shops in the coastal towns and villages will be visited soon.  LDC are teaming up with local residents, Town and Parish…

More news of sustainable communities... two new initiatives to better connect the people of the Ouse Valley villages:

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The sun shone for the first time today on the first solar panels to be installed in Swanborough and their new owner was over the moon! but clouds are already gathering on the horizon as the government announced a review of the feed in tariffs intended to encourage people to make this investment for themselves and the planet in future.  The problem seems to be... too much interest in…

Can anybody help Sharon to find homes for free range, organic "end of lay" hens.  These hens from Ditchling are still laying but just not enough to be commercially viable and with shells that are fine but unacceptable for the supermarkets!  Contact sharonkaye33@yahoo.com

A new initiative with very broad valley wide support is beginning to develop.  More news very soon...

Please post your comments about this as ablog or in the new discussion forum.

The Lewes Parking Review @ www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Comments are invited from throughout the district.…

We have just been sent the following link which suggests that the proposed flooding of the lower Ouse may not now be going ahead .... …