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Smart Dearne Valley Businesses Urged to Invest in Energy
Cash-wise companies can learn how to boost their bottom line by investing in energy at an event to be held in the Dearne Valley later this month.
Shrewd local businesses are invited to attend the Invest in Energy event to find out how they can make money from installing renewable technology to generate their own energy.
The Invest In Energy event will be held at the Park Inn Hotel, Manvers, on Friday October 21 between 8am and 10.30am.
The free event, aimed at Dearne Valley and South Yorkshire businesses and property agents, aims to demonstrate how they can lower their energy bills and make money by generating electricity through solar and wind technologies, biomass ground and air source heat pumps, green roofs and more.
The event is being organised by the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision team in conjunction with the Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RIDO – part of Rotherham Borough Council), with regional and European funding support.
Local MP John Healey will welcome businesses to the event. There will be presentations from CO2 Sense - a not for profit consultancy which helps businesses and public-sector organisations to cut their greenhouse gas emissions and their costs – about how to generate income from energy using the Government’s feed in tariff scheme and the up-and-coming renewable heat incentive. Magna Science and Adventure Centre, who have recently installed solar panels along the 700m length of its south facing roof, will also provide a case study.
Businesses will be able to visit a number of exhibitors who can advise and supply a range of renewable energy technologies and advice about improving resource and energy efficiency.
Businesses interested in attending the event, either to find out more or to exhibit their renewable energy products and services for free, can register by emailing their details to dearnevalley@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or by completing an online form on the Dearne Valley Business Forum website at www.dearnevalleybusinessforum.org.uk and clicking on the events page.
MORE BUSINESSES PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR ECO-VISION
MORE businesses have pledged their support for the Dearne Valley eco-vision following a breakfast workshop on Friday 24 June, 2011.
The event was a chance for businesses to have their say on creating a low carbon future for the area, and find out how they could benefit.
John Healey, local MP for the Dearne Valley, gave the opening address and said:
“Huge changes have taken place in the Dearne Valley since the closure of the pits but we need to change further for the future, and forge a new sense of identity.
“The Dearne Valley has the potential to play a significant role in the economy of the region and grow as the green heart of South Yorkshire.
“We want businesses to let us know how they can play a bigger role in these improvements, and influence and challenge the development and delivery of the eco-vision.
“I know time and resources are tight but it is a great opportunity to become more innovative – whether through developing new services or products or saving money through improving energy and resource efficiency.”
Joanne Wehrle, Dearne Valley eco-vision project manager, said:
“We received a lot of positive feedback from the event and a number of organisations expressed interest in getting more involved with the eco-vision.
“Businesses also appreciated the opportunity to receive an update on the progress of the eco-vision and hear about our plans for the future.”
The event was held at Manvers Boat Club and attended by 46 people.
It was organised as part of the Dearne Valley eco-vision project, which aims to transform the former coal mining area into an exemplar of best practice in low carbon living and green technologies. The eco-vision offers great potential for businesses in helping them to “green” their business operations, find solutions to the problems of climate change and develop leading environmental technologies.
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DEARNE VALLEY TROPHY CABINET IS FILLING UP!
The Dearne Valley is celebrating after winning another clutch of awards for its environmental activity.
Dearne Valley College triumphed in the first ever Doncaster Free Press environmental awards, winning in the senior schools category. Paul Edwards, Head of Estates at the college was recognised for his extensive work to ensure that activity on the college campus is delivered with due regard for the environment and aimed at reducing carbon emissions, helping to contribute positively towards climate change.
Paul has introduced many new ideas in college in a bid to reduce energy usage, encourage recycling of materials and products and facilitate local production. He encourages student involvement in activity to address climate change and benefit those less fortunate than themselves. He has been instrumental in implementing an “invest to save” system in college and instigated a Carbon Reduction Project to ensure that the college is using new technologies to help make savings to the organisation’s energy costs.
These energy-saving methods have resulted in Dearne Valley College’s Display Energy Certificates being amongst the best in the sector. The current energy rating of most of the Dearne Valley College buildings is B, with improvements proposed which aim to take the building to an A rating in 2011/12.
Joanne Wehrle, Dearne Valley Eco-Vision Project Manager said, “Paul’s philosophy aligns with that of the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision principles to encourage greater involvement of the community and local organisations in taking action towards a more sustainable future, demonstrating how small actions can be combined to make a big difference.”
This win comes on the back of the Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership being rewarded for their hard work in the Renaissance Waterways Awards run by The Waterways Trust and BURA (British Urban Regeneration Association). The partnership came away weighed down with awards including:
Winner in the Recreation and Tourism category - for attracting 100,000 visitors a year to RSPB Old Moor, 43,000 visitors annually to the Trans Pennine Trail, Manvers Waterfront, a bike scheme, disabled riding and plans for a mountain bike centre in the future.
Winner in the Flood Risk Management category – for the innovative combination of nature spaces, amenity and flood storage areas – and plans for more joint flood storage schemes for the future.
Runner Up in the Natural Environment category – a massive achievement for an area once “the most despoiled area in Europe” .
Commended in the Partnership working category - for the collaborative working with a range of partners and stakeholders to deliver the aims and objectives of the Dearne Valley Green Heart.
Pete Wall, Dearne Valley Green Heart Project Manager said, “The Dearne Valley Green Heart aims to improve the Valley for people and wildlife by improving green spaces, connecting towns and villages to those spaces and increasing opportunities for people to get involved in looking after their Valley. It contributes towards the aims of the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision which recognises the importance of the natural habitats and wildlife of the Valley and its value in the continued economic and social regeneration of the area.”
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NEW 22 FIRST BUS SERVICE BETWEEN ROTHERHAM AND BARNSLEY LAUNCHED AT LOCAL BIRD NATURE RESERVE
AN IMPORTANT new bus service linking Rotherham and Barnsley via the Dearne Valley, was officially launched at RSPB Old Moor on Friday 6th May.
Service 22 (two little ducks in Bingo speak) will link the towns of Rotherham and Barnsley, via Rawmarsh, Manvers and Wombwell and sees a £2million investment by First, the region’s principal bus operator.
The new service will be provided using 16 modern low floor buses with easy access for customers with pushchairs or using wheelchairs and feature CCTV cameras. This ensures passengers can travel in safety and comfort. More than 30 new jobs for bus drivers have also been created.
The route covers a number of key locations within the Dearne Valley that require an improved transport link. A number of large businesses and Dearne Valley College will benefit from having a frequent and regular bus service.
A timetable for the new service is attached at the bottom of this page. The new service will connect Rotherham - Parkgate - Rawmarsh - Dearne Valley College - Manvers - Wath - West Melton - Wombwell - Stairfoot - Barnsley. It will run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday approximately 7am to 7pm. This will link these communities into First's wider Rotherham and South Yorkshire bus network giving people more opportunity to travel on buses.
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Eco Stars Scheme aims to cut emissions from vehicle fleets
Businesses and organisations in the Dearne Valley who operate a vehicle fleet and are looking to improve their green credentials can register for the ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme (Efficient and Cleaner Operations). This is a free, voluntary scheme designed to provide recognition, guidance and advice to operators of goods vehicles, buses and coaches across South Yorkshire.
The ECO Stars scheme uses a 5 star rating criteria, to recognise levels of operational and environmental performance amongst the vehicle fleet. Organisations signing up to the scheme will receive tailor made support to ensure that their fleet is running as efficiently and economically as possible, to help them progress to higher ratings.
The ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme is managed by the four South Yorkshire local authorities (Barnsley MBC, Doncaster MBC, Rotherham MBC, Sheffield CC), along with the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), under the banner of the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Partnership. In addition, NHS Barnsley supports the scheme due to the potential public health benefits across all communities in South Yorkshire.
The scheme is open to operators of all types of commercial vehicles (light goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches), across all sectors of activity (own account, hire and reward, private and public sectors, retail, haulage, industrial, parcels, community transport, local registered bus services, longer distance coach services etc) and all sizes.
To find out more or to sign up to the scheme, see the attached leaflet or visit the Eco-Stars website at http://www.care4air.org/ecostars/about.html
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Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership
The Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership has now been launched, working to develop schemes to improve the quality of life for local people, encourage a diverse wildlife and improve access.
For further details please contact Stuart Jenkinson stuart.jenkinson@environment-agency.gov.uk or visit the Dearne Valley Green Heart website www.dvgh.org
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Dearne Valley Eco Vision Community Survey - NOW ONLINE!
The Dearne Valley Eco Vision is an exciting and ambitious multi-partner project which aims to tackle climate change whilst at the same time enabling the economic, social and environmental development of a low carbon community in the Dearne Valley.
Key to the long term success of the Eco Vision is the involvement and participation of the people who live, work and visit the Dearne Valley. We want the community to be actively involved in shaping, creating, leading and benefitting from the regeneration of the Valley. As such we are always seeking input from the community. We are currently looking to gauge the local community’s current thoughts and feelings on climate change and what it means to them, as well as how they would like to see the Dearne Valley and their lives change as a result of the Eco Vision.
The link to our short online survey can now be found on the website under the Community Consultation and Involvement section.
We look forward to hearing your views and seeing what you are doing to reduce your carbon footprint.
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Help develop Green Talent in the Dearne Valley
We are looking for local companies to take part in an exciting new initiative being co-ordinated by the RSPB to provide young people with short work placements looking at how businesses are addressing climate change issues.
This is all part of a a new national initiative – called Green Talent - which aims to inspire and empower 14 – 19 year olds to use their talents and skills to seize the opportunities of moving to a low carbon economy. The scheme provides an excellent example of how businesses and the wider community can help contribute to the aims of the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision creating a prosperous, low carbon community in the Dearne Valley.
The initiative, which is funded by the Department for Education and lead by RSPB Old Moor in the Dearne Valley, provides young people with a 2-day environmental experience at the Old Moor site to allow them to see how we are all dependent on the natural world and how the world is changing. This is combined with a ‘green’ work placement to see how businesses are adapting to changes and how the young people’s future job and career choices will shape our transition to a low carbon world.
RSPB are looking for businesses in the area who may be interested in taking part in the scheme which will provide an innovative experience and opportunities for local students. Employers will also benefit from students working within their business to consider how the organisation is engaging with climate change and what opportunities may arise from this.
For further information please see the attached Green Talent leaflet.
If you are interested in registering to take part in the scheme, please contact the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision project team on 0114 263 5681 or email dearnevalley@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
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The Eco-Stars scheme aims to improve fuel efficiency of vehicle fleets, save money and reduce emissions. (866 KB)
