On Sunday 17th August we took the Light Fantastic to the Chorley Show near Bridgenorth. The Chorley Show is a unique summer show in that it has for many years endeavoured to promote local produce, arts and crafts and more recently really take responsibility for its environmental impact. Last year we carbon foot-printed the whole show, highlighting ways in which their footprint cold be further reduced. They have taken many of our recommendations on board, with displays and stall holders relying  lesson generators, the 70's classic (gas guzzling) car show removed and an increased public transport provision for visitors to the show.

Despite the weekend of rain and an angry looking sky, the show was very well attended with over 2000 visitors. Our visit to the show was funded by Defra's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund co-ordinated by Shropshire County Council. We had over 1000 visitors, who took with them 1300 low energy light bulbs and 160 powerdown units. This will result in CO2 savings of 187 tonnes and retained economic benefit of nearly £81,000.

The Chorley parish community have a very active low energy lighting project on going and will be distributing further low energy light bulbs through out the community over the coming year.

To find out more about Light Fantastic, please click the link to the Carbon Forum website: http://www.carbonforum.org/light-fantastic

MEA has appointed a Policy & European Funding Manager to help steer the organization, Regional policy and actors, on delivering Europe and West Midlands' priorities on climate change and sustainable energy. The promotion and sharing of best practice in these fields will strengthen the influence of the Region in policy review and development, and encourage future project and partnership development.

As a Project Manager for the Agency since joining in 2004, Manager Katherine Shepherd has a good understanding of projects, issues and challenges related to the climate change agenda. The role is founded on the belief that the sharing of knowledge, experience and best practice, and cross-sector cooperation both within and between regions, is essential for more rapid progress in delivering a low carbon future and for guiding policy makers at all levels.

Please contact katherine@mea.org.uk for more information and partnering opportunities.

MEA has secured funding as coordinator of an innovative European project on energy efficiency and renewable technologies in historic areas and buildings.

The project - Sechurba - involves 13 partners from 7 countries (Greece, Denmark, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland and UK) and aims to demonstrate how our heritage can be used as a cultural, social, economic and environmental opportunity using sustainable technologies, rather than as a barrier to a low carbon future.

The inaugural meeting is on the 9th September when all partners will visit Shrewsbury to meet for the first time to discuss the project and visit case study buildings in the historic town centre.

For further information - contact the Project Manager, Nicole on 01743 277109

Picture above shows Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery at Rowley's House - fine example of early 17th Century timber-framed buildings

Re:think Energy is a newly launched £1.5 million renewable energy capital grant scheme aimed at Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), situated in, or who are benefitting the Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ) areas of Shropshire, Herefordshire and parts of Worcestershire. 

The scheme will enable SMEs to capitalise on opportunities to install renewable energy technologies as well as provide openings for business within the RRZ through the manufacture, supply and installation of renewable technologies and services.

Kate Millbank the RE:think Energy Manager has recently started in post and is excited about taking the project forward. "The opportunity for businesses within the RRZ to actively take control of their energy needs, reduce fuel bills and carbon emissions is fantastic and is becoming increasingly more necessary with escalating fuel costs, energy insecurity and growing concerns about global climate change. RE:think Energy provides businesses within the RRZ  a ‘not to be missed' opportunity to become more energy independent as well as partake in the growing low carbon economy, firmly establishing themselves and the West Midlands in the UK's low carbon future".

Funded via Advantage West Midlands and managed by Marches Energy Agency, RE:think Energy can offer grants of up to 50% of the capital cost investment of installing renewable energy technologies.

Shrewsbury based caravan and leisure company Salop Leisure have generously supplied the Light Fantastic project with essential items to get the exhibition on the road.

Managing Director Mark Bebb said "I am delighted to support this local project, we have a commitment to be energy efficient at Salop Leisure and it's good to help others to do the same."

The Light Fantastic Roadshow, operated by Marches Energy Agency, has been touring the West Midlands giving away low energy bulbs and talking to people about energy efficiency.

Project Manager, Sarah Meredith said "We've given away over 12,000 low energy bulbs so far. Over their lifetime that will save 1,756 tonnes of CO2 and nearly £750,000 off people's electricity bills and replacement lights. That's just a month of events, so we are really making an impact with the project."

Energy company E.ON are also supporting the project, donating low energy bulbs from leading manufacturer Megaman and Powerdown units to help householders reduce their energy consumption.

A grant from Awards for All has allowed completion of the exhibition and the Shropshire Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund has paid for a number of events this summer at local shows and venues. The next events in Shropshire to be visited by the Light Fantastic trailer are the Oswestry and Minsterley Shows on August 2^nd and 9^th.

If you want to know more about Light Fantastic, booking events or volunteering, please call Sarah Meredith, Project Manager, 01743 277114 or email sarah@mea.org.uk