Meetings & Events 2008

About Us

Home

 

 

Farmers' Markets

Lantern Centre - Ilfracombe High Street

10.00 - 12.30

Pop into Trans-Send for the full years dates 

or pick one up at the market!!

2008 dates for your diary

The next market will be on  August 24th

and then September 14th and 28th

 

Trans-Send AGM 2008

The AGM took place on April 30th.

Thank you to those who attended - more would have been encouraging!

TRANS-SEND ANNUAL REPORT 2007

Renewable Energy

RE4D

Following the launch in Oct 2006 the project was really active during 2007.

28 clients were advised, 12 site meetings held, 3 funding bids written and over 240 hours directly booked to RE4D by T-S. No installations were achieved during 2007 but work is continuing in 2008 to bring some of these projects to completion.

The DREAP members, together with reps from the funding partners, form a Project Management Board, I attended 4 meetings in 2007, all in Exeter

Trans-Send is one of the delivery partners, mentoring community clients in North Devon. Six Operation Group meetings, 5 in Exeter, one at Tiverton, were attended in 2007, travel by bus and train to these is very time consuming.

During the year RE4D held a number of outside ‘roadshow’ events, I provided RE advice at six of these and was present at a further 7 events organised by other parties representing both RE4D and T-S.

Wind Farms

T-S supports the efficient production of zero carbon energy and continued to be involved with the public inquiry for Fullabrook Wind Farm held in Barnstaple in Dec 06 – Jan 07. In October the minister finally gave the project planning permission – celebrations were short lived as NDDC decided to take the decision to judicial review, result expected July 08.

Projects

Despite much funding and promotional initiatives for biomass CHP schemes Green Heat is still on hold pending availability of the site for the ‘power station’.

Attention has been focused on 500MW tidal current project in Bristol Channel off Ilfracombe.

Initial technology chosen was Rotech turbines, redesign work now completed and first small trial array off St David’s head has been announced.

During the year the Sustainable Development Commission published its report on tidal power, most interest is in the Severn barrage proposals so it is an uphill struggle to get support for in-stream turbines off Ilfracombe.

 Consultation

Trans-Send has provided RE advice to The Ilfracombe Centre refurbishment of Council offices, The Lantern, Tesco store and to the many callers from outside Devon who contacted us.

AONB Small wind project

During the year some SDF funding was obtained and project started in October. So far site visits and reports completed for six sites, Clare & I have put in over 70 hours of time and still have more than 10 sites to survey. Unfortunately funding finished in Feb 08 and final claim was submitted.

Ilfracombe Farmers’ Market

Twenty-one markets were held during the year; total customers counted at the door were 5867, nearly 1500 less than last year, an average of 279/market, maximum of 451, minimum 97.

A total of 279 stalls were let during the year, 16 less than 2006, average of 12.4 producers/market, max 17, min 9.

The trend towards fewer attending has continued into 2008, financial constraints has caused an increase in table prices and attracting quality producers as well as customers remains a problem.

Total market income for the year was £2647.34 including £512 from Megadraw and market raffle ticket sales, all prizes kindly donated by the producers and the Rotary Club. Included was a grant of £450 from the Co-op community fund.

Total expenditure was £2911.36, giving a deficit of £264.02 for the year.

 Full details of the financial statement are available from the market co-ordinator on request.

Retail Report

The retail section of Trans-Send was not as busy in 2007 compared to previous years.  

Total sales for the year were down by around 20% to £1950 but outgoings were also lower giving an overall net gain at the end of the year.  The total value of stock at the end of 2007 was the same as at the previous year at just over £2,600.

We continue to offer visitors to the centre a selection of energy saving, fun and eco friendly products. A fully illustrated list of products can be viewed on the Trans-Send web site.

Sales of low energy light bulbs have been good but prices for 2008 are expected to increase in line with wholesale prices.  The selection of low energy bulbs available to us continues to grow and, as last year, it is difficult to know which to keep in stock.

Recycling Project

The Waste Transfer Note records that during 2007 Trans-Send diverted 190 kg of printer cartridges and mobile phones from landfill, recycling of these provided an income of £237.90.

At the end of Jan 2008 John took two car boot loads, over 100kg, of used Christmas cards to Tesco Ilfracombe for onward transport to the Woodland Trust. The amount coming into the shop has reduced as we encourage shoppers to take their cards to Tesco direct.

Due to the high ‘gate fee’ handling charges and our funding situation we have had to suspend our collection of dry batteries. We have to advice the public to dispose of batteries to landfill via black bin, there being no alternative yet provided by NDDC ‘Green sweep’.

Other activities

Greener Ilfracombe project

Originally formed in 2006 as the Ilfracombe & District Green Alliance as a partnership between ‘green’ groups for the purpose of joint fund raising.

Monthly meetings held throughout 2007 attended by one or two reps from T-S.

Trans-Send acts as administrator and is the treasurer, separate bank account opened in July 2007. Much of the work has been on setting up the www.greenerilfracombe.org.uk web site and designing the wild life survey. Main practical activity is the establishment of Calf Green community allotment, site cleared, tool shed and shelter now erected and most plots under cultivation.

Transition Town Ilfracombe

Inaugural meeting held on June 13th 2007, T-S acts as administrator and communication centre disseminating news and information to the group of members on a regular basis.

May Day Celebrations

The eighth annual event was held on Monday 7th May, T-S is the administrator organising licences, insurance, stewarding, safety cover, and the treasurer obtaining funding etc. T-S volunteers play a major part on the day and beforehand preparing ‘Jack’ and the Maypole.

Representation

T-S is represented by its volunteers at numerous meetings of the Ilfracombe & District Community Transport Partnership, Ilfracombe & District Community Alliance CIC, Transform Transport Forum, Green Business Forum and the Enterprising Women group.

Field study trips

During August and September Trans-Send organised five all-day minibus trips to visit 26 places of interest/education for sustainable living. Over 60 people benefited from these trips, including a group of 14 year old secondary school students and several renewable energy clients.

 

 

 

 

Cow Green Community Garden

For more information contact North Devon Voluntary Services on 01271 866300 

Events are planned for Saturdays 

June 7th, July 5th, August 2nd and September 6th. 

Call NDVC for more details nearer the time.

 

Go to the News page on our website for more information about the technologies supported by RE4D

 

 

Conference on

Community Renewable Energy Project   

22nd March 2004

at

The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe 

  Trans-Send has been awarded a Commended certificate in the prestigious UK Eurosolar 2004 Awards.

The certificate was awarded in recognition of outstanding service to the promotion of renewable energy. In particular it was for the very successful Conference on Community Renewable Energy Projects organised by Trans-Send at the Landmark Theatre on 22nd March this year.

Judges comments   The work of Trans-Send stood out as an example to many communities in how to create interest and enthusiasm for renewables, for local action and for helping the community to see a sustainable way forward in their locality.

Eurosolar, the European Solar Energy Association, has as its goal the replacement of nuclear and fossil fuels with environmentally sound energies such as sunlight, wind energy, biomass, hydropower and ocean energies – collectively known as “solar” energies. Eurosolar maintains that the development of renewable energy is the environmental issue of key importance in the 21st century, as the basis of new lasting economic policies. Energy 21, as the UK branch of Eurosolar, organises the annual Eurosolar UK Awards which give recognition to inspiring renewable energy projects.

The conference was funded by

 

 

 

 

 

                                Supported by