Welcome to the Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth!
The project to raise awareness of the climate – and our collective action to address it in the Sid Valley.
Founded in 2022, we are a partnership of Sidmouth Town Council and other local organisations – including the Sidmouth Churches, the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors , the Sidmouth Science Festival , Sidmouth schools and the Vision Group for Sidmouth
We are open to anyone living or visiting or interested in the Sid Valley community
Our aims include organising events, publicising support on reducing our carbon footprint, looking for opportunities to live more sustainably and celebrating success through the media.
Come join us at CAPS!
Welcome to the CAPS monthly newsletters!
Welcome to the new-look newsletters from the Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth – based on the excellent newsletters from the Devon Climate Emergency.
These will look at the positive stories of what’s happening in the Sid Valley and East Devon when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and living more sustainably. And if you have any local news and stories around the climate, do get in touch @ https://caps.vgsidmouth.co.uk/contact-us
SPECIAL MESSAGES!
Tips from OurLocalExpert
CAPS is very pleased to have Nick Hall, publisher of Our Local Expert, joining our team – and Nick is very happy to share tips on house and home technologies which will save us energy and save us some money.
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We’ll be posting regular pieces which Nick has to share with us – as we look to practical ways to reduce our carbon footprint and to make life a little more comfortable.
Tips from OurLocalExpert – Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth
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“Building Climate Hope” – Would you like to be interviewed as part of an Exeter Uni research project?
CAPS has received a request from researcher Juliet Carlisle at the University of Exeter:
“I’m at the University of Exeter as a Fulbright scholar, conducting research on emotions, climate change, and collective engagement, Building Climate Hope in Collective Engagement Across Generations.
I would very much welcome the opportunity to interview you.
These 1v1 interviews will take place online (via Zoom) or in-person and be semi-structured. Please follow the link below to find my information about the study:
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Giving East Devon’s rivers legal rights
Looking beyond the immediate impacts from the weather these last weeks, we are now asking more fundamental questions around giving England’s rivers legal rights.
This debate has now come to our own waters, with the decision in East Devon to recognise the rights of rivers.
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The move makes East Devon District Council only the 12th council nationally to recognise the “rights of rivers”, essentially considering them as a legal entity with rights.
Giving East Devon’s rivers legal rights – The Sid
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Earth’s heat to power 10,000 homes in renewable energy first for UK
And a first for the West Country:
The UK’s first geothermal power plant has been turned on, providing a completely new type of renewable electricity using hot water from underground.
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Earth’s heat to produce electricity for homes in UK clean energy first – BBC News
After 20 years of work and £50 million in funding, the landmark United Downs plant near Redruth and Truro has begun commercial operations. This pioneering facility is set to provide new clean, renewable electricity that doesn’t rely on the British weather, opening up exciting opportunities for the future. The project has already secured a long-term deal with Octopus Energy to deliver this “always-on” power directly to British homes.
10,000 homes powered by Cornwall’s heat – Radio Exe
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“SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers”
There’s now an excellent guide to the environment groups of the Sid Valley with the publication of a leaflet devoted to “SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers”.
Conceived and put together by Cllr Kevin Walker, designed by Lyndsay Hooper and funded by the town council, the “SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers” leaflet and interactive map give very handy reference points to the green groups of the Sid Valley.
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There has now been a gathering of the Sid Valley’s green groups to share ideas, pool resources and work on joint strategies.
“SIDMOUTH – Powered by volunteers” – Sustainable Sidmouth Champion Awards
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Contribute to the Marine & Green Charter
“…to promote a joined up approach to caring for the Sid Valley”
The Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub has launched an initiative to give us the opportunity to make a powerful and positive statement about what we want for our natural environment and how we can create a resilient community.
By completing the short and straightforward survey and following on from these group and individual inputs, the Marine & Green Charter should show what we all collectively feel about our Sid Valley.
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For the survey and more, go to: Marine & Green Charter – Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub
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Street lights switch off made permanent after trial
Street lights will be switched off early or dimmed on a permanent basis on streets across Devon after a year-long trial. Devon County Council has said using less energy on street lighting is saving them about £270,000 a year and reducing carbon emissions by about 200 tonnes a year.
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Dan Thomas, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for highways, said: “This decision strikes the right balance between being responsible with public money, tackling climate change and continuing to keep people safe. With the technology we now have, we can tailor lighting to different communities and make changes where they’re needed, including increasing lighting levels if safety issues are identified.”
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You are invited to… “We Are All People of Power!”
Exhibition | from 4th March @ Sidmouth Library
Film & Panel Discussion | 6.30 pm: Thursday 16th April @ Kennaway House
The “We Are All People of Power” exhibition comes to Sidmouth Library on Wednesday 4th March with artist Polly Meyrick’s series of portraits of Devon people “celebrating the human stories behind the energy transition and its far-reaching impact on communities”.
As covered in the latest Herald, this Sidmouth exhibition is to display the renewable energy transition, featuring “stories of eight people across Devon who are helping shape the move to a low-carbon future through cycling, farming, public engagement, and community energy”.
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Here’s the poster – which also looks ahead to April 16th, when the exhibition will move to Kennaway House, where we can watch a short film and interact with a panel discussion with energy experts and Sidmouth residents who have made energy-saving changes in their community groups and businesses.
You are invited to… “We Are All People of Power!” – Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth
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Nature Based Solutions to Growing Food
Biodiversity Group Evening | 7pm Friday 13th March @ Kennaway House
Vicky McLachlan and Carolyn Dare explore sustainable ways to grow food, including the wonders of Biochar and a celebration of the humble dung beetles that actually do such an amazing job to our benefit.
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‘Jo in the Water’ documentary comes to Sidmouth
Film & panel discussion | 6pm: Sunday 22nd March @ Radway Cinema
Within the last fortnight, a lawsuit against SWW over sewage has widened to more towns – to include people from Sidmouth.
We can see how this case has unfolded from Jo Bateman herself – in a documentary film out now and about to screen at the Radway Cinema Sidmouth.
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As the independent filmmaker Pip Piper and director of Jo in The Water has said to the VGS: “Sidmouth features in the film, as we filmed Jo with Jeremy Vine there on his radio show during the Folk Festival in 2024.”
With more from the Radway’s website on Jo in the Water plus Q&A and how to book tickets.
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‘Confluence – the River Sid and its tributaries’
a free public art display | ending March @ the Riverside ArtSpace
Looking after our river is key to managing our fragile environment – and over the last months, the Sidmouth School of Art has put together an extraordinary and ambitious project.
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The Confluence – the River Sid and Its Tributaries project brings people, ideas, knowledge and action together to protect, conserve and enhance the river and its tributaries.
For more info: ‘Confluence – the River Sid and Its Tributaries’ – a new free public art display at the Riverside Art Space – The Sid
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Energy Essentials: Smart Ways to Cut Costs & Manage Your Home’s Energy Use
10am – 12 noon: Tuesday, 31st March@ Exeter College Future Skills Centre
Exeter College are delighted to offer a FREE Energy Essentials Workshop.
Learn how to understand energy bills, cut usage, boost efficiency, choose tariffs, and make smart home upgrades to save money.
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Energy Essentials Workshop – Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth
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EVERY MONTH!
Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
Every first Sunday of the month | Sidmouth Beach Clean
. For more info: Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
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Sidmouth Repair Café
Every last Saturday of the month | St Francis Church Hall, Woolbrook
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For more info: https://www.facebook.com/sidmouthrepaircafe/
Find us on social media with daily news and stories: . Our mailing address is:info@caps.vgsidmouth.co.uk |