Community Engagement

2021 – Derbyshire Dales Community Energy

In 2021 I helped establish the Derbyshire Dales Community Energy (DDCE).

DDCE is a local, volunteer-run social enterprise formed as part of our region’s response to the climate emergency. We champion energy democracy, looking beyond a straight swap of fossil fuels for renewables.

DDCE is working with the Big Solar Co-op to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs of local businesses and community facilities. Both organisations are not-for-profit, carbon-first and volunteer-led.

DDCE achievements so far

• Secured RCEF funding and Derbyshire County Council funding for approximately £150k.
• Supported Arkwright Society to secure £60k crowdfunding target for their Hydro scheme.
• Supporting 16 other community energy groups across the county.
• Supporting the Midland’s Net Zero Hub and REGEN in promoting community energy more widely across the East Midlands.
• Initiating and creating net zero carbon research opportunities with Nottingham University and the Arkwright Society.
• Developing a joint bid with the sustainability Charity Change Agents UK for £0.5m National Lottery Funding Climate Action Fund to support existing and wider community energy development in Derbyshire and into Nottinghamshire.
• Awarded “Community Energy Organisation of the Year 2023” by Community Energy England
• Supported the Big Solar Co-op’s investment campaign, currently amounting to £1.1m
• Using ethically sourced Solar PV arrays.
• Supporting local installation companies to secure their long-term viability.

At the Community Energy England Award Ceremony at the Lowry Theatre in Salford on 17 November 2023 DDCE was given the Small/Medium organisation of the year accolade. 

2008 – 2018 Transition Evesham Vale

Keep it local and preserve the town and the environment

Post the financial crisis recession, all around the Vale of Evesham people were expressing disbelief at the economic downturn in the area and were wondering what would happen to the pretty market towns of Evesham and Pershore.

Behind the scenes there were many initiatives going on to combat the recession: moves to re-shape the district into a more resilient, self-sufficient place, where people could re-discover its many local resources. The entire emphasis was on using local produce, skills, and materials: buying locally grown food, supporting local arts and crafts, addressing the issues of peak-oil and climate change by localising, and depending less on non-renewable fuels.

A group of environmentally conscious residents began to discuss how Evesham could become one of the Transition Towns that were springing up around the country. These towns set out to become progressively resilient. This is when I became part of a groundswell of  climate related activism that pioneered a more sustainable vision for Evesham and  Pershore and the wider Wychavon District. The following montage of pictures and the Video “Greening the Vale” which was launched at the newly refurbished local cinema, summarise the work and energy of a relatively small group of highly motivated individuals in the Vale.

More information about the current work of Transition Evesham Vale can be found here.