October 2016 meeting: Developing the Heart of Wales Line

Tuesday 25th October, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Herb Garden Café

Free admittance includes hot drink and cake served at 7pm.
All are welcome!

We invite you to a talk by David Edwards about the work of the Heart of Wales Line Development Company Ltd which is a Community Business Unit Trailblazer.

David's talk will explain the work of the company and describe some of its current schemes, such as their new caboose.  The rail franchise for the Wales and Borders area is due for renewal soon, and David will also talk about how the company is working to get the best from that process.

About the speaker

David is Chairman of the Development Company. He started his career as a British Rail Management Trainee but denationalised himself and has worked as a trainer, management consultant and marketing specialist in a variety of sectors.

He now concentrates on the not for profit sector and is keen to ensure that the Heart of Wales line is used to maximum effect in aiding the regeneration of the businesses and communities along its route. .

You can download a poster to help promote this event.

Further information

A copy of David's presentation, "The Socially Enterprising Railway", is available to download.

Renewing the franchise for the Heart of Wales Line

David has provided contact details for any enquiries relating to the franchise renewal:

Transport for Wales      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact details of companies preparing bids for the franchise:

MTR      This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Keolis   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (consultants acting on behalf of Keolis)
Abellio  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Arriva   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The above bidders have all now been approved and are working on their 'initial solutions'.  Send in your suggestions for ways in which the current operation needs to be improved. 

 

Details

Published: 06 October 2016

September 2016 meeting: Cut your home heating bills with Nest

Tuesday 27th September, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Herb Garden Café

Free admittance includes hot drink and cake served at 7pm.
All are welcome!

We invite you to a talk by Peter Hughes about the Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme.

Nest is open to all householders in Wales and provides advice on saving energy, money management, energy tariffs, and benefit entitlement.

In addition to free advice, if you own or privately rent your home and you or someone you live with receives a means tested benefit you may be eligible for home improvements at no cost. These may include a new central heating boiler, loft insulation, or cavity wall and solid wall insulation.

Over the last 5 years 85,000 householders have contacted Nest.  23,700 have received free home improvements and saved an average of £408 on their energy bills.

Come and learn about ways to reduce your heating bills and discover if you too could be eligible for free improvements.

About the speaker

Peter Hughes works with the Energy Saving Trust on the Nest Scheme as Partnership Development Manager for the Mid and West Wales area. His research experience encompasses behaviour change and environmental politics.

He has previously worked as Project Co-ordinator and Home Energy Coach with Ymlaen Ceredigion in the promotion of sustainable energy behaviours and community fuel networks.

You can download a poster and a leaflet to help promote this event.

Further Reading

Following the meeting, Peter has provided a number of useful resources:

A copy of the slides he showed at the meeting

The latest Nest Partner bulletin

The Nest FAQ document which deals with questions about the scheme which regulalry crop up

The Nest guide to E, F and G property energy efficiency rating

The Nest Home Energy Checklist which covers the information you will need when seeking support through Nest

Nest Consultation

The Welsh Government are currently consulting about a future demand-led energy efficiency and fuel poverty scheme to succeed the current Nest scheme.

You can respond to the consultation here.  Responses must be received by 19th October 2016.

Energy Best Deal

Citizens Advice has been working on the Energy Best Deal public awareness campaign since 2008.  The The campaign aims to:

• make people aware of the savings that can be made by switching fuel providers
• provide information about help available from energy suppliers and government for people struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills
• inform consumers about how they might save money by using less energy

Citizens Advice Powys carry out Energy Best Deal appointments throughout Powys. The contact number for the Energy Best Deal line is 01686 617667

More information on the Citizens Advice website.

Details

Published: 22 August 2016

August 2016 Meeting: Climate Change Update

Tuesday 23rd August, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Herb Garden Café

Free admittance includes hot drink and cake served at 7pm.
All are welcome!

The global climate system is under ever-increasing pressure from human activities and internal feedbacks are now beginning to accelerate the changes.

This is particularly true in the critical area of the Arctic. In 2012 northern sea ice fell to a spectacular new record low leading to dire prognostications and predictions of imminent collapse.

Although the worst-case scenario hasn't yet happened, the trends are growing clearer with each year and the news isn't what you'd call comforting.

This talk is an update on climate change, particularly regarding the state of the Arctic, and discussing where the changes are heading. It will also try to address what we can expect over the coming decade… and what we simply don't know and can't yet predict.

About the speaker

Joe Botting is a Llandrindod-based palaeontologist and naturalist, with a long interest in environmental matters. He certainly isn't a professional climatologist, but has been closely following what is going on for some years.

Given the message from this talk, you might be surprised to hear that he's not naturally a pessimist.

You can download a poster and a leaflet to help promote this event.

Details

Published: 02 August 2016