We hope to fill the British Legion Hall, Northgate, Louth, with lots of stalls
demonstrating how to have fun, eat well and save money in a sustainable,
low carbon future.

Entry is free and refreshments will be served.

Stalls so far are:

DIY bicycle checks (punctures fixed for free!)
“Master Gardeners” get you growing!
Sprouting beans and seeds
Make a new bag from an old rag! (bring your own “rag”!)
Let’s get knitting!
Louth Community Food Gardens display
Local renewable energy installers
Water saving advice from Groundworks
How to make a greenhouse from plastic bottles
Brew your own fruit and herbal teas
Making fruit cordials
Homemade produce swap shop. Too much tomato chutney? swap it for Jam!
Create your own work of art with the help of local artists.

Contact James Pocklington at   jpocklington@fastmail.fm  if you would like to bring another stall or activity.

Everyone is welcome.

Unlike other companies, credit unions are mutuals – our members are our owners.

To be a member, you must:-

• Be part of our ‘common bond’ (a legal necessity) for Credit Unions which unites the people we serve.
• Have at least £1 in a savings account and have paid a £1 joining fee.

We don’t need to focus on high profits paid to shareholders by dividends. Instead, we focus on you, our members.

Although we are a local credit union, run and managed by people committed to a better Lincolnshire economy, we are affiliated to ABCUL – a national trade association (Association of British Credit Unions Ltd.).

It is our aim for the Credit Union to become a self-sustaining financial organisation that can benefit all of the local community, whether by providing a safe and convenient method of saving, or providing loans at low interest rates without hidden charges or fees.

We currently have a central administration office in Lincoln, and a growing number of local town branches throughout Lincolnshire.

A training session for volunteers is scheduled for Wednesday 9th May at Trinity Centre. 9.30-12am.
If you are available and would like to help set up this worthwhile
community service then please get in touch with Peta at
pcwpeta@btinternet.com

Please contact Adam Fleming on 0845 026 7971, adam.fleming@groundwork.org.uk

The information fairs will provide the opportunity for organisations to promote the services they offer to community groups and community building committees.

For more information and to book onto one of these events then please check out the invite and return it to Claire Riley at Community Lincs.

There are a variety of open days coming up around the county:

Inclusive Open Day at Bardney Heritage Centre on Sunday 10th April 2011 11.00am – 3.00pm where you can take a bike ride with Olympic Cyclist Bryan Steel! 

Inclusive Open Day at Grimsthorpe Castle on Sunday 17th April 2011 11.00am – 3.00pm. Say you’re with ‘Bike 4 Life’ for free entry to the grounds!

Tricycles, hand cycles, wheelchair bikes and piggy back bikes will be available, as well as standard adult and childrens. Safe, off road cycle routes are nearby, to allow families to spend quality time together and include all the family. You can always bring your own and just hire what you need.

Discounts will be given to families who have children with disabilities at a reduced cost of £7 for adults and £5 for children for 3 hours bike hire.

As well as a range of adults and kids bikes, we have Wheelchair Bikes, Hand Cycles, Tricyles and Three Wheeler Tandems available to hire.

For more information view the information leaflet, call Sarah Ferneyhough on 01522 585 580, or visit www.lincolnshiresports.com/bike4life.

The electric Smart Fortwo, which has a range of up to 85 miles and can be recharged from a domestic electricity socket, will be used by City Hall staff to travel to external meetings for two weeks – one of a range of schemes to highlight climate change being run by the council.

The vehicle is being loaned as part of the government’s Smart Move study into the integration of electric vehicles into fleets, which is being managed by Cenex.

Electric cars are a lot cheaper to run than a conventional petrol car. For example if the City of Lincoln Council staff were able to use electric cars for council business, the authority could save around £50,000 a year based on current fuel prices.

Rob Smith, Business Services Team Leader at the City of Lincoln Council, said:

We’re delighted to take part in the Smart Move study and test drive the electric car for two weeks. This will give our staff an insight into the benefits of driving an electric car and as an organisation, it will give us an idea of whether or not an electric fleet would be beneficial for the council.

Dr Chris Bingham, Professor of Energy Conversion at the University of Lincoln’s School of Engineering, said:

We’re working closely with the City of Lincoln Council on a number of projects and are keen to maintain that link. We’re particularly interested in this scheme as we can look at the impact of driver behaviour and driving style on the range and energy consumption of an electric vehicle. This information will help us at a town planning level, helping to improve traffic flow schemes to reduce energy consumption.

Steve Carroll, technical specialist at Cenex, said:

Cenex is very pleased to be working with the City of Lincoln Council, helping them identify how electric vehicles could fit into their transport fleet.

View the original article on the County Council website.

1. Energy Saving Event: There will be stalls, freebies, competitions and activities for children at Horncastle Primary School between 2.30 pm and 4 pm. The theme will be on Energy Saving, with advice on how to cut your bills and help save the planet, together with information on installing energy generating equipment. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to come along.

2. “The 11th Hour”: There will be a free screening of Leonardo DiCaprio’s acclaimed film about Climate Change “The 11th Hour” starting at 7.30 pm at Horncastle College. Free Entry. There will be a grand raffle and refreshments for sale. After the film Geoff Stratford from Lincoln will host a question and answer session. All Welcome.

3. Earth Hour: Earth Hour is being held on Saturday 26 March at thousands of countries around the world between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, local times, lights will be switched off to raise awareness of the power we use and the effect it is having on our environment.

Celebrate Earth Hour by candlelight at Bentons Coffee, Wine and Cocktail Bar at 29 Bridge Street, Horncastle LN9 5HZ. Lights Out between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm Live acoustic music all evening. Free Entry. All welcome

The first film will be “the Power of Community” which tells the story of how Cuba addressed it’s own Peak oil crisis when the Soviet Union collapsed leading to a catastrophic failure of Cuba’s oil supply. The ways in which Cuba addressed the problems that this created are enlightening and inspirational.

The second film is “A Farm for the future” this film follows wildlife photographer Rebecca Hosking as she investigates the impact that Peak Oil will have on fossil fuel dependent farming. She returns to her father’s farm in Devon and meets permaculture and organic specialists on her mission to create a sustainable farm for the future.

The program will start 7.30pm prompt and will be held at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Eastgate, Louth.

There will be a short break for refreshments between films (each film is about 1 hour long).

If you have already seen the films why not come along and bring some
friends who haven’t!

See the poster for full details and please print and display a copy anywhere suitable.

Whether you are looking to use inputs more efficiently, cut waste , develop new skills or market opportunities this is the event for you. Here you’ll discover new sources of advice and information, have opportunities to network and hear how other businesses and projects have responded to the challenges we all face and are moving forward into 2011.

Paul Hudson

The conference will be opened by Paul Hudson, meteorologist and presenter with BBC Look North. Paul will introduce his perspective on some of the issues and opportunities that a changing climate may present for Lincolnshire’s businesses.

Delegates will have opprtunities to visit the exhibition and choose from options from a list of seminars. To book your FREE place please visit the EPIC Lincolnshire website and use the Visitor registration form.