East Dean and Friston
Climate. Friends
Residents for a Nature and Climate Friendly Parish
Climate Friends
A more Climate-Friendly Parish
Latest News.
*Problems with your Smart Meter ?*
Many of us are having trouble with our smart meters connecting to the
Digital Network. Our MP, James MacCleary, has got a commitment to
“investigate [this] as a matter of urgency” from the Digital Communications
Company (DCC), who have oversight of smart meter deployment. All the DCC
needs to do this is your postcode. However, if you are willing to add your
name, your provider and your email address, Climate Friends and OVESCO,
that promotes community-owned renewable energy across East Sussex and who
initiated this assistance, would like to follow up on this operation. Your
details will not be shared with any other company or body without your
permission. So, if you are having *problems submitting automatic energy use
readings*, email ourbitedf@gmail.com with the required information.
*ECO HOME OPEN HOUSES 2025*
This festival returned to the Lewes district last year after an 8 year
break with most houses open from 10am to 1pm and from 2 to 4pm: over 600
people visited homes. This year, it is coming to East Dean & Friston in
September.
*Are you interested in opening your eco home to the general public
for one day ?*
The festival involves homeowners throwing open their doors to showcase the
energy improvements they've made to their homes. Features that the
festival is keen to showcase in homes this year are:
- air/ground source heat pumps
- solar PV panels & batteries
- whole house ventilation systems
- electric cars & chargers
- insulation
- glazing ideas including secondary glazing in conservation areas
- rainwater harvesters
- nature-friendly gardens.
As the Eco Homes Open Houses Festival is partnering with the Peoples Park
for Nature this year, homes with nature-friendly gardens are also welcome
to take part.
The date for the festival in this area is *Saturday 27 September*. We are
looking for five houses in all (three to showcase renewable energy and
two nature-friendly gardens) ideally within comfortable walking distance of
each other. Homeowners who've showcased their homes in past festivals found
it worked well if two people were on hand to talk to visitors and show them
around.
If you're interested in showcasing your home for a few hours on Saturday 27
September, email ourbitedf@gmail.com by *Friday 16 May* and we'll put you
in touch with OVESCO who are organising the festival. They will then liaise
directly with you and they will arrange all the necessary publicity.
*RENEWABLE ENERGY TARIFFS - 7 to 9pm Wednesday 4 or 11 June,
Small Hall, East Dean Village Hall*
Following the success of the *Energy Efficient Homes* event held in the
village hall last November and in response to the level of interest
expressed then in a follow-on event on this subject, here is advanced
notice of a date for your diary. If you'd like to be informed which date
the event will be run on, just email ourbitedf@gmail.com .
Many thanks, Peter
Peter Williamson
*on behalf of*
*Climate Friends - **Residents for a Nature & Climate Friendly Parish*
in Birling Gap, Crowlink, East Dean, Friston & Gayles
Get in touch
Join Climate Friends
• No prior knowledge of climate change or wildlife needed
• No time-consuming meetings, membership fees
We also welcome contact from:
• Local businesses, landowners and land managers interested in partnership working
• Individuals and groups from outside the parish to link up activities
Please get in touch if you would like copies of project briefs or reports
We’d love to hear your views on our plans and suggestions for how to respond to climate change and biodiversity loss in the parish.
Contact ourbitedf@gmail.com
Nature recovery in our area – some background
Through the Environment Act (2021), the Government has set out a requirement for local authorities to put together Local Nature Recovery Strategies to create wildlife-rich places across England and connect them up.
The Act also strengthens the Biodiversity Duty of public authorities, and introduces
Biodiversity Net Gain through the planning process as a way of contributing to nature recovery while developing land.
In July 2023 Natural England and the government launched the
Seaford to Eastbourne Nature Recovery Project.
Within the South Downs National Park, the #ReNature project aims to increase the area managed for nature in the National Park from the current 25% to at least 33%, which will be an increase of 13,000ha, by 2030. This is based upon the Government’s own national commitment of 30% of the UK being managed for nature by 2030.
Alongside this work, Defra launched the Farming in Protected Landscapes
(FiPL) Programme. Through this programme, farmers and land managers within protected landscapes can apply for funding to carry out one-off projects that:
• support nature recovery
• mitigate the impacts of climate change
• provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage
• support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
Thank you so much, Residents for a Climate-Friendly Parish, for your enthusiasm. It’s all of us working to gather that will make change happen.
