A few ramblings from me as we near the end of another busy week.

Here's a random selection of things that I've picked up on over this week, and some little updates on items we are working on.

Energy Saving
We are just about ready to focus on our next focus street. Letters are printed and FREE home energy audits will be offered to those who take up the offer.
Today I came across : http://www.tzero.org.uk/ - you can key in some of the details of your home. Type/Bedrooms/heating etc and it give you an indication of what you should focus on for saving money or co2 etc. You can also turn off recommendations that are not applicable, like cavity wall in my situation.

Food
Work continues in preparation for our Local Food Consultation on Feb 20th. Look out for the Red posters all around town and ask yourself. Do I buy local food ? Do I support local farmers/businesses ? Could I grow my own food or food for others to share/buy ? Am I making smart choices when shopping in large stores ? etc...

If the fruit tree pruning event is anything to go by, then our food related projects will be fantastic in 2010. We really want this year to be a massive shift into supporting local producers. It's better for our health, for our jobs, our farmers and also for the environment. - Go Local / Go Seasonal and if possible Go Organic and eat less meat, but choose better quality. Is it more expensive ? NO, gt out of the supermarkets with all their hype and special offers, and shop local and only buy what you need. Linlithgow spends roughly £2m on food waste, that's money we are basically throwing out, and could be invested in local economy.

Waste
Bottle banks have gone quiet again, but we'll keep chasing the council for you. Talks with Waste Aware Scotland went well and we'll be working on a Stop the Drop Campaign soon to reduce the unwanted mail from being delivered and going directly into your blue bin [if you have one !]....

Renewables
Work progresses on defining projects for potential PhD students to sign up to. It will be good to get the research done, and to present the results and many other things at our Energy Showcase in May 8th. Book your diary if you want to know more about Renewables, Grants, FIT's, Planning Rules, Energy Saving etc...

Transport
Parents at Low Port seemed in favour of more walking to school with safe- school walking buses which is great, and our plans for a Springfield Sustainable Transport project are developing. Talks with Springfield Primary School tomorrow.

Other
Food Inc - the film will be showing in Edin playhouse from Fri 12th Feb. While american in flavour, it will open your eyes to the hidden things behind large scale food production. Can't wait to see it.

New Economics Foundation are saying in a latest report that 'Growth isn't Possible'. See link on the RHS menu. Or click here....

Nourish Scotland. Heard if it ? No, will you will soon. There's a growing movement in local food, and Nourish Scotland has been formed to create a Scottish network and framework for these groups to link up. There's a meeting in Feb to iron out details on scope/membership/etc and once that's done, you'll start to hear more about it.

Newsletter. I hope you've all clicked on our latest newsletter on the LHS.

Beecraigs ECO Centre. Buy the Gazette tomorrow to find out what's going on. I'll say no more.

More ramblings later.

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