Sustainable Brailes

A couple of us from Sustainable Brailes had an interesting meeting with Warwickshire County Council last month. We have contacts there from attending an event in Stratford last year, and we have shared the outputs of the Rural Energy and Community Heat project with them. We took part in that last year, and it was funded by the energy regulator and involved among others National Grid. As well as a good set of information about the state of the energy network around here and forecasts for how this may change in years and decades ahead, the project has shown that we can put a good case together – we were one of only 7 communities nationwide to be selected to participate.

So, we’re now thinking about what to do next. There are two government schemes that we’re looking at for opportunities – these are called the Local Power Plan and the Warm Homes Scheme. This could involve making it easier to find and fund things like insulation and solar panels, to bigger ideas such as identifying clusters of housing that might be feasible for a small heat network, which is a shared heating source to try to find a different approach to some of the high initial costs of things like heat pumps. If anyone would like to get involved, please contact us – plans can only develop by and for the community.

You may have seen energy in the press recently – a lot. As a village that is heavily dependent on oil for heating, we are more vulnerable than some of our neighbours to global events and instability. We’re aware that Brailes Oil Club has circulated some contacts at the council if you are struggling. There’s also been announcements from the government about plug-in solar panels, which don’t involve a complex electrical installation as traditional panels and can be smaller and are typically more modular. Whilst they haven’t been allowed in the UK before (due to wiring regulations), they’re very popular on the continent – in Germany for example they are called Balkonkraftwerk which translates as balcony power station! There are also upcoming changes to heat pump installations – you’ll no longer need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.

Lastly, we thought it was worth seeing if everyone was aware that Lower Carbon Hook Norton are now operating as an energy supplier, and Brailes is in their area. We are neither endorsing nor recommending them, but they have a simple tariff and are worth checking out. https://www.hn-lc.org.uk/energy-local-north-oxfordshire 

What we will say is that it’s never been more important to shop around for your energy supplier.
 
Repair Café:
Our next Repair Cafe is on Saturday 6^th June, 10-12 Pavilion.  
 
Jo, Louise and Sue
The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

Repair Café:

Repair Café:
Our next Repair Cafe is on Saturday 11^th April, 10-12 Pavilion.  
 
Energy
At the time of writing there’s lots of talk about the increase in the cost of domestic heating oil and energy prices going up again in the not too distant future.  Hopefully by the time you read this it will all have settled.  If it hasn’t and you need advice and support, then Act On Energy can provide this.  “We help people across the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire with their energy needs by offering a full home energy support service with free and impartial advice.”.  They can be contacted through their website  www.actonenergy.org.uk/contact or by calling 0800 988 2881.

Energy Savings Trust also has their Top 10 energy saving tips, with a graph showing how much you could potentially save www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy/ Whilst some of the things might not add up to much, the more you do the more you save. 
 
Gardens
We’ve had a few days of sunshine and slightly warmer weather, and it’s time to start thinking about the gardening year ahead.  If you can, leave tidying up and cutting back until it’s a bit warmer.  The invertebrates will thank you.   It’s also time to start planting flower seeds – we’ve got some wildflower seed saved from last year if anyone would like some – please contact us via the email address below.  
 
 Jo, Louise and Sue
The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.comletop swap was a great success. Our next one is on Saturday 11^th April, 10-12 Pavilion.  

Repair Café:

Thanks to everyone who came and supported our Repair Café in February. It was our busiestyet.  Amongst other things we fixed lamps and bikes, and the tabletop swap was a great success. Our next one is on Saturday 11^th April, 10-12 Pavilion.  

Water Testing

If you are a regular reader of our column, you’ll know that we have been testing the water in Sutton Brook for some time now.  When we started testing in Oct 24 we picked two sites – above and below the CSO in Lower Brailes.  Having reviewed our data we have found that there is a low level of variation between the data sets at both recording points (High Street, Lower Brailes and New Barn Farm, Brailes), so we have decided to drop to one sample location (High Street, Lower Brailes) as it is not anticipated that this would affect the quality or meaningfulness of the data.  Brailes Parish Council have agreed to continue funding the test strips/sachets for a further 12 months at the one site and we would like to thank them for their continued support.  We’d also like to thank Kirsty Righton and family for allowing us access to Sutton Brook from their land.   We’ll continue to feed our data feed into the Safe Avon Project.  If you’d like to see a copy of our findings then this is available on the Brailes Village Website.  

Litter Picking

Keep Britain Tidy’s “The Great Sprong Clean” is back again this year from 13^th to 29^th March 2026.  If you’d like to get involved then go to their website at www.keepbritaintidy.org/

With that in mind we’d like to know if you would be interested in doing a bit of regular litter picking around the Parish?  We’re looking to source some free pickers and are lookers for some volunteers.  We’d like to “allocate” parts of the parish which you’d be happy to be responsible for litter picking once or twice a month, at a time that suits you, with the support of a group.  If people are happy to take it to the next level we could even photo/weigh the collections to record progress.    Please email us or come along to the next Repair Café for more details.

Recycling Station at The Village Hall – Update:

So we are now able to put batteries out with recycling – pop them in a separate bag and leave them on top of the bin
We now have the following bins:

• 2 x blister bins as these have proved popular (you can recycle these in some Aldi stores)
• 1 x bin for cans (please no foil, just cans)
• 1 x bin for foil (no cans just foil)
• 1 x bin for cables (these get taken to Shipston dump)
We’d like to thank the Village Hall for their ongoing support with this project. 

Jo, Louise and Sue
The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

Welcome to February. We’ve all given up on the New Year’s Resolutions by now except for being more environmentally conscious.

Repair Café:

As it’s February and VALENTINES will be a week later, we’re hoping that you can LOVE your old items again.  We can’t fix a broken HEART, but we can help repair your bike!
Come and join us on Saturday 7th Feb between 10 and 12 at the Pavilion.  All are welcome at this free event.

• Our volunteers will be on hand for simple repairs to household items, (including electrical items) and clothing. 
• If you have any unwanted Christmas Gifts, we’ll have a swap table – hopefully someone else will LOVE it.  
• And we’ll have our usual free homemade refreshments.  If you haven’t been before, come along for a cuppa and a chat.   Donations for repairs and refreshments are welcomed to help pay for the hire of the Pavilion.

Brailes Show

We are considering options for a stall at the show (in the past we have had books, cloths and plants). We are still hampered by a lack of volunteers. So, we’d like to get in early and ask for ideas and offers of help for a sustainable stall

The Thermal Camera

We’ve had lots of requests for this and there’s still time while winter is biting to find those gaps and plug them. Contact us at our email address shown below.

And finally – if you’re starting to venture into the garden then it’s an ideal time to install a water butt, put up a bat box and even build a pond.  Just leave the leaves and dead heading for a bit longer – the insects and invertebrates will thank you.  

National Emergency Briefing:

On 27th November, ten of the UK’s leading experts briefed an invited audience of over 1,200 politicians and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media with the latest implications of climate change on health, food, national security and the economy. 
This initiative is calling for:
– A televised national emergency briefing
– National emergency response
– Lead stronger global action.

A full documentary from the briefing is now in production, expected for release in March. It will bring the science, testimonies and national implications together in one compelling film. Once released, it will be available for community screenings across the UK. Community screenings will enable MPs and other decision-makers to see the same evidence as those briefed in Westminster.  To find out more go to https://www.nebriefing.org/  

Videos of the Experts briefings are now available via the website. Do take a look as you can take part by adding your name to an open letter to Keir Starmer and Broadcasters, following the link to contact your MP, and even register to host a film screening.    Key supporters include National Trust, RSPB and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Housing Needs Survey

Last year many of you attended a meeting in the Village Hall to look at proposed housing in Lower Brailes. One of the comments was that these homes should be truly affordable. As part of our ongoing discussions with the landowner and the county council it has been recommended that we conduct a new housing needs survey to ensure that homes are meeting a true local need. 

The housing needs survey will come to all households in the next month.  Completing a housing needs survey is vital because it gives local authorities and community planners accurate, up-to-date information about the types of homes people require. These surveys help identify gaps in housing provision, such as the need for affordable homes, accessible properties, or specific family sizes, ensuring future developments reflect real community needs. 

By sharing your views, you influence decisions on planning and resource allocation, making sure that housing strategies support local residents rather than relying on assumptions. Ultimately, your input helps create sustainable, inclusive communities where everyone has access to suitable accommodation.

Please fill the survey in  – you may be thinking of downsizing, have adult children who want to stay in the village or an elderly parent who needs more accessible accommodation  – there are lots of reasons we may need different housing types in Brailes

Jo, Louise and Sue
The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

Biodiversity

In September the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) launched its ‘Value of Gardens’ report, which, for the first time, quantifies the economic, environmental, and social contributions of the UK’s 22 million private gardens.  This report outlines key research findings in relation to climate change, including the fact that in urban areas, trees can cool concrete surfaces by 12°C, thereby mitigating the urban heat island effect. Lawns are incredibly effective at slowing water runoff, absorbing 99% of rainfall and reducing flood risk. Furthermore, green spaces actively remove air pollution; a one-metre dense hedge is capable of absorbing the pollution of a car travelling 500 miles in just seven days. They are also crucial habitats for biodiversity, with diverse features that support a wide range of fauna and flora.

The report also reaffirms the profound impact gardens have on health. Eight in ten UK adults agree that gardens benefit their physical health, and 85% report benefits to their mental state. Gardening is a socially inclusive pastime enjoyed by 30 million people, helping to burn calories and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Moreover, it offers significant cognitive benefits, with daily gardening linked to a 36% lower risk of dementia in older adults. See more on the HTA website. 

If you’re looking for jobs to do this month in your garden they could include planting trees, clearing nesting boxes and planting native snowdrops.  

Thermal Camera

A reminder that if you would like to borrow one of the cameras then that’s easy to do – just pop us an email and we can arrange for one of our volunteers to drop it off and show you how it works. 

Repair Cafe

Thanks to everyone who’s supported us through 2025 on this venture.  Special thanks go to Brailes Show for their donation towards our PAT Tester.  We’ve got dates ready for 2026 so keep an eye out for them. 

Thank you!

Jo, Louise and Sue

The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

You can find us social media.

Harvest

There’s still lots of apples and plums everywhere, which should ensure we all get a crumble this winter. Use the freezer to save fruit or make a little bit of jam or compote every week. 

Thermal Camera

As the nights start drawing in and temperature starts to drop, it’s almost time to borrow the thermal camera and check for those pesky leaks. Even something as simple as a curtain over a door can make a difference.  Or if you can’t get your dog to lie in front of the door you can always make a sausage dog out of an old pair of tights (but please ask the owner of the tights first).

Thanks again to the Parish Council, who made this simple to use camera available to use with either an android or iPhone.

If you haven’t yet seen the camera then we’ll have it at our next Repair Café – see below. 

Repair Cafe 6th September, 10-12 The Pavilion ‘Harvest’

It’s the last one of the year, so let’s make it a big one! We’re now offering simple electrical repairs.  Have you got any fairy lights, a lamp, or kettle that needs a fix?  Have you got a Christmas Jumper or some woolly socks that could do with a darn?  If so, bring them along and we’ll see if we can work our magic.

We’ll be offering electrical repairs, sewing and darning and repairs to other household items.

We’ll also have our Thermal Camera on display and some hints and tips for reducing energy around the home. 

Donations of jam and chutney are welcome as it helps boost our funds for the next cafe. 

Thank you!

Jo, Louise and Sue

The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

You can find us social media.