Biodiesel Project. Used vegetable oil was collected by volunteers from a variety of local sources that included schools, pubs and restaurants. The oil was transported to a production shed at Growing with Grace where it was transformed into a recycled non-fossil biodiesel fuel graded for public use in vehicles. Clapham residents would pump the required amount of biodiesel into their vehicles, sign a record book, and would later be sent an invoice for payment. The Biodiesel Project was very successful and ran for a number of years until insurance costs made it untenable.
Skills and Resources Audit. This was undertaken to determine the range of projects that were feasible. Not just people skills but also tools and equipment that could be shared.
Car Sharing. A local willingness to offer and request car lifts for specific/regular journeys. These would be advertised regularly in the Clapham Newsletter, posted on pubic display boards and an inter-active ‘page’ on the village web-site. However, there was a low take up.
Community Orchard. The objective was to plant fruit bearing trees and bushes in various locations, mainly private gardens, around the parish. As the trees and bushes bore fruit their produce would be shared amongst participating members. For ease of sharing produce the parish would be divided into five areas. An audit revealed 30 wanting to take part, of whom some would be including their own fruit trees. The village school requested fruit trees for the school garden. This was a 5 year programme, during which more bushes and fruit trees would be purchased including edible nut trees. One of the allotments was given over to the community orchard for the planting of fruit bushes. From July to October a stall would be placed in the centre of the village for 2 hours every Saturday morning for the bringing and taking of fruit. The produce would be free. There is detailed information on record available on the precise locations of the fruit trees and bushes planted and chosen varieties.
Bee Project. The plan was to run a series of bee-keeper training days in the village hall in the hope that residents would be encouraged to have their own hives. This was a very popular scheme and a number of people signed up to take part. Possible sites were identified and hives installed. There are still bee-keepers in the village, but for some of the scheme’s hopefuls it was not to be, due to setbacks such as insect sting allergies.
Wild Flower Project. Assessment of Bio diversity had been carried out in the village with a view to growing bee-friendly flowers. An area would include both sides of the beck and village gardens and in the village school playground. Fruit trees planted on the edge of the tennis court would have an edging of wild flowers. A survey carried out by Mark Hewitt, the Dales National Park Wildlife officer revealed the village had really good nectar sources. The location fronting the tennis court was found to be unsuitable and the Wild Flower area is now located on part of The Green.
Potato Project. Linked to the Community Supported Agriculture Scheme. A local farmer lent the group an acre of land to grow potatoes. The organically grown potato scheme payed for itself through sales to parishioners and local shops. A very successful project in terms of production and sales, but too labour intensive to be sustained by volunteers over a sustained over a long period.
Mini Hydro Project. A feasibility study was completed and it was hoped the scheme could move on. An ecological survey of the relevant area including information on breeding birds would need to be done at breeding time. However, the next stage required raising huge amounts of capital and a decision was taken to put the hydro project on hold.
Refurbishment of Children’s Play Park. Members of the group took on the task of acquiring funding to completely replace all the outdated play equipment with up-to-date and safer models.
The Community shop. The Sustainability Group brought together skilled members of the community to form a committee successfully planning and overseeing a scheme to take over the local village store and transform it into into a community run shop.
Climate Emergency Motion. The Sustainability Group worked alongside a Councillor of Clapham cum Newby Parish Council putting together a Climate Emergency Motion for presentation to the Parish Council . The Motion was passed unanimously in December 2020.
Clapham Sustainability Group 