The Somerset Green Community Challenge
EDF Energy Pod's Somerset Challenge competition was launched in January, for the chance to win a share of a £15,000 prize fund to invest in a green project.
Young people are being asked to create and develop an innovative carbon-saving project aimed at enthusing both their school and community about the benefits of going green.
The Somerset Green Community Challenge is being run through the Pod, the online hub of EDF Energy's programme for greener schools. Through the Pod, the challenge offers young people in Somerset the opportunity to learn more about climate change, the environment and the sustainable use of energy, working with their local community and businesses to create and design a local carbon reduction project.
Once a school has registered for the challenge at www.jointhepod.org/somersetchallenge|, a team of 11-14-year-olds will develop plans and submit them to the Pod by the end of the spring term. Up to five schools, deemed to have the most innovative and exciting carbon-saving proposals, will be selected to go through to the final.
The finalists will then be invited to present their proposals to the panel of judges who, after a 'Dragons' Den' style presentation and questioning, will decide how to allocate the prize-money between the finalists. Funding can either be spent on supporting the project or be used to make their school more sustainable in another way.
All the finalists' projects will go on the Pod www.jointhepod.org| to be showcased to more than 11,000 schools across the country.
Makeover for Nature Reserve
Nether Stowey primary school's nature reserve has been given a makeover as part of EDF Energy's "Helping Hands" initiative.
The school's nature reserve was overgrown with nettles and thorns, which the head of the energy company's Bridgwater office, David Eccles, and his team managed to hack back, restoring the area to reveal a natural, outdoor classroom.
Locally sourced woodchip and tools for the job were kindly donated by Cannington firm, Greenslades; one of the local firms that is already benefiting from the opportunities that the Hinkley Point C proposal brings to the local economy.
The reserve includes a babbling brook, bug reserve, wooded glade, two ponds and an outdoor wooded amphitheatre.
Stogursey Parish Lengthsman Scheme
A modern-day lengthsman has been employed in the Parish of Stogursey to carry out activities that will benefit the local community.
Throughout the year the lengthsman will carry out roles such as ditch and gully clearance, litter picking, hedge and grass cutting, signage maintenance and cleaning and other more specific jobs to be identified by the Parish Council and the wider community.
Phil Venning, EDF Energy lengthsman, will liaise with Stogursey Parish Council and EDF Energy to quickly identify and remedy potential issues in the Parish. He will also link into key authorities in the area such as the Environment Agency, Highways Agency and Internal Drainage Board to escalate major issues and tasks to the appropriate organisation.
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