20/06 Village set to become the first Herefordshire `carbon neutral`

Village set to become the first Herefordshire `carbon neutral`
community


The small north-west Herefordshire village of Brilley, in the hills
half way between Hay-on-Wye and Kington, is aiming to become the first
`carbon neutral` village in the county.

Herefordshire Rivers Leader+ Group has provided funding for a project
entitled Making Energy Sustainable in Herefordshire (MESH) to audit the
energy consumption of 3 Herefordshire parishes. The energy audit of the
entire Brilley community conducted earlier this year by the local
environment group, assisted by Marches Energy Agency, showed that the total
footprint of the Brilley community is an estimated 3230 tonnes of CO2
in 2005/2006. This means that they have a footprint of 10.1 tonnes per
person, higher than the national average of 9.3 tonnes.

The Government's target for CO2 reduction by 2050 is 60%. To achieve
this, the community will need to reduce emissions to around 1301 tonnes
annually.

On 21st June (at 7.30pm in the Village Hall) Brilley Environment Group
is hosting a meeting when Garry Charnock of Ashton Hayes village in
Cheshire will tell the story of how he has encouraged his community to aim
to be the first carbon neutral village in the UK. Their plans include
increasing house insulation levels, installation of a solar panel at
their primary school, energy efficient lighting, planting trees,
increasing recycling and reducing waste.

All these improvements will be cost effective in the long term and save
money for householders. Tackling energy use in this way can lead to
energy security whilst also making homes more comfortable. Ashton Hayes`
experience will provide Brilley residents with valuable information for
their own climate change strategy. Community leaders from across
Herefordshire are also being invited.

The event on the 21st will detail ways in which Brilley can tackle
their CO2 emissions. It will give residents a say on what level of
reduction they would like to aim for.

For further information contact Ruth Morgan (Brilley Environment
Group): rejex@freeuk.com

or Kris McGowan (Project Manager); kris@mea.org.uk

31/05 Localnewsgroup launches one of the largest network coverages in Britain.

Localnewsgroup launches one of the largest network coverages in Britain.This will enable members in towns to send messages to each and post information online.Get a wepage or even put their products in a central shop www.streetshop.co.uk

Part of the service is to offer local business a chance to get online. This will help to reduce spam emails.

Members will be able to update their webpage online from their own computer or build a network of users who can update their data in a group.

If you want to go further. We can intergrate this with a shopping site and you can sell your services or goods online.

Registration if FREE for business users or members of groups or societies.
This registration will enable you to send messages to other members.

If you require a webpage or shopping site we will quote a price depending on your requirements.

CLICK TO GET AN EQUIRY FORM

31/05 TYRRELLS POTATO CHIPS TAKES A BITE INTO THREE NEW MARKETS

TYRRELLS POTATO CHIPS TAKES A BITE INTO THREE NEW MARKETS

Herefordshire firm Tyrrells Potato Chips has clinched a deal to reach
three new European markets - with help from UK Trade & Investment.

The Leominster company, which is the only chip maker in the UK to grow
its own potatoes and turn them into chips on the home farm, has signed
a major agreement with leading Belgian wholesalers Pietercil Delby's.

Tyrrells' Lightly Sea Salted, Cider Vinegar & Sea Salt, Mature Cheddar
& Chives and Sea Salt & Crushed Black Pepper Potato Chips are now being
sold in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The company secured the contract following a Meet the Buyer event
organised by UK Trade & Investment and funded by Advantage West Midlands
last autumn, in which three Belgian buyers in the food and drink sector
visited the region.

The buyers spent one day meeting 14 West Midlands food and drink
companies and another day visiting stores ranging from delicatessens to large
superstores, to help them understand the retail structure of the
British food industry as well as the products on offer.

The visit has been hailed as a huge success, with Tyrrells being the
fourth company to win business after taking part.

Rachel Owens, sales manager at Tyrrells, held a teleconference meeting
with Pietercil during the event, and subsequently worked with UK Trade
& Investment regional international trade adviser - food and drink,
Helen Bethell, and commercial officer Nadine Vandenbroucke from the
British Embassy in Belgium, on the formulation of the agreement.

She said: "We are delighted with the new contract to supply Tyrrells to
three of our neighbouring European countries. As export sales continue
to grow steadily, we are grateful for the advice and practical support
we have received from UK Trade & Investment."

Tyrrells also exports to France, Germany, Sweden and Norway, and
overseas business now accounts for eight per cent of its sales. The company
won Food from Britain's New Exporter of the Year award in 2005.

Regional international trade adviser - food and drink, Helen Bethell,
based at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, manages
the international trade element of Advantage West Midlands' food and
drink cluster.

She said: "I'm delighted that the Meet the Buyer event has led to
business for four West Midlands firms.

"It's been a pleasure to assist Tyrrells in securing this contract, and
we look forward to continuing to work with the team in the future.

"We are now planning similar Meet the Buyer events for other markets
later this year."

Commercial officer Nadine Vandenbroucke said: "The agreement reached
between Tyrrells and Pietercil Delby's is a good example of how the
knowledge and understanding of the local market, held by overseas staff
within the UK Trade & Investment network, can help British companies
succeed abroad, especially in mature markets."

Tyrrells Potato Chips was established in 2002 by potato farmer William
Chase, who has been potato farming at Tyrrells Court, Stretford Bridge,
for over 20 years. The company now has 45 staff and distributes its
potato chips direct to quality independent retailers throughout the UK.

For more information about how UK Trade & Investment can help your
business expand into new markets abroad, contact the international trade
team at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce on 0845 641
1613.