Information on Loughborough
News Index
2010
Mar 2010Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Big Switch Off online pledge and challenges launched
Posted on 15/07/09
Community Services
A mammoth drive to get as many people as possible to save energy has kicked off with the launch of an online pledge.
People across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being urged to log on to www.leics.gov.uk/bigswitchoff and sign up to take part in this years Big Switch Off.
This years BSO is the biggest ever and will take place between October 12 and 18.
The aim is to encourage people to save energy and money by turning off gadgets left on standby and switching off unnecessary lights.
As well as the online pledge, a Family Challenge competition has also been organised which people have until Wednesday, July 22 to register to take part in.
A total of 14 families from Leicestershire two from each district and two from Rutland will be selected to work with the BSO partnership and spend a year focussing on being more energy efficient.
They will be loaned a special wireless energy monitor to log how much energy they save throughout the 12 months. Over the year they will receive energy saving tips and guidance from the partnership.
One family who took part in last years Family Challenge was husband and wife duo Julian and Kathy Bird from Tilton on the Hill.
Mr Bird (59) said: "It has really been well worthwhile we have found we have saved something like 32 per cent of our electrical energy.
"Some people may want to take this up because they want to help save the planet while others will be thinking of their wallet, but by doing this you reach both objectives.
"We have found the initiative easy to get into. Its all basic stuff."
Measures the Bird family took to reduce energy consumption included stopping using the tumble drier to dry clothes, replacing lightbulbs with energy saving ones, turning down the room thermostat and flicking radiator valves to 0 in spare rooms.
The winners of this years 12 month challenge will receive a hamper packed with green goodies while families who win a mini competition to see who can save the most energy during August and September will receive a family pass to Snibston Discovery Park.
An Energy Saving competition has also been launched which can be entered by community buildings and faith groups.
Selected applicants 10 from the county, five from the city and three from Rutland will be invited to work with the BSO partnership for a year starting in August.
They too will be issued with a wireless energy monitor and the winners will be rewarded with a free thermography survey, which will identify areas of heat-loss to their building. The winner of the mini competition in August-September will be presented with professional energy display certificate.
Co-chairman of the subregional Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership, which is funding the Big Switch Off, David Parsons said: "It just takes a couple of clicks of a mouse to visit the Big Switch Off website and pledge to do your bit for the environment.
"By taking part you will not only be helping save energy, but you will be also be saving some money too.
"Hopefully the Big Switch Off wont just encourage people to think about energy saving for a week, but for a lifetime."
To sign up to the pledge visit: www.leics.gov.uk/bsopledge
To find out more about the Family and Community / Faith Group challenges visit:www.leics.gov.uk/bsocompetitions
Background:
The Energy Saving Trust suggests that over 1 billion worth of energy is wasted by leaving appliances on standby and the Carbon Trust estimates that around 60 per cent of energy - amounting to a staggering 180 million is wasted by office equipment left on standby.
The Big Switch Off aims to address this and encourage local organisations and households to reduce their energy use and costs. Residents could potentially save over 13million in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Latest Loughborough News
Young motorist warns of mobile phone driving dangers |
|---|
Created: Friday 12th of March 2010 04:30:01 PM  Chief Executive's12 March 2010Young motorist warns of mobile phone driving dangersA teenage driver who collided with a motorcyclist leaving him with serious injuries is warning others to think twice before driving whilst talking on a mobile phone. James* (17) from, the Ashby area of Leicestershire, was chatting on the phone when the collision took place last August near Atherstone in Warwickshire.... Read More: Young motorist warns of mobile phone driving dangers |
Safety boost for Coalville students |
Created: Friday 12th of March 2010 02:30:01 PM 12 March 2010Safety boost for Coalville students*** photo opportunity ***Pupils, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers are set to benefit from road improvements designed to boost safety in Coalville and Whitwick. Work has been carried out in Leicester Road, Meadow Lane and Warren Hills Road near to Castle Rock High School and King Edward VII College following an accident study which showed a number of accidents in the area.... Read More: Safety boost for Coalville students |
Vale of Belvoir schools’ Ofsted joy |
Created: Friday 12th of March 2010 12:30:01 PM 12 March 2010Vale of Belvoir schools’ Ofsted joyPrimary schools in the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire are celebrating after their Ofsted success. Harby Primary School has been judged as outstanding – the highest rating possible – by inspectors for the third consecutive time.... Read More: Vale of Belvoir schools’ Ofsted joy |
Canal festival calls for volunteers |
Created: Friday 12th of March 2010 10:30:01 AM 11 March 2010Canal festival calls for volunteersOrganisers of this year’s Moira Canal Festival are looking for volunteers to help out at the weekend long event. The venue for the festival is Moira Furnace, on a recently restored 1.... Read More: Canal festival calls for volunteers |
Mothers go free at Bosworth Battlefield |
Created: Thursday 11th of March 2010 06:30:02 PM Community Services11 March 2010Mothers go free at Bosworth Battlefield Bosworth Battlefield is offering people the chance to treat their Mum to a great day out and better still – it’s free!Voted best small attraction in the East Midlands, Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park is the perfect place for residents to spend quality time with their mums. The multi award-winning exhibition includes eight interactive galleries bringing to life the deadly battle of 1485.... Read More: Mothers go free at Bosworth Battlefield |
Related Loughborough News
Families invited to save energy |
|---|
Created: Tuesday 4th of August 2009 06:14:02 PM Community Services4 August 2009Families invited to save energyFamilies are invited to take part in an energy saving challenge and learn how to cut their bills at the same time. The Big Switch Off Partnership hopes to recruit two families from each district or borough in Leicestershire - as well as Rutland - to take part in the year-long contest which could lead them to save around 20 per cent in their energy bills.... Read More: Families invited to save energy |
Families pull the plug on energy wasting |
Created: Wednesday 14th of October 2009 06:14:03 PM Community Services14 October 2009Families pull the plug on energy wastingFamilies are competing to be the greenest households in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland after pulling the plug on energy wasting habits. The week-long Big Switch Off campaign kicked off on Monday to encourage people to do their bit to help the environment and save money at the same time.... Read More: Families pull the plug on energy wasting |
Sign up and save energy |
Created: Wednesday 7th of October 2009 06:14:03 PM Community Services7 October 2009Sign up and save energyThere is still time for people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to sign up to take part in this year’s Big Switch Off. The week-long event will kick off on Monday and continue until Sunday, October 18.... Read More: Sign up and save energy |
Big savings during Switch Off Week |
Created: Monday 9th of November 2009 12:14:03 PM Community Services9 November 2009Big savings during Switch Off WeekResidents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland cut the area’s energy consumption when they teamed up to take part in the Big Switch Off. Energy equivalent to 66,000 100 watt light bulbs being turned off for a week was saved during the event which took place from October 12-18.... Read More: Big savings during Switch Off Week |
Big launch of energy saving campaign |
Created: Monday 28th of September 2009 06:14:05 PM Community Services28 September 2009Big launch of energy saving campaignA campaign to encourage people to use energy more efficiently has been launched at Leicester City Football Club. The Walkers Stadium played host to the launch of this year’s Big Switch Off event today, which runs from October 12-18.... Read More: Big launch of energy saving campaign |
Most Read Loughborough News (today)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
|---|
Created: Friday 18th of July 2008 11:00:00 AM  A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... |
Council worker wins national award |
Created: Tuesday 4th of November 2008 03:30:46 PM  A Leicestershire County Council Highways employee has beaten hundreds of other graduates to win a national competition about designing roads, bridges and developing transport systems. Jordan Flint, aged 26, from Markfield, jointly won the competition with a graduate from Scott Wilson - one of the highways department s business partners.... Read More: Council worker wins national award |
Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |
Created: Tuesday 22nd of July 2008 04:45:00 PM  Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... Read More: Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |
Lollipop sisters not just doing it for themselves |
Created: Friday 4th of April 2008 05:29:00 PM  Helping children to get to school safely is a family affair for two sisters who are urging others to come forward and become a School Crossing Patrol.... Read More: Lollipop sisters not just doing it for themselves |
Firefighters Foamy Fundraising |
Created: Friday 14th of September 2007 09:55:58 AM  If you want a nice shiny car, get some fire safety advice and help firefighters who have been injured then get down to the B and Q carpark in Loughborough this Saturday. A team of firefighters from Loughborough firestation will be there to raise funds for the National Car Wash organised by the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund. ... Read More: Firefighters Foamy Fundraising |
Most Read Loughborough News (this month)
Loughborough Astra Zeneca Closure |
|---|
Created: Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 04:03:15 PM Charnwood Borough Council has today learned that the Astra Zeneca has decided to close its facility in Loughborough by the end of 2011. The announcement is a huge blow and a major loss of employment in the Borough and in Loughborough in particular. ... Read More: Loughborough Astra Zeneca Closure |
Family of Ernest Mathers pay tribute to him |
Created: Saturday 20th of February 2010 07:49:32 AM  Family of Ernest Mathers pay tribute to him Ernest pictured with his common law wife Nina The family of a man killed in a road traffic collision have paid tribute to him. 46-year-old Ernest Mathers from Doncaster was killed in a road traffic collision at around 1.... Read More: Family of Ernest Mathers pay tribute to him |
Action group to meet regarding Astra Zeneca announcement |
Created: Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 11:03:57 AM An action group consisting of local organisations is to meet on Friday to discuss yesterday s (Tue) announcement by Astra Zeneca. Charnwood Borough Council has organised the urgent meeting after the pharmaceutical firm announced it will close its operation in the town by the end of next year. This will mean a loss of nearly 1,200 jobs. ... Read More: Action group to meet regarding Astra Zeneca announcement |
Colourful boost for empty shop fronts in Loughborough |
Created: Wednesday 17th of February 2010 08:02:43 AM A project has been launched to brighten up empty shop fronts in Loughborough by adorning them with colourful poster-style images promoting different aspects of the town. ... Read More: Colourful boost for empty shop fronts in Loughborough |
Appeal following incident at Loughborough University |
Created: Friday 26th of February 2010 08:10:01 PM  Appeal following incident at Loughborough UniversityPolice are appealing for witnesses following the report of a serious sexual assault in Loughborough. The incident is alleged to have happened sometime between 1.... Read More: Appeal following incident at Loughborough University |