PACT is a transition town group formed during 2008, aimed at developing a coordinated local community response to the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change. PACT is made up of an enthusiastic group of volunteers, committed to making a real difference in Penrith and surrounding area.

NEW: PACT's Latest Action Update Newsletter - click here

In July 2008 the PACT food action group ran an extremely successful evening event 'Food for Thought' in Penrith for 70 guests, featuring local celebrity chef Ivan Day who entertained and educated his audience on the history of local foods from the Eden area, whilst demonstrating the making of a traditional grand salad and hand-made Victorian ice cream!

To see a short film click here.

More details appear under 'News & Events'.

  

PACT introductory movie:
click here

PACT film promoting recycling of household waste: click here 

PACT film promoting items made from recycled material: click here

NOTE: The movies open in a separate window, and will depend on you having an adequate internet connection to play properly; if necessary pause to allow the video to buffer sufficiently.

 

 PACT Home Energy Fair

During October PACT staged a very successful Home Energy Fair event as part of Cumbria Action for Sustainability’s Green Build Festival.

For a film of the event, click here.

   

At the event there were speakers and trades stands on a variety of topics, including different types of insulation, monitoring energy use, and using renewable energy in different ways such as solar hot water, photovoltaics, heat pumps and biomass. Further information and follow-ups are available by e-mail at energy@penrithACT.org.uk, or phone Christine on 01768 866900.

The Buildings & Energy Group are also focusing on encouraging homeowners to install insulation. We would first like to find out about people's current level of insulation and energy use, and we have access to a thermal imaging camera which we would like to use as a publicity tool, to help people to see where heat is being lost from their homes. Before starting on the general public, as a pilot project we have decided to start by asking PACT members about their current insulation. Based on this information we hope to then visit a representative selection of local properties to take thermal images of these homes.


If you happen to see folk in high-viz jackets wandering the
streets of Penrith with a determined look in their eye,
don't worry! - it's the PACT litter picking gangs trying to
help present a cleaner image for Penrith,
as one small step on the road to transition.

Please do come over and say hello!

This activity will continue over coming weeks and months
- all welcome to get involved.

 

Within the transition process, one of the key issues PACT is looking into is food sourcing. This will include where our food comes from, food miles, packaging, and how we can make the best use of the often abundant resources here in Cumbria!


If you have any suggestions for good local recipes using food produced in and around the Eden Valley, we'd love to hear from you! - please do contact PACT at the link above.

To see short films on local food suppliers,
please click here and here.

“all things are possible once enough human beings realise that everything is at stake”

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 CUMBRIA ENERGY TRUST WOULD BRING
“POWER TO THE PEOPLE”

 

A new trust that will bring power to the people by supporting community-owned renewable energy projects across Cumbria is being proposed. The rationale for creating a ‘Cumbria Community Energy Trust’ is to ensure Cumbrians benefit more directly from renewable energy development across the County, either individually through small-scale investment or as a whole community by receiving a proportionate share of the returns that renewable energy schemes generate.

The first stage of this proposal is being led by economic development agency Cumbria Vision with support from Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park Authority. Residents of Cumbria are now being asked if they are keen to see such a Trust established with proposals to assist projects spanning wind, hydro, biomass, solar and geothermal technologies. The initial questionnaire also asks if Cumbrians would be willing to invest their own money in community-owned renewable projects, which in turn would offer them financial returns from the production of “clean” energy and from initiatives where surplus energy is sold back to the National Grid. The model includes a proposal to divert a share of the profits into local community projects and into helping other communities develop their own renewable energy schemes.

The questionnaire is available to download under the Renewable Energy section at ,www.cumbriavision.co.uk

The deadline for responses is March 31, 2010. A decision will be made on whether to pursue the creation of a Trust depending on feedback.

PACT's Plastic-Bag-Free campaign continues to gain momentum, aiming to find sustainable alternatives to plastic bags in and around Penrith.

Following their hugely successful Shoppers Survey conducted in the centre of Penrith last year, seeking views from the community and promoting alternative forms of packaging, PACT's Resources & Waste (RaW) action group is now carrying out a survey with local traders.
The survey aims to establish how many plastic bags are currently used by traders in Penrith, and understand what their needs are. The group will also demonstrate alternative greener forms of packaging, such as corn-starch biodegradable bags, and compostable delicatessen pots and takeaway trays.
PACT is also applying for a grant which would be used to help kit out shops with cotton bags and non-plastic carriers, along with campaign publicity material. Overall the view is that we all managed quite happily without plastic bags up until 50 years ago, and the trend to bringing your own bag shopping is increasingly becoming the norm again.

For more information or to get involved, please visit the PACT plastic-bag-free campaign site.

To see a short film promoting the campaign click here.

Download PACT's response to Penrith New Squares development here

Download this month's PACT Seasonal Food Recipe here