All regular external links from the site are brought together here under their various headings. Opening a link creates a new tab or browser window depending on yourbrowser/version. The number of hits from this site for each link are shown in brackets:

Transition

Transition Network

A Transition Initiative is a community working together to address this BIG question: “for all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly increase resilience… and drastically reduce carbon emissions (to mitigate the effects of Climate Change)”.

Local

Hexham Community Partnership

The Hexham Community partnership is involved with all aspects of life in Hexham, both business, lifestyle and the environment.

Projects we have worked on include:

being a partner with TT in the Hexham River Hydro Scheme
running the Forum Cinema and cafe
organising the Hexham East regeneration project from 28, Derwent Road
organising special events such as Spook Night and special market place events
initiating the Hexham Town Plan 2012

Hexham Farmers Market

Hexham Farmers’ Market is a twice monthly farmers’ market based in the historic market town of Hexham in Northumberland. Our aim is to offer our customers a wide range of fresh, locally produced foods of a high quality and at a fair price.

You’ll find a wide range of meats, vegetables, breads and pies, soups, jams and pickles, cakes and beers and many other products.

All our products are produced within 50 miles of Hexham and you will always find someone on the stall who can tell you about the product they’re selling. After all, they are the producers of the foods and are passionate about what they do.

Hexham Freecycle

Freecycle is a grass roots, non profit network of people who want to give or receive stuff for free in their own local area. It’s about reuse for things we want to keep out of landfill. Goods advertised have to be free, legal and appropriate for all ages. There is no advertising, discussion/chat and no offering or requesting help, advice or services. Freecycle posts do not involve payment of any kind, including swaps. Local groups are moderated by one or more local volunteers and membership is free.

Food

Incredible Edible Todmorden

The website detailing all the activities and history of the groundbreaking Incredible Edible Todmorden team. The inspiration for ‘ Edible Hexham ‘.

GoLocal

Established in 2011 our co operative aims to demonstrate that it is possible to live more sustainably, by producing our own food. The focus is currently growing seasonal vegetables and our longer term plan is to develop a community owned farm.

With over 70 members from across the Tyne Valley and with the help of our horticulturalist we farm 2 acres of land in Ovington. In addition and just as important are the activities we organise. There is an extensive range of; workshops to learn new skills, social events including the annual Scarecrow Competition and Growers Question Time, BBQ and Halloween quiz, community buying with regular orders to SUMA and other local producers… And of course new members are always welcome!

Our website provides much more detail of who we are, how we work and how you can get involved www.golocalfood.org.uk

Permaculture

Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and perennial agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in the natural world. It promotes local and regional food growing and the promotion of environmentally robust ways of living.

WWOOF

WWOOF UK is a membership charity, teaching people about organic growing and low-impact lifestyles through hands-on experience in the UK.

Energy

Green Building Forum

Discussion and debate on all aspects of green building including insulation, household renewable, new-build and refurbishment projects.

Energy Saving Trust

The Energy saving trust is the official government trust set up to give impartial, up to date advice on all things to do with saving energy, both in the home and business. There is lots of detailed information but also fun things to do, lots of energy saving tips, and competitions to win energy saving gadgets – The site is well worth checking out for useful information on everything from different types of house insulation to generating your own electricity.

Truly Renewable Energy

By changing your energy supplier to one that uses Renewable Energy sources, you can make a direct impact on carbon emissions. Which and Ethical Consumer each provide more detailed analysis of which companies are really promoting renewable energy rather than simply buying renewable certificates which cost and influence little. The shortlists show only 3 or 4 companies are directly generating or buying from the generators renewable energy. The shortlists include Good Energy, Green Energy UK and Ecotricity along with a couple of smaller newer suppliers. As they use renewable energy and as they are allowed by Ofgem to charge more than the price cap because of this they are much susceptible to the price rises in gas for electricity generation (this can cause knock-on electricity price inflation as others chase any alternative to expensive gas). As both which and Ethical Consumer are behind paywalls no link is provided here though each provides some useful information outside the paywall…

Charge Your Car

Here’s a website that lets you know where your nearest charge point is and whether its in use.

Transport

Sustrans

This charity is most widely known in this area as the instigator of the famous ‘C2C’ long distance bike ride across the north of England. However the charity’s work includes much more than this including campaigns, advice for individuals, and much, much more. All work is carried out with the help of a large number of volunteer rangers from the local office in Newcastle. Individual advice includes a free cycling info pack for beginners with advice on bike maintenance, local routes etc. There is also a free app of the complete National Cycling network to download for Android or iPhone. Campaigns include ‘DIY Streets’ and ‘Bike it’ for schools DIY Streets is a project that helps communities redesign their streets to make them safer and more attractive. ‘Bike It’ is their campaign to promote cycling to school. Over 80 expert officers help local schools to promote cycling, give tuition to children etc. Finally, check out their ‘Low carbon Travel ‘ info sheet FF44 for a full explanation of their aims including simple explanations of such obscure topics as the European Emissions trading scheme and EU climate change programme. This is well referenced with links to many other useful sites for further reading.

Updated KS 14/1/2021