It has been an exciting month with the highlight being the opening of the new South Charnwood Leisure Centre. You may remember that I was talking about the topping out ceremony last month. On Saturday 19th September it was my turn to cut the ribbon to celebrate the re-opening. It was a beautiful day I arrived at 10 o’clock to open the new facility, the press arrived and soon after we had our pictures taken and the ribbon was cut. I then went for a walk around the centre and was able to see the result of nine months’ worth of building work. Guided tours had been arranged so customers can take a first look at the centre’s new state-of-the-art facilities. Work which has been carried out includes the creation of a new Dance Studio and Fitness Studio as well as the provision of new dry side changing rooms and extra parking spaces. The pool, changing rooms and reception have also been refurbished and all heating, electrical and filtration plants replaced. The pool has also benefited from a brand new roof.
The new facilities at South Charnwood Leisure Centre are the culmination of many months of hard work and dedication from officers and the building contractor, GF Tomlinson. It has to be seen to be believed and will provide vital opportunities for residents in the south of the borough to improve their health and wellbeing.
Customers can either take up a gym or swimming membership, or just pay as they go. For further details visit the council’s website www.charnwood.gov.uk, call 0116 264 0057 or simply turn up at the centre.
The Big Switch Off
Whether you are motivated for environmental or financial reasons, switching off standby on your domestic appliances makes sense. If each householder in the county switched off standby every year we could save on average £13,186,541! This is equal to 21,315 tonnes of carbon. In Charnwood we could save an average of £37 per household per year (we have 60,472 households and could save £2,237,464 per year). The Big Switch Off is a campaign encouraging households, businesses, schools and community organisations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to switch off all unnecessary electrical appliances and lighting. The campaign is taking place over the period of a week between the 12th and 18th October 2009 to help people save money, energy and the environment.
Whether at home, work, school or in your local community you can join in the campaign and switch off. For further information see www.leics.gov.uk/bigswitchoff, contact Hetal Patel on 0116 3057068 or Hetal.Patel@leics.gov.uk or Rachel Sweetland on 0116 3057332 or Rachel.Sweetland@leics.gov.uk
Do You Know How Much Energy You Are Using
A good question is ‘do we know how much energy we are using in our house and how can you find out?’ The Environmental Action Team from Leicestershire County Council has joined forces with all libraries to find a way to help householders conserve energy. Simply call, email or visit your local library today to see how you can take advantage of a free loan of a wireless energy monitor for a whole week. By using this device, energy bills can be considerably reduced by taking simple steps to improve energy efficiency in the home of up to £340 per year. Pick one up today to see how much you could save and reduce your carbon footprint!
What Is An Energy Monitor?
It is a bit of kit that measures how much electricity each of your domestic appliances uses. See the reading soar when you switch on the second bar of the electric fire or turn on the turbo power switch on the shower. What is the purpose of an energy monitor loan scheme? It is to enable people to manage their domestic electricity supply more efficiently therefore saving on energy consumption and reducing costs. (I have tried one and it is surprising how much energy you use without any of your main appliances being used) How big are they? Fully packaged they are contained in a box approximately 10 inches square. The actual monitors are about the size of CD case. Are they easy to install? An installation instruction sheet with conditions of use comes with each monitor. There is no hire charge and borrowers can renew them if they wish. There will be an overdue charge of 75p a day for any late returns.
Steam Trains
A ride on a steam train and then a ramble back across the fields was offered in a special ‘walk with a difference’. The event, which took place on Saturday 26th September, was made possible thanks to a new partnership between Charnwood Borough Council and the Great Central Railway. The day began at Rothley’s Great Central Railway Station where participants took the train to Loughborough. Following a four mile walk across the fields to Quorn, they then enjoyed refreshments at the Ellis Tea Room. Afterwards walkers could either choose to rest their tired legs by catching the train back to Rothley Station, where more refreshments were on offer, or mustering together their energy and walking the rest of the way. The train ticket cost only £5. Keep a watch in the local newspaper for repeat offers.
