Solar Panels Opportunity

The Fuel Poverty Campaign takes on board that while many in financial stress can’t afford to heat their homes, they also want energy produced in a way compatible with a liveable future. It undertakes casework and campaigns both for more green energy and for more home insulation that cuts bills and fair
tariffs for small users.

If you’re thinking about installing (or installing more) solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, now’s a good time to check out the opportunity to be part of Devon’s solar panel bulk buying scheme ‘Solar Together’. Solar panels are a good investment, saving money on your electricity bills, and they also help reduce CO2 emissions and create a sustainable future.

Besides producing cheaper electricity for home use, solar panels can be combined with storage systems to allow flexibility in the time you can use the energy generated. Many Devon homes have an awkward roof, are listed or in a conservation area – but groundmounted arrays are also possible if you have space.

Register Now

Until October 5th there’s a one-off chance to join the bulk buying scheme. Mid Devon is one of the local council areas participating in the Devon Solar Together project. Residents are eligible to register their interest for free.

With a large potential group of buyers, the scheme will then seek the best price possible for panels
from installers that are vetted for quality and service.

Households registered will then receive a personal recommendation for a solar panel system, with a cost estimate including installation and extended warranties. You’re then free to choose whether to go
ahead and install the panels.

You can find out more on the Solar Together web site.

Planned Giving at St Mary’s Cheriton Bishop

Posted on behalf of Bill Jefferies, Treasurer of St. Mary’s Church

My Dear Friends,

May I share with you one effect of the closure of the Church for Services on the finances of the local Parish Church.

Each month we contribute our share of the Common Fund to the Cathedral to give them the wherewithal to keep up the payment of the Clergy stipends. They pay Martin which we, as a Parish, could not.

A fairly large proportion of our planned givers have set up standing orders (which are still being paid regularly) to provide this income we need to contribute towards Clergy stipends but those who prefer to use blue envelopes, yellow gift aid envelopes or the collection plate can no longer do likewise as there is no easy access to the Church.

May I ask you to consider one of the following ways to continue your regular giving?

  1. (The Treasurer’s preferred option!) Set up a standing order to regularise your giving, be it weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. Please use the web site contact form to be given our bank details. This is the cheapest method and avoids all handling problems during the Covid-19 outbreak.
  2. Write a cheque made out to St Mary’s PCC Cheriton Bishop and post or deliver it to the letter box in my porch at 6, Stonelands, Crockernwell, EX6 6NB. (First class post is now 76p).
  3. I had planned to suggest putting coins or cash into the wall safe in the Church opposite the main door, but that is no longer accessible. I suppose you could put coins and/or cash into an envelope and drop that into my letter box in Crockernwell. I don’t have the facilities to accept contactless payments now preferred by shops.

Please act now on my request as without this month’s contribution from those using the schemes, we’ll end up hard pressed to continue to pay our way as we have done over the last few years.

Yours sincerely

Bill Jeffery, Treasurer.