The Clapham Sustainability Group was formed in 2007, please read below for our mission statement and projects to date.

Mission Statement

Our mission underlying all projects is the building of community resilience through relationships with our community leading the transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon future by:

  • promoting practical climate solutions
  • reducing environmental impact, and fostering collaboration.

We are committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible community through local action.

Projects Past and Present

Biodiesel Project. Used vegetable oil was collected by volunteers from a variety of local sources that included schools, pubs and restaurants. The oil was transported to a production shed at Growing with Grace Organic Nursery where it was transformed into a recycled nonfossil biodiesel fuel graded for public use in vehicles. Clapham residents would pump the required amount of biodiesel into their vehicles, sign a record book, and would later be sent an invoice for payment. The Biodiesel Project was very successful and ran for a number of years until insurance costs made it untenable.

Skills and Resources Audit. This was undertaken to determine the range of projects that were feasible. Not just people skills but also tools and equipment that could be shared.

Car Sharing. A local willingness to offer and request car lifts for specific/regular journeys. These would be advertised regularly in the Clapham Newsletter, posted on public display boards and an inter-active ‘page’ on the village web-site. However, there was a low take-up.

Allotments. The late Dr. John Farrer agreed to an area of estate land on Cross Haw Lane being transformed into allotments for the use of villagers. The restoration work was carried out and six allotments created. The Allotment Project is still in existence although the allotments have been moved to another area of land nearby. Allotment holders have formed a separate group, which for insurance purposes is linked to the Village Hall Committee.

Domestic Energy Audit. House by House energy survey. A thermal-imaging camera was made available to the group. As well as indicating overall energy efficiency thermal imaging showed the effectiveness of different energy devices.

Community Orchard. The objective was to plant fruit bearing trees and bushes in various locations, mainly private gardens, around the parish. As the trees and bushes bore fruit their produce would be shared amongst participating members. For ease of sharing produce the parish would be divided into five areas. An audit revealed 30 wanting to take part, of whom some would be including their own fruit trees. The village school requested fruit trees for the school garden. This was a 5 year programme, during which more bushes and fruit trees would be purchased including edible nut trees. One of the allotments was given over to the community orchard for the planting of fruit bushes. From July to October a stall was placed in the centre of the village for 2 hours each Saturday morning for the bringing and taking of fruit. The produce would be free. There is detailed information on record available on the precise locations of the fruit trees and bushes planted and chosen varieties.

Bee Project. The plan was to run a series of bee-keeper training days in the village hall in the hope that residents would be encouraged to have their own hives. This was a very popular scheme and a number of people signed up to take part. Possible sites were identified and hives installed. There are still bee-keepers in the village, but for some of the scheme’s hopefuls it was not to be, due to setbacks such as insect sting allergies.

Wild Flower Project. Assessment of Bio diversity had been carried out in the village with a view to growing bee-friendly flowers. An area would include both sides of the beck and village gardens and in the village school playground. Fruit trees planted on the edge of the tennis court would have an edging of wild flowers. A survey carried out by Mark Hewitt, the Dales National Park Wildlife officer revealed the village had really good nectar sources. The location fronting the tennis court was found to be unsuitable and the Wild Flower area is now located on part of The Green.

Potato Project. Linked to the Community Supported Agriculture Scheme. A local farmer lent the group an acre of land to grow potatoes. The organically grown potato scheme paid for itself through sales to parishioners and local shops. A very successful project in terms of production and sales, but too labour-intensive to be sustained by volunteers over a long period.

Mini Hydro Project. A feasibility study was completed and it was hoped the scheme could move on. An ecological survey of the relevant area including information on breeding birds would need to be done at breeding time. However, the next stage required raising huge amounts of capital and a decision was taken to put the hydro project on hold.

Domestic Bulk Oil Buying. Through local residents bulk ordering their domestic fuel from suppliers the cost per litre could be reduced. Fewer journeys would be made by the distributor, using less fuel which was of benefit to the environment and to the company’s costs. This has continued to be a very successful initiative with over 80 households now benefitting thanks to the current volunteer secretary of the scheme.

Give and Take. ‘Give and Take’ events emerged from the original Waste Reduction Group. Held bi-annually Give and Take’ worked on a simple idea to reduce the number of items being taken to Household Waste sites. Instead, unwanted items were taken to the village hall where they were put on display for others to come and take away. There would be no charge to the new owner. These events have continued over a number of years. The next will be held in the autumn of this year.

Information Events. These open events help to inform the community about ongoing and proposed activities of the Sustainability Group and to provide information and help on energy efficient schemes available to households. We also hold local Information Events introducing the community to products such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and related items, energy saving devices and installations, with local residents speaking about their own experience with the new technology.

Refurbishment of Children’s Play Park. Members of the group took on the task of acquiring funding to completely replace all the outdated play equipment with up-to-date and safer models.

The Community shop. The Sustainability Group brought together skilled members of the community to form a committee which successfully planned and oversaw a scheme to take over the failing local village store and transform it into a community-run shop.

Curlew Project. The Curlew is now an endangered bird which once flourished in the area. The Clapham Curlew Cluster was formed, bringing together local farmers and survey volunteers, to monitor and protect the Curlews. The group is in the process of planning for next season’s work in 2026.

The Fleece Group. Raw fleece were purchased in bulk from a local farmer. The fleece could be used in a number of horticultural settings and the plan was to bring this to the attention of local gardeners who did, indeed, buy the fleece from the group.

Recycling of Used Medication Blister Packs. For some time the group has been investigating and participating in various ‘high-street’ schemes which accept and recycle used medication blister packs.

Smart Meter Campaign. A dysfunctional communication hub on a smart meter can result in the failure of half-hourly readings being sent to your energy supplier, thus denying a customer access to the cheaper tariffs. This has become a particular problem for households in the North of England, including the local area, and Scotland. We joined with other interested groups to highlight the communication problem and seek a resolution for affected households. We have had some success but the core of the problem remains and needs to be addressed by government.

Swift Project. Funding has been provided for the installation of Swift boxes on local buildings in an attempt to attract the birds back into the area. Swift callers were also made available. This is a recent initiative and it may take a little while for the Swifts to safely return.

Climate Emergency Motion. The Sustainability Group worked alongside a Councillor of Clapham cum Newby Parish Council putting together a Climate Emergency Motion for presentation to the Parish Council. The Motion was passed unanimously in December 2020.