01 Switch off standbyYou can save around £45 in GB and £70 in NI annually just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. Standby savers allow you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go to save electricity.Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.Find out which appliances use the most energy in your home.02 Draught-proof windows and doorsUnless your home is new, you’ll lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can save around £80 in GB and £100 in NI on annual energy bills. Getting professional help can cost around £250, but DIY draught proofing can be much cheaper.Find out more about reducing home heat loss.03 Turn off lightsTurn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £7 in GB and £30 in NI on your annual energy bills.Replacing all the lights in your home with LED bulbs could help you save even more.04 Careful with your washingYou can save around £24 in GB and £36 in NI a year on your energy bill by making small changes in how you use your washing machine:• Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures.• Reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.05 Avoid the tumble dryerAvoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes. Drying clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather can save you £50 in GB and £75 in NI a year.06 Spend less time in the showerKeeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £55 in GB and £70 in NI a year on their energy bills. 07 Swap your bath for a showerSome of us might enjoy a long soak in the bath. But swapping just one bath a week with a 4-minute shower could save you £9 in GB and £15 in NI a year on your energy bills.Find out how saving water at home can help your wallet and the environment.08 Be savvy in the kitchenKettles are one of the most used appliances in the kitchen. But many of us will admit that we occasionally boil the kettle with more water than we’re actually going to use.Avoid overfilling the kettle and you can save yourself £10 in GB and £14 in NI a year on your electricity bill.You could also consider fitting an aerator onto your existing kitchen tap. This will help reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting how it washes or rinses. An aerator is a small gadget with tiny holes which attaches to the spout of your tap. It’s cheap and easy to install and could save you £19 in GB and £20 in NI a year.09 Fill your dishwasherOnly run your dishwasher when it’s to full reduce the amount of water you use. Reducing your dishwasher use by one run per week for a year could save you £12 in GB and £18 in NI.10 Top up the insulationEffective insulation of your hot water cylinder is important. If you have thin spray foam or a loose 25mm jacket, you can benefit from increasing the insulation to a British Standard Jacket (80mm thick). Doing this will help you save £40 in GB and £45 in NI a year.Insulating your water tank, pipes and radiators is a quick and easy way to save money on your bills.Source: Quick tips to save energy at home - Energy Saving Trust, accessed 19/5/24The calculations here were accurate at 30/4/24, using a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house on a standard tariff paying by direct debit in England, Scotland and Wales. You can download a PDF version of this article if you wish.
Over 80 people including teenagers and toddlers enjoyed a weekend of prayer, reflection and fellowship in the beautiful surroundings of the North Devon estate on which Lee Abbey is situated. The theme was "Growing to Fullness". Prior to the weekend we were asked to think and pray about this question: "What is the next small step I could make to build community and make Jesus known in the Chalke valley and wider circle?" After Sunday Holy Communion, a Benefice meeting was held in the Chapel to discuss ideas and there were plenty of suggestions.The children and several very brave adults swam in Lee Bay. There was an art workshop led by Graham Oliver and another workshop where participants created beautiful cloth flowers sewn from scraps of material and buttons. Those wanting solitude wandered freely around the estate, full of ewes with their lambs - over 100 born this spring - or simply appreciating the stunning views and the biodiversity of the coastal rainforest with its beautiful wildflowers. The energetic walked the coastal path to Lynton and climbed up over the downs back to Lee Abbey.We departed after lunch on Sunday having made or renewed acquaintances, deepened our faith and replenished our spirits. A great experience.
The Quiz Night at the Radnor Hall on 19 April was a great success. Ably organised by Chris Clark, Jackie Bennett and their team, tables of quizzers enjoyed some tricky questions and a delicious fish and chip supper.The evening provides a wonderful occasion for the villagers from the eastern end of the Chalke Valley Benefice to come together in gentle rivalry. It's a great community event and fundraiser, and this year was won by a team from Charlton!Very many thanks to all of you who helped organise and who came along on the night.
As part of our initiative to make All Saints' Church more environmentally friendly, we've started a WhatsApp group to co-ordinate lift sharing. Sharing a lift is good for companionship and community, and reduces fuel use (and associated carbon dioxide) and road congestion. We will be starting with lift sharing to church services and village events.To join, search on WhatsApp for Eco Charlton Lift Share, or use the Get in Touch feature of this webpage.Help us gain our Eco Church Bronze Award!
