Ashton Hayes

infobox UK place
country= England
static_

static_image_caption=
latitude= 53.219891
longitude= -2.740599
official_name= Ashton Hayes
local_name=
population= 919 (2001 Census)
civil_parish= Ashton Hayes
shire_district= Chester
shire_county= Cheshire
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Eddisbury
post_town= CHESTER
postcode_district= CH3
postcode_area= CH
dial_code= 01829
os_grid_reference= SJ511693

Ashton Hayes is a village and civil parish in the Chester District of Cheshire, England. It is located about 8 miles east of Chester on the B5393 road. The nearest villages are Mouldsworth to the north east and Kelsall to the south east. According to the 2001 Census it had a population of 919.citeweb|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=3&b=792411&c=ashton&d=16&e=15&g=427572&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1221950931000&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 |title=2001 Census: Ashton CP (Ashton Hayes)|work=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=20 September|accessyear=2008] The main village in the parish - formerly known as Ashton - was renamed Ashton Hayes following a referendum, to avoid confusion with other places of the same name. [citeweb|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1277414,00.html |title=The trouble with Ashton _|work=The Guardian|date=6 August 2004|accessdate=29 January|accessyear=2007]

Carbon neutrality

In November 2005, the Ashton Hayes Parish Council agreed that the village should try to become England's first carbon neutral village and launched a programme, starting 26 January 2006. The move is supported by the local community, businesses, Chester City Council and The Energy Saving Trust. In July 2006 the total annual output of carbon dioxide from the village was calculated by students from the University of Chester at 4,765.76 tonnes.

With the aid of a DEFRA grant, a film was made explaining the issues and the villagers' efforts, and intended to receive its premier in the village on 25 January 2007. [citeweb|url=http://www.energysaving.org.uk/aboutest/news/dailynews/index.cfm?mode=view&articleid=18025199 |title=Daily News: Green village to premiere 'eco-film'|work=Energy Saving Trust|date=5 January 2007|accessdate=29 January|accessyear=2007] It is hoped that the film will increase awareness and encourage other communities to adopt the concept. [citeweb|url=http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=224908 |title=North West takes on the climate challenge|work=Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (North West)|publisher=News Distribution Service|date=5 September 2006|accessdate=29 January|accessyear=2007]

Measures taken to offset or reduce this have included installing house insulation, installing energy saving light bulbs and wind turbines, and a large number of trees have been planted. [citeweb|url=http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/chesterchronicle/tm_method=full%26objectid=17070666%26siteid=50020-name_page.html |title=Students study 'green' village|work=Chester Chronicle|publisher=icnetwork.co.uk|date=12 May 2006|accessdate=29 January|accessyear=2007] The local pub is also planning to become the first carbon neutral pub in England. [citeweb|url=http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/Press_releases/The%20Golden%20Lion%20press%20releasev3.pdf |title=The Golden Lion – Aiming to be England’s first carbon neutral pub!|work=goingcarbonneutral.co.uk|accessdate=29 January|accessyear=2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.sylviamilne.co.uk/ashton.htm Ashton Hayes near Chester, England]
* [http://www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupHomepage.asp?GroupID=126629 Ashton Hayes County Primary School]
* [http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral Project]
* [http://www.sustainablecheshire.org.uk/documents/ashtonhayes.pdf Going Carbon Neutral (PowerPoint presentation)]

In the media

*May 2006 "Cheshire County Council": [http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/PR/2006/may06/155-06.htm Wind Turbine And Solar Panel Plans For Ashton Hayes Primary School]
*May 2006 "Treehugger.com": [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/03/a_tale_of_two_c.php A tale of Two Cities]
*Feb 2006 "icCheshireOnline": [http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/chesterchronicle/tm_method=full%26objectid=16661818%26siteid=50020-name_page.html Village points way to a greener future]

ee also

*Carbon footprint
*Bioenergy Village
*Sustainable energy
*Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom
*Baywind Energy Co-operative
*2000 Watt society