Worcester Renewables, supplier and installer of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, has launched a major project aimed at revitalising the Vale with more blossoms. For every domestic customer that orders a PV system from the company this spring, Worcester Renewables will absorb and donate the VAT to a trust specifically tasked with “Putting the Bloom Back in the Blossom Trail”.
Gordon Bunker, Commercial Manager of Worcester Renewables, who has lived and worked in the area for 30 years said, “When I first moved here, I can remember vividly just how stunning the area was and every spring time I made a special effort to enjoy the trail. Over the last few decades, as the orchards have lost their productivity I have seen them dwindle, though with recent efforts such as those in Church Lench […] things have started to be turned around.
“With this new initiative we will give everyone in the Vale a chance not only to do their bit for the environment, when they install a solar PV system from Worcester Renewables, they will also be helping to ‘Put the Bloom Back in the Blossom Trail’”.
Speaking with the SolarPowerPortal, Bunker explained how keen Worcester Renewables is keen to increase the amount of solar uptake in the area, since at the end of last year; only 130 solar PV installations had been connected in WR postcodes. Bunker hopes that this scheme will not only improve solar installation figures in the Vale, but also show the local community that it is not difficult to cut their carbon footprint while also giving something back to the local area.
Working with organisations including the Vale Heritage Trust, Worcester Renewables will look to acquire new areas of land, and also to help plant and replant new spring time blossoms around the trail. The scheme also allows householders and landowners to participate by planting blossoms on their land or by helping manage and maintain the ancient orchards.
Angela Tidmarsh, Tourism Officer of Wychavon District Council said, “The Blossom Trail is an important tourist attraction to the Vale, this initiative by Worcester Renewables will help to secure the Blossom Trail for the enjoyment of many over the years to come.”
Jim Burgin, Heritage Manger of Wychavon DC said, “We all know solar PV makes great financial sense, this scheme will help to develop and preserve the unique nature of the Vale and the Blossom Trail in particular” Dave Shaw, Chair of Vale Heritage Trust, is delighted with the venture. “We have worked tirelessly for many years and have managed to achieve many great things, this commitment will help us to achieve so much more to preserve and develop the area. We will now be able to establish corridors of blossom, as well as extending our work on meadowlands flood meadows, forests and orchards.”
Rev David Haslam MBE, a resident of Vale who has already gone solar said, “It has been a good year for solar cells, with plenty of sunshine, especially in June, and we have generated over 700 kilowatt hours even with only six panels. In addition to avoiding quite a lot of carbon emissions we should have made over £300 from the feed-in tariffs, as well as not needing to buy as much electricity and even selling some back to the Grid.”
