Many remote rural areas are under threat. Tarset 2050 grew out of facilitated community days which defined a vision for Tarset’s future.
Sustainability is needed on economic, social and environmental fronts. We took some of the ideas suggested and set about developing them with the help of a variety of funders.
We decided that an integrated approach was essential. So the projects we've been working on initially are renewable energy and recycling, asset mapping, sustainable tourism, and the marketing of a top local product, Tarset lamb. Issues to do with protection of our environment and cultural heritage have been delegated to the Tarset Archive Group.
Tarset 2050 is a community interest company comprised solely of volunteers. We have no paid staff, which as the workload increases is not in itself sustainable. We've received support for the range of projects from Tynedale District Council Regeneration Department, The Northern Rock Foundation, The Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear and the Northumberland National Park Authority.
Recent activities include:
Information about activities is presented in community feedback sessions; dates are published in Tarset News, on noticeboards at the Village Hall and in Greenhaugh.
Planning permission was recently granted by the Northumberland National Park Authority for the micro-hydro project proposed for the site at Burnmouth Mill. The scheme was researched and developed after the community put forward renewable energy ideas. The plan is to sell power to the grid and use the money raised for community benefit. All funding for the investigations, design, planning applications and capital cost, if it proceeds, has been raised by Tarset 2050 from a charitable foundation's green fund, Tynedale District Council and the Sustainable Development Fund administered by the National Park.
The micro-hydro pilot project planning application is available on the Northumberland National Park website:
Burnmouth Mill, Tarset
Re-instatement of c19th overhead water wheel to generate electricity to be fed into the grid, with associated intake and screen, penstock, stone wheelhouse and masonry tailrace, control mechanism and connection to grid
http://planning.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/application.asp?NNPA_ref=09NP0018
and featured in an article in the Journal:
Tarset waterwheel project aims to raise cash, 11th June 2009
http://bellingham.journallive.co.uk/news/tarset-waterwheel-project-aims-to-raise-cash.html
Tarset 2050 has been working with the Farmers Group to maximise markets for local hill lamb. This has included some market research funded by the Prince of Wales, following his visit to Tarset organised by Business in the Community. Farmers have been on visits to other projects in Derbyshire and Devon.
Tarset 2050 raised funding and commissioned a report on the potential for specialist tourism in the area to help the local economy. It raised funding to pilot a specialist weekend which is being run in conjunction with the Tarset Archive Group’s bastle forum.
Tarset 2050 has helped some individuals find grant-aid for training to improve their work prospects. It helped set up a farm plastics recycling collection hub at a local farm. It has also investigated the development of a wood supply business.