A Burnham-On-Sea woman has been named as one of Britain’s eleven ‘Green Heroes’ by EDF Energy this week.
Sarah Milner Simonds has been selected by the power firm in recognition of her efforts to reduce her carbon footprint.
Announcing its finalists on Monday, EDF said: “Sarah tries to live as self-sufficiently and sustainably as possible. She has installed solar thermal panels to generate hot water, and grows fruit, vegetables and herbs in her back garden.”
“She has also installed loft, cavity wall and door insulation and uses an energy monitor to analyse and reduce her electricity usage.”
“Sarah doesn’t own a television and lives an ‘outdoor life’ as much as possible, cycling or walking rather than using a car.”
“As well as promoting sustainable-living in her own household, Sarah encourages it in her community. She is planning a food festival for Burnham-on-Sea to promote locally-sourced food.”
“Sarah hopes that it will provide a fun day out for families, encourage people to buy local food and inspire children who meet farmers, wine-makers and bakers to think about careers in the food industry.”
She will now battle it out with her ten fellow Green Heroes to be named Team Green Britain’s Superhero. The overall winner will receive a £10,000 grant to support a community sustainability initiative of their choosing.
Sarah has already earmarked the money for her People’s Plot project, should she be successful.
She hopes to create a green, communal space in Burnham, where her neighbours can get together, eat and play.
Sarah hopes to plant an orchard in the plot, with the harvest shared by local residents. The plot would be run by the community and hopefully develop to include communal fruit and vegetable allotments, an outside kitchen, a green gym, a pool of bicycles and perhaps even animals, such as pigs and hens.
Sarah told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’m really pleased to be chosen as a Team Green Britain Hero and am looking forward to progressing my carbon-saving efforts at home and in my community.”
“Over the next few months I’ll be working to help my local area become greener, leaner and more sustainable.”
“The Team Green Britain Heroes prize would be just the start of The People’s Plot. I’m confident that together we can find funding, barter skills and beg favours to develop it and make it grow.”
“As long as it is safe and friendly and free to the people who live here, then I’ll work hard to make the People’s Plot happen.”
