Page 4 - HGS Suburb News 152 - Winter 2022

Air Source pump in the Suburb home her
S U B U R B Heat Pumps: family is currently purchasing.
The meeting was well attended,
an open evening and there was genuine interest in
these technologies, as well as in
t was standing room only at our home insulation matters.
information meeting on heat Readers should note that
Residents Association I pumps at Fellowship House on consent from HGS Trust and LB
Chair, Emma Howard, November 10th. Barnet is always required in the
Some 45 RA members turned case of air source heat pumps.
gives a round up up to get more information about (Don’t be misled by online
RA
of the latest these devices, which can information that may tell you no
potentially reduce heating bills permission is required.)
RA News but, more importantly, slash your For ground source heat pumps,
household carbon emissions and which require underground
make a real contribution to pipework in the garden, the Trust
Lime Bikes So, keen to find out more, I fighting climate change. should be informed even if no
duly turned up to Central Square A guest speaker from CB changes to landscaping are
ant to try an eBike for on a warm autumn evening having Heating (one of the largest UK envisioned. If alterations to
yourself? This was the
W tempting offer made by downloaded the Lime app to my installers) presented detailed landscaping are proposed at the
Gren Manuel (secretary of the smart phone before setting out. I information on air source heat same time, an application for
pumps, including costs and grants
found Lime bikes shown on the
Trust consent is required.
RA’s REACH environmental group map on the app – and, lo and currently available. Local renewable A detailed article about the
and a frequent Lime user) in the behold – by the one opposite the energy experts whose homes are 10th November meeting is
1st October issue of eNews, which school, there as promised stood heated by air and ground source available on the REACH section of
goes to RA members for whom we Gren discreetly dressed in blazing heat pumps were there to share RA’s website, hgsra.uk. The site
have email addresses. yellow lycra and helmet. We were their experiences. The discussion also has other local information
The offer noted that shared
electric bikes have invaded the soon joined by over a dozen other was facilitated by a Suburb about energy saving and climate
change and is updated weekly.
residents all keen to find out more.
resident planning to install a heat
Suburb – causing both enthusiasm I learned how to get set up to
and concern. Enthusiasm on the use the bike and had a couple of
one hand because these bikes are fun trips around the block, enjoying
an excellent way to travel to the way the electric motor helped
REVIEW
nearish places such as Hampstead me cycle up Southway towards
and Swiss Cottage, often faster St. Jude’s (appropriately named
than public transport and with no ‘on the hill’). The bikes are very
contribution to local air pollution. heavy and have no gears but are
Concern on the other as bikes are simple to use and have a bell on
often left blocking pavements in each handlebar and a decent
the area, with little thought given sized carrier in the front. They
to residents, especially those with can’t be used unless you have
impaired mobility or vision, or card payments set up on your
pushing prams or wheelchairs. Photo: Peter McCluskie
phone and the charges rack up
quite quickly at £1 set up and
then 21p per minute. The bikes
come with good front and rear HGS Trust elections
lights and the app tells you how ongratulations to Gren Manuel, secretary to the RA’s REACH
many kilometres of charge the committee, who was successful in the elections to become a
“No, I think that’s the bell…” bike has when you scan the QR Ctrustee of the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust. Gren, a financial
(Photo: Peter McCluskie) code to get started. The bikes are
maintained by the Lime fairies journalist, has lived in the Suburb for 20 years with his wife and two
sons who both attended Garden Suburb School. Gren is passionate
who come round changing the about the impact of climate change and would like to ensure a balance
batteries at night which then get between conservation and reducing our Suburb-wide carbon footprint.
recharged back at their depot. Congratulations also to Richard Townley who was re-elected after his
A great innovation and
brilliant for those awkward local great contribution to bringing Central Square back under Trust control.
journeys which are a bit too far to
walk, and where public transport
links are problematic. However,
with no docking stations needed
to park the bikes at the end of a
journey, it is not surprising that
they can also be a nuisance to
other residents. Improper or
illegal parking of Lime bikes can
be reported in the Help section of
FED UP WITH the Lime app in your account, and
it would be great if local users
Get a FREE solar installation could assist on this to help limit Gren Manuel & Richard Townley (Photo: Peter McCluskie)
quote today from regulated problems caused to others by
YOUR ENERGY solar panel installer installing inconsiderate bike parking.
in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Philip leaves behind his wife,
BILLS RISING? Installation subject to HGS Philip Okrent Suzie, three daughters as well as a
Trust and LB Barnet consent.
t was extremely sad news when sister who are in our thoughts at
RA Council members learned in this terrible time.
Iearly November of the sudden
and tragic death of Philip Okrent
whilst in Spain where he had a
second home.
Philip was a gentleman and a
delightful character who took on
the Pavements mantle for the RA
during covid when he and his wife
were out walking a lot and noticed
how bad many of them were.
He was always a pleasure to
deal with, handling concerns and
complaints from residents
efficiently and it was never too
much trouble for him to go and
visit a problem site, take a photo,
Gren gives guidance and then report it to local
(Photo: Peter McCluskie) councillors to action. Photo: Family Archive
4 SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS