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We have a wonderful environment, which we try to enhance with our Green policies and conservation work.
Environmental Policy
The Beale family have had a long term commitment to good environmental practice, since first coming to Cobnor in 1918. Our aim is to conserve and enhance the beauty and the bio-diversity of the wonderful landscape here and to keep working on improving day-to-day practices and policies, towards sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources. And we hope to delight, encourage and inspire our visitors in terms of how we care for the environment!
Land Management
We are proud of our partnership over many decades with the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, resulting in the planting of over a thousand trees at Cobnor, the restoration of hedgerows, the creating and maintaining of footpaths, sea-defences, and facilities for wheelchair-users, and the recording of the wildlife in all its forms.
We seek to create a balance between letting people enjoy our unique sailing facilities, with Cobnor's two youth activities' centres and our dinghy park, and ensuring that Cobnor's quiet and timeless quality is conserved. Thus we resist expansion and commercialisation in all its forms, and restrict cars and motorboats (sailing is one of the "greenest" of sports!).
For 14 years we have had farming land entered into the Countryside Stewardship scheme, which ensures management practices that give conservation gain. This has involved turning arable land back into precious coastal grazing fields and marsh (with the help of our Jacob's sheep) as well as hedge-laying and pond restoration. We have also been restoring our wooded areas, in partnership with the Forestry Commission, and delight in the new profusion of wildflowers, birds and butterflies!
Recycling and Purchasing
We recycle paper, tins, plastic and glass bottles, tetrapaks, ink jet cartridges, batteries, bottle tops, coathangers and silver foil.
Water butts are used to recycle rainwater for the garden.
We re-use office paper, plastic bags, farming bags etc and try to keep refuse to a minimum.
Stationery, toilet paper, kitchen roll etc is made from recycled paper (100% or as near as we can get to it).
Environmental cleaning products are used wherever possible (mainly Ecover and "Blue stuff")
Use of Energy
Our electricity supplier is Ecotricity, 100% renewable.
We have fitted (August 2009) solar pipes for our water heating at the cottages.
Cobnor House has solar tubes for water heating.
All appliances must be "A" or "B" rated for energy efficiency.
Thermostatic valves on radiators, timers on outside lights, and "sava plugs" on fridges and freezers save energy.
Wherever possible we now have low-energy light bulbs.
2 cottages have light pipes in the bathroom
Water consumption minimised with dual flush loos and reduced pressure to taps.
Enjoying Nature
Books, maps and guides are provided for bird-watchers, walkers, nature-lovers etc. Birds are encouraged with feeders and nest-boxes.
Local food and Local Transport
A "good eating" file is kept for guests, with details of local restaurants, pubs, shops and market-stalls and suppliers of Fair Trade food locally.
Delivery of milk / groceries/ veg boxes from local shops is encouraged.
Maps are available with footpaths and cycle paths marked, plus guide-books and info on bike hire. Timetables and leaflets are provided for boat trips and ferries, including water-tours on the solar-powered boat (wheelchair accessible).
And I am more often seen on my bike than in a car round Cobnor!
Support for Organisations and Campaigns
I am a member of Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Cobnor Activities Centre, Oxfam, and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, plus a life member of Friends of Chichester Harbour and Survival International.
We bank with the Co-operative Bank, which has a good ethical policy.
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