Stone Life February/March 2014 | Page 43

CLASS CHAT UCKLE HOUSE Solar panels O STRENGTH plan sees local intriguing their little minds by our explore sessions or just baking and making together are all part of the learning process.” The Chuckle House has also become the home of Chuckle Stars, a Saturday morning project for children and young people with special needs. Supported by a team of highly experienced professionals, they have the opportunity to explore musical theatre, art and design, providing them with a completely independent hobby. “Whether you need literacy support and assessment for a Specific Learning Difficulty from specialist teachers, want to have fun with your little one as you watch them grow or release your inner Rock Star, Chuckle has something for everyone” added fellow Director, Jeff Reynolds. The Chuckle House is based at Unit 10, Stone Enterprise Centre, Emerald Way, Stone ST15 0SR. For further information call 07837 741510 or email [email protected]. Oliver Speight poised to cut the ribbon. The special Chuckle House cake that was baked to celebrate the opening. school benefit £1 million investment will see solar panels fitted to a number of Staffordshire schools, including a number locally, to help them save on energy costs. 25 schools including Alleyne's High School, in Stone will all be fitted with solar PV (photo-voltaic) panels as Staffordshire County Council aims to deliver on its commitment to boost the use of renewable technology and make savings. The funding will be made available by a community benefit society, through a Solar Share Offer. It is estimated to save around £90,000 of electricity costs per year for the schools. Staffordshire County Councillor, Ben Adams, Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills told Stone and Eccleshall Life: “We’ve been working hard over the last few years to help reduce energy costs across all Council services including schools. “This project will see the schools benefit from free, environmentally friendly electricity, allowing them to invest their funds in other areas that will help enhance the education for pupils. “Cutting back on energy usage is not only great news for our schools but also for our council tax paying residents as we continue to reduce energy bills and cut our CO2 emissions.” The use of renewable energy will cut the council’s carbon emissions by up to 7,329 tonnes over the course of the project. The £1 million investment is just one of Staffordshire County Council’s many energy saving initiatives running alongside other schemes using renewable energy and capital investment in more efficient plant and equipment such as modern boilers and improved insulation. Solar panels have also been installed on County Council run libraries. A February/March 2014 43