Page 6 - Go Connected - Saddleworth East - February 2019

Wildlife returning to Dovestones after devastating fires.
This tranquil picture of ducks swimming at a favourite Saddleworth beauty spot will hopefully see its return to good fortune.
Last year Dovestone reservoir
was the focal point for a host of community issues from moorland fires, wonton rubbish dumping, careless visitors setting illegal BBQs and major parking problems.
And, as a bizarre counterpoint, the hot summer saw a dramatic drop on water levels at the breathtaking site above Greenfield.
From April to November, levels at the reservoir itself was reported up to 11 metres down from its full level of 31 metres.
And that lead to a hiccup for the visionary team who invested in Saddleworth Community Hydro,
a community-owned micro-power scheme who installed a 51kW hydroelectric turbine at the foot of the dam a few years ago.
Said their spokesman: “That reduced the pressure which drives
our turbine and our power output. Consequently the money earned was halved.
“However, during November
and December the rain filled the reservoir back up to near the top and we are generating back at target level.
“When it is working at full power the turbine scheme makes a small profit which goes into a grant fund. The grant money is offered to other local community schemes supporting sustainability.
“While the water level was low we weren’t making much more than covering our costs, but now we are back in business topping up the fund and can offer grants of £500 or more.
“The schemes helped so far include converting a charity to LED bulbs saving them money and reducing
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