Shropshire briquette club scheme aims to cut heating bills
An innovative scheme designed to help people slash their fuel costs over the winter is being introduced in Shropshire.
The wood briquettes scheme will see residents club together to order firewood for log-burners, ranges and open fires, saving money on delivery charges. It will also do away with the need to cut logs.
Oswestry Woodfuel Cooperative has been set up by Ingrid Knowles, from Morda.
She said: "Many of us have started using more wood for heating now that gas and oil are becoming more expensive. If the logs are dry enough for burning they are a great way to keep the bills down.
"However, the time and physical energy involved in shifting logs into the house every week can be too much for some."
The briquettes could help save money, Miss Knowles said, adding: "Good quality briquettes, bought for a similar cost to firewood logs, will give a hotter, longer, more controllable burn, be easier and cleaner to handle and will take up less space to store.
"We are in the process of forming a co-operative that provides its members with quantities of briquettes."
The scheme has been set up with www.woodfuel.coop. People can also try the briquettes then decide if they want to become a scheme member, she said.
The briquettes come in packs of 10kg and in four wood types, with prices ranging from £2.43 to £3.20. They can be ordered by the bag or in loads of up to a one ton pallet.
"You can buy any amount and mix of types you like," Miss Knowles said. "We deliver a pallet to you at £1.50 per mile from the depot to your house. Smaller amounts can be collected from us or delivered to you by arrangement."
Contact Miss Knowles at iaknowles@gmail.com or (01691) 657223.
