Three North Richmondshire villages have achieved significant savings on heating oil costs by setting up their own Oil Co-op.

With help from Rural Action Yorkshire (RAY) three neighbours in Gayles decided to set up a heating oil co-operative and held a public meeting in the local Village Hall in Dalton. As a result the Oil Co-op was formed with 20 members in Gayles and 23 in Dalton.

Together on 13th November 2012 20,000 litres of heating oil for 30 properties were ordered saving in the region of between 4 and 6 pence per litre (ex VAT) on the price any individual ordering independently would have paid.

As a result of these savings nearby Kirby Hill have also started an oil co-op and will order along with the Dalton & Gayles Oil Co-ops in their next order in February 2013. Any resident of Dalton, Gayles or Kirby Hill can join these groups by contacting the relevant oil co-op, run voluntarily by residents for residents, by contacting :-

Gayles:- Carole, Clare or Linda by E Mail : gaylesoilcoop@gmail.com

Dalton:- Sue or Sandra by E Mail: daltonoilcoop@gmail.com

Kirby Hill:- Zoe by E Mail: kirbyhilloilcoop@gmail.com

Ten oil companies were asked to quote for this first order and W H Bowe Oil Suppliers from Brompton on Swale were the company who gave the lowest quote and were chosen to deliver oil to the villagers. 

Andrew Storey, Business Manager for W H Bowe said “W H Bowe Oil Suppliers are delighted to be selected as the chosen oil supplier to the Gayles and Dalton Oil Co-ops. We work hard to ensure we provide the best service for our customers in terms of our local knowledge, quality products, delivery and price.  In communities such as this, our local knowledge helps us to understand and respond to the needs of our customers.  In addition, with the winter not so far away, we welcome groups such as this stocking up ahead of the coldest months.  Currently we are encouraging all oil users to check their fuel level as we commonly find that people discover they’re very low on oil when it’s the peak season and the delivery window can be longer than normal.”

Apart from saving money on an essential commodity like heating oil the arrangement reduces the number of oil tanker journeys through the villages’ narrow roads contributing not only to road safety but reducing the environmental impact.

Kathryn Chapman, Rural Development Officer, for Rural Action Yorkshire who helped the volunteers set up the Gayles Oil Co-op said “Rural Action Yorkshire knows how expensive it can be to heat your home in rural areas, we take fuel poverty very seriously which is why we offer a wide range of support to rural communities such as setting up an oil buying co-operative to reduce heating costs.

We are really pleased that Gayles, Dalton & Kirby Hill villages have successfully set up this cooperative and we are confident that they will keep warm and save money this winter by joining together to purchase their oil.”

Rural Action Yorkshire can be contacted on 0845 3130270 or through their website at http://www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk/