News Stories for January 2000

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26^th January 2000 – First tour of new millenium

The first tour of this year went ahead this Saturday, despite gales and rain. Visitors traveled from as far away as Brighton and Somerset. It shows the determination of some of guests to visit the project, that they fought against the weather to make such long trips. Each of our visitors was looking to start sustainability projects of their own. It shows the importance of exemplars open to people in inspiring others to also implement their own ideas.

Next week we are looking forward to a visit by students from De Montfort University, who are studying sustainable development. This is the third year in a row that this course has visited the project.

If you would like to know more about visits to Hockerton, please see ‘Site Visit’ page.

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24^th January 2000 – HHP opens up to VELUX

HHP was very pleased to receive a visit from Morten Andersen, the editor of VELUX’s international magazine. It is important to VELUX, who are the worlds leading supplier of skylights, to look for new innovative uses of their windows. These are primarily used for improving daylighting in areas of buildings where it would otherwise be poor. For instance in the conversion of loft spaces. HHP have used skylights in a different way. By strategically placing them at regular intervals towards the apex of the conservatories, they can be operated to effectively cool the houses from excessive summer heat gain in this area of the houses.

Morten was very impressed by the whole design and outlook of the development, and in particular the light and airy nature of the homes. We are hoping to work more in partnership with companies, such as VELUX, that are looking for enhancing the environmental performance of their products, and who consider carefully the impact they have through the manufacture of these products on the environment.

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13^th January 2000 – Hocker-stone or the ‘Seven standing stones of Hockerton’

The New Perspectives Theatre, Mansfield is considering the potential for a number of outdoor sculptures based around the project site. The general public attending the regular site tours around the project would be able to view these.

The first step has been taken with the transport and delivery of impressive stone blocks to the site. Most of these stones, at least two tons in weight each, have been placed in a circle of seven on the site of the original village of Hockerton. We would like to thank the support of both the New Perspectives Theatre for funding the transport of the stones and Jowetts Stonemasons for the free supply of their waste stone from their old Nottingham yard. Jowetts have recently moved to workshop premises adjacent to the project site.

We look forward to working with New Perspectives Theatre over the coming year.

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January 2000 – Shell Better Britain Campaign produce HHP leaflet

Shell Better Britain Campaign (SBB) encourages action by community groups to improve their local quality of life in ways that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. It provides an excellent newsletter, Interactive, and a major information service about local sustainability issues. It also awards grants to local groups and innovative research projects. HHP was grateful for a grant in 1998 to help publish its launch brochure.

SBB produced a leaflet this month about HHP that can be found on their website.

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