SunDay 
Festival of the Sun - the UK's biggest ever
celebration of renewable energy
The hockerton Housing Project has been chosen for the
second year as one of the venues for the country's biggest ever celebration
of solar energy. The "SunDay" will be on Sunday June 24
(1.30-3.30pm). This is one of a
number of venues across the country to take part in a massive demonstration
of renewable energy.
To celebrate Solar SunDay we will host a guided tour of the earth
sheltered housing project. These revolutionary dwellings have been built with
no central heating system. All the heat required to keep warm comes from
energy stored from the sun, the occupant’s own bodies and appliances. But
this is just part of a holistic project, where they collect their own water,
treat their own sewage, grow their own food and harvest fish from the lake.
The programme will consist of a slide presentation, site tour, and house tour
with a small exhibition and light refreshments.
A limited range of relevant
publications and goods will be available on the day.
Visits only by booking ahead please (numbers unfortunately are limited). A charge of
£10/person will be made. Not suitable for children under 12.
Contact: Nick White or Sandy Martin on 01636 816902, or email hhp@hockerton.demon.co.uk
The Solar Energy Society [2] is
co-ordinating events across the UK. A great range of events are being held,
from the launch of a new project to build a boat powered by renewable energy
to awareness days by community based renewable energy projects, from open
days at wind farms and houses whose water is heated by solar power to solar
boat races. All promise to offer something fun and interesting for all the
family, whilst also providing information on how these environmentally
friendly technologies can help us all to meet environmental targets.
SunDay is a Europe-wide event promoting
renewable energy organised in the UK by the Solar Energy Society in
conjunction with Schools and Homes Energy Education Project. SunDay
highlights the efforts of people, from inviduals in their own homes to local
councils, who are promoting the use of renewable energy, and shows why these
efforts matter. For events across the country, see www.brookes.ac.uk/other/uk-ises
The Solar
Energy Society is the UK section of ISES, with some 250 members. The
International Solar Energy Society (ISES) is a non-governmental organisation,
which seeks to promote the development, application and commercialisation of
solar and renewable energy worldwide. ISES-Europe covers the European Union,
Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the nations of the former Soviet Union
National contact:
email solarsunday@hotmail.com.
Tel/Fax 0114 249 9459
 GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
The Sustainable Community
– A Practical Guide
Based on the
experience of the Hockerton Housing Project (HHP), this 52-page guide aims to
help others plan and set up their own sustainable projects.
We have continued
to receive positive reviews of our new publication (see below). For more
detailed summary and further quotes, please see attached.(hyperlink)
To order a copy, send a cheque
for £8.50 (including p&p) made payable to ‘HHP Trading Ltd.’
Send To: ‘The
Watershed’, Gables Drive, Hockerton, Southwell, Notts NG25 OQU
The attached Response
Form has details of other HHP publications and services
Quotes and feedback on Guide
Dear HHP – Many thanks for sending
me a copy of the Sustainable Community Guide! I will treasure (and use) it. I
hope you’ll inspire more people through what you are doing.
Many
thanks for the Sustainable Community booklet. It has given me many hours of
reading and time exploring sites on the web. It has been very valuable in
focusing my ideas.
I found the Guide very
informative and well designed. I hope that it will gain a great deal of Kudos
and attention for the work of your organisation (Gaia – The Foundation for
Sustainable Development)
This
Hockerton Housing Project publication provides useful information on the
establishment of self-sufficient communities. The physical examples are drawn
from Hockerton’s earth sheltered housing and may not be everybody’s model for
future housing, but the guidance available on everything from setting up a
group through legal issues, borrowing and day to day management will be
extremely helpful for anyone starting afresh in this area. (Sustainable
Homes)
It is very good that you
have produced such a useful practical guide. I enjoyed looking through it,
and I am sure we will advocate it to others. I hope all is well with you and
your pals in Hockerton. Your community vision and real world achievements are
genuinely an inspiring example to the main stream. (Director of a leading
environmental organisation)
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
Match-Making Service
Are you looking to join a sustainable community but
can’t find one?
Are you struggling to find others to start
a new sustainable community?
Are you part of a sustainable community
looking for new members?
Are you a
developer looking for buyers for your eco-homes?
If yes, this
service is aimed towards you
We are looking to develop a service
over the next year putting people in contact with each other, thereby helping
projects and people to develop their plans much faster.
To date we have over 20 people interested. The more
people we have registered the more useful the service will be.
The service will provide:
4 Regular contact lists of people and projects
4 Early notification of new projects
4 Assistance in finding contacts to develop your plans,
including;
·
Green architects
·
Green builders
·
Manufacturers/suppliers of
green materials
·
Organisations/businesses
providing specialist advice
If you are
interested please send
us an email requesting an initial registration form
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
TV, Radio and written
publicity
It’s
been another busy period for media publicity. We had a very high level of
response to the Radio 4 documentary as part of series,
Changing Places – ‘Home, but not alone’.
There have been a number of articles or photos of the
project in specialist publications, including, Green Government, Eco-Design
Magazine, Energy & Environment Manager, Geographical magazine,
kindred Spirit, Permaculture and Positive News. Many of
these publications are very interesting and useful – if you would like
further details on them, please contact us and we will do so if we can.
We were also contacted by BBC Newsnight and asked to
be on standby if the ‘environment’ comes up as a significant political issue.
To date it has not – an indictment perhaps on the two leading parties. In a
recent survey by Friends of the Earth that rated parties on the green
credentials of their manifestos, Liberal Democrats came top with 37.5 out of
50, labour with 22 and Conservatives on a sad 6.5. The green party were also
included with 42.
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
New website links
We
have recently added website links to a number of environmental organisations
– Why not check them out?
Cornwall Solar This web site aims to help & inform
those who would like to discover more about solar heating systems and other
solar energy applications...
Demi is a unique and innovative research project which links design to
sustainability debates. Its output is a map comprising a new way to view design for sustainability, drawing
on diverse information. The WebPages
provide access to the evolving demi map as well as information on the demi
project.
Derbyshire Alternative Technology
Association (DATA) was founded in January 1996. It brings together people
who have an interest in developing the role that sustainable technologies can
play in the region.
The
Energy and Environmental Management Group The Energy and
Environmental Management Group has at its disposal over twenty years of
experience in renewable energy and operates at the leading edge for an energy
efficient environment - in the commercial, industrial and domestic markets.
The companies major activities are in the design, specification, supply and
installation of state of the art Solar and Renewable Energy Systems
Ethical
Junction The Ethical Junction is a gateway to the ethical sector for
people in the UK and Ireland, giving a focal point for a broad range of
ethical issues and trading.
info@ethical-junction.org Tel:
0161 236 3637
Rising Tide -
Coalition for Climate Justice Political Statement Rising Tide is a coalition of groups and
individuals committed to a grassroots approach to fighting climate change
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
New resident in the reeds
Early this spring we had a pair of reed buntings settle
into the reed bed - hopefully to make a nest and rear young. The reed bed has
steadily established itself over the last few years making it more and more
appealing to local wildlife. Although the reed bed serves an important
function for the homes in treating waste water, it is very satisfying to see
that it also supports a large amount of wildlife. Other birds have nested
amongst the reeds this year including moorhen and mallard.
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
Sustaining Green Housing
"SUSTAINING GREEN HOUSING"
the economics,
environmental and social issues
A one-day conference organised by
in association with
The Housing
Corporation
and
Construction Industry
Environmental Forum
at London Voluntary Services Resource Centre
356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
Wednesday 4 July 2001
Conference Objectives
Concerns over our impact on our environment and the need for sustainable
development are central to our ability to provide a reasonable standard of
living for all in the future. The second Sustainable Homes conference focuses
on the economic, environmental and social issues linked with providing
sustainable housing solutions. Leading innovators working in the public,
private and NGO sectors of housing and the environment will draw on
experience and innovation to date, and look to providing future solutions.
The programme will be of particular interest to board members, chief
executives, senior managers and policy advisors in the housing, local
government and construction sectors.
The event also includes an exhibition, workshop sessions and poster
sessions.
To find out more either visit the website www.sustainablehomes.co.uk or
call Jenny Wain on 020 8943 4433 or email info@sustainablehomes.co.uk .
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
Informal Training in Sustainable Building, Design & Health
Richmond Adult College have organised
three (one day) training days dealing with:
Eco
Design Eco
Building Geometry (Sacred)
Exploring Holistic Therapies
Sat 10.00 to 4.00 Sat
10.00 to 4.00 Fri 10.00 to
4.00
Sat 10.00 to 4.00
9th June. One day 16th June.
One day 13th July. One
day
14th July. One day
Code
C07710 Code
C07720 Code
C07740
Code C07760
This will be an excellent opportunity
for you to meet with others who share similar interest and reflect
on the subject. The courses are inexpensive at £26.00 per day and are
led by Bob Harris a trustee of the 'Ecological Design Association' who has a
wide and practical experience of the issues. An attendance certificate will
be issued.
Each of the
courses will comprise of the following basic format:
- Introduction
of the issues
- Practical
examples and application
- Personal experience
- Short
Video & info sheets
- Business issues
How to enrol:
By Phone: 020 8891 5907
(Credit card lines open Mon to Fri 9.00 to 12.30)
Speak to the tutor: Phone Bob Harris on 0795 6341
578 and he will get back to you
Note: Courses will be held at: Richmond Adult
Community College. Clifden Centre, Clifden Road, Twickenham, TW14LT
GO BACK TO TOP OF PAGE
Environmental Trainers
Network
ETN (Environmental Trainers Network) have been running
successful national training events on a network basis for a number of years.
We have training available throughout the UK in the topic areas of
Fundraising & Income Generation, Interpretation & Communication,
Working with Communities,
Sustainability, Management & Supervision, Equal Access and Youth,
Education & Play. We still have limited places available on the
following:
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES - LOCAL AGENDA 21
28 June - Birmingham
TAKING ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH WORK FURTHER
11 July - Worcester
USING ENVIRONMENTAL ART WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
17 July - Birmingham
STORYTELLING - AS A TOOL FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION
19 July - London
Contact: ETN, c/o BTCV, Red House, Hill Lane, Birmingham B43.6LZ
Tel 0121.358.2155 Fax 0121.358.2194 Email ETN@u
Contact: Pat Brayshaw or Marianne Wain
Environmental Trainers Network (Training Programmes Unit)
c/o BTCV, Red House, Hill Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 6LZ
Telephone 0121.358.2155 Fax 0121.358.2194 (www.btcv.org/etn)
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
Renewable Energy Summer
School
A weekend Introduction to
Renewable Energy Summer School will take place at the Department of
Continuing Education, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, in Mid-Wales on:
Friday 27 July, Saturday 28
July and Sunday 29 July
The course will give an
overview of the potential of renewable energy. It will outline the basic
principles of small-scale wind power, solar electricity and microhydro-power
and the application of these technologies for homes, businesses and farms.
The course is aimed at those
who wish to get a comprehensive introduction to renewable energy electrical
technology in general, as well as those wishing to installing renewable
energy systems in either an urban or rural setting. It can also be a
gateway to further activities.
The emphasis will be on what
it is practicable to do, and participants will have the opportunity to develop their own projects.
Course themes:
Introduction to Energy Use
Introduction to Renewable Energy Technologies
Slide show : Renewable Energy Technologies
Electricity, AC and DC
Power & Energy
Project design
Electricity from the Sun - the technology
Electricity from the Sun - the resource
Electricity from Wind - the technology
Electricity from Wind - the resource
Electricity from Water - the technology
Electricity from Water - the resource
Small system design
Small system sizing
Venue: The Old College,
Aberystwyth
Fee: £35
(Concession: £25)
Food and accommodation are not
included in the course fee. B&B prices start around £20 and there
are lots of places in and around the town. There are also youth hostels. The
Aberystwyth Tourist Information Centre can be contacted on 01970 612125 or aberystwythtic@ceredigion.gov.uk.
Websites that provide lists are: www.tourism.wales.gov.uk
and www.ceredigion.gov.uk/croeso/RCheck2k1/index.htm
The Centre of Alternative
Technology and several wind farms are in the vicinity.
To arrange a place on this course
and information on the course contents please contact Green Dragon Energy on
01974 821 564 or dragonrg@talk21.com.
GO
BACK TO TOP OF PAGE
Northern Green gathering
Green Up North - Climate Change
Focus is a five day event held on 23-27 August on a farm in Yorkshire. It
will put on workshops & exhibitions with a specific theme of Climate
Change - and others which have links - and everything links in to this!
We'll provide a opportunity for
debate and sharing of knowledge on all sorts of environmental issues and
we'll demonstrate that there are ways to live which don't harm our planet!
There'll be organic veggie food,
a kid's area and plenty of other things to do - However we all need to have
fun too, so as well as acoustic /quiet music in cafes and campfires to sit
round, and we are having a ceilidh and a camp ball. Don’t forget your posh
frocks and dancing shoes! (Fellas too!)
The whole event is run on
renewable power sources, wind, solar & pedal power, and we would like
everyone to be collectively responsible for making sure everyone has a good
time, and respects others around them.
We are a voluntary
not-for-profit organisation, none of the organisers get paid, we do it for
the love of it!
We've listed other policies in
specific area - please have a look and let us have your ideas & comments.
We are always looking for people to help, either in organising now (you can
do this even if you can't come to our meetings regularly) or just before,
during or after the event, and we encourage people to get involved - check
out our membership scheme!
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
Planet Ark - Get free
'World Environment News' in your e-mail
Want to know what's happening to the planet on a
daily basis? Then read Reuters 'World Environment News' at http://www.planetark.org
Every day, 15-40 environment news stories from
around the world are placed on the Planet Ark Net site. Run by a
not-for-profit Foundation, this service is free. You can subscribe to receive
email each weekday, listing that day's 'World Environment News' headlines -
with direct links to each story at the Planet Ark site.
It's a great way to keep informed about the daily
impact that we're having on the planet. To subscribe, go to the
following address and type in your e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be
given to any other organisation.
GO BACK TO TOP OF
PAGE
|
