Biggest privately-owned solar PV panel installation in the south west powers UK’s first electrically-sufficient grain store

A new photovoltaic solar panel electricity generation scheme for farmer and grain store operator Colin Godwin at Keysley Farm, Monkton Deverill, is now the largest privately-owned installation in south-west England. It has also resulted in Keysley’s commercial grain store becoming the first in the UK to become electrically-sufficient in energy.

Although situated in Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the scheme has been endorsed by the local AONB officer as well as Wiltshire Council.

T H White Energy has installed 1,125 solar panels on the south-west facing roofs of the 26,400-tonne grain store, that was itself a project partly undertaken by T H White last year. The array covers an area equal to 25 cricket pitches and is expected to generate 216,000kWh of electricity per year. That’s sufficient to light up Swindon every night for an entire month!

The electricity generated by the 270kWp installation will power intake drying and cooling for the entire 26,400 tons grain capacity at the store, which handles feed wheat and oilseed rape exclusively for Openfield – Britain’s largest farmer-owned grain marketing and arable input co-operative.

Today the store serves over 80 Openfield farmers and T H White was one of the businesses involved in its expansion during 2010 with partial funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

It is expected that the scheme will also save over 105 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to annual power consumption of 45 houses, or travelling 350,000 miles in a car – equal to driving eight and a half times around the world.

As Keysley Farm is in the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) extra care was taken over the appearance of the scheme. Kyocera panels were chosen due not only to their excellent performance and warranty, but also because they are black cells mounted within a black frame. Also, contrary to popular thinking about solar PV panels, they actually reflect very little light.

Cranborne Chase AONB officer Richard Burden said: “The use of black panels on the roof of Keysley Farm’s grain store has actually reduced the visual impact of the building in the landscape. Schemes such as this which generate renewable energy and help to ensure that the area is sustained as a vibrant, living, working landscape are very much in keeping with the conservation objectives of the AONB.”

The scheme was also endorsed by the Energy Change and Opportunity (ECO) Team at Wiltshire Council. Senior Climate Change Officer Vincent Albano said: “Schemes like this will make a valuable contribution to the installed renewable energy capacity for Wiltshire.”

It is anticipated that the solar PV installation at Keysley Farm will cover its costs within eight years and has an operational life expectancy of at least 25 years.

T H White Energy is part of the T H White Handling & Storage Division which specialises in bulk grain storage and processing. Other diverse areas of T H White’s business encompass agricultural, dairy and grasscare equipment, Land Rover and Subaru vehicles, Palfinger lorry cranes, construction equipment and security and fire protection systems.

More and better protection of our urban green space is called for

London-based garden designer Andrew Fisher Tomlin has today called for councils and local authorities to create more sustainable green infrastructure strategies. In an article for Time & Leisure, Fisher Tomlin said “With all the development that is taking place in London in preparation for the Olympics it’s a disgrace our local planners are not following the inspirational lead of the Olympic Park and Athlete’s Village and prioritising green space in their own local Olympics planning.”

In his own Borough of Merton he has drawn attention to the lack of any planting in the development of Wimbledon Rail Station as well as naïve planting at recently opened local supermarkets.

“I’m amazed at the approach taken to our local street landscape. With repeated studies showing us what we need to do it wouldn’t have taken much to include a few new trees to help moderate temperatures, improve air quality and support biodiversity in these new development makeovers.”

Two recent reports have highlighted similar issues. According to an important study published by the London Wildlife Trust London’s gardens are being lost at a rate of two and half Hyde Parks a year. A second report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recommends a push for more green space in towns and cities to reduce urban climate change.

Removing 10% of urban green cover could raise maximum temperatures by up to 7%. Fisher Tomlin adds “it’s another great opportunity lost and unfortunately there are no signs that the local planners are going to take notice of the evidence.”

FACT FILE:
Fisher Tomlin creates gardens from their offices in Wimbledon, London and Chobham in Surrey. The company provides design and horticulture services for residential gardens and parks and holds international awards for many projects.

www.andrewfishertomlin.com

Noted Powys restaurant and hotel earns green award

Britain’s smallest town and popular tourist destination for UK family holidays, Llanwrtyd Wells, famous for its bog snorkelling and man versus horse race, is back in the headlines. And it is thanks to a local country house.

Lasswade Country House and Restaurant at Llanwrtyd Wells, is owned and run by Roger and Emma Stevens, and they triumphed at the prestigious annual Considerate Hoteliers Association’s Hotel of the Year Awards in London last week.

The awards, which celebrate the best in environmental, sustainable and socially responsible performance, are open to all UK hotels and small accommodation operations.

Mr and Mrs Stevens collected a new award, Considerate Small Accommodation Provider of the Year 2010/11, at the annual presentation lunch held at The Savoy, London.

The award is presented to the small accommodation operation of 10 bedrooms or under, which is considered to have made the most significant achievements and proved most inspirational in terms of its green journey during 2010, without all the trappings and resources of big business.

Mrs Stevens was also runner up for Considerate Green Champion Award, just beaten by Debra Patterson of the Savoy Hotel, making this hotel a great choice for your UK family holiday.

Lasswade Country House is not new to the awards, having previously won the CHA’s Sustainable Food Award for three years.

Mr and Mrs Stevens established Lasswade Country House in 2001. The Edwardian eight-bedroom hotel with its impressive views, also has two AA Food rosettes. The Lasswade Country House has been an Eco Tourism Business leader for nine years and won a Green Tourism Business Gold Award in 2010.

The hotel, which enjoys panoramic views over the surrounding beautiful countryside, is a long-standing member of Mid Wales Tourism, an independent organisation representing the tourism and hospitality industry in Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd.

(EDITOR: Llongyfarchiadau!)

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The 6th INTERNATIONAL GREEN AWARDS™ opens for entries and searches the globe for the true unsung sustainability heroes

The INTERNATIONAL GREEN AWARDS™, is a global programme that recognises innovative and creative approaches to sustainability, is now searching the globe for the true sustainability heroes after establishing its first online global sustainability community and entry platform.

This online community will help to connect so-called 'game changers' and innovators globally to share ideas and best practice.

The awards, now in their sixth year are firmly fixed on the sustainable business calendar and will be judged by some of the most influential environmental and sustainability experts in the world. These will include the former presidential candidate for Brazil, Marina Silva, David de Rothschild, Environmentalist & Explorer and Sir Crispin Tickell, the former President of the Royal Geographical Society .

This year, the yet undisclosed Lifetime Achievement Award nominee will need to meet the high benchmark set by Sir David Attenborough CBE, who picked up the inaugural award last year. The coming months will see the announcement of a list of nominees for the new Best Green Celebrity category, which will be open to a public vote through the new web portal.

Sustainable innovation around technology will be an important focus this year as businesses embark on the journey to a green revolution. It’s clearly evident that there’s an increasing appetite from business and industry for case studies demonstrating excellence and best practice in sustainability issues.

The race is on to search the globe to unearth this year’s shining examples that will inspire our generation. In fact, this year’s awards are expected to be the biggest and most inspiring yet, with even more entries expected based on the increasing interest in sustainability as ‘being sustainable’ becomes a prerequisite to ‘business as usual’.

Sir Paul Judge, President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Steering Group Chair commented, “These awards bring together and generate awareness of outstanding ideas and achievements that can help our world become more sustainable by spreading good practice and allowing other organisations to benchmark their own environmental policies and practices.”

Says Ahmed Djoghlaf, the Executive Secretary, UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and one of this year’s judges, “In the wake of the adoption of the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity targets which calls for the engagement of all stakeholders including the business community, it is an honour and a privilege to participate in the 2011 INTERNATIONAL GREEN AWARDS™.

“I am impressed with the positive impact the Award has in promoting and rewarding creativity and dedication. Through example, the Awards is shaping future messages of sustainability and therefore creating the leaders of the green businesses of tomorrow.

To enter and for more details visit www.greenawards.com

FACT FILE:
They inspire innovation for sustainability by recognising people and organisations whose ideas are creating positive change.

International Green Awards 2010 brought together more than 500 leaders from all sizes of companies, each with a similar goal— to learn how companies are adapting and innovating for sustainability.

www.greenawards.com

Judges will include:

Sir Crispin Tickell, Former President Royal Geographical Society, UK
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity under the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP)
David de Rothschild, Environmentalist & Explorer & ‘Plastiki’ Expedition Leader
Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director, European Environment Agency
Jane Davidson, Minister of the Environment, Welsh Assembly
Michelle Laug, Communications Officer, Green Cross International
Liu Jianqiang, Editor, China Dialogue
Marina Silva, Environmental Activist and Politician
Tim Smit, Founder, The Eden Project
Brendan May, UK Chairman, Rainforest Alliance
Aniol Esteban, Head of Environmental Economics, New Economics Foundation
Peter Paul van de Wijs, Managing Director, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Malini Mehra FRSA, Centre For Social Markets, India
Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert, Head of the Department, Institute of Economic Research
Bonnie Nixon, Executive Director, Sustainability Consortium, USA
Baroness Barbara Young, Chancellor of Cranfield University.
Vicki Buck, Entrepreneur and former Mayor Christchurch
Lance Hosey, President & CEO, GreenBlue USA
Professor Malcolm McIntosh, Asia Pacific Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, Griffith University, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Julia Marton-Lefevre, Director General, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

2011 Categories
Best Green International Business Award (Large/Multi-national)
Best Green International Business Award (Medium)
Best Green Entrepreneur Award (Start-up)
Best Sustainable Investment Award ( BRONZE Partner Emerald Knight)
Best Green Energy Efficiency Initiative Award
Best Green 4R’s Award (Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Recovery)
Best Green New Product Innovation
Best Green Service Innovation Award
Best Green Conservation and Biodiversity Award
Best Green Water Stewardship Award
Best Green Collaborative Initiative Award
Best Green Technology Award (BRONZE Partner Danwood)
Best Green Intelligent Buildings Award
Best Green Public Sector Award
Best Green Educational Awareness and Sustainability Award
Best Green Not for Profit Organisation Award
Best Green Employee Engagement Award
Best Green Cross Platform Digital Media Solution Award
Best Green Advertising & PR Award
Best Green Audio-Visual Award
International Green Awards Grand Prix
Lifetime Achievement Award
Best International Green Awards Celebrity

npower teams up with Kevin Keegan for No Power Hour

npower has announced it will work with Kevin Keegan to help football fans save energy in Sunderland.

Former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan will visit the city to encourage families to spend an hour doing something fun that doesn't involve using electricity.

He believes a football kick-about is the perfect way to get fit and help the environment at the same time.

Kevin Keegan said: "The No Power Hour is designed to get kids and parents off computers and get them out for an hour after switching everything off.

"We're in Sunderland first then in a couple of weeks up in Leeds - it's a fantastic set-up we've got.

"We're not saying you can replace technology, it's here forever. What we're saying is sometimes you've got to switch it off and spend a bit of time with your kids - and you can do it together.

"You can do things that will become a lot of fun for you. What happened to making kites and things like that?

"What we're saying is come out and just do something with your kids, the things you do that are great fun and cost nothing except the effort to get out the house and go somewhere."

Children and parents can join Keegan's master class at Seaburn Recreation Park where he will display football skills they can practise together in back gardens, on playing fields, at the beach, the sports centre, the park and even in the living room using no power.

Children can also get involved on the Climate cops, where they can download a mission chart, to keep track of the activities they participate in.

Visit www.npower.com to find out more.

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The Sunday Times Names Morgan Lovell One of Britain’s ‘Greenest Businesses’

Morgan Lovell, the company famed for designing and building sustainable office interiors, has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 25 Best Green Companies in The Sunday Times awards, published on 12 June 2011, ranking 23rd overall.

Morgan Lovell was chosen because of its holistic approach to sustainability, which focuses on reducing its own environmental impact and that of its clients, through green office design. This commitment resulted in Morgan Lovell being the first company in the country to be awarded the BS EN 16001 energy management system last year, an achievement recognised by The Sunday Times which awarded Morgan Lovell third place in the category of small to medium-sized companies with high or medium environmental impacts.

Morgan Lovell’s employees were also awarded for their contributions and achievements, being ranked as the seventh greenest employees in the country.

“Being recognised as one of the country’s greenest companies is a testament to the hard work staff have put in over the last year in making Morgan Lovell more sustainable,” says David Henderson, managing director of Morgan Lovell. “It reinforces our commitment to helping clients save energy and meet their carbon reduction commitments through green office design and refurbishment.”

The Sunday Times competition is designed to encourage and acknowledge businesses and other organisations that are striving to improve their environmental performance. Using a methodology devised by The Sunday Times in collaboration with Bureau Veritas, the international firm of environmental consultants, and Munro Global, the leading market research company, the best green companies had to score well in two separate surveys to make the top 60 firms included in The Sunday Times Green List.

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The National Trust says butterflies are back this summer

The National Trust has announced this summer looks set to be the best for butterflies in more than 30 years as population's boom, sales of butterfly products increase and butterfly imagery is adopted by big high street brands.

At the half way point in the butterfly season there has been a number of record breaking early appearances from spring species thanks to the warm and dry weather, especially in April.

The favourable conditions are also leading experts to predict that a number of species will produce extra generations this year.

Matthew Oates, wildlife adviser and butterfly expert at the National Trust said: "It has been a fantastic start to 2011 for Britain’s butterflies with a White Admiral appearing at Bookham Common in Surrey at its earliest since 1893, the White-letter Hairstreak appearing more than two weeks early at Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire and Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns a week to ten days early at Denbies in Surrey and Exmoor.

"The populations of spring butterflies are as good as they can be. There may even be significant second broods for the Duke of Burgundy and Dingy Skipper butterflies - it’s all gearing up to what could be the best butterfly summer for a generation."

Butterflies are also enjoying a revival in popular culture with sales of butterfly-themed products high and many large businesses such as John Lewis, Easy Jet, Samsung, Accessorize, Paper Chase, Laura Ashley and White Stuff using butterflies in their branding,

Rich Sutcliffe, Editor at Brand Republic said: "Butterflies are about reinvention and change, from caterpillar to a thing of beauty. Companies thinking about rebranding or repositioning a product have a clear message as they signify a natural new beginning."

Butterflies are very popular in tattooing and are often created to mark a change in someone's life. Famous names such as Cheryl Cole, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Drew Barrymore all adorn butterfly tattoos.

Lou Molloy, celebrity tattooist to the likes of David Beckham and star of 'London Ink', said: "Butterflies are one of the great recurring images in tattooing. I've tattooed them on many, many girls but they're increasingly popular with men - I've recently finished a half sleeve that features four different types of butterfly and one of the most referenced photos from my website is another sleeve tattoo with a big Monarch in the centre. They're one of the universally popular tattoo images."

The first ever National Trust 'Love Butterflies' weekend will take place on the 6 and 7 August when the greatest number of species will be in flight.

Over the summer months the Trust will be encouraging people to upload their sightings and pictures of butterflies to its butterfly watch map. This can be done via twitter by entering the name of the species, postcode and #lovebutterflies. There will also be top tips on how to go butterflying and places to see butterflies on the National Trust website.

The National Trust has also published a new book by Matthew Oates, 'Butterflies: Spotting and Identifying British Butterflies'. It will help both beginners by explaining the key points and fundamental principles of butterfly spotting, and more experienced butterfly watchers in need of expert tips and sharpening the focus. 

(EDITOR: Garden centres and plant nurseries will have ranges of plants that you can grow in your garden and also special accessories like butterfly boxes to encourage and nurture butterflies in your garden. Just ask them for their expert advice, next time you are there.)

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

On the side of the Angels: Angel Springs launch own range of eco boilers

It’s very important to keep hydrated as this helps us to stay healthy and energised, and now Angel Springs have developed a new range of eco boilers meaning you can meet your hot water needs in a greener, more environmentally friendly way.

Angel Springs is one of the top water cooler service providers in the UK (you'll probably have seen their vans out on the roads) and their innovative products and systems are leading the way in terms of work place and domestic hydration solutions. The new eco boiler range by Angel is the latest example of this and saves customers both time and money. A reduction in the energy used by this eco boiler will lower business costs and household bills, resulting in a cost effective way to preparing hot drinks.

These instant water boilers are suitable for all needs and they are available in a stylish stainless steel finish – providing a sleek look to any kitchen or workplace. Available in 5 or 10 litre variations the eco boiler is plumbed into the mains water supply which has an automatic refill facility – meaning that once it’s up and running you don’t have to worry about replacement bottles or refills.

The new range of eco boiler also incorporates the latest BRITA filtration technology providing a high quality tasting drink free from harmful impurities. So they are better for you, too. And what's more, each eco boiler is made from 98% recyclable materials and comes in a range of different sizes depending on your needs.

To find out more about the new eco boiler visit www.angelsprings.com or call 0845 370 1177.

Coke Adds Firefly Solar Power for Its Event Recycling Programme

Firefly Solar, a European leader in the design and manufacturer of off-grid, portable and permanent solar-powered generators, has won a contract from Coca-Cola Enterprises to supply 6 of its Cygnus generators to power the company’s Event Recycling programme at outdoor events in Great Britain and France.

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) piloted its Event Recycling programme during 2010 with the objective to motivate festival goers to make recycling a daily habit. The Programme recovered over 18 tonnes of recyclate (PET and cans) and reached an audience in excess of half a million people attending eight festivals during the summer of 2010.

The equipment being supplied by Firefly Solar consists of two standalone solar power systems comprised of three of the company’s 5kW Cygnus solar generators, configured to provide a three-phase 5kW electrical supply. One system each will be supplied to the British and French teams to provide electrical power for waste compaction equipment and for portable office space at this year’s events.

Patrick McGuirk, Recycling Director for Coca-Cola Enterprises said, “By using Firefly Solar generators to provide a green energy supply to power our Event Recycling Programme we can ensure that we reduce the carbon footprint of our activation this summer. Coca-Cola Enterprises is committed to transforming recycling and reducing the absolute carbon footprint of our business. Firefly’s portable solar generators are an important capital investment to ensure the footprint of our Event Recycling activities are minimised.”

Andy Mead, managing director at Firefly Solar said, “At Firefly we are delighted by the association with Coca-Cola Enterprises and pleased to have won this contract. It’s been estimated that 20,000 tonnes of carbon are created annually through the use of standby diesel generators at UK music events. We applaud Coca-Cola Enterprises for selecting renewable energy supplied by our Cygnus solar power generators in its campaign to clean up festivals and to promote recycling throughout Great Britain and France.”

Cygnus is a compact and high quality, forklift-able solar generator. With a footprint of less than 1 square meter (excluding solar array), Cygnus generator’s built in battery bank can be charged using a range of renewable sources including solar, wind and pedal power - it can even be charged using the excess capacity of biodiesel or hydrogen generators or from a green mains supply.

Cygnus solar generators feature plug and play connections for easy installation and operation by untrained personnel. The generators meet all European standards for safety and multiple systems can be linked together to provide higher single phase current or a 3 phase supply. Cygnus' integrated intelligent control panel is easily navigated allowing the user to instantly ascertain the percentage of stored energy available from the system. The controller also gives the user a wide range of configuration options to optimise the system for its environment anywhere in the world.

Firefly Solar generators have been used successfully at Glastonbury, Love Box and the Isle of Wight music festivals to provide solar powered stages for audiences of up to 5000. Firefly Solar equipment creates absolutely zero emissions in operation; are truly silent running; increase safety and reduce risk by the elimination of flammable liquids and fuels and provide a pure sine wave, 230V current to power sensitive electronic equipment. Firefly Solar generators are fully compatible with wind and solar inputs.

For more details please contact Firefly Solar on 01273 617006 or visit www.fireflysolar.co.uk.

The National Trust announces live foaling at MyFarm

The National Trust has revealed it will be broadcasting the birth of a foal live over the internet as part of its MyFarm experiment.

Queenie, the only Shire Horse mare at Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire is preparing to give birth, and the live streaming - which can be viewed now - is a key part of the MyFarm project, which aims to reconnect people with the realities of farming. It is the first major birth on the farm since the project started in May, and it was a huge decision to broadcast it.

Richard Morris, farm manager, said: "There's no guarantee the birth will be straight forward, particularly as Queenie had a miscarriage last year and a previous foal had to be put down due to a deformity. We don't want to hide people from the risks involved - it's fundamental to our purpose in reconnecting people with the realities of farming to allow the possibility of lows as well as highs. If all goes well, MyFarm Farmers will be able to name the foal and so on, but not until it's a few days old. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but that's reality."

Shire Horses are increasingly scarce with only 900-1,500 breeding females currently in the UK, and while they are no longer a core part of the working operations on the farm, this birth is a significant moment for the entire breed and for Wimpole's work with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST).

With no way of knowing exactly when Queenie will foal, a webcam has been installed in her stable and MyFarm Farmers will be able to watch the whole birth as it unfolds, live on the MyFarm website. Infrared lighting is being installed to ensure that viewers will still be able to see the birth, even at night.

In the meantime, Queenie is being carefully monitored by Wimpole horse manager, Emma Warner.

Queenie will be looked after 24 hours a day until she gives birth and the farm's vet will be on stand by in case he is needed.

Viewer can keep up-to-date with how Queenie is doing and watch the foaling live on the MyFarm website.

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