The DO lectures

One of the best things about living in connected, living communities is that you get to know your neighbours. Some of our favourite 'next door' folks live near the coast at Cardigan and work at Howies. This year, David, Clare and the team at Cardigan Bay's Third Largest Clothing Co are using their 'earth tax' to run a three day workshop to make change happen. They're inviting around 70 people down to play, work, listen, talk and get into action mode in the lovely setting of James Lynch's Fforrest Farm in the Teifi Valley. Get in touch with the team there if you want to inspire or be inspired into action in early September. http://www.howies.co.uk/content.php?xSecId=92

Oi'll be damned!

Came across a lovely forecast this morning, written back in the mists of time, on 28 December 2007, on the website Garry Writes:

"Oil Price Predictions: Tight Markets Will Remain

Around 54% of respondents in a Barclays' survey of 150 commodity investors said they expected the average price of oil over the next five years to top $100 a barrel, with 27% responding that it would be $80-$100 a barrel and 16% expected $60-$80 a barrel.  In its latest outlook statement, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that global oil markets were likely to remain tight. It said that expectations that tight market conditions would persist into 2008 were keeping oil prices high."

 I guess it's best to be careful. Most businesses we speak to haven't connected security with the prospect of a $200 a barrel scenario. Makes sense to talk it through over a coffee. At least

Car-free riding

last Sunday was the first run of the Tour of Pembrokeshire Cyclo Sportive, a wonderful concept of a 'non competitive' bike ride for 400 people
After a sketchy start with upset stomach, I settled into the 116 mile ride and spun along quiet country lanes in North Pembrokeshire with more riders than cars  In the south of the county, things were different, as tinned tourists busied around on four wheels - it was an interesting insight into low carbon road experience.

Eco House essentials

I was recently asked a few questions about the eco house that we've nearly finished building in St Davids, and it made sense to post the answers for others to share ( thanks David for the Qs)

1 Who did supply your windows. WeRationel from Sweden for the majority  - they're argon filled double glazed units , with a  protective sheath of anodized alumuminum which means that they should never need painting. We'll see about that, but for now, they're very warm and strong.

2 Was there any particular type of insulating material and draught proofer, particularly at window reveals. We used a combination of standard Cellotex and Kingspan insulation, with an extra layer of Rockwool, though if we were doing it again, I think I'd use sheep's wool. We used a combination of mastic and foam to seal the windows

3 Your comment on the ground source heat pump has thrown me as we have only seen one in operation which was praised by the owners.  it threw me too. Wood peller seems a better bet as it uses less electricity - I think that we're going to try gravity feed for our system if we can, so that we can stay warm when the electricity is off...

4 You also referred to COP, this is an expression with which I am not familiar.  Coefficient of Performance - it describes the units of heat you get out for every one that you put in. Our engineer, Paul Bullock from Bullock Consulting, reckons that it's unusual get a COP of more than 2.5.

5 What sort of heating/cooling system did you incorporate. We haven't experienced a winter here yet, but on the cold days in March, an hour of wood burner seems to have done the trick for a whole evening of warmth, and the more friends around, the warmer it gets.

6 If you have any further practical advice notes? Ask people who have done it, and go beyond the usual suspects. Engineers, artists, wood workers all have some good ideas to offer. Keel an eye on Ty unnos from Wales http://www.coedcymru.org.uk/tyunnos.htm for good ideas.

Wild Wales

Had a two day workshop with my fellow council members from CCW, the Countryside Council for Wales in the delightful countryside of Llechryd in Ceredigion. The day ended with a short run down the banks of the Tiefi, through the Cilgerran Gorge to the castle, and back for a pint before dinner at Castell Malgwyn Hotel. Hard to beat.

 

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