South Brent’s community-owned Vestas V27 started production last week and 10th September sees 2355kWh on the clock.
It is great to this project go live, as it is very similar to our local Sustainable Hockerton turbine, which is also fully community owned, and we have close links to one of the Directors who is also a member of our scheme! We wish them every luck and success as the commissioning process gets under way.
Is it possible that we will now we start to catch up with the Danes where back in 2001 over 100,000 families belonged to wind farm cooperatives installing over 86% of the countries wind turbines? In Germany the national figure is 50% but in some regions 90% of installed wind capacity (700MW) is community owned1.
Power to the people!
1 Renewable Energy Focus Volume 14 issue 4
Following the example of Hockerton’s community wind turbine, which was project managed by HHP, residents of Gamlingay in Cambridgeshire have installed a single 33m diameter wind turbine just outside their village.
This is a local project delivered by the community, for the community, that will significantly offset the village’s carbon footprint. Part of the profit will be used to provide a regular income to the village, as our own SHOCK turbine does, to be spent on local charities and community projects, hence the title ‘Community Turbine’.
We are particularly delighted to see their success as Gamlingay residents attended one of Hockerton Housing Project’s renewable energy masterclasses as part of their initial investigations, and used us as a model of how to deliver a community energy project.
If you are part of a community group looking to deliver a sizeable community renewable energy project in a rural area we would be pleased to assist with your feasibility study, using the support of the Rural Community Energy Fund, or sign up for our next renewable energy masterclass.
Think Shakespeare is boring? Think again!
The Royal Shakespeare Company believes that in order to understand Shakespeare you have to do it! This two day workshop for students in Year 8 and over lets you explore the Romeo & Juliet as actors do – on your feet – in the beautiful setting of Hockerton Housing Project.
Techniques used to explore the story may include:
- Using the natural environment to set the scene
- Use of music and sound effects
- Exploring the use of everyday objects as props
- Script-writing
- Developing back stories
The two day course runs from 10:00 to 14:30 each day. Attendees are asked to bring a packed lunch. Drinks and light refreshments will be provided.
Course leaders
Laura Field and Debbie Yates studied with the RSC as part of their postgraduate studies in the Teaching of Shakespeare. They trained at Stratford and now apply the techniques across various settings including a regional Shakespeare festival and a performance at The Swan Theatre in Stratford. As alumni of the RSC they continue to train and have the facilities of the company’s expertise.
Laura is a drama teacher in various schools, providing tuition for all ages up to GCSE English. Laura owns the Spoken Word studio which specialises in developing people’s confidence in speaking publically, LAMDA tuition and tuition for people who need to improve their spoken English. Laura is also a LAMDA examiner.
Debbie was head teacher of a school in Nottinghamshire until 2 years ago. She now lives at Hockerton Housing Project and is developing these courses in this wonderful setting. She is also LAMDA trained and has a Grade 7 in the Speaking of English from the RCM.
Most importantly they both enjoy engaging with children of all ages and seeing them gain in confidence.
