Category: Events

Tamar Energy Fest – Sat Nov 9th

Tamar Energy Fest – Sat Nov 9th

By Kate Royston

Tamar Energy Community (TEC) has been hosting the annual Tamar Energy Fest since 2012, and this year we look forward to welcoming you to Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock on Saturday 9th November from 10:00 until 15:00. Do pop in and see us!

Our theme this year is “Cosy, Efficient, and Future-Ready”. We’re focused on supporting you with practical strategies for retrofitting homes to enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience against rising energy costs and climate change.

With free entry, there’s plenty to interest you if you’re concerned about the climate and biodiversity emergency, carbon reduction, and energy efficiency—or simply looking to lower your bills.

Free, impartial advice will be available from our knowledgeable experts and exhibitors on retrofitting, energy management and more. You’ll also find information stalls, and interactive displays offering insights into effective strategies for reducing energy consumption and making informed home improvement decisions.

Our exhibitors will include Dartmoor Energy, NEA (National Energy Action), South West Water, Bramhill Builders, Fell Partnership, Kensa Heat Pumps and Metalectrique. We’re also being joined by Devon Wildlife Trust, Tavy Rail, Tamar Valley National Landscape, Tavistock Library and Transition Tavistock.

Whether you’re interested in implementing small changes or undertaking larger projects, Tamar Energy Fest provides a valuable opportunity to learn and connect with others committed to a sustainable future.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday. Find out more here.

Tamar Energy Fest 2024

TAMar
ENergy fest
2024

Butcher’s Hall, Tavistock
Saturday 9th November 
10:00-15:00.

We were delighted to see over 850 visitors to our Tamar Energy Fest in Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock on Saturday Nov. 9th from 10:00 until 15:00.

Our theme was “Making your home – Cosy, Efficient and Future Ready” and focused on practical strategies for retrofitting homes to boost energy efficiency, comfort, and resilience. 

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Our Tamar Energy Community displays include:

Energy Advice

At Tamar Energy Community we provide free impartial advice to help you manage your energy bills, reduce costs, and improve your energy efficiency.

If you need support or advice you can get in touch.

Community Solar

Working with local organisations we’ve installed 427kW of community owned solar PV across seven sites. 

Find out more here!

Retrofit Advice

Retrofitting – its about doing things to improve existing homes and buildings to make them as energy efficient as possible.

So take the first step and book your free and impartial retrofit advice visit here!

Warmer Bedford Cottages

TEC worked with Tavistock Town Council, West Devon Borough Council and the Tavistock Heritage Initiative on an innovative project to understand the best ways of enhancing our Bedford Cottages across the area to make them more comfortable and reduce heating costs.

Carbon Zero Homes Project

Retrofit is a journey and a good place to start is to watch the animation from the Stoke Climsland Carbon Zero Homes project. You can find it here! 

Warmer Healthier Homes

Working with West Devon CVS and other stakeholders across West Devon to deliver our Warmer Healthier Homes (WHH) programme.

This programme looks at how we can address fuel poverty and unhealthy homes across the area.

Exhibitors Displays

We were joined by experts from a number of organisations who were sharing their knowledge; together with our own advisors.

Dartmoor Energy

Dartmoor Energy is an award winning company of renewable energy specialists, PAS2035 retrofit surveyors, coordinators, designers and energy grant facilitators based in Callington, on the Devon and Cornwall border. The teams cover the whole of the Southwest Region.

The Dartmoor Energy team has been working in the Renewable Energy and Retrofit industry for over 50 years, collectively; and work in partnership with Tamar Energy Community on a number of projects

Bramhill Builders

Bramhill Builders and Bramhill Traditional Building Supplies have been bringing Listed and Heritage buildings back to their original glory through sympathetic construction methods. Using and supplying natural materials such as, cob, lime, natural and recycled insulations we match the original technique for renovations, rebuilds and extensions.

We work with the environment on sustainable eco-build projects and can construct anything from a bread oven, all the way to luxury barn conversions.Throughout all our projects we make sure to keep clients involved in the whole process. Often budgets are tight so we work with our clients to complete some of the work themselves if they’d like. All our work is supported with a strong technical understanding of material functionality and a desire to share our knowledge.

Kensa

Kensa pioneered the adoption of heat pump technology in the UK.

Headquartered in Truro, Cornwall, the Kensa Group is now a fast-growing collection of award-winning businesses involved in the manufacture and installation of ground source heat pumps and the ownership of associated underground infrastructure.

In over two decades, Kensa has saved over 1 million tonnes of carbon through ground source heat pump installations.

Target CO2

Target CO2 formed by Simon Drury and Ben Smith, with the aim of helping people improve their homes to save money and CO2.

Our award-winning, South West-based company specialises in securing government grants for heating and insulation, providing pulse air testing, and delivering expert solutions to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the event in Tavistock. Its intimate size made the atmosphere welcoming, and it provided a great opportunity to connect with attendees who were genuinely interested in learning more about energy efficiency. The organization and setup were excellent, and it was a pleasure to engage with the local community.”

Ben Smith

The Fell Partnership

The Fell Partnership specialises in sustainable construction solutions, serving as the official distributor of NUDURA Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) in South West England.

It focuses on providing energy-efficient, high-performance building materials for self-builders, architects, and developers, supporting projects such as bespoke homes and Passivhaus designs.

South West Water

South West Water looks after the water and wastewater services for 1.8 million customers across Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Dorset and Somerset.

From treatment and maintenance, to innovation and improvements, finding and fixing leaks, unblocking sewers and going bigger and further in their environmental work.

“I interacted with many people and had the opportunity to offer a lot of advice about the extra support available to South West Water Customers and offer other advice regarding Operational queries.  A lot of Water Saving Devices were distributed and their usage promoted, in order to Save Water and save money too.”

NEA (National Energy Action)

National Energy Action (NEA) is the national charity working to end fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They offer advice and support to fuel-poor households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as advocating for policy and regulation to protect the most vulnerable households.

NEA also offer training to frontline staff of other organisations, to they can best support fuel-poor households.

Metalectrique

Since 2002 Research & Development Engineers in the UK-based Metalectrique group of companies have developed a unique approach to Aluminium-Air Technology.

This work has resulted in removing the technology’s traditional engineering and cost barriers, thereby allowing its use in multiple applications as a safe, recyclable and affordable alternative to existing power technologies.

Devon Wildlife Trust

For 60 years, Devon Wildlife Trust have been at the forefront of protecting wildlife and the wild places that make Devon so special and believe, passionately, that a better world is one where nature and people thrive together.

They are the only Devon focused charity that exists to protect all wildlife in Devon, on land and at sea.

Transition Tavistock

Transition Tavistock brings people together in Tavistock and the surrounding area to respond to the climate and nature crises.

It encourages sharing knowledge and practical ideas for a more sustainable and better future using less energy and resources, and helping to build a strong and self-supporting community.

Tavy Rail

TavyRail campaigns for the Tavistock to Bere Alston railway line to be reinstated and is  renewing its case after the Government signalled its possible cancellation.

TavyRail is focused on the full restoration of rail services to Tavistock and the re-establishment of the Northern Rail Route from Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton.

Tavistock Library

Tavistock Library is a fantastic, vibrant community resource in the heart of Tavistock, offering a warm welcome to everyone. With many activities for all ages in a fun, vibrant and safe environment.

Activities

Activities for children … and adults included:

  • Creative colouring fun for families.
  • Climate and Biodiversity Tree – pledge sustainable commitments to your future self and display them on our tree.
  • What is watt? – Match up everyday electric household items with the amount of power they use.

 

 

If you’d like to exhibit, or help us out and volunteer on the day, OR YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT US please get in touch.

 

More about our Exhibitors

New Generation Energy – Renewable Energy Solutions

Designing, supplying, installing and maintaining bespoke renewable energy systems for the past nine years with an emphasis on customer satisfaction and an ethos of ongoing support and maintenance for our current and future client base.

Established in 2007 by Andrew Metcalf and based in the South West we have installed hundreds of renewable systems, from small photovoltaic arrays to large commercial biomass boilers and are MCS accredited for all our technologies.

Lendology cic – Lending decisions for people, by people

Lendology CIC disrupt traditional lending with our decisions powered by partnerships and people, enriching homes, and lives through affordable finance. 

Working in partnership with West Devon Borough Council, we lend council funds to homeowners for home repairs, improvements, renewable energy measures and to improve the energy efficiency of homes. 

Unlike other mainstream lenders, Lendology doesn’t use algorithms or credit scores. People make lending decisions for people.  They believe that everyone should have access to a home that is safe, warm, and suitable for their individual needs and works across the community to enable this, reduce fuel poverty and establish the link between health and homes.  If you are worried about the rising cost of energy, we recommend taking action now to ensure your central heating is working and that your home is as energy efficient as possible.

Lendology will be available until 14:00 on Sat. 12th November.

Lovely Savings – A Utility Warehouse Partner

Lovely Savings, a Discount Club helping families and small businesses save money on their essentials

Devon Wildlife Trust – Protecting wildlife for the future

Devon Wildlife Trust logo

Established over fifty years ago by a small group of volunteers, Devon Wildlife Trust is the only charity that exists to protect all wildlife in Devon and to safeguard Devon’s unique natural environment.

NEA – National Energy Action – Action for Warm Homes

From October, with the government’s price freeze in effect, National Energy Action predicts 6.7 million UK households will be in fuel poverty. It means they cannot afford to live in a warm, dry  and safe home. National Energy Action is the national charity working to end fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Find out more about the challenge we face, the difference we make, and the difference you can make.

Transition Tavistock – Working towards a sustainable future for Tavistock and District

Local travel as it could be?

Our meetings share views on how easy it is to use sustainable transport around the Tavistock area and to nearby towns – and ideas on how it could be better and more inclusive. Frequent, well-connected public transport in all directions; easy to walk, use a wheelchair or cycle to reach facilities; leading rather than lagging in the shift to low emission vehicles for both personal and business travel? What changes would you make?

We’re keen to involve individuals, groups and businesses who want to shape this vision for mobility, influence decisions and encourage low-carbon travel habits. Whether your concern is potholed pavements or diesel fumes, cycle safety or bus routes, get in touch on travel@transitiontavistock.org.uk.

Tavistock Neighbourhood Plan

Have your say on the future of the parish of Tavistock

A Neighbourhood Development Plan gives the residents of Tavistock and surrounding areas a say on how the community develops, how land will be used and how we can protect what’s important to us. We can address topics like affordable housing, community infrastructure, protecting green spaces and more.

Events

Events

Up and Coming Events

Friends of St Eustachius’ – Christmas Tree Festival – 2024

Tamar Energy Community is excited to take part in the 2024 Christmas Tree Festival hosted by The Friends of St Eustachius Church, Tavistock. This cherished event is a favourite in the Tavistock calendar and raises vital funds for preserving and enhancing the beautiful St Eustachius Church. 

We are proud to support the festival by sponsoring a tree.  

Our tree, is adorned with illustrations showcasing ways to make your home more cosy, efficient and future ready.

This may include smaller and larger changes, such as improved insulation and heating, smart heating controls, and draught-proofing windows and doors which can make homes warmer and more sustainable.

Join us in celebrating the holiday season, while supporting a fantastic cause. The event is open to all, with entry just £1 for adults, and children are free.  

You can find out more here!

FUEL POVERTY AWARENESS DAY 2024

Wednesday 27 November 2024 is National Energy Action’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (FPAD). Six million households are in fuel poverty, with a growing mountain of debt putting pressure on those least able to afford it.

Across Devon, our Community Energy Organisations are holding a series of face-to-face events.

There’s also an opportunity to join an on-line webinar for Front-Line Workers providing advice and support on dealing with fuel poverty.

You’ll be able to find us at the TASS Community Cafe on 27th November for our Bills and Chills Clinic.

Please drop in!

You’re also invited to join us for a Fuel Poverty Awareness Webinar hosted by 361 Energy on Thursday, 28th November at 11:00 AM. This session will provide valuable insights into how you can support local residents or householders in need of your services, who are affected by fuel poverty, and offer practical advice on improving energy efficiency. 

Webinar Details: Thursday, 28th November at 11:00 am; Register here: Zoom Registration Link 

If you’re not able to join the webinar and/or you’d appreciate a briefing from our team to your’s please drop us an email to hello[@]tamarenergycommunity.com.

To find out more about Fuel Poverty Awareness Day check out National Energy Action here.

ENERGY FESTS 2024

We were delighted with the success of our 2024 Energy Fests

Sat. Oct 26th – 10:00 to 15:00 – Oke Energy Fest – Charter Hall – EX20 1AA

Sat. Nov 9th – 10:00 to 15:00 – Tamar Energy Fest – Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock – PL19 0AL

Our autumn energy advice and retrofit programme

By Kate Royston

Are you interested in energy saving and improving the energy efficiency of your home or business?

Come along to one of our events and have a chat …

You may be thinking about options for saving energy and improving the energy efficiency of your home (retrofitting), but not sure where to start.

Here at Tamar Energy Community we’d like to see what we can do to help. We’ve arranged a number of events to meet you and have a chat, with information stands to browse.

We’re kicking off in Great Big Green Week with an information display in Tavistock Library, available from Sat. 24th September through to Sat. 1st October. You can also find us on the 24th Sept at Tavistock Farmers Market (tbc) and the Okehampton Coffee Morning.

We’re going online on Fri. 30th Sep (19:00) with a discussion about retrofitting your home (or business) in practice. You can book via Eventbrite. Here’s the link: https://Retrofitting-Your-Home-In-Practice-Sep22.eventbrite.co.uk

Our first Energy and Retrofit Fair in Okehampton will be at the Ockment Centre on Sat. 22nd October (10:00-14:00). You can find out more here: https://tamarenergycommunity.com/okehampton-retrofit-and-energy-fair-2022/ ; and our annual Tamar Energy Fest will be at Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock on Sat. 12th November (10:00-15:00). You can find out more here: https://tamarenergycommunity.com/tamar-energy-fest-2022/

Do come along!

If you would like to host our information display in a community space local to you, get in touch and we’ll see what we can arrange. Email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com.

Oke Energy Fest 2024

Oke Energy Fest 2024

Charter Hall
Saturday 26th October 
10:00-15:00.

With ever increasing energy prices, now may seem a good time to consider options within your home and/or business for addressing energy efficiency … and retrofitting to improve the buildings performance, cost of heating and levels of comfort.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Oke Energy Fest at Charter Hall on Saturday Oct. 26th from 10:00 until 15:00.

This is a free, family friendly event, suitable for all ages.

 

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Saturday 26th October
10:00-15:00

Charter hall, Okehampton

We’ll have a mixture of fun activities, advice stands and displays providing information about how to retrofit your home, business or organisation, make them more energy cosy, efficient and future ready; how to reduce your energy bills; generate your own energy; and what you can do to reduce your carbon impact and do ‘your bit’ to progress towards net zero.

Open Homes network

We’ll also have a display of our Open Homes network featuring householders who have undertaken their own projects and are happy to share their experiences and lessons learnt, good and bad.

Activities

Activities will include one or two family challenges.

You can buy competitively priced LED bulbs; and have a breather and enjoy a drink and home-made cake from our refreshment stand at our energy cafe.

Activities for children … and adults include

  • What is watt?
  • How energetic are you?

 

 

Advisors & Displays

We’ll have our own advisors on hand to share their knowledge with you and our information displays for you to browse.

 

If you’d like to exhibit, or help us out and volunteer on the day, OR YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT US please get in touch.

 

Tamar Energy Fest 2024

TAMar
ENergy fest
2022

Tavistock Butchers Hall 
Saturday 12th November 
10:00-15:00.

With ever increasing energy prices, now may seem a good time to consider options within your home and/or business for addressing energy efficiency … and retrofitting to improve the buildings performance, cost of heating and levels of comfort.

With this in mind, our theme for our 2022 Energy Fest is “Retrofitting and Energy Efficiency Matters”.

We look forward to welcoming you to Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock on Saturday Nov. 12th from 10:00 until 15:00.

This is a free, family friendly event, suitable for all ages.

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Saturday 12th November
10:00-15:00

Tavistock Butchers Hall 

We’ll have a mixture of fun activities, short talks, advice stands, displays, and exhibitors providing information about how to retrofit your home, business or organisation, make them more energy efficient, warm and comfortable; how to reduce your energy bills; generate your own energy; and what you can do to reduce your carbon impact and do ‘your bit’ to progress towards net zero.

Open Homes network

We’ll also have a display of our Open Homes network featuring householders who have undertaken their own projects and are happy to share their experiences and lessons learnt, good and bad.

Activities

Activities will include an interactive smart meter display, an art activity, a family energy quiz and we hope, an activity with our community gardeners.

You can buy competitively priced LED bulbs; and have a breather and enjoy a drink and home-made cake from our refreshment stand at our energy cafe.

Activities for children … and adults include:

  • Interactive smart meter display
  • Tavistock’s Energy Future – participative art
  • What is watt?
  • How energetic are you?

 

 

exhibitors & Displays

We’ll have experts from a number of organisations and our own advisors to share their knowledge with you. See below for exhibitors list, and read more about our exhibitors here.

 

Our exhibitors include:

 Our Tamar Energy Community displays include:

  • Practical Energy Advice
  • Warmer Bedford Cottages
  • Retrofit for Warmer Healthier Homes
  • Smart Meters
  • Community Solar
  • Power Allotments

 

 

If you’d like to exhibit, or help us out and volunteer on the day, OR YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT US please get in touch.

 

‘One Pot Wonder’ Slow Cooker Course available – save money on your cooking

By Kate Royston

Save energy and money through using a slow cooker.

Sign up to Learn Devon’s ‘One Pot Wonder’ slow cooker course. Learn more about cooking nutritious meals for the family with the provision of a free slow cooker for each family who attends a course.

The first course starts on Monday 14th March at Alexandra Centre, Tavistock from 11:30 to 13:30 with the second and final session on Monday 21st March at the same time and place. Book by Weds. 9th March 2022, to secure your place.

The other sessions and locations are as follows:

Bere Alston at the Parish Hall 13.30 – 15.15 on Friday 18 March and Friday 25 March 

Princetown at the Community Centre 13.30 – 15.15 on Thursday 24 March and Thursday 31 March

Tavistock at the Alexander Centre 11.30 – 13.30 on Monday 4 April and Monday 11 April

Lifton at the Community Hall 11.30 – 13.30 on Tuesday 12 July and Tuesday 19 July.

To secure your place please contact Learn Devon at 01822 613701, text 0781 697 3926 or email tavistock@learndevon.co.uk.

Please let others know who may be interested.


Tamar Energy Fest 2021

TAMar
ENergy fest
2021

Tavistock Butchers Hall 
Saturday 13th November 
10:00-15:00.

We’re adopting the theme of the COP26 climate summit for our Energy Fest this year which is being held on the last day of COP26 fortnight.

We’re excited Tamar Energy Fest’s returning to Butchers’ Hall in Tavistock on Saturday Nov. 13th from 10:00 until 15:00 and we look forward to welcoming you on the day.

This is a free, family friendly event, suitable for all ages.

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COP26 - Learn More

Saturday 13th November
10:00-15:00

Tavistock Butchers Hall 

We’ll have a mixture of fun activities, short talks, advice stands, displays, and exhibitors providing information about how to make your home, business or organisation more energy efficient, warm and comfortable; how to reduce your energy bills; generate your own energy; and what you can do to reduce your carbon impact and do ‘your bit’ to progress towards net zero.

Open Homes network

We’ll also be relaunching our Open Homes network featuring householders who undertaken their own projects and happy to share their experiences and lessons learnt, good and bad.

Activities

Activities will include an interactive smart meter display, an art activity, a family energy quiz and we hope, an activity with our community gardeners.

You can buy competitively priced LED bulbs; and have a breather and enjoy a drink and home-made cake from our refreshment stand at our energy cafe.

Activities for children … and adults include:

  • Interactive smart meter display
  • Tavistock’s Energy Future – participative art
  • What is watt?
  • How energetic are you?

 

 

Short Talks

@ The Energy Cafe – Butchers’ Hall Tavistock

There will be a number of talks through the day including the importance of whole house retrofit, how to deal with traditional and listed properties, understanding heat pumps and sustainable travel in rural communities.

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11:00am – 11:30am

Energy Café

Sustainable Travel in Rural Communities

By Transition Tavistock

Its challenging to travel sustainably in rural communities. We share some of the areas we’re working on.
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11:45am – 12:15pm

Energy Café

Whole House Retrofit in practice

By Kate Royston, Tamar Energy Community

As we’re encouraged to consider how to make our homes closer to net zero, a whole house approach may be the best way
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12:30pm – 1:00pm

Energy Café

Understanding Heat Pumps

By Andy Metcalf, New Generation Energy

There’s a lot of talk about heat pumps at the moment. We’ll shine a light on key facts.
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1:15pm – 1:45pm

Energy Café

Warmer Bedford Cottages – Residents Guide Launch

By Peter Smith, Tamar Energy Community

At TEC we’ve been working with Bedford Cottage Residents and others to produce a helpful guide
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2:00pm – 2:30pm

Energy Café

Retrofitting traditional and listed properties

By Peter Smith, Tamar Energy Community

What to consider when retrofitting a traditional property

what is cop26?

exhibitors & Displays

We’ll have experts from a number of organisations including ZLC Energy, to talk about renewable generation (heat and power) and storage, Utility Warehouse to talk about their approach to managing your utility costs, and Devon Wildlife Trust addressing our ecological emergency. See below for exhibitors list.

We are hoping that our Local Authorities will be on hand to share their progress in addressing the Climate Emergency and ask for your involvement including an update on the Devon Climate Declaration.

Transition Tavistock, Tavistock Community Gardening and others will also be on hand with activities and options for more sustainable living.

If you’d like to exhibit, or help us out and volunteer on the day, OR YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT US please get in touch.

 

Tamar Energy Fest 2021 on Sat. Nov 13th

Tamar Energy Fest 2021 on Sat. Nov 13th

By Kate Royston

This year’s Tamar Energy Fest will be held on Saturday Nov. 13th in Butchers’ Hall, Tavistock.

The event is on the last day of the COP26 climate conference, so we feel its apt to embrace its theme of ‘Together for Our Planet’.

Find out more here.

If you’d like to get involved we’d love to hear from you.

We’re keen to hear from exhibitors able to share advice and support to for our journey’s towards low/zero carbon healthy homes, businesses etc. and/or support low/zero carbon lives.

We’d also love to hear from you if you’d like to help us organise and run the event and/or work with us in other ways.

You can download a Booking Form here as a word doc or here as a pdf.

If you have any questions or you’re able to get involved please email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com.