Find out more about Metalectrique here:
Come and hear Trevor Howard talk about the technology in Tavistock Town Hall, in the Rundle Room, at 10:30 on Saturday Oct 28th.
Trevor will also be available at Tamar Energy Fest to answer your questions.
Held in Tavistock Town Hall, Tamar Energy Fest brought together local businesses and volunteers in a celebration of local energy and other eco-innovations.
More than 150 visitors came along to chat to local exhibitors, browse our information areas and listen to our programme of talks.
We shared energy advice for home and business including our LED corner with specialist advice about this important lighting technology. We now have a range of LED bulbs on sale in Local Matters in Elbow Lane.
There was a chance to register interest in our Community Solar share offer. You can find out more about our Community Solar installations and the share offer here.
Adrian Hepworth (Transition Tavistock) shared new initiatives around ‘Life without Plastic’ and a Water Bottle Refill Scheme now being offered by some local traders.
There was a strong woodland feel promoting Devon Hedge Week featuring Red Squirrel Tree Care’s photobooth and the Tamar Valley AONB Cordiale work.
A family entertainment table
An interesting and varied programme of talks.
Trevor Jackson, from local firm Metalélectrique caught attention by powering a fan just with liquid poured into an aluminium can – a demo of their ambitious plans for aluminium-air car batteries.
Jodie Giles (Regen) shared news of towns trying to be more self-sufficient in energy.
Kate Royston and Peter Smith (TEC energy advisers) gave practical advice on affordable warmth, and the different approaches for old and new homes.
Harry Jennings marked Devon Hedge Week by looking at the practicalities of using hedge thinnings for wood fuel.
Our Energy Cafe, with delicious tea and cakes, was a welcome spot for a rest. Thanks to Simon Earland (TEC Volunteer) for organising and managing the refreshments.
A local visitor said ““I thought today’s event was fabulous. Great credit to you all and the town. Really enjoyed the speaker and related discussion, and I made some useful contacts for house building purposes!”
Kate Royston (TEC)“We’re delighted that the day went well and visitors, exhibitors and volunteers all felt it was worthwhile. It’s important to share the message that Local Energy Matters, and by working together we can bring more of the benefits of energy back to the local community, help address fuel poverty and support our more vulnerable residents”
Enjoyed the Fest? Interested in getting involved? Volunteering? Joining the Board? Please get in touch.
Please email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com, call 07969 569 444, drop-in at Local Matters or come and have a chat at Green Drinks.
We would like to thank all our volunteers and exhibitors for their hard work, New Generation Energy for their promotional support, Maggie Squires for her art work on our stall in the Farmers Market, Red Squirrel Tree Care for participating with their photo booth, Dart Print, Tavistock Town Hall and Tavistock Times for their excellent service and Cllr. Jeff Moody for his support and participation on the day.
A 2 hour (approx.) walk learning how to identify wild edible spring plants, that are growing in the hedgerow and riverside, and the poisonous plants you could mistake them for.
Ending with a delicious meal at The Old Plough Inn sampling the wild food we find.
Cost: £35
Spring Walks: Meeting at 11:15am at the Bere Ferrers Train Station (15 minutes from Plymouth, coinciding with the 10:54am departure from Plymouth to Bere Ferrers train station) Saturdays 11th March, 8th April and 6th May
For more info: contactus@theoldeploughinn.co.uk
Download – ‘Getting To Know Wild Plants’ by Flora Arbuthnott
Cheers,
Julian Harrison
Join us between 10.00am and 13.00pm on Saturday 8th April at Local Matters.for the first ever Tavistock Seed Swap!
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any seeds to bring, come along, get some for free and bring them back to next year’s swap!
There will be lots of growers, gardening advice & plenty of chat. 
For more details please contact:
Kate Royston kate.royston@tamarenergycommunity.com
Rob Meredith 01409 254450
Diana Lee d.lee21@btinternet.com
Local Matters, Elbow Lane, Tavistock, PL19 0BG
(between Clinton Cards and Continental Fruits)
We look forward to seeing you at Local Matters.
Download a Joint Local Plan poster please here
Help protect the places and life you love from climate change.
Show the love with us … Tuesday 14th February … Local Matters, Elbow Lane, Tavistock.
Come along and show your love for our environment by making a green heart display.
Why? To raise awareness of the things we love and want to protect from climate change for future generations.
How? – depends how creative we get. We’ll provide paper & colours – feel free to bring pictures, material, ideas….
Show The Love is organised by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the people, places and life we love at home in the UK and around the world, including the world’s poorest countries. It includes over 100 organisations such as RSPB, National Trust, WWF, The WI and Oxfam.
See http://fortheloveof.org.uk/ for pictures of last year’s activities and an inspirational Michael Morpurgo / Jeremy Irons video.
We look forward to seeing you at Local Matters, Elbow Lane, Tavistock PL19 0BX.
If you have any questions please email hello@tamarenergycommunity.com or call 07969 569 444
In a fix with your broken electrical items and gadgets? Time to get them fixed for free at a special event to be held to be held at Local Matters, Elbow Lane, PL19 OBG on Saturday November 12th.
Download a poster here
Recycle Devon is putting on a series of REPAIR IT events across the county for householders to bring along their broken electrical appliances, including computers, to be fixed by local menders at no cost and the West Devon event takes place in Tavistock.
Organised in conjunction with Transition Tavistock and Tamar Community Energy, the event will run from 10:00 to 12:30 and repairs will be carried out on a first come, first served basis so please be prepared to wait. Please note that they won’t be able to fix CRT TVs or monitors, electric blankets or microwaves, for safety reasons.
Kate Royston, from Transition Tavistock, says ‘Local businesses and community members with the right technical knowledge are amazingly supportive of these events and contribute their time voluntarily. We’re delighted to have IT repair business; Western Web Computer Services and electrical repair whizz Myles from Yeltv on board alongside a number of skilled local people, for the Tavistock REPAIR IT.
Emma Croft, Re-use Project Co-ordinator added, ’Research shows that more than 75% of the small electrical items that come into recycling centres could be back up and running if they were repaired. These events are designed to help householders waste less and enable them to save money and resources by not having to replace something broken.’
Get in touch with Emma on 07966 566435 or via emma.croft@devon.gov.uk; or Kate on 07969 569 444 to find out more.
Recycle Devon is a countywide waste communications campaign which represents a partnership of 10 authorities across Devon including Devon County Council, 8 District Authorities and Torbay Council.
Devon County Council’s Re-use Project promotes re-use of durable household items – specifically clothes, electrical goods, furniture and bicycles through a programme of community and third sector engagement.
The REPAIR IT events have been funded by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Distributor Take Back Scheme.