We are very excited about the way that our second annual Energy Day is taking shape. To be held on Sunday 5 March at the Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek, it will focus on the following themes:
- Fabric first: basic energy solutions for your house/home
- How to reduce your energy use: a talk plus Q&A
- Domestic energy: the next steps
- An energy future for the Moorlands Staffordshire, and the region
As before, the day will feature a lively mix of speakers who will then take part in a panel discussion as well as answer any question you may have.
From last year, we’re delighted to welcome back Sheffield’s Nick Parsons, of Sustainable Building, one of the most insightful (and user-friendly) experts on energy refurbs in the business.
New this year is Mark Thompson of Get Energy Savvy. This Cheshire-based speaker is known for his simple, no-nonsense approach to getting the most out of your energy spend. He will have tips to take home for everyone in the building and hopes to have an answer for even your knottiest energy problems.
We tried to get Charlie Baker of RED Co-Op to speak last year but illness prevented this. So, we’re particularly pleased that Charlie can make it this year. This pioneering Manchester outfit is known for recycling buildings to meet the highest standards, making them fit for the future, and reusing what they can. In their words: “We don’t just help build a low carbon world; we make it look good too”.
Another new name on the agenda is Becky Lane of Birmingham-based Furbnow. CAT graduate Becky has been a leading light in the retrofitting game for the past 10 years. Now she’s decided to tackle the inefficiencies in people’s homes and in the wider industry head-on with her new company.
The journey to a low carbon future is one we share with our friends from neighbouring community groups and there is none we are closer to than Hope Valley Climate Action. So, the appearance of HVCA’s Zee-Zee Heine is particularly welcome. Zee-Zee will be able to share with us her experience of pressing for progress on housing stock retrofit from the other side of the Derbyshire-Staffordshire border.
We start the Energy Day with a focus on the nitty-gritty of refurbing your house’s energy profile – or even tweaking a radiator valve or two – but we aim also to provide a strategic view. The Nottingham-based Midlands Net Zero Hub has been crucial in mobilising funding, advice and support for energy improvements across the region but until now they have operated very much in the background.
But funding is essential for this long-term journey and so we are delighted that Serena Bacuzzi of Midlands Net Zero Hub has agreed to give us an up-to-the-minute account of what to expect in coming months.
Alongside these keynote speakers from outside the county we will be adding more home-grown talent in coming weeks. Keep your eyes peeled!
The Energy Day will be packed with information and lively debate, but it won’t all be serious; there will be stalls, exhibitions and activity areas with fun for all the family.
This will include a fascinating demonstration from MCA’s very own James Firkins. We are not yet quite sure what it is he will be demonstrating but if it is as captivating as last year we are in for a treat!
None of this would be possible without the support of Leek Building Society, who have so kindly agreed to sponsor the Energy Day again this year. We are also grateful to Staffordshire County Council for providing additional support.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council will be opening the day in the shape of Cllr Joe Porter, the Cabinet Member for Climate and Biodiversity.
Don’t miss this opportunity to talk to experts and get the low-down on keeping warm, saving energy and joining together on this journey to a low-carbon future!
The event is free and you can sign up via Eventbrite but it will still be possible to just turn up on the day. We’ll also be posting updates on our website calendar, the Foxlowe What’s-On calendar and Eventbrite.