Eco living proves a powerful attraction

12:53pm Tuesday 17th October 2006

Comments (0)   Have your say »

LOCAL people want to be green was the message from the Homes 4 Now show in Malvern last weekend.

The exhibition of practical ideas, eco products and new, clean, green technologies attracted hundreds of people to the town.

I think the event is a wake-up call. The exhibition has been buzzing. People are telling us the environment is important and that green issues and sustainability matter. People want to do more”

Coun Sue Adeney

From young families with children to retired couples, everyone it seemed was keen to do more to make their life greener.

The event, organised by Malvern Hills District Council, included everything from simple tips on saving water, reducing fuel bills and recycling, to talks on eco home building, solar heating and wind turbines for your back garden.

"I think the event is a wake-up call. The exhibition has been buzzing. People are telling us the environment is important and that green issues and sustainability matter. People want to do more," said Coun Sue Adeney.

She said being green was no longer seen as odd and that a greener lifestyle was a priority for a lot of people.

Exhibitors said they had been overwhelmed with questions about their products and services. Some had run out of brochures and literature by Sunday and many were hoarse from talking solidly for two days.

For people not in a position to build their own carbon-neutral home from scratch or invest thousands in solar heating or wind power, there were cheaper, simpler green ideas such as switching to energy-saving light bulbs - there were free ones for anyone prepared to fill in a questionnaire - or putting on a jumper instead of turning up the central heating.

Children were given a fun way of showing how much energy it took to make a fruit smoothie, by riding a bike to create the power needed.

Many exhibitors were local, including Malvern's Greenlink organic supermarket and Solar (Hot Water) Engineering of Hanley Castle.

Malvern Inventors Club was promoting a range of eco products, from collapsible compost bins and rain protectors for clothes dryers to paper backpacks and a cycle-to-work scheme that helps people get a half-price bike.