Building Sustainability into Your Home

A demonstration by earth build specialists Eartha at Green Build 2004

Find out about green features to save money and protect the environment

The new eco-friendly visitors' centre at Sheringham Park will host this year's Green Build exhibition, bringing experts in the field of sustainable construction and restoration together under one roof.

Green Build 2005, on Saturday and Sunday, 16 and 17 April, from 10.30am to 4pm, will see exhibitors manning about 30 stands and giving demonstrations and advice, for the benefit of people who want to build some sustainability into new buildings or home renovation projects.

Admittance to the exhibition is free (though there is a car parking charge at Sheringham Park). Momo Theatre will provide entertainment on both days with its Renewable Energy Show, and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and Creativity Works 4 U will run eco-themed activities for all ages.

Building professionals and the public alike are welcome to both days, but the Saturday is aimed more at the building trade, with some specialist talks and stands. On the Saturday, Tom Ground, architect of the new visitors' centre at Sheringham Park, will give a talk on the building project at 10.30am, followed by eco-architect Jerry Harrall giving a talk on his local projects at 12.30pm. The National Trust will give guided tours of the site all weekend (booking advised - contact Frances Frances, details below).

Green Build is run every year by North Norfolk District Council, with trade stands, demonstrations, and advice on building, planning and grants, covering all aspects of the environmental home from its structure and design, materials used and renewable energy, to decorating, furnishing, recycling and biodiversity.

Practical demonstrations include those from Norfolk earth building specialists Eartha and other local green builders, a mini straw bale house that visitors can help construct, plus the National Energy Foundation's travelling Green Energy Machine. Limited numbers of the latest Green Building Bible will also be on sale at a discounted price.

On the Sunday there will be an open meeting about installing solar water heating features as self-build projects. Contact Paul Bourgeois on 01603 430598 or email paul.bourgeois@broadland.gov.uk to attend this meeting.

ENDS