Last updated 10:30, Tuesday, 26 August 2008

CUMBRIA’S hidden revolution in renewable energy, sustainable building design and transport, cutting-edge insulation products and hi-tech lighting is set to come to the fore in South Lakeland.

VISITOR CENTRE: The Yan

Richard Suddaby, from CAfS, said: “There’s a wealth of homes, businesses and organisations that are opening their doors to visitors and showcasing environmental features.

“Green Build Fortnight is a chance to see that solutions exist here in Cumbria and not just in places like Scandinavia or Germany.”

On Wednesday (27), there will be a tour of the new interpretation building at Tarn Hows, near Coniston, between 4pm and 5pm, looking at the low water use systems, waste disposal, sophisticated skylights, sedum roof and clever design.

Bowness tourist information centre will host a planning surgery forpeople looking to build, renovate or investigate renewable energy in the Lake District National Park, on the same day from 11am to 12.30pm.

Also on August 27 Wednesday, visitors will be able to tour The Yan – the new Forestry Commission visitor centre at Grizedale Forest – between 3pm and 4pm. There will be another tour on Monday September 1 from 10.30am 11.30am. On the same day there will also be a chance to see the log boiler which heats St Bega’s School in Eskdale and the recently-installed chip feed boiler at Eskdale YHA.

The next day, there will be a presentation and tour of the straw bale building at the National Trust’s St Catherine’s property in Patterdale Road, Windermere, from 6pm to 7.15pm.

Then, from 7.15pm to 8.10pm, there will be a presentation on carbon-neutral buildings. From 8.10pm to 8.30pm, there will be a presentation on green roofs.

Low Sizergh Barn will host a presentation on its wood chip fuel system on Wednesday September 3, while there will be an event to support businesses aiming to cut energy costs at Staveley Mill Yard from 5pm to 7pm, and then, at Hawkshead Brewery visitor centre, from 7pm to 8pm.

On Saturday September 6, there will be an eco fair at Ford Park in Ulverston from 10am to 4pm, run by Ulverston Sustainability Group, with stalls, talks and specialists on energy efficiency, renewable energy and more.

For further information, go to www.cafs.org.uk or contact 01768 210276.