Ecocabin Newsletter June 2006
Well, the year is racing by and Easter and both May Bank Holidays have been and gone. First I owe an apology to Susan, who set me the April deadline for my booklet ‘The Philosophy and Construction of Ecocabin’. I’m sorry but, like many things, I have not got round to it – yet! At the moment ecocabin is home to extra visitors. This family of bluetits are just above the front door under the verandah and don’t seem even slightly perturbed by all the comings and goings.
End of January was maintenance week. Keith the lime plasterer returned as a few cracks had appeared as the building dried out. There were also lots of boring clean up jobs like re-grouting tiles and touching up paintwork to keep ecocabin looking as good as new.
In March I was invited to speak at a small conference organised by the Warwickshire Rural Hub and supported by WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise www.wireuk.org) titled ‘Rural Innovation’. Initially nervous, I found I rather enjoyed having the attention of so many. Feedback about my talk was very positive and has encouraged me to put myself forward for similar events – should anyone want to listen!
April saw the Triodos Annual meeting in Birmingham www.triodos.co.uk As ever, it was an inspiring day out and a chance to meet some likeminded people. Can you think of any other bank that greets its business customers by their first name at its biggest event of the year? The occasion also allowed me to use my super duper new promotional banner for the first time - printed in water-based inks on recyclable fabric by www.hi-fli.com
The garden is really maturing now and it is hard to believe how bare it was only 14 months ago. The balance of meadow flowers is different than last year, as the grass has become more established. John is helping me to maintain that wild but cared for look, which we are creating through careful editing and relocation, and we have decided to mow paths through the long grass this year to make it more accessible. We have also added more plants, including a patch of native gorse and broom.
No vacancies left in the Summer but, due to a cancellation, a week is free 1st – 8th September. There is one week available in October (13th – 20th) and November and December are still open, including Christmas and New Year. Ecocabin is a fun and cosy place to visit in winter as some March guests discovered when they were forced to spend an extra night due to heavy snow. They were so disappointed not to get to work on Monday! Remember, if you visited ecocabin last year, the tariff remains the same if you book for this year. Have a look at the booking form at www.ecocabin.co.uk for other discounts. Bookings are now being taken for 2007, so if you have a specific date in mind (for a special occasion perhaps) please get in touch soon!
However, if you are keen to visit Shropshire this summer and want to stay at a property with genuine green building credentials read all about Buckshead Cottage at www.clunvalleyorganics.co.uk or see the eco-entrepreneur page on my website.
I have been selected as a finalist in the Country Living Magazine Enterprising Rural Women Awards. The results will be announced on 6th July at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in the Country Living Pavilion.
The Ecocabin Open day is planned for 17th September. There will be a £1 charge (children free) to include refreshments but those who arrive by foot, bicycle or organise car sharing or similar initiatives will be admitted and refreshed for free! There will be details of alternatives to driving nearer the time available on the website. The open day will allow the grand unveiling of the new sunroom that will be created by glazing in part of the verandah.
For baby visitors, ecocabin now has a compostable/washable nappy system available. www.eenee.com is an Australian company but the product is available through your local Lollipop rep www.lollipop.co.uk As before, the wraps and cotton inserts are free to use but there is a small charge for the compostable pads.
Martha and I have booked our November holiday at a cottage on an organic farm in Crackington Haven (just south of Bude) www.woodafarm.co.uk We will be travelling by train from Craven Arms to Exeter, then by bus to Bude. I will tell you all about it in the next newsletter.
Future plans for ecocabin (finance permitting) will hopefully include installation of a 1kW wind turbine and a 1kW PV panel. Following expert advice I am awaiting information on a new vertical axis wind turbine that will be out on the market later in the year. Ecocabin’s location has very turbulent air conditions to which the VAWT (as opposed to horizontal axis) is more suited as they are able to harness wind energy from any direction.
Thanks for reading this and enjoy your summer! Kate
Go Back