Community Energy Spring Gathering

This event was a weekend workshop offering the opportunity for people to get together to discuss current opportunities and challenges that we’re facing, get to know each other, relax, learn and have fun.

The format for the gathering was to share and learn from each other in focus groups on specific topics of interest in a glorious and informal setting, with a study tour of renewable energy installations, including the new wood fuelled boiler and solar array on the Dartington Estate. The event included a Community Energy Feast at the White Hart Restaurant at Dartington Hall, funded by the Regen Peer Power project.

Draft agenda

Day one 

11:30 Tea/coffee on arrival
12:00 Introduction to the two days and the people attending
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Themed topic discussion in focus groups
15:00 Themed topic discussion in focus groups
16:00 Walk and tour of Dartington renewables, wood fuelled boiler and solar array
18:30 Peer Power Feast at the White Hart Restaurant

Day two

08:30 Breakfast
10:00 Group walk and discussion along the River Dart to the site of the proposed Staverton hydro turbine
12:00 Final themed topic: Positive public engagement
13.00 Lunch
14:00 Departure

Group discussions were informal to allow each delegate to share from their own experiences in dealing with the main issues we face in the community energy sector.  If you are interested in chairing a discussion or taking notes to record the main points from each session please let us know!  We have a list of themed topics for group discussion and we would also like to hear your suggestions before whittling down the list to fit the three available time slots.

The aim of this event was to learn and share with community energy practitioners and peers from across the British Isles.  So please do consider yourselves invited from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, for a spring break in Devon!

If you are in Devon or Dorset Regen have travel bursaries available as part of the Peer Power project and you can apply to Jodie jgiles@regensw.co.uk for these.