Eco-Gym shows Bath & West visitors how to save energy, money and the planet
Businesses and individuals are increasingly adopting environmentally-friendly practices - but they need to do more to save energy, money and the planet.
With climate change a hot political topic, the opportunities for everyone to do their bit are growing fast - and can have a dramatic impact on both the environment and the pocket, says accountant Old Mill.
It is supporting the Eco-Gym at this year’s Royal Bath & West Show, in a bid to show people how easy it can be to become eco-friendly. Visitors to the Show will be able to burn off a few calories while making a delicious smoothie on a special blender bike, or use their own muscles to generate electricity for Scalextric and toy train races.
“This is an area where people can visualise energy,” says John Jackson, partner at Old Mill. “They can find out just how hard it is to keep one light bulb on, or run a TV, or even boil a kettle. They can lift the weight of their own carbon footprint and by using their own energy see the size of the problem facing the planet.”
The Eco-Gym is part of the Show’s Eco-Zone, a fascinating area where visitors can learn all about environmentally-friendly technology, from renewable fuels and solar energy to green packaging and anaerobic digestion.
Experts will also be on hand to offer one-to-one advice on becoming more energy efficient, and trade stands abound in commercial options available to farmers, individuals and other businesses.
“The Eco-Zone is a small but essential step in the long road to public acceptance of the need for change, and a precursor to more ambitious intentions for the showground,” says Archie Montgomery, who farms in North Cadbury, Somerset, and helped to create the Eco-Gym. “For some years it has been obvious that Britain, with its historical abundance of coal, oil and gas, has taken a very different view of national energy security compared to its European neighbours.”
Continental countries with poor fossil fuel resources have successfully developed renewable alternatives, many of which rely on farmers and the land-based industries to provide the raw materials - including wood, crop-based biofuels or waste products.
“This has improved farmers’ livelihoods and income security and helped to create wealth in local communities,” says Mr Montgomery. “We have a lot to learn in this country, and the Bath & West Show is an ideal opportunity to publicise information about sustainability which is already household knowledge amongst our European neighbours, and in the process promote the market for the land-based renewable sector.”
- For full details of the Show, which will be held from May 28-31, visit http://www.bathandwest.com/ or ring the Bath & West Showground on 01749 822200.
- Staff from Old Mill Rural Services will be available to discuss the benefits of adopting environmentally-friendly practices, as well as any financial and tax-related issues, at the Old Mill stand in the Showering Pavilion.
For more information contact:
Alan Stone, marketing manager - Tel: 01749 335007, or e-mail: alan.stone@oldmillgroup.co.uk
About Old Mill Rural Services
Old Mill accountants and financial advisers employ 160 staff in three West Country offices. The Rural Services teams are headed by Mike Butler (Yeovil), Ian Sharpe (Shepton Mallet) and Andrew Vickery (Exeter). Looking after nearly 1,000 farmers they are one of the leading specialist farm accountants, and are happy to help with any financial and tax-related enquiries from the media.